Holmes Beach commissioners get beach renourishment overview

The head of Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources named his beach management update “Beach Renourishment 101 Refresher.”

Charlie Hunsicker, director of county parks and natural resources, along with Tom Pierro, principal engineer with Coastal Protection Engineering, gave Holmes Beach city commissioners an overview with a history lesson Dec. 10 as planning continues to nourish island beaches with sand.

“Sometimes Mother Nature needs some help,” Hunsicker said of the multimillion-dollar project set to commence in February or March 2020.

Hunsicker said almost 6 million cubic feet of sand has been placed on Anna Maria Island beaches since 1992, the year of the first renourishment.

Pierro previewed plans for 2020 saying beach renourishment is not a single project but an ongoing program to protect and maintain island beaches.