The benefits of beach nourishment far outweigh the costs.

The three main benefits include:

1) Storm protection.  The beach protects valuable infrastructure (i.e. roads, electric, cable, water and sewage service, etc.) along our coastline.  Many studies have demonstrated that wide beaches, nourished or natural, provide protection from scouring storm waves and punishing storm surge.  Beaches absorb wave energy during storms and prevent waves from damaging upland structures. 

Structural damage due to
storm erosion.

2) Tourism: Visitors come to Pinellas County to enjoy the beach.

• 95% of visitors consider the beach their #1 influential factor for choosing the area.
• In 2004, 13.6 million visitors came to Pinellas County. Their expenditures exceeded $6 billion.
• Over 82,000 residents work in the tourism industry, generating over $2.7 billion in area wages.
• Annually, the state of Florida spends $30 to 40 million on beach nourishment.  In 2004, tourism generated over $3 billion in sales tax.  This is an 850% return on our investment.
  (Source: Pinellas County TDC 2004 Visitor Profile)

More Nourishment Facts for the resident and visitor.

3) Environmental benefits: Wide beaches provide habitat for nesting sea turtles and shorebirds.  See the Environmental Impacts section.