Coastal Management: Beach Nourishment

The beaches of Pinellas County attract millions of visitors every year and are enjoyed by residents of the entire Tampa Bay area. Not only do the beaches support tourism and the general economy of the area, they help protect the barrier islands and the property on which homes, schools and businesses thrive. Beaches play a vital role in the marine environment, with sea turtles, nesting birds and other wildlife dependent on the beach for survival.

Erosion

Barrier islands are naturally in a constant state of change as they are acted upon by daily wave action, seasonal storms and other effects of the sea. As the barrier islands of Pinellas County were developed, filled with homes and businesses, condominiums and roads, the beach ran out of room to naturally transform. The Gulf of Mexico was becoming dangerously close to property, and an erosion problem was identified.

To manage the ongoing erosion, a nourishment program helps protect the homes, schools and businesses along the beaches with projects that pump sand along the coast and build up the beaches. The beaches are monitored and projects are scheduled based on the amount of erosion that occurs. Other remedies are used as well to help slow down the process. This Erosion Control Program is supported by the shared funding from the federal, state and county.

The Benefits of Nourishment

The preservation of the beaches is essential in maintaining the quality of life that residents value and which attracts visitors throughout the year.

Storm protection – Barrier islands are nature’s buffer between the destructive force of the Gulf of Mexico and the mainland. The islands stretch from Fort De Soto Park in the south to Caladesi State Park in the north. Between the parks are the 12 municipalities located on barrier islands. The beach is the primary protection for the homes, schools, churches and businesses that are built upon the islands.
Tourism – The hospitality industry supports the economy, provides jobs and even helps pay for the beach nourishment.
95 percent of visitors consider the beach the No. 1 reason for choosing the area to spend their vacations. UPDATING THIS INFO – WAITING ON CVB
Employment – More than 82,000 jobs in Pinellas County are created by tourists visiting the beaches. In addition to the residents employed by the hospitality industry, the local businesses benefit from the business that the tourists bring to the area, and jobs are created by the demands of a year-round population that is just under 1 million people. Many residents live in Pinellas County because of the beaches and other natural attractions.
Support of nourishment – The beaches attract visitors, and in turn, the 1-percent tax collected from the hotel/motel industry helps support the beach nourishment projects.

Maintaining functional and beautiful beaches is vital to the economy of Pinellas County.

Environmental – Wide beaches provide habitat for shorebirds. Sea Turtles use the beaches to lay eggs and are protected under state and local ordinances. A monitoring program ensures that the regulations are followed and the hatchlings have the best chance of survival. Learning about the sea turtles and seeing the nests is also an opportunity for education and are a delight to local residents and visitors.

There are many other positive impacts that are a result of the maintenance of the beach, both economic and environmental. But the value of the simple pleasure that the beach brings to residents and visitors cannot be measured.
Beach Facts for residents about beach nourishment

Funding:

The Sand Key, Treasure Island and Long Key Nourishment Project are federal projects, administered by the Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The typical cost sharing for the project is 60% federal (Army Corps), 20% state (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) and 20% local (Pinellas County).The Army Corps administers construction of the project, while Pinellas County assists with permitting, providing easements and staging areas, funding, and local management for the project.

The Pinellas County portion of the funding comes from the tourist development tax. One half of 1% of the 5% tax is set aside annually for beach projects, generating nearly $2 million per year. This tourist tax dedication guarantees that no local tax dollars are spent on beach nourishment.

Visit our beaches:

Pinellas County maintains three major parks along the Gulf Coast. These three parks offer a list amenities that include picnicking facilities, fishing opportunities and other items of interest to residents and tourists alike. more on county beaches >