The City continues to make steady progress in restoring its beaches and addressing ongoing erosion concerns. Read on for the latest project updates.
Public Input & Permit Application
The public comment period for the nourishment permit application is currently open through November 17, 2025. Interested stakeholders can view the public notice and how to submit comments to the state via Public Notices or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Permit coordination is ongoing to attempt to expedite the process as much as possible, with the goal of implementing large-scale beach nourishment by the summer of 2026. The federal government shutdown may impact the review process should it continue for several more weeks.
Beach Restoration Updates
Work continues in the areas with emergency erosion conditions. The City relocated 25,000 cy of sand along the shoal attachment area to affected areas at the north end of the island. Included in this was manual attachment of the western arm of the attaching shoal, which has facilitated natural onshore movement of sand at the eastern end of Beachwood East.
Significant onshore movement of sand has been observed over the past week, and Coastal Science & Engineering expects to see accretion of the western part of Beachwood East in the next few weeks. Shoal sand will then spread further west to aid in the beach condition along Seagrove and eventually the Grand Pavilion Area. Sand was also placed at the northeast end of the island to repair damage from the nor'easter that impacted the beach in late September and early October.
The City continues to maintain sandbags in areas with extreme erosion; however, individual owners are encouraged to supplement the City's work in response to rapidly changing beach conditions. Owners may place imported sand or additional sandbags at their expense to increase protection levels or maintain the dune line.
Please contact the City Administrator Douglas Kerr with questions or to inform the City of additional work.
Upcoming Major Beach Restoration Project
In addition, the City is planning a major beach restoration project to rebuild and protect the shorelines on both ends of the island. Up to 2.5 million cy of sand will be placed, using sand from approved offshore areas roughly two miles from shore. The project is expected to cost up to $27 million and could begin as early as spring 2026. Necessary state and federal permits have been requested and are currently under review.
This work is part of the city’s long-term Local Comprehensive Beach Management Plan, which calls for regular large-scale nourishment to address ongoing erosion, manage shifting sand shoals, and maintain the dunes after storms.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project (USACE)
The USACE has executed a contract with Cottrell Contracting Corporation to place up to 250,000 cy of sand along the southern end of the island, with work expected to start early in 2026. This sand will be dredged from the Intracoastal Waterway as part of ongoing navigation maintenance work. Upon placement, the City will determine, based on the beach condition at that time, whether to shift up to 20,000 cy of this sand to erosional areas on the southern end of the island as authorized under existing permits.
Funding
The city has requested $5.3 million in state funding for the major beach renourishment project. The required $5.3 million local match has already been secured, and an estimated $27 million will come from local sources, including funds raised by the Wild Dunes Community Association, to complete the work.
All other beach restoration efforts are being funded through the city's Beach Preservation Fund.
Please send general project inquiries to hello@iop.net.