In the first week of the $3.67 million Hurricane Dorian dunes restoration project from south MalaCompra Park to south Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Flagler County’s contractor has added 12,325 tons of sand to 1,500 linear feet at the south end of the project.
The sand was brought in by 461 truck loads to date, and adds up to 8560 cubic yards, building dunes of just under 6 cubic yards per foot.
“We are very pleased with what was accomplished in one week,” said County Engineer Faith Alkhatib. “The contractor anticipates completing this project in April, ahead of the turtle nesting season.”
The project will restore 8,350 linear feet of Atlantic shoreline with about 49,500 cubic yards of beach-compatible material that meets specific geotechnical characteristics that are established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and comes from approved upland sand mines. The sand is hauled by truck. Work is progressing from south to north.
“Work is being done on weekdays, and during daylight hours,” Alkhatib said. “Right now the staging is at MalaCompra Park but when the project is halfway completed, the staging area will move to Washington Oaks.”
Flagler County has suspended beach horseback riding in the project area. Horseback riders can access the beach at Jungle Hut Road, and will only be permitted to ride as far north as the northern border of the Hammock Beach Resort.
The project is permitted and follows Florida Department of Environmental Protection requirements.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is covering 75% of the $3.67 million project funding and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) are covering the 25% local match.
Flagler County is the permittee. Eastman Aggregate Enterprises is the contractor and turbidity monitor. Olsen Associates is the engineer. Construction oversight is being handled by Eisman & Russo, FDEP, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience while this work is ongoing,” Alkhatib said. “I think everyone is happy this project has started.”
Keith Vinnicombe says
All this is lipstick!
That’s another 3.7 million thrown away that does nothing to protect the dunes from the next hurricane!
We need concrete tetrapods all along the dunes with tetrapod breakwaters to anchor the sand.
Where is all the sand and the 28.3 million which was spent in 2018?
It was all taken by hurricane Ian and 20 feet more from the face of the dunes. The next bad hurricane will result in multiple breaches of the dunes and major flooding and destruction.
We need to be putting our taxpayers money into concrete and not sand that just gets washed away!
Donald J Trump says
Raising the new concrete pier 10 feet higher is a brilliant decision by politicians. Guess we will be able to park at Wadsworth Park and SWIM to the new pier?
Paddle Paddler says
At least we’ll be able to launch from the updated multi-million dollar Waterfront Park and paddle over to it.
HammockBear says
Would the Fl. Lottery donate some money to cover the cost of sand at the beaches? Fl. Education gets a share so why not our beaches? The beaches bring tourists and the rest is written in the sand that remains.
The dude says
Yes, let’s definitely take money from public education to throw it away on sand that will just wash away.
You know, because Florida schools are already over funded and academically over performing… that’s not true, not at all.
jOE sTOLFI says
WAIT JUST A MINUTE
Didn’t “THEY” added G L U E to this sand so it sticks ?
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. All this is lipstick! .