Mr. Brian Hughes
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
Jacksonville, FL
 
May 10, 2005
 
Brian,
                                         
I enjoyed speaking with you last night regarding the benefits of utilizing an upland source of compatible sand for the Miami Beach re-nourishment project.
 
As I asserted in the meeting, despite the fact that Miami would be robbing the citizens of Martin and St. Lucie counties of a vital protective and economic resource, the bottom line is that shoal dredging projects simply don't work. Any alteration to a naturally-formed sand berm will permanently alter wave action and effect shoreline erosion. Attached are PDFs of the two studies published in 2004 in the Journal of Coastal Research, citing examples and scientific data to support this fact.
 
Unless another compatible sand source can be found that does not carry huge environmental and economic costs, the only feasible alternative is to utilize an upland source of sand. Attached you will find a press release the Treasure Coast Surfrider Foundation generated in response to St. Lucie County's failed dune remediation effort. It cites the example of Brevard County's successful 20-mile beach re-nourishment in the wake of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, utilizing four upland sources of compatible sand. (The Surfrider Foundation played a large role in holding all parties accountable in the St. Lucie County dune remediation project, resulting in the complete removal of 3.7 miles of incompatible sand and its replacement with compatible sand from a local source.)
 
Understandably, the logistics would be difficult to truck sand through an urban area and onto a congested beachfront, but with proper permits, ramps and temporary staging areas created at key access points, the task would not be impossible. (This may also effect street parking and require temporary removal of access area amenities and vegetation.) The other alternative discussed would be to deliver the sand by rail / truck to a temporary staging area at one of the ports, and deliver the sand to beaches by barge. You stated that due to port usage fees, taxes and limited availability of vessels, that this scenario would be cost prohibitive. It would seem that if this was the most environmentally feasible option, and in the best public interest, that local state and federal governments would band together to force the port to relax these restrictions.
 
To account for the additional transportation costs involved with using an upland source, we suggest levying a special assesement against Miami Beach property owners, along with a tourist bed tax.
 
In either case, whether trucking or shipping in the sand, heavy equipment will be needed on the beaches to spead the sand out, causing a temporary disruption to beach use.
 
To get more information regarding Brevard County's successful use of upland sand, you may want to contact Brevard county Environmental Services Manager Virginia Barker at 321-633-2016 x 52435, or Kevin Bodge at the coastal engineering firm of Olsen Associates at 904-387-6114 x 11.
 
Respectfully yours,
 
Chris Shultz,
Martin County Chair
The Treasure Coast Surfrider Foundation
772-834-5858



Surfrider Foundation
Treasure Coast Chapter
Jensen Beach, FL

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