Subject:
Title
South Beaches 2026-2027 Dune Project Maintenance
End
Fiscal Impact:
2026-2027 South Beaches Dune Maintenance Project cost is expected to be $11,400,000 and initially be funded by the Tourism Development Tax Beach Improvement Fund. Cost share reimbursement from existing State Grants is expected to be a minimum $5,883,143, up to $6.9M.
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board authorize: 1) the County Manager to execute a change order of $10,328,850 extending an existing contract with Dickerson Infrastructure Inc. through 2027 to repair the South Beaches engineered dune project; 2) the County to continue obtaining and recording voluntary easements for beach and dune renourishment in the South Beaches; 3) use of county owned/managed land for temporary construction access; 4) the County Manager to execute Change Orders, Task Orders or Contracts for work in excess of $200,000 for associated tasks required to complete the project and comply with permit conditions; and 5) necessary budget change requests.
End
Summary Explanation and Background:
In 2004-2005, in response to Hurricane Jeanne, Brevard County constructed an engineered dune project along approximately 12 miles of developed shoreline in the South Beaches, extending from Spessard Holland Park southward to Sebastian Inlet State Park. This project has been maintained as required by FEMA, most recently in 2025-26 after Hurricane Milton. From October 23 to 29, 2026 a strong and long-lasting Nor’easter impacted Brevard, coinciding the highest “king tide” tide of the year. The combined impact of the wind and tide caused significant erosion in portions of the South Beaches. Photo summary attached.
The South Beaches project has been successful at protecting both upland parks and properties, as well as sea turtle nesting habitat in the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge. This work is consistent with the States designation of this area as the Brevard Barrier Island Area (BBIA) of Critical State Concern. To date approximately $46.9 million has been spent on sand and dune vegetation to preserve this shoreline of which Brevard County’s cost share after all qualified reimbursement has been about 19% due to highly successful leveraging of state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. To assure future FEMA eligibility, Brevard County must demonstrate that we actively maintain the project as needed. The October 2026 Nor’easter has caused sufficient erosion that sand placement is warranted to help meet the FEMA project maintenance requirement.
Timely pursuit of contracting is necessary for multiple reasons: 1) Beach Quality sand obtain from upland quarries is in limited supply and contracting will allow sand production to begin 2) Work is estimated to require four to five months to complete 3) mobilization for beach placement work should begin December 2026 to ensure completion prior to the May 1, 2027 start of marine turtle nesting season and 4) Shoreline that is not restored prior to May 2027 will remain vulnerable through the next hurricane season.
Dickerson Infrastructure Inc. remains under contract with Brevard County from a 2023 Bid #3-23-30 for the South Beaches Project maintenance event that was completed in 2025-26. Dickerson is willing to honor the January 2023 bid price of $55.81 per cubic yard. Staff believe this cost remains fair for the 2026-27 work needed, particularly given recent inflation seen in construction costs and diesel prices.
The anticipated Change Order cost for sand placement totals $10,328,850. Total cost for the project is estimated at $11,400,000 including sand placement, beach tilling, permitting, voluntary easement acquisition, construction oversight and required environmental and physical monitoring. Reimbursement of approximately $5.9 million is expected through existing State grants previously approved by the Board. After these anticipated reimbursements the final net cost to the County will be approximately $5.5 million. Staff anticipate an additional $1.1 million in state grant funding for this sand placement event may be obtained in future years. Project funding is available in the Tourism Development Office Beach Improvement Budget. To meet permit requirements and project schedule, the County Manager will need to execute subsequent contracts, change orders and task orders for all associated work.
In 2025 the Board approved obtaining voluntary easements from South Beaches property owners to allow sand placement. The bulk of these easements have been obtained and recorded but the review and approval process is complex and ongoing. This process will continue to ensure easements are obtained for those properties receiving sand.
Brevard’s other beach project areas also experienced impacts. These areas, including the North Reach, Mid Reach, and South Reach, are managed in partnership with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Response plans for these expanses of beach are being coordinated separately with the USACE, in accordance with previous Board action.
Clerk to the Board Instructions: