Subject:
Title
South Beaches 2025-26 Dune Project Maintenance including Hurricane Milton Response
End
Fiscal Impact:
Total South Beaches Dune Maintenance Project cost including sand, dune vegetation, permit-required monitoring and permitting/oversight is expected to be $13.4 million and initially be funded by the Tourism Development Tax Beach Improvement Fund. Cost-share reimbursement from FEMA and State Grants combined is expected to be $7.4 million.
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 up to $10.9 million to an existing contract with Dickerson Infrastructure Inc. to repair the South Beaches engineered dune project; 2) the County to obtain and record 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 or designee to execute Task Orders or Contracts work in excess of $200,000 for associated tasks required to complete the project and comply with permit conditions; 5) staff to seek FEMA & and additional state funding for reimbursement; and 6) 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. This project has been maintained as required by FEMA, most recently in 2023-24 after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. In late 2024 Hurricane Milton, followed by fall winds and king tides caused significant erosion in portions of the South Beaches.
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...
Click here for full text