Volusia County Unveils $25.8M Plan to Restore New Smyrna Beach Coastline

New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA - In a significant move to protect its shores, the Volusia County Council has greenlit a $25.8 million beach restoration project aimed at restoring the coastline in the New Smyrna Beach area. This initiative, as reported by Click Orlando, will involve placing approximately half a million cubic yards of sand along the beach, extending from Sapphire Road to unincorporated New Smyrna Beach. The funding for this venture comes from a grant provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, specifically aimed at replenishing sand lost during recent storms.

The importance of this project cannot be overstated. Recent hurricanes and Nor’easters have stripped away over 6.6 million cubic yards of sand from the coastline, severely affecting the area’s natural defenses against future storms. This project is just one piece of a larger puzzle, with several beach restoration efforts already underway in Volusia County.

Details of the Project

To facilitate this restoration, sand will be sourced from Rattlesnake Island, noted for its beach-compatible material. Crews engaged in this effort will also plant native dune plants to stabilize the newly placed sand. However, beachgoers and waterfront property owners should note that those with beachfront properties in the restoration area must submit an easement for sand to be placed on their land. For assistance regarding the easement process, property owners can reach out to Right of Way Manager Keith Koshiol at KKoshiol@volusia.org.

But that’s not all—Volusia County is rolling out two additional sand placement projects to counteract damages from hurricanes Ian and Nicole, which wreaked havoc in 2022. As highlighted by News 13, these projects will embark on restoring both the north and south sides of the Ponce de Leon Inlet. Together, they are funded by an impressive $82 million state grant aimed at hurricane recovery, with an anticipated cost of $42 million purely for the sand placement efforts.

A Community Effort

Under this initiative, property owners will receive approximately 18 cubic yards of sand per linear foot along their eastern borders. For those curious about specifics, the South Sand Placement Project will transport over 500,000 cubic yards of sand from Rattlesnake Island, while the North Sand Placement Project will focus on pumping around 700,000 cubic yards from the Intracoastal Waterway and Ponce de Leon Inlet.

Residents keen on local support can take advantage of reimbursement programs as well. Single-family homeowners can receive up to 50% reimbursement, capped at $300,000, for seawall and rock revetment construction. Condo owners have the option for even more—up to $600,000! Notably, those who previously placed sand on the beach in front of their seawalls or natural dunes are fully eligible for reimbursement.

The county is also on track to remove TrapBags, which were installed last year, at no additional expense to residents. With over $40 million in grant money still available for further recovery efforts, the future looks brighter for Volusia County’s coastline.

Long-Term Resiliency Planning

Additionally, a feasibility study is currently underway to develop a long-term resiliency project targeting the most vulnerable coastal areas. Residents can expect advance notifications about construction dates, alongside regular updates via an online newsletter and dedicated live website.

In an age where climate change and environmental degradation are pressing concerns, these beach restoration efforts serve as a reminder of the necessity for ongoing investment in our coasts—a sentiment echoed by coastal protection initiatives in other regions, like the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan. Just like Florida, Texas faces its own set of challenges, including rapid coastal erosion and the need for substantial proactive measures to safeguard its shoreline.

As Volusia County embarks on these ambitious projects, we’re left to reflect: there’s something to be said for the wisdom in investing in nature’s defenses for our beach communities. With protective measures, community involvement, and government support, we can look forward to resilient shores ready to face whatever storms may come.