Palm Beach County Gets $12 Million for Beach Renourishment Projects

Palm Beach County got a huge check to help with the beach erosion problem. In Ocean Ridge on Friday, congresswoman Lois Frankel presented the county with a $12 million check as reimbursement for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. The project is for the county's beach renourishment and to...

By Chris Joseph

March 28, 2014

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Palm Beach County got a huge check to help with the beach erosion problem.

In Ocean Ridge on Friday, congresswoman Lois Frankel presented the county with a $12 million check as reimbursement for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project.

The project is for the county's beach renourishment and to help the coast after it suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy, which hit the area in October of 2012.

High winds and waves have continued the damage since then, with places like Phipps Park in Palm Beach, as well as beaches in Ocean Ridge, Delray Beach and Boca Raton, being hit the hardest with beach erosion.

Days after Sandy hit, county officials were forced to close the Seagrape Trail and Turtle Trail beach accesses.

Conn Beach in Vero Beach lost an estimated 6,700 cubic yards of sand after Sandy, according to officials.

The beach re-nourishment plan has been in the works for some time, with the county focusing on projects at Midtown and Phipps Park.

Beach erosion not only does damage to the coastal areas, and natural habitats, but also to local businesses.

"Beaches mean much more to our community than just a place to get a suntan," Frankel said in a press release. "Beaches protect our property, they are home to natural habitats, and they attract visitors from all over the world. This means millions of dollars in property taxes and tourist dollars to our region."

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