Panama City Beach Restoration Project Completed
With the addition of over 25,000 dune plants, the final phase of dune and beach restoration projects draw to a close. The project, started after 2004’s Hurricane Ivan destroyed and eroded the shoreline, saw a total of 17.5 acres of natural coastline receive over 1.25 million new plants. The project, originally expected to replant between St. Andrews State Park and Pinnacle Port, however, was stopped due to erosion in the Pinnacle Port area. According to Lisa Arbruster, a consultant for the local tourist development council (TDC), stated that if planting had continued, the plants would have simply been “washed away”.
Efforts were made in 2011 to refurbish the coastline when over 1 million cubic yards of sand were brought in to replenish 8 miles of beaches. The entire project has been known as a red-tape nightmare, as officials have had to jump through hoops to receive funding as well as approving the modifications. Part of the problem affecting the Pinnacle Port and Carillon Beach areas included the areas being deemed as private. According to bylaws, the Army Corps of Engineers states that a beach must have public access before funding can be granted. Originally voted to remain private in 1998, the recent hurricanes made the residents reconsider, effectively combined an additional mile of beachfront. This section alone received over 475,000 cubic yards of sand in restoration efforts.
Upon completion of the beach restoration, phase one was called completed. Phase two involves the planting of dune grasses. Over 25,000 plants were planted, at a cost of $16,000. They included 1,250 beach morning glory’s, 1,250 beach elder’s, 1,250 sea purslane’s, 3,750 beach grass plants, and 17,500 sea oats. The project also included adding ropes and fencing in order to prevent people from trampling over the newly replanted area. Each of the plants selected grow naturally in the area, and are used in dune retention. “The plants should trap windblown sand and rebuild the dune and help stabilize the sand,” Arbruster said.
Efforts were made in 2011 to refurbish the coastline when over 1 million cubic yards of sand were brought in to replenish 8 miles of beaches. The entire project has been known as a red-tape nightmare, as officials have had to jump through hoops to receive funding as well as approving the modifications. Part of the problem affecting the Pinnacle Port and Carillon Beach areas included the areas being deemed as private. According to bylaws, the Army Corps of Engineers states that a beach must have public access before funding can be granted. Originally voted to remain private in 1998, the recent hurricanes made the residents reconsider, effectively combined an additional mile of beachfront. This section alone received over 475,000 cubic yards of sand in restoration efforts.
Upon completion of the beach restoration, phase one was called completed. Phase two involves the planting of dune grasses. Over 25,000 plants were planted, at a cost of $16,000. They included 1,250 beach morning glory’s, 1,250 beach elder’s, 1,250 sea purslane’s, 3,750 beach grass plants, and 17,500 sea oats. The project also included adding ropes and fencing in order to prevent people from trampling over the newly replanted area. Each of the plants selected grow naturally in the area, and are used in dune retention. “The plants should trap windblown sand and rebuild the dune and help stabilize the sand,” Arbruster said.
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