The Flagler Beach Restoration project is a significant effort to address the severe erosion that has affected the area over the years, particularly due to hurricanes and storms. The project, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, aims to renourish a 2.6-mile stretch of the beach, which has seen dramatic erosion. This will involve adding 1.3 million cubic yards of sand to rebuild the dunes, raising them to 19 feet high, which is one foot higher than the current elevation of the pier. The sand will be dredged from an offshore site about eight miles away and pumped onto the beach. The construction will be conducted in sections of 1,500 feet at a time to minimize disruptions. This project is critical not only for protecting the beach and the properties along the coast but also for ensuring the longevity of the local ecosystem, particularly during turtle nesting season. Specially certified personnel will relocate turtle eggs and nests to safe areas during the construction. Additionally, the project includes rebuilding the Flagler Beach pier. The new pier will be 800 feet long, with a raised height of 28 feet to better withstand storm surges and wave action. The pier will also feature break-away deck panels to reduce damage during storms, ADA-compliant ramps, shaded areas, benches, and turtle-safe lighting. Funding for this extensive project is shared between federal, state, and local sources, with ongoing discussions about the most efficient long-term solutions for maintaining the beach. The project also considers the impact on local businesses and traffic, with efforts to communicate plans and timelines to the community effectively. Overall, while the restoration and renourishment work is a significant undertaking that will span several years, it promises to enhance the resilience and beauty of Flagler Beach for the future
OMG, you drank the Kool Aide. First, the pier is not a part of the beach replenishment project - it just happens to be coincidental in timing. And that 'turtle safe' lighting on the pier will not do a bit of good until the city passes and enforces turtle lighting up and down A1A. Second, this beach and the turtles got along just fine for thousands of years prior to man showing up and screwing up the works. Third this is a replenishment project, not a restoration project - words do matter. I built my house up by Varn Beach about 15 years ago. When the next storm wipes it out what right do I have to ask/demand that the fed, state or local taxpayers to rebuild my folly? None. This project has been a huge PR campaign by the county (especially one attorney with the initials AH) to convince the locals to get on board. Has the county even found the funding for their portion of the 1st year of this 50 year program? Take a ride up to Matanzas Inlet and talk to the rangers about how far the inlet has moved in 200 years since the Spanish built on Rattlesnake Island. Take a hard look at Malacompra Beach before and after Matthew in 2016. the dunes were destroyed, hundreds of palm trees were uprooted and the area looked like a bomb had exploded. That will be Flagler Beach soon enough. How long can the taxpayer be asked to support private businesses and homeowners in this futile pursuit?
@@denali9449 not really bothered to be honest. I am UK based so wouldn't care if it all washed away (or not) What they are doing is cool from a technical perspective so shared that snippet from chatgpt
@@nonomnismoriar9601 Should have mentioned that your comment was plagiarism - you came across as one of the folks who were brainwashed by our county commissioners and attorney. You know, 'give them only the information you want them to know' types. And yes, an a structural engineer I find that technically the project is very interesting. To bad it is just flushing money down the toilet.
@@denali9449 It seems that they have thought through the economic impact of the project and even with the cost overruns this seems like a good deal for the county and it's residents What are the long term financial benefits of this? Please detail ChatGPT said: The long-term financial benefits of the Flagler Beach Restoration and the broader Beach Management Plan can be substantial, impacting various aspects of the local economy, property values, and public infrastructure. Here are the key benefits: 1. Protection of Property Values - Increased Property Values: Coastal erosion can significantly reduce property values along the shoreline. By investing in beach restoration, properties are better protected from the impacts of storms and erosion, thereby maintaining or even increasing their market value. This is particularly important in areas where real estate is a significant portion of the local economy. - Reduced Risk of Property Damage: The restoration efforts help prevent severe property damage during storms, which can lead to lower insurance premiums and fewer payouts by insurance companies. This also reduces the financial burden on homeowners and local governments for repairs. 2. Boost to Tourism - Sustained Tourism Revenue: Beaches are a major attraction in Flagler County, and healthy, well-maintained beaches are crucial to attracting tourists. Tourism is a significant part of the local economy, and investing in beach restoration ensures that this revenue stream remains strong. A healthy beach can attract more visitors, increase spending in the area, and support local businesses. - Year-Round Economic Activity: Improved beaches can extend the tourist season, allowing for more consistent economic activity throughout the year, rather than being heavily dependent on peak seasons. 3. Job Creation and Local Business Support - Job Creation: The construction phase of the restoration project creates jobs in the local area. Beyond the immediate construction jobs, the ongoing maintenance of the beach and increased tourism can support a variety of jobs in hospitality, retail, and service sectors. - Support for Local Businesses: Restaurants, shops, and other businesses benefit from the increased foot traffic that comes with a vibrant beach environment. This helps sustain local businesses and can encourage the development of new enterprises. 4. Public Infrastructure and Community Benefits - Reduced Public Costs: By preventing severe erosion and the resulting damage to roads, utilities, and other public infrastructure, the restoration project can save the county and state significant sums of money that would otherwise be spent on emergency repairs. - Increased Public Safety and Community Well-being: A well-maintained beach provides better protection against storm surges, reducing the risk to public safety. Additionally, beaches offer recreational opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents, making the area more attractive for potential new residents and investors. 5. Long-Term Economic Stability - Sustainable Economic Development: The restoration plan ensures that Flagler County's beaches remain a viable asset for generations to come. By investing in long-term solutions, the county can avoid the cyclical costs associated with short-term fixes and create a stable economic environment that attracts investment. - Increased Tax Revenues: As property values increase and tourism flourishes, the county can expect higher tax revenues. This can be reinvested into other public services, further enhancing the overall quality of life in the area. In summary, the long-term financial benefits of the Flagler Beach Restoration are multifaceted, contributing to property value preservation, sustained tourism, job creation, infrastructure protection, and overall economic stability. These benefits not only justify the initial investment but also provide ongoing economic returns that support the broader community (Observer Local News) (Observer Local News).
Im certainly no smart person but how on earth do those machines not make such a mess out of that landing area i mean its fully saturated with water and they're constantly digging around and its actively getting eroded with every wave how do they manage to stay above even their weight evenly distributed is alot of weight for some mushy sand isnt it I am confused as hell
The sand packs down enough for the machines. Some of the dozers are LGP models (low ground pressure) that specialize in not digging down and getting stuck. Sand is much friendlier than mud.
They've built bulldozers that operate underwater where the driver works it from a platform that's like fifteen feet above above where the cab would usually be, and some have been working since the 80s.
Yours and mine. Do not recall the exact numbers right now but the lions share is from the Fed with a percentage from the local county. Interesting that the county cannot guarantee their portion of the funding past the first year. It is a fifty year continuing project that is doomed to fail.
@@PsychoSinterklaas My answer? Simple. As a taxpayer in this county my solution is to let nature take its course and spend the money on more worthwhile programs. Over the last eight years since Hurricane Matthew (which was just a glancing blow) our county has spent over $100 million and the beach/dunes are in worse shape than immediately after Mathew. The vast majority of folks here do not want their money spent to try and "save" the houses of the few who have built on the ocean. They cannot be saved - this is just prolonging the inevitable. Keep in mind that this is a barrier island, its job in nature is to protect the mainland and the estuaries. Oh, I am one of those that will be homeless in a few years as mother nature seeks to reclaim her own. This program you see here is a replenishment program. Every year after storm season they will set up shop again to dredge more sand to replace what was washed away the previous season. That storm last week took out most everything they had done so far this year. There are no protective measures being taken; no seawall, no jetties, no rip-rap. We are just replacing what was lost. A continuing process of recycling sand from the beach to the ocean and back again. So please explain to us why the government (Fed/local) should spend $50 million a year on less than six miles of beach. Your problem is that you know nothing about this situation yet find it necessary to butt in.
@@highteckredneck1980 And where do they get their money? Oh yeah, from all the taxpayers. Why should someone living in Kansas pay to re-nourish a beach in front of my house - I live in this area and I am not asking for your money. That guy in Kansas is paying for my decision to live on an unprotected beach facing the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Florida. We have not had any direct hits but in my 15 years here we have had hundreds of millions in damages and repair costs to the beaches alone; not including any property damages.
