Brevard Beach Restoration Receives National Recognition

By  //  February 24, 2015

Cocoa Beach Among Best Restored Beaches

ABOVE VIDEO: Beach restoration on Florida’s Space Coast began as an effort to protect the 72-mile-long coastline from threats posed by beach erosion and storms.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Beach restoration on Florida’s Space Coast began as an effort to protect the 72-mile-long coastline from threats posed by beach erosion and storms.

SPACECOAST-110The project is receiving national recognition for creating healthy habitats for coastal wildlife and tourist recreation.

In a ceremony in Washington DC on February 25, Cocoa Beach will be recognized for being one of only four U.S. beaches named a 2014 “Best Restored Beach” by The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association.

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Once a narrow, sandy strip lined with concrete seawalls, the iconic beach known for surfing and space exploration now has an additional 160 feet of beach with natural sand dunes that support vital habitats for sea turtles, crabs and coastal birds.

The project took a more natural and sustainable approach to restoring the beaches than what had been done on other Florida coasts.

By using sand instead of seawalls, storm protection was improved for beachside residents and businesses, and minimized the impacts on wildlife habitats.

Jim Barfield
Jim Barfield

“With the success of the North Reach Project spanning from Cocoa Beach to Cape Canaveral, we have successfully created a way to keep sand on the beach and continue to protect our homes, businesses and communities from the devastating effects of storms,” said Vice Chairman, Jim Barfield, District 2 Commissioner, whose District includes the City of Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.

“The North Reach Project is a perfect example of a beach restoration project that has proven its worth over and over again, sustaining our tourism, environment and driving our economy upward year after year.”

Florida’s Space Coast is considered by biologists to be the most important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the western hemisphere.

Florida’s Space Coast is considered by biologists to be the most important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the western hemisphere. Loggerheads, which are the most common sea turtle in Florida and are classified as a threatened species, are at greatest risk from coastal development. But newly restored, wide and sandy beaches provide ideal nesting habitat for these turtles. (Shutterstock image)
Florida’s Space Coast is considered by biologists to be the most important nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the western hemisphere. Loggerheads, which are the most common sea turtle in Florida and are classified as a threatened species, are at greatest risk from coastal development. But newly restored, wide and sandy beaches provide ideal nesting habitat for these turtles. (Shutterstock image)

Loggerheads, which are the most common sea turtle in Florida and are classified as a threatened species, are at greatest risk from coastal development. But newly restored, wide and sandy beaches provide ideal nesting habitat for these turtles.

Brevard County’s North and South Reach Space Coast beaches including Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral and Indialantic, have benefitted from the federal project.

Costing close to $39 million, the initial beach restoration process took three years to complete, placing 4.7 million cubic yards of beach-quality sand along 14 miles of shoreline.

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Using innovative construction methods, specifically a near-shore sand rehandling area, allowed the North Reach project to be completed a year ahead of schedule and $700,000 under budget with minimal disturbance to both tourists and wildlife.

The restored beaches were tested in 2004 when hurricanes Charlie, Frances and Gene pounded the Space Coast.

“Not one structure was taken by the waves on the 14 miles of restored beaches,” said Mike McGarry, environmental scientist for Brevard County.

“Yet outside the restored beaches, several homes were lost. This provides some pretty compelling evidence that the project has been a success.”

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Florida’s Space Coast officials are currently working with federal officials to secure an additional $5.4 million to finish the Mid Reach section of the Space Coast, the third and final phase of the project.

The Mid Reach phase includes protections for Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach and Melbourne. The project uses a combination of matching federal, state and local tourism tax investment.

BEFORE AND AFTER BREVARD COUNTY BEACH IMAGES

7th Street Cocoa Beach 1995
7th Street Cocoa Beach 1995
7th Street Cocoa Beach 2012
7th Street Cocoa Beach 2012
South Reach (Melbourne) 1999
South Reach (Melbourne) 1999
South Reach (Melbourne) 2012
South Reach (Melbourne) 2012
Indialantic 2012
Indialantic 2012
Indialantic 2001
Indialantic 2001
Cocoa Beach Pier Dec. 2000
Cocoa Beach Pier Dec. 2000
Cocoa Beach Pier April 2003
Cocoa Beach Pier April 2003
12th Street Cocoa Beach 2012
12th Street Cocoa Beach 2012
12th Street Cocoa Beach 1995
12th Street Cocoa Beach 1995