FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Flagler Beach is known for beautiful water, but right now there is a lot of construction as crews try to protect the beach from erosion.
When storms and hurricanes come through Flagler Beach, beach erosion is so bad it affects S.R. A1A
Right now, the Army Corps of Engineers is working on a project to bring in more sand and build dunes along part of the beach.
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But some county employees say the entire stretch of beach needs more protection. Ansley Wren-Key is a coastal engineering administrator who says they are asking county commissioners to allow them to apply for a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant.
It would involve them possibly purchasing privately held beach lots to improve the entire area, Wren-Key told News 6.
“We’re asking for this grant because Flagler County’s beaches have been severely eroded,” Wren-Key said. “And in that section of the coast, we would really like to build a wide beach and dune restoration project to protect the homes and infrastructure from storms. A beach nourishment project of this scale, similar to the Army Corps project and Flagler Beach would run about $35 million. We’re submitting an application to FEMA’s hazard mitigation grant program to fund the full cost of the Beach Nourishment Project. Now, we also have funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as well. So we would love to have a FEMA funded majority of the project with some matching funds from the EPA.”
It would take 6-8 months to complete the project if approved.
Flagler County Commissioners will be presented this proposal for discussion at this evening’s meeting.