Army Corps of Engineers Denies Pinellas Request for Beach Renourishment Waiver

The Army Corps of Engineers sent Pinellas County a letter on Thursday denying a request for a permanent easement waiver, which would have allowed much of the Sand Key barrier island to receive beach renourishment next year.  The denial was issued in part because the Army Corps of Engineer shifted blame on a majority of residents living along the beach that have not signed a waiver to allow the renourishment, and they can't proceed without majority permission.  Some of the land in the corridor is considered private by the Corps of Engineers (including sand dunes that Pinellas considers public land), and without homeowner permission they say they can't and won't spend Federal dollars without homeowner agreement and permission.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, whose 13th Congressional District covers the Pinellas beaches, released a statement on Friday slamming the Corps decision.

“The Army Corps is playing games with the property rights of citizens at the expense of Pinellas County’s economy, environment, and endangered species,” Luna said in a statement. "The Corps’ announcement today is especially disappointing as my office has been asking Army Corps since January to explain their sudden policy reversal and, to date, they’ve stonewalled us."

“Bureaucrats have no business strong-arming private citizens over their property rights," she added. "This fight is far from over."

Pinellas County Public Works director Kelli Hammer-Levy said sections of the Sand Key barrier island, which runs from Clearwater Pass to John’s Pass desperately needs beach renourishment. She said a recent storm caused wave action that almost completely washed away the beach in Clearwater south of Sand Key Park.  Renourishing the 8-mile stretch of sand from Redington Beach to Clearwater Pass would cost between $45-to-$55 million, according to Levy. The federal government pays for 62% with the county and state splitting the remainder.

You can read the full text of the Army Corps of Engineers's rejection letter below.