Emergency Beach Erosion Control Project
Project Location
Multiple, see map
Project Status
Construction: Completed
Note: Public beach access points within municipal limits are maintained by the municipality. For specific questions about the status of public beach accesses, please contact the relevant municipality.
Project Overview
Pinellas County conducted an emergency shoreline restoration project to mitigate critical erosion caused by Hurricane Idalia. The project consisted of constructing dunes. The active project area moved strategically along the coast, as County teams triaged the damage and worked on the most critical areas first.
This project is separate from the federal beach nourishment project that is currently on hold with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Sand was trucked in from an authorized location, placed on the beach and shaped into dunes. The new dunes were also be planted with vegetation.
Project Timeline
Emergency Beach Erosion Control
| Beach Area | Work Start | Work End | Note(s) |
| Belleair Beach | Complete | Complete | |
| Indian Rocks Beach | Complete | Complete | |
| Indian Shores | Complete | Complete | |
| Madeira Beach | Complete | Complete | |
| Pass-a-Grille (St. Pete Beach) | Complete | Complete | |
| Sunset Beach (Treasure Island) | Complete | Complete | |
| Upham Beach (St. Pete Beach) | Complete | Complete |
Information for Property Owners
For Pinellas County to place sand and construct dunes, we must obtain short-term construction easements from property owners. These County easements are temporary and different from the perpetual easements required by the USACE project. In lieu of initiating individual projects, property owners are strongly encouraged to allow the County to install erosion control measures that have been permitted and designed to work together.
- Property owners who want to move sand back on the beaches after Hurricane Idalia must notify Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA)’s patrol team for sea turtle protection before starting
- To notify the CMA team, call (727) 479-5564.
- Provide your name, a description of the work and the address where the work will occur.
- The CMA team will inspect the beach to ensure the work will not damage or interfere with sea turtle nesting.
- An inspection is required for each day that work is done.
- Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) Program permitting requirements must be followed under the State of Florida’s emergency order.
- Property owners are not to place sand in the dune line. Debris and rubble cannot be placed on the beaches for any reason – These requirements remain under the State’s emergency order.
- Some activities may require additional permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pinellas County and/or your local municipality.
- For coastal activities that require permits from Pinellas County visit Pinellas.gov/docks-dredge-fill/.
- For additional information related to CCCL and JCP permitting requirements, see the State’s emergency order.
Project Location
Open the project map in its own tab
Project Funding
This emergency project is supported by the Tourist Development Tax. For more information visit FromVisitorsWithLove.com.