Florida Statute 161 states that “beach nourishment” is in “the state’s best interest.” We’re all for healthy beaches, but not when the result is a massive fake beach, constructed with sketchy sediments that destroy beach ecosystems, and when the project will come at the expense of reefs and public fishing opportunities to boot. The project proposed for the Town of Palm Beach’s south end, officially termed “Reach 8,” will likely damage or destroy all of the above, including fishing at the Lake Worth Pier, which is presently under reconstruction. A wide range of local water lovers, including anglers, divers and surfers are calling it a callous project designed to give beachfront condo owners a false sense of security at taxpayer expense and with zero regard for the beach-going, reef-loving public. They say it’s exactly the type of project that violates the spirit of the statute, and the type of disaster in the making that will further undermine public support for the questionable practice of dredging and filling Florida’s beaches. We agree.

As proposed, at least some of the dredging would take place as close as 400 or 600 feet to Paul’s/Horseshoe reef complex, arguably Palm Beach County’s most spectacular coral reefs. The material wasn’t analyzed thoroughly, and as far as anyone knows may disintegrate into mud as soon as it hits the surf zone. If the engineering firm can be believed, the material is on average merely the same grain size as the finest sand on the native beach. Veteran coastal engineers say the project will provide a maximum of two years storm surge protection, but little if any were a major storm to come ashore. They say it’s not really worth the expense or risking the reefs, especially since the beach isn’t critically eroded.

The Town of Palm Beach has thrown all their political weight into getting this project permitted, and conscientious regulators in the Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Corps and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have raised many, many objections. The project has been elevated to the office of DEP Secretary Michael Sole, and everyone knows there’s a lot of credibility at stake here. Polite letters sent to Secretary Sole at michael.sole@dep.state.fl.us should encourage the Secretary to deny the permit. Polite letters to Senator Jeff Atwater, atwater.jeff.web@ flsenate.gov should ask him to advise Secretary Sole to deny the permit. Be sure to include your address and interest in Florida’s marine resources.

--Terry Gibson