City of Flagler Beach
PO Box 70 105 South 2nd Street
Flagler Beach, Florida 32136
Phone (386) 517-2000. Fax (386) 517-2008
Released by: Katie Dockhorn, Assistant to the City Manager
City of Flagler Beach
Phone: (386) 517-2000 Ext. 238
E-mail: kdockhorn@cityofflaglerbeach.com March 14th, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dune Walkover Repair & Replacement Status:
In October and November of 2022, Hurricanes Ian and Nicole severely damaged the Flagler Beach dune system. This included a significant loss of sand and the destruction of multiple dune walkovers (See Attachment A for list of open and closed walkovers). The City Staff has repaired thirty-four (34) of the fifty-two (52) dune walkovers to useable conditions. In addition, City Staff has also done a comprehensive assessment of the dune walkover damage and the City recently received a detailed report from our Coastal Engineering experts. This report is being used to pursue bidding of the dune walkover replacements quickly, as well as permitting them as a group through the appropriate State environmental agencies. Our goal is to move forward on this effort prior to the initiation of Turtle Nesting Season (May 1, 2023).
Beach Re-nourishment Status:
City Staff have been coordinating with Flagler County, FDOT, FDEP, FDEM, and the Army Corps of Engineers to improve the general state of the dunes. Our plan is a three (3) step process. The first step is the City will be working with FDOT to implement sand fencing to help rebuild the weakened dune system, which protects A1A and the community. The City and County will be working to source emergency sand in the next few months to repair as many escarpments and weak points in the dune system as possible. The third step will be to actively work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on their beach re-nourishment project scheduled for the summer of 2024. Any citizen who desires to speak with Coastal Engineers about this process, should be free to contact the City Manager or the City Clerk’s office by calling the City of Flagler Beach at 386-517-2000.
What is sand fencing?
- Sand fencing is designed to help capture blowing sand to build dunes.
- Sand fence helps increase protection to landward areas while allowing the system’s natural process of erosion and accretion to continue.
- Sand fencing reduces storm damage on coastal properties by helping to build up dunes.
- Sand fencing is often used to keep people off the dunes and direct them towards boardwalks and other designated beach access paths to prevent damage to both the dune and erosion-control vegetation.
- As wind blows through the sand fencing, the fencing creates a drag that reduces the wind speed.
What can you do?
The City is respectfully requesting the public’s cooperation and patience in not walking or parking on the dunes. This is one of the most important steps for protecting our precious and vulnerable dune system. If we act responsible, mother-nature can and will heal the damaged dune system in time. Parking and walking on sea dunes is a violation of both Florida State Statute 161.053 and the Flagler Beach Ordinance No. 89-19, found in Section 6-9. Ordinance No. 89-19 reads that “Violators of the provisions of this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the County jail for a term not to exceed sixty (60) days or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by both such fine and imprisonment.”. Please visit www.DodgetheDunes.com for more information on what you can do to protect the sea dunes.
Attachment A:
