Another renourishment project is scheduled to begin in the coming months along a large portion of the Pinellas County beaches. The project which is anticipated to cost 31.8 million dollars, funded jointly by the county, the state, and federal government, is likely to be awarded in August of this year. The funding in millions of dollars will be funded as Federal:State:County, 24.7:3.5:3.5. It’s thought that this project may begin as early as the end of September 2017. The project will total 9 miles of shoreline, and include 900,000 cubic yards of sand.

The county’s announcement page reads, “We expect to nourish the shoreline beginning 1-mile south of Clearwater Pass to Redington Beach, excluding Belleair Shore.” The word “expect” in that statement casts some doubt on the dredge starting point at one mile south of the pass. In the recent renourishments our beloved Sand Key beach was left mostly untouched. It’s not completely clear whether that will be the case this year. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Sand Key Park being dredged, but I don’t think it’s very likely.

If dredging were to occur at the surf spot, adverse consequences resulting from a project of that nature are doubtful. I think the main reason we go there is, because the jetty blocks the current. Who knows, it could become even more fun after a dredge. It’s deep enough that dredging could make the wave like it was in the 90’s. Whatever happens, let’s hope the contractor will be on and off the beaches in a flash.