Flagler County outlines multi‑reach beach management plan, estimates roughly $16 million annual program cost

Flagler County commissioners and staff reviewed a multi‑reach beach management plan and development timeline at a June 16 workshop, with county coastal staff and outside consultants outlining where the county has been and what will be required to restore and maintain the shoreline over coming decades.

The presentation — led by Ansley Renke, the county’s coastal engineering administrator, and consultants from Foth Olson and Moffatt & Nichol — traced local work since Hurricane Matthew and described completed and planned projects. Renke opened the technical segment by saying, "We've got a lot to cover today. In summary, this is a beach management presentation and discussion." Consultant Chris Creed told commissioners that, based on the county’s studies, "beach and dune restoration and maintenance is a term to be the most feasible approach for beach management in Flagler County." Casey Connor of Moffatt & Nichol summarized planned data collection and survey work for northern Flagler (Reach 3) saying the team will "capture some data to inform some practical, beach and dune alternatives."

Why it matters: the county’s beaches are a core economic and storm‑protection asset. County staff and consultants said large, engineered nourishment projects differ from temporary dune fills and require long‑term monitoring, recurring maintenance events,…