Volusia County presents beach feasibility assessment showing accelerating erosion and community concerns

Jessica Fentress, coastal director for Volusia County, and Dr. Christopher Bender of Taylor Engineering presented preliminary results of a countywide beach feasibility assessment at a public outreach meeting, describing long-term erosion trends, community survey results and early risk mapping for upland infrastructure.

The feasibility study, funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, examined historic shoreline surveys, sand-volume changes and community input to recommend shoreline management strategies. "This is more than just a study. It's about shaping the future of Volusia County's beaches and ensuring they remain a vibrant and valued resource for generations to come," Fentress said.

Why it matters: County presenters said decades of monitoring and recent extreme storms have reduced sand volumes and narrowed some beaches, affecting public recreation and shoreline infrastructure. The county plans additional public workshops and a draft feasibility assessment for the county council in fall 2025 that will identify vulnerable communities and candidate management strategies.

The county's data sources and comparisons

Fentress said Volusia County has been surveying beaches periodically since 1972 and that survey coverage has varied by year; presenters noted the team reviewed more than 30 surveys and selected four primary comparison periods that cover the county: June 1988–Aug–Oct 2024, Aug 2003–Aug–Oct 2024, June 2016–Aug–Oct 2024 and Nov 2022–Aug–Oct 2024. Dr. Christopher…