Barrier‑island mayors ask White House to ease FEMA cost‑share rule and unblock beach renourishment

A commissioner representing District 2 told the St. Pete Beach Commission that mayors from 11 barrier islands, a group the speaker called the "Big C," unanimously agreed to send two letters to the White House asking officials to pause the FEMA 50/50 cost‑share rule and speed up federal aid and permitting for beach renourishment.

The commissioner said the first letter asks for "easing some of the restrictions. For example, having an emergency stay on the FEMA 50 50 rule, as well as, you know, being more forthcoming, and quicker with, financial aid." The second letter, the commissioner said, urges the White House to remove an administrative hold that has delayed beach renourishment projects by requiring perpetual easements from homeowners and business owners with beachfront property.

Why it matters: The commissioner said beach dunes are a first line of defense in storm events and that several neighboring barrier‑island communities are in poor condition. "Saint Pete Beach by comparison to some of our sister cities, Treasure Island, Sand Key, I mean, they're disastrous," the commissioner said. "They had no dune system. That was before the hurricanes." The commissioner added that money for some renourishment projects is available but projects are stalled by the administrative change.

The commissioner said the mayors plan to sign and send the letters this week and will also contact their U.S. representative, U.S. senators and state legislators. "We're reaching out to our congresswoman, to our senators, and also state representatives," the commissioner said, and added that the group planned to circulate the letters "to see if we can get any traction on on these 2 items that would provide huge relief to our communities, especially as it relates to hurricane relief."

The commissioner identified the administrative obstacle as a change implemented several years ago that requires perpetual easements for property owners as part of federal renourishment approvals. "The money is sitting there. But we're just being held hostage, because there is an administrative change that they decided to implement a few years ago, which is to require perpetual easements, for for homeowners, and business owners and everyone that has a beach property," the commissioner said.

The commissioner also said the Big C plans to coordinate with the Florida League of Cities and other coastal municipalities beyond Pinellas County, noting that communities up and down Florida's coast — and on the East Coast farther north — are affected by the same administrative hold.

The commissioner said copies of the letters will be published when available. The remarks were presented as an update to the commission and did not include a formal vote or directive recorded in the meeting transcript.