Staff reports 435 cubic yards of marine debris removed; beach-nourishment pumping to resume and is expected south by March 1

Town staff gave updates on two ongoing projects: marine-debris removal and the beach-nourishment placement.

Chad reported the marine-debris contractor has collected approximately 435 cubic yards of debris from waterways and is coordinating with the harbor master and marine operators. He said the contractor has had positive community feedback and planned to continue collection during the current low tides.

On beach nourishment, staff said storms and equipment failures (booster-pump issues) have set the work back. Chad told the committee the contractor had procured parts and resumed pumping south of Diamond Head; staff expects that pumping in the southern stretches will be finished by about March 1, barring further setbacks. Because the contractor will demobilize pipeline and equipment, Chad recommended scheduling plantings after demobilization to avoid rework.

To meet wildlife-permit conditions, staff said the town has regular bird monitors, contractor bird monitors and engineering-staff monitors conducting daily routes; the town also applied for a contingency incidental-take permit for a short shorebird season and considered non-injurious deterrents where permitted.

Ending: Staff will continue to coordinate debris removal, monitor beach-nourishment progress and coordinate planting windows with demobilization and wildlife monitoring requirements.