Council approves CEPRA grant proposals and selects CMP projects; Shoreline Task Force recommends engineering and acquisition work

The City Council approved staff requests to submit multiple coastal grant proposals and to select projects for the state Coastal Management Program (CMP).

What passed: Shoreline Director Christina Babroca said staff will submit three CEPRA proposals (one for beach renourishment, one to expand the beach and dune monitoring program, and one for a living shoreline at specified bay street ends). The Shoreline Task Force recommended approval of the submissions. Council approved the submissions and authorized the mayor to execute letters of support.

CMP project selection: the Shoreline Task Force also recommended CMP Cycle 31 project priorities. The council approved a NOAA‑funded engineering proposal for beach accesses 3, 7, 11 and 15 and two GOMESA‑funded CMP proposals: a land acquisition project and a construction proposal for Blue Water Circle (site 9). Council voted to proceed with the recommended projects.

Beach and dune permit: council approved a separate beach and dune permit application for a single‑family home at 8206 Breakers Boulevard, noting the site is seaward of the dune protection line but landward of the building setback; the applicant provided a 1:1 mitigation ratio and the General Land Office (GLO) submitted comments that will be incorporated as permit conditions. The Shoreline Task Force recommended approval of that permit as well.

Why it matters: the approved submissions and project prioritization…