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Pompano Beach approves temporary access for county shore-protection work after dune concerns
Summary
The City Commission approved a temporary access agreement with Broward County to allow segment 2 of the county's shore protection project to proceed. Commissioners and staff emphasized protecting existing dunes and coordinating plantings and mitigation where beach escarpments are present.
The Pompano Beach City Commission on Jan. 14 approved a resolution authorizing city officials to execute a temporary access agreement with Broward County for the county's Segment 2 shore protection project.
Commissioner Fessick, who pulled the item for discussion, said volunteers in the Adopt-A-Dune program had raised concerns about prior cliff removal and urged the city to press county crews to avoid damaging existing dunes. Public Works staff said the city is working through the county's program to reestablish dunes where possible and to encourage plantings such as sea oats that help retain sand.
Public Works representative Rahm Khan told the commission the county's beach tilling and renourishment work runs from the vegetation line to the high-water line and is not intended to remove protected dune vegetation. He said some steep escarpments develop naturally after storms and strong winds, and that mitigation often includes replanting and allowing natural sand movement to rebuild profiles.
Commissioner Fessick cited recent examples, including repair work at the Casa Mar area, and said volunteers had used planting and natural approaches to rebuild dunes after severe erosion. Khan said Casa Mar had permits from the state and the developer will provide mitigation sand.
The commission approved the resolution on a roll call vote; Commissioner Fessick recorded a dissent while other members voted in favor.
Why it matters: Pompano Beach relies on a mix of county, state and city actions for longshore sand management. Commissioners pressed for stronger coordination so county projects do not inadvertently damage dune foundations that volunteers and staff are working to restore.
