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Engineers report 2025 monitoring results; trustees review dune enhancement plan and budget issues
Summary
Consultants told trustees that about 55% of the 2021 beach fill remains and that 2025 turtle nesting rose to 39 nests within permit limits. Trustees reviewed a FEMA-focused dune enhancement proposal (invasive species removal, native infill and post-and-rope controls) and discussed funding constraints for walkovers and monitoring costs.
Engineering and monitoring updates at the SAISA meeting highlighted beach condition metrics, wildlife monitoring and a proposed dune enhancement project that will go to FEMA for environmental review.
Coastal engineer Al Browder summarized the May 2025 beach profile survey and noted that roughly 55% of the 2021 placed fill remained on the monitored beach as of May. Browder said the project has not seen direct name (dune-breach) impacts in 2025 but will perform a full profile survey next May or June to capture fall and winter storm effects.
Browder also reported nesting-monitoring results: "They recorded a total of 39 total nests on the beach, within the CEC limits," an increase from 29 nests recorded the previous year. He framed the trend as generally improving statewide since long-term protections under the Endangered Species Act, while warning that vehicle traffic and narrowing beaches can reduce shorebird and turtle nesting habitat locally.
On dunes, Browder described a FEMA alternate project element to address Nicole-era damages: the plan includes eradicating invasive species, infilling with native dune vegetation, installing post-and-rope footpath controls in bare sand areas, and submitting construction plans and environmental-permitting materials to FEMA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He said FEMA’s environmental and historic-preservation (EHP) review could take several months and that the project will require upfront match funding before eligible reimbursements are available.
Trustees discussed alternatives and costs. Several speakers said boardwalk extensions (walkovers) provide long-term protection but are costly — one trustee noted prior walkover rebuilds in the community cost roughly $250,000 per structure — while post-and-rope is less expensive but limited in durability. Budget conversation also covered the association’s financial position: the reported carry-forward is roughly $86,000 after savings and reserves; the finance committee recommended assessment amounts that were forwarded to the county and noted a county accounting error that may temporarily draw on reserve funds.
Communications chair Mary Agstel urged early and consistent outreach ahead of the next renourishment, recommending a communications plan and website review so property owners understand assessment obligations and project timelines.
Next steps: engineers will circulate the final dune enhancement draft for review and prepare FEMA/DEP submittals; trustees will consider funding approaches (assessments, match funding options) and maintain communications so property owners understand possible assessment impacts.
