Atlantic Beach commissioners hear plans for a marsh restoration pilot; ESC to cost options for FY27

The Environmental Stewardship Committee told the Atlantic Beach City Commission on March 2 that it plans a marsh restoration pilot using nature‑based techniques, university partnerships and graduate‑student monitors to limit initial city expense and to position the project for larger grant funding if the pilot proves successful.

Amy Palmer, chair of the Environmental Stewardship Committee, said the committee has identified several candidate sites and is consulting experts and partners; she asked the commission to consider the pilot as part of FY27 budget planning. "We're actively talking to experts and staff, researching other models, and plan to recommend nature based solutions for marsh restoration through a pilot program," Palmer said.

Commissioners who spoke supported moving quickly to select a single pilot site and to cost the project: Commissioner Ring noted prior presentations by Steve Swan and referenced Hunter Matthews and university partners, and he urged ESC and staff to cost out options so the city can include the pilot in the FY27 budget if funds are available. Several commissioners also suggested including oyster restoration and mangrove plantings among pilot approaches.

ESC said the biggest pilot expense would likely be hiring grad students as project monitors but that some project partners could absorb other costs; the committee said it intends to seek larger grant dollars once a proof of concept is established. The committee expects to have a recommendation and budget for the pilot in time for FY27 budget planning but acknowledged that actual implementation would likely fall in FY27 rather than the current fiscal year.

The commission did not vote on a pilot at the workshop. The mayor and commissioners asked ESC to return with a single recommended pilot site and cost estimates ahead of the April 6 priority‑setting session so the city can determine whether to fund the pilot in FY27.