Atlantic Beach council approves dredging grant commitment to clear three channels

The Town of Atlantic Beach approved a funding commitment April 9 to support a dredging project targeting three repeat shoaling locations in town channels.

Public Works Director Marc Schulze told council a pre-dredging survey identified 222 cubic yards in Royal Channel, 815 cubic yards in the Causeway Channel and 667 cubic yards in the Money Island Channel. Brooks Dredging submitted the lowest responsible bid at $65 per cubic yard, the same rate as last year, Schulze said; the bid covers sand handling from excavation through disposal. He gave the project estimate as $113,000 total—$111,000 for dredging and sand handling and $2,400 for permitting.

Council approved Resolution 26-04-01, which commits $50,000 of local boat-tax funds toward a $200,000 Water Resources Development Project Grant; the state would provide the remaining $150,000. The grant application allows the town to keep the funding open through October for emergency dredging if storms create additional shoaling, Schulze said.

Mayor Pro Tem Harry Archer urged that the Money Island Channel be prioritized first because fishing-boat operators reported four large boats with more than six-foot drafts need access for upcoming tournaments; Schulze confirmed the contractor can accommodate that sequence. The contractor indicated work would begin in mid-May and take approximately two weeks, weather permitting.

Councilmember Austin Waters moved to approve Resolution 26-04-01; Councilmember Joey Dean seconded. The vote was unanimous, 5-0.

Next steps include finalizing permitting and coordinating a start date with the contractor; the town will use boat-tax funds for its match and proceed with grant paperwork during April.