Is the Emergency Sand Project a substitute for the full restoration project?
The Emergency Sand project is not the same as full beach restoration and would not eliminate the need to nourish the beach, which involves a much larger amount of sand and is a more permanent solution. The table below contrasts the two projects. This emergency project should be thought of as a short-term solution for an emergency situation. It is a project that can be designed, permitted, and constructed in a much shorter amount of time than a full beach restoration project. Some or even all of the sand could wash away if we experience severe storms, but if so, it will have served its purpose and protected the dunes we still have. In addition, this emergency sand may save additional homeowners from installing armoring and buy time until a full beach restoration project becomes a reality. For homeowners who already have had to install armoring, this emergency sand provides protection for those seawalls and helps prevent further deflation (lowering) of the beach height in front of them.
