February Beach Update on Berm Project

The current maintenance and repair of the Sand Dollar Island berm project is scheduled to be finished by February 15, and any final grading work will be done just prior to the start of the nesting season, according to Mohamed Dabees of Humiston and Moore.

The Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Ecosystem Restoration Project started in November 2022 and was completed in May 2023. The project description says that “The project is to establish a flow channel within the overwash and shoaled areas of the Tigertail Lagoon and to restore gulf-fronting shoreline of the Sand Dollar Island using sediment hydraulically dredged from the flow channel and a sand trap at the north end of the island.” The permit is good for 15 years, expiring on February 11, 2037. The permit provides for periodic maintenance (every two years) and also allows for event-driven emergency repairs.

Since then, Tropical Storm Idalia (August 2023) and a trio of storms in 2024 (Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton) damaged the newly installed berm. Emergency repairs for the 2023 storm were initiated by then-city manager Mike McNees, who used emergency authority to reclaim beach sand displaced by Idalia. There was also repair and maintenance for the 2024 storms from November 2024 through February 2025. Including the current work, that makes two maintenance and repair and one emergency repair since the original project was completed in May 2023. The possibility of yearly repair and maintenance is being discussed.

In other beach news, some 45+ volunteers gathered at South Beach and picked up 110 pounds of trash! A big thanks to our February beach cleanup sponsors: Ace Painting, GetCatFit of Marco Island, and The Democratic Women’s Club of Marco Island. We appreciate all the local residents who brought their winter guests to help keep Marco’s beach pristine and safe!

On Monday, March 2, there is a Shark Fishing Awareness event sponsored by the Marco Island Police Department (MIPD) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The event starts at 10:00 AM and will be held in the MIPD Community Room, 51 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island.

This is an educational/informative event on shore-based shark fishing rules, required permits and license, and safety considerations for beachgoers.