North-end erosion deemed emergency

Town Manager Dave Bullock confirmed his belief that the town should place sand on the north end of the Key as soon as it becomes available during the Longboat Key Town Commission’s Monday regular workshop.

The town wants sand for the Key’s shore that the West Coast Inlet Navigation District (WCIND) plans to dredge out of the Intracoastal Waterway near Jewfish Key this summer.

Public Works Director Juan Florensa said the state has approved the permit, and the project could receive a federal permit in a couple of weeks. Approximately 50,000 to 75,000 cubic yards of sand could be placed on the north end up to the Broadway beach access to act as a stopgap fix until sand-saving structures can be built the following summer.

“Our coastal engineer believes the rate of erosion south of the (Longbeach condominium) seawall is an increasing rate of erosion,” Bullock said. “The information justifies me sending a letter to WCIND saying this constitutes an emergency and allows them to get a dredge to dredge the sand traps earlier.”

In a March 7 email to the commission, Bullock explained that WCIND’s project calls for dredging the channel near Longboat Pass while placing beach-compatible sand on the north end of Longboat Key.

WCIND will dredge the channel northwest of Jewfish Key to prepare for installation flood shoal sand traps in that area. The traps, once installed, will trap between 40,000 and 60,000 cubic yards of sand that is swept off the north end of the Key and deposited in a large sandbar near Jewfish Key.

WCIND is seeking a permit for sand traps because that same sand also makes its way into the Intracoastal Waterway, clogging the boating channel and forcing the district to perform expensive dredging projects.

Bullock said the town will get 100% of the sand dredged for its shores, with Manatee County receiving 100% of the sand the next time the site is dredged. The town and county will receive a 50/50 split for future projects.

The traps will be installed in a shallow depression in the waterway and intercept sand before it makes its way to the Jewfish Key site.

WCIND board members agreed to accelerate plans and place sand around Longbeach condominiums and the surrounding area after the sand is removed. WCIND also agreed to allocate $500,000 for the project.

WCIND is soliciting prices for vendors and placement of sand around the north end. Bullock will bring the commission in April an estimate on how much the town will have to contribute toward the sand project.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]