Environmental Resources Management

Introduction

The Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Surge Protection Project was authorized by Congress in 1966 to address severe beach erosion along the Miami-Dade County shoreline, and the associated economic and social impacts to the community.

The resulting plan, developed and implemented through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, called for the construction of a 10.5-mile protective beach fill extending from Government Cut through Haul over Beach Park. The project was constructed through a series of six contracts from 1975 through 1982 utilizing sand dredged from offshore borrow sources.

In 1986, Congress authorized a second phase to the project for Sunny Isles Beach. This 2.5-mile segment adjoined the previously completed segment at Haulover Park, and extended north to the Town Of Golden Beach. Construction of this second phase was completed in 1988.

Action plan

An integral part of a comprehensive shore protection program is the implementation of periodic nourishment of the project on an as needed basis to maintain the storm protection and recreational benefits of the project.

While the performance of the overall project has exceeded original design estimates, a number of areas have required multiple nourishment events to maintain a viable beachfront. These erosional hotspots have accounted for a large percentage of the required nourishment activity since the completion of the project.

In an effort to improve the performance cost-effectiveness of the project, a number of project-wide, and site-specific, studies have been conducted to better identify these problem areas, assess the causal factors for the high erosion rates, and develop recommendations for remediating these areas.

The recommendations for managing these hotspots range from no action, to structural solutions such as breakwaters and groins.

• View Miami-Dade County's Long Range Budget Plan for Beach Erosion Control Projects 

For more information on Beach Restoration and Management, contact dermbeachrestoration@miamidade.gov or call 305-372-6529.