Lido Key Beach Renourishment Project to Begin by End of 2025

Beach Erosion and Storm Impact

• 🏝️ Lido Key's beach has been significantly impacted by storms, including Hurricane Ian, leading to substantial erosion.
• 📉 In some areas, the shoreline has receded by 50 to 100 feet since 2021, with approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand lost over the years.
• 🌊 The erosion has become so severe that seawalls are now visible on some properties.

Federal Funding and Renourishment Project

• 💰 A new beach renourishment project is set to begin, costing around $12 million and fully funded by the federal government.
• 🤝 This project is part of a long-term agreement between the City of Sarasota and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
• 🗓️ Renourishment activities are scheduled to commence after October 31st, 2025, following the conclusion of sea turtle and shorebird nesting seasons.

Project Goals and Benefits

• 🏖️ The primary goal is to restore and fortify Lido Beach, protecting properties from future storm damage.
• 🐢 The renourishment is also crucial for the protection of the local ecosystem, including turtles and seabirds.
• 🛠️ Following the sand replenishment, a project to restore the vegetative dune system will be initiated to add another layer of protection.

Dredging and Navigation Improvements

• 🚢 Sand for the renourishment project will be dredged from New Pass, which has become shallow due to hurricanes.
• 🚤 This dredging operation will not only supply sand but also improve navigation for boats in the area.