FULL STORY: Beach study finds north end needs three groins

The findings of the Longboat Pass Inlet Management Study are in, and its recommendations for a long-term solution for north-end beach erosion include a combination of solutions, including a terminal groin at the northern tip of Greer Island (aka Beer Can Island) and two permeable- adjustable groins at the north end of the Key.

Coastal Planning & Engineering Inc. President Tom Campbell presented the $125,000 study, which was jointly funded by the town and Manatee County, to the Longboat Key Town Commission at its Nov. 3 special workshop.

Campbell listed the study’s beach-and-inlet vision, which included keeping erosion at nearby beaches at manageable rates, maintaining continuous public beach access and recreational beach at North Shore Road with access to Greer Island and storm protection for 360 North Condominium.

Campbell also discussed the need for three structures stating that construction of the permeable-adjustable groins alone would worsen the erosion of Greer Island.

But Commissioner Phill Younger questioned Campbell on the placement of the terminal groin on Greer Island, which is owned by Manatee County. Campbell said that the state wanted it placed in that location and that it would help control Greer Island erosion.

“There’s no doubt that we need to protect 360 North but it sounds to me like the state wants to protect Greer Island, but they want to protect it on Longboat Key’s dime,” he said.

But Commissioner Pat Zunz pointed out that “if everything on Greer Island breaks through,” it could damage properties such as 360 North condominium.

“It seems to me that no matter who pays for it, this is something we need to do,” she said.

Campbell recommended that the commission immediately begin the Joint Coastal Permitting (JCP) process immediately for the groins. The commission, which hasn’t voted on whether to approve the structures, reached consensus to do so, in part because of the length of the process. If the commission does, eventually, approve the structures, construction could begin by April 2013 at the earliest.

New line on the sand?
The Longboat Key Town Commission agreed to begin an update of its Comprehensive Beach Management Plan at the Nov. 3 workshop. But although Coastal Planning & Engineering Inc. has been the town’s beach-engineering firm for the past 14 years, that could change. Instead of automatically giving CPE the project, the commissioner asked Town Manager David Bullock to put out a request for quotations (RFQ) for the project. The current Comprehensive Beach Management Plan was completed in 2008.