Emergency Dune Repair Project Complete

The emergency dune repair project to bolster Orchid's protective dune system following damaging effects from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole late in the 2022 hurricane season was complete ahead of schedule on January 26. The original schedule allowed construction activity through January 31 - long before the start of sea turtle nesting season at the end of February, when all beach projects must cease.

Additionally, it is estimated that the project required a smaller amount of sand than initially anticipated. The beach is of course in constant flux, particularly at the level of the beach berm, so between the planning & engineering of the project and the actual placement of sand, the beach accreted and allowed the project to be completed to the original fill template with less material. Sometimes the opposite can occur, as the Town has found during prior similar projects. Originally the placement of about 19,000 tons of sand was expected, but the unaudited figures suggest that about 2,500 tons less were actually needed. The use of less material does result in a significant cost saving.

The project's design included a 5-foot new high dune in front of the established high dune and then a 3 to 1 foot slope to the beach berm. This was a major project for the Town, although it could not replace all of the sand that was lost during the devastating storms. Not only would this have been cost-prohibitive, the physical environment of the beach following the storms would not have allowed it according to the Town's coastal engineer on the project. 

The overall cost of the project is still being evaluated, as weight tickets are audited. However, the Town Council has allocated funds in such a way to minimize impact to the Town's reserves.