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The threats to human safety and property are evident as well, as much of this rocky material quickly eroded, creating a fragile four-foot-high cliff along the shoreline. TC Surfrider also attributed a November shark attack at nearby Jensen Beach to turbidity caused by this project combined with dirty water from Lake Okeechobee. According to George Burgess, Director of the University of Florida’s Program for Shark Research and Administrator for the International Shark Attack File, extreme caution is advised. “Murky water plays a significant role in promoting shark attack,” Burgess said. “Murky water reduces a shark's ability to visually confirm the identity of potential prey items and likely promotes many of the ‘mistaken identity’ attacks that occur along the Florida east coast.” Attack file data reveals that 212 of 280 (more than 75 percent) of shark attacks in Florida waters bearing information about water clarity have occurred in murky-water situations. Murky water is a common denominator in many shark attacks worldwide.

“We have collected hundreds of signatures over the past few months from beachgoers, homeowners and citizens requesting the complete removal of this incompatible material and replacing it with sand that is compatible with our local beaches,” said Andy Brady, TC Surfrider St. Lucie County Chairperson. “It appears that the County has heard our pleas, and we are hopeful that they will follow through in a responsible manner.”

The County’s new plan calls for the removal of the “road bed” material and replacement with sand that accumulated as a result of the hurricanes at nearby Blind Creek. This appears to be an acceptable solution, as it will provide a source of potentially compatible sand, while also initiating the recovery of a buried mangrove habitat. TC Surfrider, however, expresses concern over the following issues:

 1) Since much of the new sand from Blind Creek covers dead mangroves, it must be sifted thoroughly before placing it on the beach in order to remove all organic material. The material should meet all compatibility standards established by the DEP and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

2) There are indications that the County will attempt to leave a portion of the “road bed” material along the dune line where dune grasses have been attempting to root. To allow any of this rock- hard material on the dune is unacceptable. It has been found to be unstable and will not provide adequate protection for property owners, nor allow for the dune grass to ever root firmly. If even a small portion is allowed to remain, it will permanently hamper turtle nesting. With over 100 members locally, TC Surfrider is ready to volunteer to assist in replanting and irrigation efforts once the dune line has been restored correctly.

3) It is reported that St. Lucie County plans to place only 60,000 cubic yards of new sand on the dune remediation site by March 1. The original project consisted of over 200,000 cubic yards of fill. This leaves a shortfall of at least 140,000 cubic yards. It has also been reported that the County only has 120,000 cubic yards of total sand available at the Blind Creek site. If this is the case, then it is apparent that only a small portion of the remediation will be accomplished by March 1, and that another source of compatible sand will be needed to make up the difference.

In response to these three issues, TC Surfrider cites Brevard County’s successful dune restoration project in the wake of Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. In Brevard, 550,000 cubic yards of compatible fill was mined from several upland sources and used to restore a 20-mile section of beach in less than four months. According to Brevard County Environmental Management Supervisor Virginia Barker, the project was divided into sections and three separate contractors were hired to truck the sand in, while county environmental engineers monitored each truckload for quality control. The county also reviewed historical data regarding turtle nesting habits so the busiest nesting beaches could be restored first. Kevin Bodge, Principle Engineer for Olsen Associates of Jacksonville, the engineering firm hired for the project, complemented Brevard County for their diligent quality control in monitoring compatible fill. He added that it is fairly common for restoration projects to extend into the early nesting season as long as it has been approved by the U.S. Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Since St. Lucie beaches provide some of the most important turtle nesting habitat in North America, the federal agencies will have to weigh the pros and cons of operating into nesting season. While these agencies may not grant St. Lucie County an extension, it would stand to reason (based on the Brevard example), that trucking in additional fill from compatible inland sources simultaneously to the Blind Creek supply would allow for the best chance of success by the March 1 deadline. It is also critical that the County monitor the project carefully so that sand is placed in a manner that affords the greatest protection to beachfront homeowners.

The Treasure Coast Surfrider Chapter hopes that coastal managers, consultants, and contractors now realize that Florida’s beach-going and ocean-using public will not tolerate bad beach projects. Despite the environmental damage that has occurred on St. Lucie County beaches, there is now hope that this project will be completed properly, and that the DEP’s ruling has set a powerful precedent statewide.

TC Surfrider will hold its next monthly meeting on Monday, February 13th from 7 to 9 p.m.at Kristi's Restaurant at Ocean Village on South Beach, Ft. Pierce. For additional information, call 772-834-5858, or e-mail: tcsurfrider@yahoo.com.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and over 60 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil. For additional information, go to www.surfrider.org