BOEM and Army Corps of Engineers Sign Agreements with Brevard County and Patrick Air Force Base to Refurbish Florida Shorelines

Date: Sept 10, 2019
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Marjorie.Weisskohl@boem.gov 

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, Brevard County, and the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing to replenish portions of the shoreline in Brevard County, Florida. BOEM and its partners signed two separate agreements for the use of up to 1.9 million cubic yards of sand from federal waters to construct three Brevard County project segments located at Mid-Reach, South-Reach, and Patrick Air Force Base. 

“The Trump Administration is committed to protecting our coastlines through habitat restoration and conservation efforts, notably coastal erosion from tropical storms and hurricanes,” said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “I applaud the collective efforts from the federal, state, and local partners involved who facilitated the agreements and delivery of almost 2 million cubic yards of sand for the Brevard County coastline. These efforts will be critical in restoring these iconic beaches.” 

Sand from the Canaveral Shoals sand borrow area on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) will be used to stabilize the shoreline. For the Brevard County Mid-Reach and South-Reach segments, BOEM authorizes the use of up to 1.3 million cubic yards of sand, which would restore 7.8 miles of Mid-Reach shoreline and 4 miles on the South-Reach. For the Patrick AFB segment, BOEM authorizes up to 600,000 cubic yards of sand to renew 3.8 miles of shoreline. The shoreline to be redeveloped stretches from Patrick Air Force Base southward to Spessard Holland Park, totaling 15.6 miles.

“As Florida and other states address long-term coastal renourishment needs, BOEM stands ready to work closely with its partners, including the Corps, as they assess the impacts of those storms,” said BOEM Acting Director Walter Cruickshank. “These renourishment projects help maintain an area’s vitality and protect valuable infrastructure.” 

Under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, BOEM is the only federal agency with the authority to lease marine minerals from the OCS. “Brevard County values its long-standing relationship with BOEM and the opportunity to partner with the agency to utilize offshore sand for our Mid-Reach Project. This sand is both cost-effective and provides the ideal match to native sand on our beaches,” said Brevard County’s Program Manager for Beaches Mike McGarry.

With these two new lease agreements, BOEM has signed 58 leases for coastal restoration projects since 1995, including 22 in Florida; authorized more than 164 million cubic yards of sediment for eight states; and will be on track to provide sand to restore nearly 360 miles of shoreline. These projects underscore the need for BOEM to build and maintain the National Offshore Sand Inventory and Marine Minerals Information System to prepare for meeting future sand needs. 

OCS sand and gravel resources are vital sources of material for the construction of coastal protection and restoration projects, including efforts to protect coastal communities, national defense facilities, and federal and state infrastructure. 

Read more information on the Marine Minerals Program.