To date, an estimated 40,000 cubic yards of beach quality sand have been pumped into the Sebastian Inlet District’s Dredged Material Management Area (DMMA) as part of Phase II of the ongoing project.  Active dredging of the navigation channel is expected to wrap up this Friday, June 7, and crews have already begun demobilizing unneeded equipment.  The dredge crew is currently in the most Western portion of the channel working to completion and all boaters are in the area are urged to take great care when navigating the channel.  For contact information for the dredge “Lori Hill”, click here.

The DMMA is a 6-acre sand storage site located Northwest of the Sebastian Inlet State Park Tidal Pool that was built by the District in 2010-2011.  It is used to store sand for beach placement and can be mobilized immediately for emergency dune and beach repair following hurricanes and other storm events.

Upon project completion, the Sebastian Inlet District will release a final project summary and will be working with marine biologists in the field to conduct permit required sea turtle, sea grass and nearshore hardbottom monitoring to assess project performance.  For additional detail or to see prior project updates, visit the PROJECTS tab or call (321) 724-5175.

The Sebastian Inlet District was created in 1919 as an independent special district by act of the Florida State Legislature, and chartered to maintain the navigational channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River.  The Sebastian Inlet District is governed by a 5-member, elected Commission and its responsibilities include beach re-nourishment and dune repair as part of a state mandated sand bypass system, erosion control, environmental protection and public safety.  The Sebastian Inlet supports a rich and diverse ecological environment that is unparalleled in North America.  The Inlet is vital not only to the ecological health of the Indian River Lagoon, but it is also an important economic engine for local communities in the region.  Known as the premier surfing, fishing, boating and recreational area on the east coast of Florida, the inlet is one of only five navigable channels that connect the Indian River lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean.

Posted: 6/3/2019