Pinellas County kicks off emergency beach restoration in Treasure Island

Pinellas County officials are taking emergency measures to shore up some beaches that were slammed by Hurricane Idalia. It will be paid for with money from county tourist development taxes.

The project is starting on Sunset Beach in Treasure Island, and will soon move to other impacted areas.

The working area consists mostly of the properties between the Tern parking lot and Beach Pavilion on the south part of Sunset Beach at approximately 8000 West Gulf Boulevard, and 9940 Gulf Boulevard.

Pinellas County spokesman Tony Fabrizio said: “They’re triaging the erosion, the damage that occurred from Hurricane Idalia.”

“And there are other locations that we’re going to be looking at: Clearwater, North Redington, Belleair Beach, generally the areas where we typically conduct nourishment, plus possibly Madeira Beach and Belleair Shores have expressed some interest in having dunes placed on their sand.”

The $6 million Sunset Beach project will be paid for by county tourist development taxes.

Fabrizio that said the county will then apply for a grant or cost share with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.