South Pasadena, Fla.-State Representative Kathleen Peters announces that the Florida Legislature has secured money for the Pinellas beach renourishment project FY 2013-2014. $3.7 million has been designated to Treasure Island and Long Key, matched by $13.7 million in federal dollars.
Funding comes after beaches on the East Coast were affected by Hurricane Sandy and will be used to address the substantial damages incurred. Should funding not have been appropriated, the state would risk impacting tourism that is leading the economic recovery in our coastal communities and statewide, and further leave miles of beaches, public infrastructure and upland development vulnerable to the next storm event.
“ Florida’s beaches are the primary economic engine that drives the state’s coastal cities and counties. Healthy beaches are the most effective and only natural form of storm protection for private and public structures and infrastructure, especially roads, bridges, and utilities. ” said Representative Peters.
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Press Release, May 24, 2013