For several years Upham Beach has been an experiment in erosion control. A failed experiment, according to the Suncoast Surfrider Foundation.
For more than just a few years Upham Beach has been mired in controversy over how to control one of the most rapidly eroding beaches in the state. The solution at the forefront is currently the installation of permanent rock groins at a cost estimated at over $17 million.
Apparently this Friday a major decision is going to be made regarding the project and this may be YOUR LAST CHANCE to weigh in on it.
Surfrider has done a tremendous amount of work on studying the issue, and on studying the studies that have been done, so I’m not going to re-hash it all here, but here is the gist of Surfrider’s position:
The groins are expensive, ugly, and present a public safety hazard. They have not proven effective in doing what they were designed to do: prevent or slow beach erosion. There were serious flaws with the evaluation studies done to measure the performance and cost of the groins.
Experimental Geotubes on Upham Beach. They are supposed to simulate the performance of permanent rock structures (groins).
There are several options that Surfrider believes need to be fully explored before piling rocks on the beach, including:
- Allow Blind Pass to close naturally.
- Continue periodic renourishment as has been done since the 1970’s.
- Several other mechanical mechanisms including a dedicated dredge.
Learn more and read reports/letters on the Surfrider web site.
What can you do?
Send emails to the decision makers before Friday, September 28, 2012.
Where can you get the names and email addresses and more details?
http://suncoast.surfrider.org/2012/08/help-now-is-the-time-to-take-action/
Send a letter to the Pinellas County Commissioners, the Governor, and your State Senator on why you believe the T-Groins are not the solution.
Below are a few photos showing what the visitors to Upham Beach have had to put up with since 2006:
