The Myrtle Beach beach renourishment project, a $72 million federally funded effort, is currently underway, causing disruptions to the peak summer season. The project, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, aims to rebuild roughly 26 miles of shoreline using about 2 million cubic yards of sand.

Background

The purpose of the project is straightforward coastal defense: a wider, higher beach-and-dune system absorbs storm-wave energy and shields the coast from erosion and hurricane storm surge, repairing damage left by recent hurricanes. The Corps has built in safeguards to monitor daily for sea turtle nesting and migratory shorebirds, and construction pauses when sea turtles come within 500 feet of active work.

The project was initially delayed by two months due to mechanical and scheduling conflicts, and the revised timeline has the work running through the peak summer season. This has caused frustration among tourists, with some expressing disappointment that the work was not done during the off-season.

Impact on Local Economy

The summer season is the busiest time for Myrtle Beach, with hotels and restaurants filled to capacity. The disruption caused by the beach renourishment project has resulted in lost income for some businesses, particularly those that rely on beachfront activities such as chair rentals and water sports.

Local stakeholders, including the City of Myrtle Beach, acknowledge the importance of maintaining the beach, but also recognize the need for better communication with tourists and businesses. The City spokesperson, Meredith Denari, noted that the beach is the lifeblood of the local economy and that maintaining it is essential for the long-term health of the community.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.