Anna Maria beach work delayed

By GRACE GAGLIANO

gagostin@bradenton.com

BRADENTON BEACH --

The project to restock the southern portion of the island with 600,000 tons of sand is not likely to begin until next year.

The $13.9 million renourishment project for Coquina Beach was originally scheduled to begin in the fall.

However, Rick Spadoni, senior vice president of Coastal Planning and Engineering, said the permitting process is not complete with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Spadoni said officials must also choose an offshore site that will provide 420,000 cubic yards of sand for the beach.

The cost will be shared by Manatee County and the state.

FEMA is contributing an additional $3.1 million to pay for sand dredging.

However, FEMA will not pay for the sand dredging if the project is not completed by the end of April 2009.

Spadoni estimated the project would start in January or February.

"We're pressing very hard to push this project along as fast as possible," Spadoni said.

The need to establish an erosion control line on Coquina Beach has also delayed the project.

Spadoni and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection made progress Thursday by holding a public hearing to review the proposed erosion control line for Coquina Beach.

The proposed erosion control line will be 1.61 miles and extend from Fifth Street South to Longboat Pass.

Between May 2006 and January 2008, that area has lost an estimated 5.3 feet of beach, Spadoni said.

Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Janie Robertson said she is concerned the new erosion control line will set lifeguard stands farther back from the water.

Wes Gregory, attorney for DEP, said the department's board of trustees can work toward approving the erosion control line after reviewing the public hearing comments and engineering documents.

As for locating a sand source for the project, Spadoni said it is expected to come offshore at the northeastern end of Anna Maria Island. A dredge will be placed offshore to pump sand to the beach through a series of pipelines.

However, Spadoni said, the fact that there are only two dredging companies available at that time next year could make the project more expensive.

"That doesn't make the bidding competitive for us," Spadoni said. "It's an unfortunate thing we face right now."