Pinellas Democratic Representative Charlie Crist proudly announced Thursday that the Army Corps of Engineers will fully fund the Pinellas County Shore Protection Project, to restore and protect Pinellas County’s beaches.
The announcement comes after Crist worked with Pinellas County Commission Chair Janet Long for the past few months to secure the Corps’ approval.
“Pinellas County is a peninsula on a peninsula, surrounded almost entirely by coastline. With rising sea levels, increasing storm surges, and erosion caused by hurricanes like Hermine, the importance of nourishment projects is urgent to protect our economy, infrastructure, and coastal properties,” Crist said in a statement. “I thank Commissioner Long and the entire Commission for their commitment to our beaches, and the Army Corps for listening to our concerns. I look forward to continuing our work together, to push forward with this major project benefiting Pinellas.”
“The Army Corps of Engineers allocation of $30 million to complete the Pinellas County Beaches projects, including Sand Key, Treasure Island, and Upham Beach, is great news for our entire region,” said Long. “Thank you to Congressman Crist for his work on this issue as well as the Army Corps of Engineers for recognizing the importance of these projects to our local economy.”
According to Crist’s office, the Corps’ work plan also includes the full federal cost share of $9 million for the Port Tampa Bay Big Bend Channel navigation project, as well as a “New Start” designation for this deepening and widening project.
