Beach erosion is a real threat to real estate in Jupiter, Florida. But the answer, in terms of a legitimate, long term and environmentally sensitive approach to help bolster these dwindling strips of sand, is not necessarily in close reach.
Currently cities and counties in Florida have approved millions in beach restoration, which involves the pumping of sand from offshore to eroded beaches. This is an incredibly expensive process. Millions are spent in the name of protecting properties and maintaining tourism, but there's a growing concern about the potential damage this process has on marine life. There is also the very real concern that this work won't last, and that taxpayers are literally throwing their tax dollars into the sea!
In the past, many coastal governments permitted construction that has in turn destroyed natural dunes. The effected beaches are now unable to narrow and widen organically. The dredged sand used in beach restoration projects is not a permanent solution as it will never remain in place.
A hearing scheduled for August 25th marks the first challenge on the Atlantic Coast to a beach restoration permit. Palm Beach is looking to widen a 1.3 mile stretch of beach near where Palm Beach meets South Palm Beach - a 15 million dollar project. But, at the north end of the project is another municipality who is not happy with the potential effects the project will have on their beaches. The popular Lake Worth municipal beach, along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and The Surfrider Foundation are challenging Palm Beach's restoration project. One concern is that the dredged material to be used in the project is not the same, and is much finer than the natural beach-sand mix . If used, it would soon wash into the sea. This leads to concerns of damage to the neighboring reefs, the beach and the city's signature pier.
It seems the case that these growing concerns about the potentially damaging effects of beach restoration are in fact legitimate. Recently, a project in St.Lucie County was questioned by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council who were investigating its potential harm to the surrounding marine life.
But, in the meantime condo dwellers in South Palm Beach, whose beachfront was battered by a nor-easter last fall, are looking to a near-shore breakwater of rocks that might bolster the force of waves on its diminishing beach. This future solution won't be in place until 2010, when Singer Island is scheduled to build its breakwater. Without some answer to the problem off beach erosion, some resident's properties are certainly in danger of damage by future storms.
Florida's approach to protecting property through beach restoration has gone largely unchallenged, until now. And although properties need to be protected, what will Florida have if it loses it's incredible reefs and marine life? It may be time to re-evaluate the beach restoration practice in time to protect both real estate and the incredible nature that makes these homes so valuable.
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Ted Guarnero's a Florida Realtor ® with over 23 years of experience in the field. He works with Illustrated Properties, one of Palm Beach's finest, and largest family run companies. Read More 
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