Local officials made a final plea to beachfront property owners to sign construction easements before a Feb. 28 deadline, but their efforts fell short of gaining enough support.

Pinellas County is now moving forward with the Sand Key Beach Nourishment project, despite missing over 150 signed easements. At a Feb. 27 event, Commission Chair Brian Scott likened the challenge of working around unpermitted properties to carrying water in a leaky bucket.

Interim public information manager Tony Fabrizio revealed that officials met with project engineers on Tuesday to identify areas that will be bypassed. The Sand Key project stretches from Clearwater Beach to Redington Shores.

“We’re holding out hope for Treasure Island through the Army Corps of Engineers,” Fabrizio told the St. Pete Catalyst. “Those federal easements have stricter terms, but if we secure them, it’ll be a federally funded effort.”

The county faces significant hurdles. On Feb. 27, Commissioner Kathleen Peters explained that altering federal easement language for Sand Key could jeopardize Army Corps funding. Unlike federal versions, county easements drop a public access mandate—a sticking point for property owners—and allow residents to opt out of protective dunes, an option the Army Corps doesn’t offer.

“We need these renourishment projects finished,” Peters stressed. “Sand is critical for storm protection, property values, tourism, and to keep our beaches from reverting to the seawalls and steps of the 1980s.”

Before their third “Signing Day,” commissioners were short 170 easements in Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, and Redington Shores. Fabrizio noted a slight uptick in signatures after public appeals, but it wasn’t enough.

Though the Sand Key deadline has passed, Fabrizio said officials are still urging residents to submit easements. “If we get enough in one area, we’ll try to include it. Otherwise, they’ll aid the next nourishment cycle.”

The Sunshine Beach project in Treasure Island remains trickier, with 11 federal easements still unsigned. Despite a brutal hurricane season, Fabrizio said residents haven’t embraced easements as expected. “We thought removing public access and making dunes optional would boost support, but it’s disappointing—we’ll have gaps in Sand Key.”

“Water follows the easiest path,” he added. “It could surge through areas without easements, but we’re powerless there.”

At the Feb. 27 event, local leaders echoed this frustration. Sen. Nick DiCeglie highlighted a seven-foot sand loss along the coast, urging residents to protect their neighbors. He emphasized that beaches drive Pinellas County’s economy and noted that Hurricane Helene’s 100-mile offshore surge would’ve been worse with today’s erosion. Scott agreed, while Peters pointed to Sunset Beach’s devastation without nourishment versus Pass-a-Grille’s resilience with it.

If the Army Corps rejects an emergency permit, commissioners will tap tourist development taxes for Sand Key. “This is unusual—they were shocked we tried,” said Public Works Director Kelli Hammer Levy. Peters added that she, county officials, and congressional delegates will meet White House reps this week to push for support.

“We’re still asking for easements,” Fabrizio said Tuesday. “Even if they don’t help now, we’ll have them for the future—maybe six years out, or sooner if another hurricane hits.”

For easement details and a sample document, visit: https://pinellas.gov/coastal-management-easements/

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(Image credit: Pinellas County)

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