Pinellas County is in the final stages of planning its emergency beach renourishment project—but officials say a lack of signed easements from property owners is threatening the scope and funding of the effort.

So far, 131 easements remain unsigned, a hurdle that’s preventing the county from securing federal dollars to help pay for the project. In the past, similar efforts received a 60% cost share from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This time, the county is relying on bed tax revenue to move forward.

The project, which will restore more than five feet of sand to eroded areas, targets Sand Key, Treasure Island, and Upham Beach.

Kelli Hammer Levy, the county’s public works director, says the need is urgent. Without signed easements, she warns some beachfront properties will remain at lower elevations—more vulnerable to storm damage and high tides.

“We are as eroded as we’ve seen since the very first nourishment back in the early ’90s,” Levy said. “At high tide, you can walk out and see there’s barely any sand left between the rack line and the homes. That’s not where we want to be.”

The renourishment work will begin this September and take about six months to complete. It will occur from the erosion control line seaward on each parcel. While there’s no official deadline for signing the temporary easements, Levy emphasized that once construction is finished, property owners cannot retroactively opt in. The easements expire at the end of 2029.

To answer questions and encourage participation, the county has been holding public information sessions. The final meeting is scheduled for Aug. 6 at Belleair Beach, from 6 to 8 p.m.

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