BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Sand is now being delivered and distributed on beaches in three Broward County cities.  The Segment II Broward Shoreline Protection project is underway in Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Fort Lauderdale. The $55-million project will result in pristine beaches at least 75 feet wide and will add sand to areas that have eroded and haven't been renourished since 1983.

"Our beaches are important for many reasons. We have to protect our critical resources, infrastructure, upland buildings and habitat. The beach provides recreation for residents. Tourism is also very important, sixty-three percent of our nearly fifteen million visitors came to our beaches last year and spent $13 billion," said Commissioner Chip LaMarca at a news conference to explain the renourishment project that will continue through May.

Some 750,000 cubic yards of sand will be delivered to the beaches through three separate access points (one in each city) and distributed over 4.9 miles of beach.  The purpose of the Segment II project is to reconstruct areas of eroded beach and increase storm protection. The beach renourishment project widens a beach and advances the shoreline seaward.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will reimburse $30 million, more than half the cost of the overall project. The State of Florida, Broward County and the three cities in the Segment II project will pick up the rest of the cost.

Information and updates on the Broward County Shoreline Segment II Protection Project can be found at www.broward.org/beachrenourishment. Questions about the project can be sent to Nicole Sharp, Broward County Beach Program Manager, at nsharp@broward.org or Greg Ward at gward@broward.org.