Plans to construct an emergency berm on Collier County's beaches to protect coastal property left vulnerable by Hurricane Ian are advancing.
On Tuesday, Collier County commissioners unanimously approved agreements with three sand suppliers.
The countywide project will run from Marco Island to Barefoot Beach. It will be divided into two parts, a north side and a south side.
The project will place about 200,000 tons of sand on each side, or about 400,000 tons in total.
County looks to start construction as soon as possible
While it's not ideal, the county is pushing to start the berm construction as quickly as possible, to complete it before the next hurricane season hits, and to qualify for a reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The sand will cost anywhere from $8.85 to $13.50 a ton, depending on the source and the supplier. That includes hauling and delivery, according to the contracts.
Collier County has set aside up to $24 million in tourist taxes to fund the project, but it expects to receive millions of dollars in state and federal reimbursements, which could cover more than 87% of the total bill.
The county collects a 5% tourist tax – or bed tax – on hotel and other vacation rentals. A share of the tax is set aside for beach projects every year, and there's a surplus in the fund.
Earlier:Collier County to build emergency berm on beaches to protect upland property post-Ian
More:Collier commissioners approve $24 million in funding for emergency beach berm post-Ian
In December, Miller told county commissioners the berm had to be completed by late March for reimbursement from FEMA, but that it was possible to get an extension of the six-month post-Ian deadline if there's good reason for it.
There is good reason the project hasn't started yet, he said.
"The process of cleaning the beaches, surveying the beaches, designing the berm and putting the contract out to bid takes time and staff have been diligently doing the work that needs to be done and working as fast as they can," Miller said.
Construction could take a few months. If it runs into turtle nesting season, which starts May 1, extra precautions will have to be taken, but the work won't stop.