Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – In a significant stride towards beach restoration, the City of Gulf Shores is set to begin the Beach Restoration Project this September. The project, awarded to the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, aims to rectify the extensive damage inflicted on the city's beaches by Hurricane Nate and Hurricane Sally. The initiative not only seeks to protect the city's infrastructure and provide more expansive recreational beaches, but also to create vital habitats for shorebirds, the Alabama beach mouse, and sea turtles. The project's initial phase will commence with sea turtle monitoring, followed by the mobilization of equipment and the commencement of dredging activities.

The Beach Restoration Project will also be initiated in Orange Beach beginning in February. The initiative will not only enhance the city's recreational spaces but also contribute to the conservation of local wildlife, including shorebirds, the Alabama beach mouse, and sea turtles. The beach renourishment project is expected to be completed by April.

If you are in the area, it’s a great time for beachcombing. Just be sure to stay clear of the dredges. 

City of Gulf Shores Press Release:

At the July 24 Council Meeting, Mayor Craft and City Council awarded the bid for the Beach Restoration Project to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company with a project start date of September 2023. 

This critical restoration project will restore the damage the City of Gulf Shores, along with the Gulf State Park and Orange Beach, sustained to our engineered beaches during Hurricane Nate and Hurricane Sally. Our engineered beach system is designed to protect structures and infrastructure, provides more expansive recreational beaches, and creates vital habitats for shoreline birds, the Alabama beach mouse, and sea turtles. 

The project will begin with sea turtle monitoring in September, and dredging is estimated to start in November. Dredging in Gulf Shores is estimated to be completed early next year. See the full project schedule below.

• September – Begin turtle monitoring and nest relocations as necessary
• October – Mobilization of equipment
• November – Start beach restoration east of Little Lagoon Pass (most critically impacted area)
• December – Start beach restoration west of Little Lagoon Pass
• January – Start beach restoration of Gulf State Park
• February – Start beach restoration of Romar Beach
• March – Start beach restoration of Perdido Key
• April – Demobilize equipment

Between 2001 and 2004, the City invested approximately $18M to construct the first engineered beach projects, now recognized by FEMA as City infrastructure. As long as the City periodically reinvests in restoration projects, damages due to a declared disaster are reimbursable by FEMA/AEMA. 

FEMA/AEMA will reimburse 87.5% of the costs related to Hurricane Nate and 95% of the costs related to Hurricane Sally. The City’s matching costs will be funded through the 2% lodging tax that was instituted to maintain the City’s engineered beaches. 

The City of Gulf Shores' portion of the contract includes the following:

• 750,000 cubic yards of beach fill related to Hurricanes Nate/Sally
• 405,000 cubic yards of additional sand to further enhance our beaches
• 505,000 dune plants
• 3,000 linear feet of sand fencing
• Sea turtle trawling

For more information about the Beach Restoration Project, please get in touch with the City Engineering Department at 251-968-6583.