After Sandy, Ocean Beach Renourishment Project Starts

A multimillion, mostly privately funded beach replenishment project between Water Mill and Sagaponack got underway in early October, nearly one year after Superstorm Sandy wrecked the shoreline. 

The dredging project will bring sand to 5.7 miles of beach between Water Mill and Sagaponack. It is the largest beach replenishment project ever undertaken in the area. 

A 300-foot floating barge out in the ocean is pumping sand onto the shore to double the width of the beach and to help rebuild the natural dunes. The project will continue through January.

The Town of Southampton is paying $1.5 million toward the cost of the project with area property owners paying the rest after voting to create special taxing districts. Oceanfront beach owners approve a $26.5 million plan to shore up beaches in February.

In the Bridgehampton Beach Erosion Control District, 1,092,500 cubic yards of sand are to be distributed for beach and dune restoration at a cost of $12,543,350, including interest. That includes half of the cost of beach renourishment on town-owned parcels, such as Scott Cameron Beach, not to exceed $960,000. An additional $60,000 in monitoring costs will be collected through taxes annually, bringing the total cost in the district to $13,143,350, spread out over 10 years.

In the Sagaponack Beach Erosion Control District, 1,035,000 cubic yards are sand are to be distributed at a cost of $12,764,500, including interest. That includes half of the cost of beach renourishment on town-owned parcels, such a Sagg Main Beach, not to exceed $540,000. An additional $60,000 in monitoring costs will be collected through taxes annually, bringing the total cost in the district to $13,364,500, spread out over 10 years.