Storm surges from Hurricanes Milton and Helene have caused significant amounts of sand to be deposited upland on some properties along Sanibel’s beaches.
The City of Sanibel’s Natural Resources Department has released important information for property owners returning sand deposited on upland property to the beach dune system.
Permit Not Required To Return Clean Sand: By Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Emergency Final Orders 24-2580 (Hurricane Milton) and 24-2534, amended (Hurricane Helene), neither an FDEP permit nor a City permit is required to return clean sand onto the beach that has been deposited on private property by either storm.
Requirements for Returning Clean Sand to the Beach Dune System: “Clean sand” is defined as sand that does not have stains or odors and is similar to the pre-hurricane beach sand in coloration and grain size. It must be free of debris, rocks, clay, or other foreign matter.
• Clean sand can be collected and placed above the high tide line (or mean high water line) on the beach and dune system.
• Sand may not be placed over any existing native vegetation or storm-generated debris on the beach.
• Sand shall be returned to the beach in a manner that emulates the grade and slope of the beach before Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
• Construction equipment shall not operate, and construction materials shall not be stored in such a way as to damage or destroy the beach dune system.
• Existing beach dune topography and vegetation shall be disturbed only to the minimum extent necessary. If any topography is disturbed, then topography shall be restored to the predevelopment elevations.
• Any native dune vegetation destroyed during the activity shall be replaced with native beach vegetation.
Enforcement Of Violations: FDEP, or the city on behalf of FDEP, may bring an enforcement action against any private property owner that violates the above requirements.
Any sand that does not meet the definition of “clean sand” must be disposed of properly. Placing sand or other overwashed material onto the right-of-way of roads is strictly prohibited.
Anyone with questions about returning clean sand to the beach dune system should contact Joel Caouette in the Natural Resources Department at joel.caouette@mysanibel.com or (239) 267-4726.