Reso 2023-3529 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Statement of Purpose for a Dune Masterplan: Dunes are part of Florida's coastal ecosystems, providing economic, environmental and recreational benefits to the local community. Our beaches contribute greatly to the economy and employment within the City of Sunny Isles Beach, attracting roughly a million visitors annually and contributing billions to the local economy each year. A healthy dune system is an invaluable asset -to coastal communities like Sunny Isles Beach. Coastal dunes are also habitat for wildlife and support a high biodiversity of flora and fauna. Sunny Isles beaches provide nesting grounds for threatened and endangered 'sea turtles, and serve as an important habitat for shorebirds and other wildlife. Functional dune systems keep beaches healthy by accreting sand and minimizing beach erosion rates. Established dunes also protect coastal infrastructure and upland properties from storm damage by blocking storm surge and absorbing wave energy, thereby protecting property values. Obiectives: The Dune Masterplan (the Plan) is intended to outline a management approach that addresses improvements to both existing dune features and new dunes and protects existing dunes. The entire beach has been evaluated, and the dunes categorized by physical/geographic characteristics and existing conditions. The Plan should focus on fostering projects that can have both immediate and long- term benefits, while also developing a feasible program in terms of design, permitting and maintenance by: • Restoring and expanding the existing dune system. • Preventing dune loss and beach erosion. • Creating a long-term maintenance plan for the dune system. • Engaging coastal property owners to improve their privately managed dune system.