Urgent Erosion Control Underway on Hutchinson Island as Fort Pierce Battles Coastline Loss
For residents of the Treasure Coast, the changing landscape of our barrier islands is a constant topic of conversation. Just south of Vero Beach, a critical situation has developed in Fort Pierce, where city and county leaders have launched emergency erosion control measures. Access to the popular Jetty Park Beach on Hutchinson Island has been restricted as crews work to protect nearby homes and infrastructure from the encroaching ocean.
Visitors hoping to enjoy the shoreline at Jetty Park will currently find fencing and barricades blocking access to the sand. Instead of beachgoers, the area is currently occupied by heavy machinery and trucks delivering emergency sand to stabilize the shoreline. This urgent response comes ahead of a scheduled $15 million comprehensive beach nourishment project slated to begin in March, but for many, the wait has become too risky.
The severity of the erosion has raised alarms regarding the safety of structural foundations in the area. According to local officials, the threat extends beyond the beach itself to the adjacent properties.
“It could be destructive to property by undermining the property and collapsing it, theoretically. Roads, sidewalks, etc., can be torn up,” stated Commissioner Michael Broderick.
The current crisis is reportedly exacerbated by administrative delays. Commissioner Broderick indicated that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was unable to secure a vendor for the necessary work last year, pushing the scheduled nourishment project a full year behind. This delay allowed the erosion to progress to a point where safety and property are now at immediate risk, necessitating this stop-gap emergency measure.
The emergency sand delivery comes with a significant price tag, estimated at approximately $500,000, which will be funded by taxpayers. To assist in the immediate stabilization, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast helped secure an initial 11 dump truck loads of sand, which serves as a precursor to a larger delivery of 10,000 cubic yards expected to arrive shortly.
Local Frustration Mounts
For residents who chose the Treasure Coast specifically for its coastal lifestyle, the deteriorating conditions are a source of significant frustration. Brenna Cavanaugh, a resident living near the affected area, expressed dismay at the loss of recreational space and the recurring nature of the problem.
“It seems like every year, every other year, they’re doing the re-nourishment of the beach for millions and millions of dollars, and then it just gets eroded away within a month or two,” Cavanaugh noted. “Whatever they’re doing just isn’t working right now, unfortunately.”
While the visual appeal of the coast remains—drawing visitors like fisherman Aric Kuhn to the scenic spot—the underlying instability poses a threat to the quality of life for locals. St. Lucie County Commissioner James Clasby emphasized that while a permanent fix is the ultimate goal, the current priority must be the immediate protection of life and infrastructure.
What to Expect Next
As crews continue to truck in sand this week, residents and visitors traveling south from Vero Beach to Fort Pierce should expect closures and construction activity around Jetty Park. The emergency fill is designed to hold the line until the major restoration project begins next month.
Key takeaways for Treasure Coast residents include:
As the Treasure Coast continues to grapple with the dynamic nature of our barrier islands, local leadership remains focused on bridging the gap between immediate safety needs and long-term coastal resilience.
