Flagler County weighs multimillion-dollar options to restore eroding beaches

Flagler County officials are considering three options to restore and protect roughly 6 miles of coastline after king tides and a nor’easter worsened existing beach erosion.County commissioners are weighing the costs and potential impacts as they work toward a plan to replenish sand and rebuild damaged dunes.Options on the tableThe proposals range in cost from $37 million to $85 million, with potential additional expenses tied to environmental protections and permitting.The first proposal would involve trucking sand from inland sources to replenish the shoreline. The estimated cost is about $85 million.The second option would involve dredging sand from the ocean floor, pumping it into a containment area and then transporting it to the sections of beach that need restoration.Coastal engineers estimate that option would cost about $61 million.The third proposal would use a similar approach but would also widen the beach. It carries an initial price tag of about $37 million, but environme