Sandy Neck Beach Erosion Meeting to Be Held Tonight

Barnstable town officials and officials from Sandy Neck Beach will hold a meeting tonight to discuss the erosion of Sandy Neck Beach.

The meeting will be held at the Barnstable Senior Center and is open to all. It will begin at 7:30 PM.

Officials have been concerned with erosion at Sandy Neck beach for some time. The storms of the previous winter took a serious toll on the beach, prompting questions about whether the city was doing enough to preserve the popular landscape.

Park officials received a Coastal Zone Management Grant to pursue possible solutions. They've hired a consultant to put together possible plans, and tonight's meeting will present those plans to the public.

Though armoring the bank with structures resistant to erosion is often seen as an appealing option, a park official reported that this solution is not likely to be viable. Because Sandy Neck Beach is protected under the Wetlands Protection Act, it can be very difficult to get such plans approved and permitted.

There are other options to discuss as well, like using erosion control bags or bringing more sand to the beach. Though these solutions are less permanent, they are easier to get past the regulatory barriers.

Photo Credit: Liza via Flickr