TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. () — Beach erosion is always a concern on our Sea Islands, especially within the community of Tybee Island.

Oceanfront areas of the island face challenges due to the limited size of the beach. The proximity of the water to the dunes increases the risk of the ocean affecting nearby properties.

Property owners are concerned that erosion will compromise the dune line and threaten their beachfront homes and businesses.

An innovative collaboration between the City of Tybee, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and local universities oversees the beach nourishment cycle. This cycle, lasting six to eight years, is designed to monitor and sustain the beach’s structure.

The initial major step in the 2019 cycle was the addition of dunes. Before this extensive dune system was implemented, routine king tides and high surf events would lead to street flooding even without direct storm impact on the coast.

The dunes cushion the blow that the ocean brings to the beach. It allows property and city infrastructure to be protected from waves.

Since the last renourishment project, Tybee Island has lost 40% of its sand. Officials said that this is all going according to plan.

It’s also noted that current patterns of beach erosion may appear different compared to previous years due to the dunes altering sand movement along the shore.

The first phase of the beach renourishment project is set to begin later this year, focusing on adding more sand to the dunes along the Savannah River shipping channel.

The plan is to renourish additional portions of the island between the end of hurricane season and the beginning of turtle nesting season.

Funding has been allocated, and the city is finalizing a schedule on the upcoming renourishment.