Alabama Beach Repairs Could Take a Year, Could Cost $13 Million

Damage estimates indicate hurricanes Gustav and Ike washed about a million cubic yards of sand apiece from Alabama’s Baldwin County beaches, and repairs could cost more than $13 million.

Gulf Shores Public Works Director Mark Acreman said it will take up to a year to replace sand and restore the berm that protects homes and condominiums.

Acreman said obtaining permits, conducting surveys and finding the right kind of sand could take six months, with construction lasting another half year.

He said Hurricane Gustav shaved a few feet of height from the beach in Gulf Shores, while Ike reached the lower beaches, breaching the berm at its base.

Coastal Resources Director Phillip West says Orange Beach lost about 500,000 cubic yards of sand and a mile of snow fencing between the storms.
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Information from: Press-Register,
http://www.al.com/mobileregister