Editing South Palm Beach, Florida (section)

===Shore stabilization===
Development in the southern part of Palm Beach Island and storm impacts on the coastal system have irreparably transformed the native beach and dune system in areas R-132 to R-138 with an average shoreline recession of {{convert|198|ft|m|0|abbr=off}}.<ref name="Balancing-Act">{{cite web |last1=Studt |first1=Andy |last2=Carstens |first2=Chris |title=Balancing Act - An analysis of historical shoreline recession and the need to equitably consider impacts to the coastal system in Palm Beach County |url= https://www.fsbpa.com/2020TechPresentations/Studt.pdf |work=Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management |date=2020 |access-date=December 25, 2023}}</ref>

From 2003 to 2016, there have been six shoreline and dune restoration projects for the town's beach.<ref name="Seltzer">{{cite web |last=Seltzer |first=Alexandra |title=County asks state for $7.6 million to help 'critically eroded' beaches |url= https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/local/county-asks-state-for-million-help-critically-eroded-beaches/wJP4n5yBb0EKoSd9t0VSsO/ |publisher=The Palm Beach Post |date=September 5, 2018 |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> However, there was nothing to hold the shoreline and dunes in place, and with a nearly wholly armored shoreline, a more long-term solution was needed.<ref name="Balancing-Act"/>

Since 2007, Palm Beach County has completed several engineering studies to evaluate long-term erosion control alternatives, including doing nothing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Palm Beach Island Comprehensive Shoreline Stabilization Project |url= https://www.southpalmbeach.com/town-manager/page/southern-palm-beach-island-comprehensive-shoreline-stabilization-project |work=Town of Palm Beach |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref>

The Town of Palm Beach completed its [[beach nourishment]] projects in 2016, pronouncing its "coastline is in pretty good shape."<ref>{{cite web |last=Kopf |first=Aleese |title=Coastal projects: Major sand dredging in rear-view mirror |url= https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/local/coastal-projects-major-sand-dredging-rear-view-mirror/HZdaRgpf7Ib3x5UF9LKNwI/ |publisher=The Palm Beach Daily |date=September 3, 2016 |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> No shore stabilization work was performed in South Palm Beach. Plans called for a $5.6 million "Southern Palm Beach Island Comprehensive Shore Stabilization Project" during 2019 and 2020 that was designed to rebuild about 0.67 miles of the town's shoreline.<ref name="Seltzer"/> In early 2019, the County determined that the project was "cost prohibitive" and officially withdrew a request for the needed permits from the [[Florida Department of Environmental Protection]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Moffett |first=Dan |title=South Palm Beach: Beach project appears dead after County backs out |url= https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/south-palm-beach-beach-project-appears-dead-after-county-backs-ou |publisher=The Coastal Star |date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref>

With assistance from the Town of Palm Beach, a smaller beach nourishment option by trucking sand to feed the eroding town's beachfront may be possible in early 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moffett |first=Dan |title=South Palm Beach: Long-awaited beach renourishment could take place in April |url= https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/south-palm-beach-long-awaited-beach-renourishment-could-take-plac |publisher=The Coastal Star |date=September 5, 2019 |access-date=October 1, 2019}}</ref> After more than ten years and a devastated shoreline - with several properties only having seawalls remaining against the ocean waves - rather than a beach stabilization project, a restoration of the beach by trucking in sand was conducted in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moffett |first1=Dan |title=South Palm Beach: Joy, relief greet long-awaited dune restoration on beach |url= https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/south-palm-beach-joy-relief-greet-long-awaited-dune-restoration-o |work=The Coastal Star |date=April 28, 2021 |access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref>

A feasibility study and extensive engineering analysis indicated a series of seven low-profile groins with beach dune fill components providing a more stable shoreline with less frequent sand placement.<ref name="Balancing-Act"/> Nevertheless, the trend is at a breaking point for historic coastal development with continuing extensive coastal armoring of existing structures.<ref name="Balancing-Act"/>