History - As a result of the impacts from Hurricane Ivan (2004) the beaches on Perdido Key were designated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as "Critically Eroded" (designation updated 2009).
Critically Eroded is defined as follows: "Critically eroded area is a segment of the shoreline where natural processes or human activity have caused or contributed to erosion and recession of the beach or dune system to such a degree that upland development, recreational interests, wildlife habitat, or important cultural resources are threatened or lost. Critically eroded areas may also include peripheral segments or gaps between identified critically eroded areas which, although they may be stable or slightly erosional now, their inclusion is necessary for continuity of management of the coastal system or for the design integrity of adjacent beach management projects."
As a part of the engineering study, the needs of beach nourishment were determined to be different between those properties east of Perdido Key State Park and those to the west, including the State Park. The eastern properties have lost both beach width and depth resulting in a need for a typical beach nourishment project. The western properties retain sufficient beach width, however they have lost beach depth, and will need sand placed on the upper beach (south of the post-Ivan constructed dune) to provide a similar level of storm surge protection.
The following pages have additional information for residents of Perdido Key regarding the Beach Nourishment Efforts.
