Sand returns to southern Seven Mile, but for how long?

On Sunday, a couple of tourists walked along a sliver of sand in front of the Marriott Beach Resort. It wasn’t exactly a beach, but a significant contrast nonetheless to images of a paddleboarder the Compass snapped at the same spot in December.

As government contemplates a multimillion dollar replenishment project to restore a large stretch of lost sand on Seven Mile Beach, it appears nature has lent a helping hand.

Last weekend’s storm helped reshape part of the southern end of the beach, also bringing back some sand that had been stripped away in front of the Royal Palms.

“It is nice to see a recovery following a Nor’ Wester event,” said Tim Austin, deputy director of the Department of Environment.

The storm wasn’t significant enough to restore this section of beach to its former glory.

Substantial erosion, caused in part by how close the condos, hotels and beach walls were built to the water’s edge, has ebbed away at the shoreline.

Austin said storms are a significant factor in the beach dynamics along Seven Mile, and further Nor’ Westers could bring back more sand to the area. But he cautions this is unlikely to be significant enough to reverse the overall long-term trend of sandy beach being lost to the sea in the area.

Government has budgeted $21 million over the next two years for beach renourishment.

Initially, that will involve a business case and feasibility study for the work.

Jennifer Ahearn, chief officer in the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency, told the Compass in December that doing nothing and letting nature take its course remained an option. But she said there were negative impacts for property, tourism, business and recreation caused by the loss of so much sandy coastline.

While storms and coastal dynamics have always shaped and reshaped Seven Mile Beach, the loss of sand at the southern end is the most significant on record.

Austin said there was always a chance that storms could do the job and save government the time and expense of beach renourishment. But he believes this is unlikely, given the extent of the sand loss.

He said going ahead with the feasibility study will be a useful exercise, regardless of whether government ultimately proceeds with the project.