MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 3, 2024) – Manatee County’s successful and innovative sand-screening operations will be winding down by the end of the year.
Using sand-sifting machines, county contractors and crews have been able to keep tons of sand on the world-class beaches of Anna Maria Island, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach while assisting the barrier island communities in their recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
While other municipalities have trucked the debris sand to landfills, these sifting operations have also provided the county with clean fill dirt for future infrastructure projects, bringing about significant savings. For weeks, consolidated drop-off locations at Coquina Beach have collected sand from residents, businesses, and island cities.
It is anticipated that the sifting operations will continue through Christmas, but the county is announcing that sand collections and drop offs will end by mid-December to allow workers to conclude their screening operations in an appropriate time frame. The final deadline for sand deliveries to the Coquina Beach collection site is set for the end of the day on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.
To ensure compliance and protect local beaches, it should be emphasized that private entities are not permitted to deposit sand onto public beaches. Sand removed from properties following hauling operations should be properly disposed of in accordance with local regulations and available disposal options. If you are unsure where to dispose of the sand, please contact your local Utilities Department or Solid Waste Division for guidance. Manatee County appreciates the cooperation of residents and businesses as the work to restore the barrier islands continues.