End Public Funding for Private Coastal Armoring, Florida

In June 2026, the Florida Legislature terminated funding for the Hurricane Restoration and Reimbursement Grant Program, finally ending a program that used public taxpayer dollars for private property hard armoring. Created during the 2022 December Special Session, the Hurricane Restoration Reimbursement Grant Program was part of a larger recovery package following a hurricane season that saw devastating impacts from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. Unfortunately, this $50 million program provided $150,000 per eligible beachfront private property owner for ‘hurricane restoration’ projects which include sand placement and temporary or permanent coastal armoring. The program was originally slated to expire June 30, 2023. Despite vocal opposition from Surfrider, the program was extended from 2023-2025 via language in the state appropriations bill. 

Critically eroded from more intense and frequent hurricanes and decades of mismanagement, Florida’s beaches and coastal ecosystems are suffering. In light of severe damage following intense hurricane seasons, the last thing that Florida’s sandy beaches need is incentive for private properties to install seawalls and hard armoring, activities we know will only accelerate erosion on adjacent properties. 

Surfrider remained vehement in its opposition to the hard armoring of sandy beaches, particularly in light of a rapidly changing climate and impacts to our coastlines. Our Surfrider Florida network has advocated for the end of this program and its funding during Florida Healthy Beaches Day meetings with state legislators and leadership. We worked to educate state decision-makers about the harms of hard armoring for the state's invaluable beaches and the benefits of more dynamic and adaptive resilience action. We are heartened to see this program come to an end. It is imperative that this program is not a precedent for coastal management and hurricane response in Florida. We will continue to work for healthy and thriving coasts and communities across the state!