The Village has received an overwhelming amount of inquiries regarding the current state of the beach due to the unprecedented accumulation of seaweed brought ashore. In the Village’s continued efforts of keeping our beaches safe and clean for the enjoyment of residents and visitors,
the Village contractor has hauled 99 trucks with approximately 1, 800 cubic yards of material during the last thirty days
. The current measures will continue until we reach a manageable state that will allow normal operations to resume.
Presently, the Village is also working with Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) and the City of Miami to gain access to a staging location on Virginia Key which would make hauling seaweed off the beach a more financially sustainable management option in the long-term. Seaweed taken to Virginia Key would be dried and then transferred to a landfill or incinerator facility elsewhere in Miami-Dade County at a fraction of its original weight. While that is a traditional approach, a more sustainable option is being investigated whereby seaweed would be composted and transformed into a horticulturally valuable product for use across the Village.
In order to manage the sargassum problem, the Village is always exploring new technologies and approaches to determine if they are applicable based on jurisdictional limitations, environmental regulations (federal, state, county), and cost-benefit analysis. For Example, the Village has explored the use of barriers and screens to prevent the sargassum from coming ashore, but existing environmental regulations limit the implementation of this technology, unlike in other countries with less stringent environmental protections.
While we work diligently to maintain the beach to a usability level that is agreeable to beach combers and bathers alike, stay safe, be aware of the additional crews and equipment working the beach, and make sure to stay clear of their path.
