ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — Earlier this month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers toured the erosion along Anna Maria Island beaches. After Hurricane Idalia, the county says it's lost 150 feet of sand in some spots. Commissioners are in hopes that a renourishment plan will come together soon.

What You Need To Know

  • After Hurricane Idalia, the Manatee County officials say beaches have lost 150 feet of sand in some spots

  • Earlier this month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers toured the erosion along Anna Maria Island

  • Commissioners are in hopes that a renourishment plan will come together soon

“We've made contact with Congressman Buchanan's office, Senator Boyd, and with Senator Rubio's office," said Kevin Van Ostenbridge, Chairman of Manatee County. We are trying to coordinate with them and the Army Corps and come up with a game plan because we don't just want to put sand back on the beach. We also had some areas where the dunes sustained an awful lot of damage."

Usually, when Andrew Fortenberry arrives at a boat ramp, it's to give tours out on the water.

“We've been coming up on about four years now giving tours out here," said Fortenberry, the owner of AMI Paddleboard.

But today, he's going solo.

“There are a bunch of manatees right out here this morning,” he said.

He spends a lot of time out near Anna Maria Island, and one thing he's noticed after Hurricane Idalia is erosion.

“It definitely took a lot of sand off our beach, but that is all renourished sand, and I'm sure we are going to renourish that again,” he said.

County officials went to tour the erosion with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, starting from Manatee Public Beach and heading south where most of the erosion was spotted.

“I noticed the beach accesses where you would normally walk out be a nice gradual slope seem to have a solid hill where the water line made it up to," he explained.

Over the years, the island native has seen a lot change.

“I've been here 32 years; I've seen the beaches change. They get bigger; they get smaller. My biggest thing is as long as they sea oats and the mangroves stay healthy and where they are, the island is going to stay,” he said.

He says renourishment helps, but at the same time, nature knows best.

"I believe in mother nature; I believe everything is connected in that way. My mom used to be a dolphin trainer, and my dad did marine biology, so growing up caring for animals and the ocean has been instilled in me since birth,” he said.

He's keeping an eye out for the environment to continue giving tours out on the water so more people can appreciate what the island has to offer.

Charlie Hunsicker, the Director of Natural Resources for Manatee County, says it's important to have a renourishment plan in place so the area can be better equipped for the next storm, to keep our community and people safe.