Tybee Island makes final push for federal beach renourishment funding

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - Tybee Island’s mayor is calling on the federal government to fund $12 million of the city’s beach renourishment project set to begin in December, warning that without the money the island will be left vulnerable heading into hurricane season.

The city says federal funding must arrive by the end of this month, giving the island just over one week to secure it.

70% of shoreline lost since 2020

Mayor Brian West said the erosion has accelerated since the island’s last renourishment.

“Research shows that we’ve lost 70% of our shore since our last nourishment in 2020,” West said.

The loss is visible along Second Street, where dunes have eroded to the point that beachgoers must jump down to reach the sand. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is ready to begin the project in December, but the window is narrow.

“We can only execute this project between December and April,” West said. “So we can’t interfere with the turtle nesting season.”

Business owners and marine life at risk

The erosion is affecting more than the shoreline. Business owners say fewer tourists mean fewer customers.

“I’m not being overly dramatic when I say this is probably one of the single most critical issues that we have for the well-being, not only of this island, but also for the state of Georgia,” said Keith Gay of Buy Tybee Real Estate & Property Management, LLC.

The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is reporting the highest number of sea turtle nests on record for 2026, and those turtles depend on the dunes and shoreline that are disappearing.

Alternative funding would delay project by a year

The city is exploring alternative funding sources, but officials say that money would not arrive until next year.

“So we would have another season of no nourishment on the beach,” West said.

Mayor West noted this is the first time in 60 years the island has not been awarded federal funding for the project.