Even after Idalia, stalemate halting beach renourishment could continue

Sand Key needs more sand. It’s an ironic problem on the Pinellas County barrier island that’s home to coastal communities like Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Redington Beach, and Madeira Beach. For months, mayors along the island have underscored the need for more. Now, they’re intensifying that plea after Hurricane Idalia worsened beach erosion that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection already considers “critical.”