T-head groins at Upham Beach here to stay

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

T-head groins have been a temporary fixture at Upham Beach in Pinellas County since 2005. Watch the story Watch Video

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Like it or not, the T-head groins at Upham Beach are here to stay.

Pinellas County Commissioners decided Tuesday to make what they call T-head groins permanent structures on the beach.

The county put the structures in place in 2005 to try and save the highly erosive beach at the north end of St. Pete Beach.

Since then, the structures have caused controversy and have even been vandalized.

Still, county leaders say their measurements show the structures are saving sand. The county says the beach is 100-feet wider than it would be without them.

"I don't like it at all," said Kevin Satterfield, who has surfed at Upham Beach for 10 years.

He says the structures are keeping surfers away.

"You had surfers from all over, even Tampa and other counties coming over here to surf," he said. "Not anymore."

Surfers complain they aren't able to ride out the waves like before.

Surfer Wesley Burnside has mixed emotions.

"For surfing (I'm) totally against it," he said. "But I'm just glad we have a beach here still."

Others complain they're an eyesore for tourists.

But some say they don't mind seeing them.

"I think if they are to save your shoreline, there's nothing wrong with them being here," said Canadian tourist Clay Piercey.

County leaders say they want to work with surfers on the design of the permanent structures. They plan to hold a meeting on Feb. 17 at St. Pete Beach City Hall.

The federal, state and county governments are splitting up the cost of the $5 million project.

Begin SlideShow
upham2.jpg
End SlideShow