Jackson County's Coast-Wide Beach & Dune Ecosystem Restoration Project, was the subject of a Public Notice dated April 22, 2025. A copy of the Public Notice, found here, describes the scope and primary objectives for the project. The project area includes Ocean Springs Front Beach and the western portion of Ocean Springs East Beach. The project manager gave the following information during a phone call in early July 2025:
The design, expected to be completed in 2025, lists improved beach resiliency and expanded nesting habitat for shorebirds and marine animals among its objectives; and relies on two primary elements to accomplish the objectives:
widening the beach into the Gulf to accommodate construction of vegetated dune fields approximately 50 ft seaward of the seawall
construction of jetties at selected locations to reduce future beach renourishment needs and improve resiliency
The location and scale of the dune fields will accommodate convenient access to the water by the public
The new dune fields will not interfere with recreational use of the area on Front Beach in front of Fort Maurepas
The design currently anticipates jetties (extending perpendicular and seaward) at locations where existing storm drains already exist on Front Beach with a few additional locations being considered where modeling indicates sand can be captured as it is transported along the shoreline
Breakwaters installed parallel to the beach will not be used since modeling indicates they offer little improvement in beach resiliency for the locations
The county anticipates a public meeting in the Fall, 2025 to review the design with construction beginning as soon as mid - 2026, if approved
SaveOS emphasized its priority to preserve an environmentally resilient and aesthetic bathing/ swimming experience for families in a non-commercial setting on our beaches