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the shore during a storm. The reef/outcrop may also influence the recovery of the beach after a major storm. During storms, beach sands are transported offshore, forming a flatter overall beach profile. After a storm or winter season longer period waves and swell tend to transport the sand back onto the beach. The presence of the reef/outcrop may however inhibit the transport of the sand back to the beach after the storms. Sand transported onto or beyond the reef/outcrop system may be lost permanently from the nearshore area. The relatively small changes between the summer and winter beach widths (on the order of 20 feet difference between the December 1985 and the June 1986 profiles) in Indian River County suggest that onshore transport of sand is probably limited to the nearshore areas inshore of the reef. Corps of Engineers Planning Efforts In 1980 the Jacksonville District of the Corps of Engineers completed a feasibility study for erosion control in Indian River County. Study efforts after the initial preliminary investigation of the County's shoreline were concentrated primarily on two problem areas south of Sebastian Inlet along the shore of the State Recreation Area and along the oceanfront of the City of Vero Beach. As a result of this study the District Engineer recommended, the adoption of a federal restoration project for the two areas. The District Engineer also recommended that periodic nourishment of the remaining shoreline of the County when and if needed. The positive recommendation by the District Engineer allowed the Corps to extend their planning into the development of a design memorandum detailing the projects. Also as a result of the positive recommendation, the two projects were included in H.R. 6, the Water Resources Conservation, Development, and Infrastructure Improvement and Rehabilitation Act of 1986. Florida Department of Natural Resources Planning Efforts The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) , Division of Beaches and Shores, has begun work on a beach management plan. This planning effort is in response to and with legislative guidance and direction as outlined on Chapter 161, Florida Statutes. Under this direction, the DNR is to develop and maintain a comprehensive long term management plan for the restoration of Florida's critically eroding beaches. In addition to addressing long term solutions to beach erosion, DNR is also to -evaluate each improved inlet in an effort to determine whether the inlet is a significant cause of beach erosion and to recommend mitigation for any such impact. DNR is further directed to specify design criteria for beach restoration and renourishment projects and to evaluate the establishment of feeder beaches as an alternative to direct beach restoration. In performing this task the DNR is considering many factors including such issues as impacts on natural resources, the prospects for long term success of recommended projects, cost and benefits of recommended projects, public beach access, storm protection to be provided by the improved beaches, and local interest in terms of local government planning and the extent of expressed public support. The result of this planning effort will be a •list of beach restoration and renourishment projects arranged in a priority order together with the funding levels required for each project. The DNR has begun the work of compiling this priority list this year by evaluating projects in 13 of the coastal counties suffering the most from beach erosion. Indian River County is included in the first group of counties. A feeder beach project at Sebastian Inlet and a beach restoration project at Vero Beach are included in the DNR priority list. 60 oil noK 73 FA;r 49®