The Sanford Marina dredging, revetment, and dock design permitting continues to be reviewed by regulatory agencies including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Each agency requires a permit application for each task (dock replacement, dredging, and revetment). As of October 1, 2026, all of the permits have been issued except the FDEP dredging permit is the only outstanding permit.
It is anticipated approximately 26,000 cubic yards of lake bottom will need to be removed from the east and west basins. The Geotechnical investigation bids have been received, and our team is reviewing the bids . All permits for dredging, revetment, and dock construction are expected to be issued by January 2027.
In the meantime, the City has appealed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to authorize $6.4 million in reimbursable funds for the dredging and reconstruction of the docks at the Sanford Marina. Estimated damages resulting from Hurricane Ian in 2022 were approximately $20 million. FEMA has requested additional information in response to the appeal filed by the City. Information requested was maintenance records for several years, past condition assessment reports, and copies of contracts for contractors involved with the Marina. The City provided this information on June 29, 2026, and is currently awaiting FEMA’s decision on the 1st Appeal. The City does have an option to file a 2nd Appeal, or go to arbitration.
The City remains committed to working with FEMA to secure necessary funding to restore our Marina which is not only essential for its recreational and public use, but also as a significant economic driver for the region. The City’s claim focuses on restoring the Marina to its pre-disaster design with necessary codes and standards upgrades as required. We look forward to collaborating with our federal and state partners at FEMA to complete our Marina restoration. We would like to thank the public, visitors, and business owners in the Sanford community for their patience as we continue working to get our Marina restored.
