Palm Beach County commissioners vote down Singer Island Erosion Project

SINGER ISLAND, Fla. - Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5 to 2 not to move forward with plan to slow down erosion at Singer Island in Riviera Beach.

The plan faced much opposition from environmentalists.

The project called for 11 limestone boulders called breakwaters placed 300 feet off of Singer Island.

Some people living on Singer Island supported the project.

Since Marianne Wiegand moved into her Singer Island condo in 1998 she says 20 feet of her property has been washed away from erosion.

"I really am disappointed and since they shot this idea down, I certainly hope they come up with another idea or a better one," said Wiegand.

The idea of stopping Singer Island erosion isn't a new one.

Plans for the 30 to 50 million dollar project have been written and tweaked since 2008.

Singer Island is a popular nesting spot for sea turtles and other wildlife.

Several environmental groups like the Surfrider Foundation and Defenders of Wildlife didnt' want this plan to pass.

"The effect on the natural resources, the beach environment near shore, ecology, sea turtles, other species has just been glossed over," said Elizabeth Fleming, the Florida representative of Defenders of Wildlife.

The county's environmental resources management department insisted the plan would stabilize turtle nesting.

But in the end, commissioners said they needed more information before approving this project.

The county commission chairwoman made it clear, voting down this project also means similar projects in the works like ones in South Palm Beach and Lantana would also be canceled.