Twin typhoons leave an unexpected silver lining as Saipan beaches are rebuilt | RNZ Pacific (NZ) | 01KXM5DMABGE2CEFGJ1X0SPYN1

Saipan's beaches are getting a much-needed restoration, thanks to an unexpected silver lining from two devastating Category 5 typhoons. While Super Typhoons Bavi and Sinlaku caused widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure, and businesses in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), they also reshaped sandbars and deposited vast amounts of sand, creating an opportunity for beach nourishment.

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I had engineers go out and assess the Smiling Cove Marina and it looks like the sand spit came back.

The Commonwealth's Department of Public Works (DPW) is set to restart its beach restoration efforts. Engineers have reassessed the Smiling Cove Marina area after recent storm activity reformed a sand spit at the marina entrance. This sand, dredged from the navigation channel, will be used to replenish heavily eroded beaches. DPW Secretary Ray Yumul confirmed that his department and the Department of Lands and Natural Resources are actively working to restart the sand dredging and redistribution program.

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Between DPW and DLNR, we're actively seeing how we can restart the sand spit program and go back and remove any new deposits.

This initiative is part of Project BEACH (Beach Emergency Access and Coastal Hazard Repair), which began in early June. The project aims to recycle sand dredged from the marina channel, which had restricted vessel access after Super Typhoon Sinlaku deposited thousands of cubic yards into it. The objective is to make beaches safer by replenishing them with sand, allowing natural processes to gradually redistribute it back into the ocean. Yumul stated that the goal is for the sand to naturally rebuild the shoreline. Crews have already worked on beaches along Beach Road, Pacho Beach Park, and Pakpak Beach, redistributing approximately 4,500 cubic yards of sand, with a total of 5,500 cubic yards expected upon completion. Sand has also been supplied for restoration work at American Memorial Park.

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The goal is we stage the sand up by the beachhead and we want natural erosion. We want the sand to slowly go back into the ocean so that the beach itself will be rebuilt or replenished.