The Berrien County Board of Commissioners is going to have to decide what to do about Silver Beach County Park as high water levels in Lake Michigan eat away at the shoreline. During a Thursday meeting, Commissioner Jim Curran said County Administrator Brian Dissette recently took committee members down to the beach to see how erosion is affecting a lookout area near Park Street. Curran said the city of St. Joseph is interested in helping to address the erosion.
“Because the water has eroded the beach all the way up to our sidewalk, they’re concerned about the road,” Curran said. “So they kind of want to partner with us on this project and are willing to help out financially because they have a stake in this as well.”
Curran said plans are in the early stage, and all committees of the county commission will be approached.
“The whole board, all of the commissioners, you will all see whatever we come up with. But this is just in the preliminary stages and it’s really to the point where we have to do something.”
Curran said solutions could include a sea wall. County Admin Dissette said he’s working with engineers to plan for erosion controls near Park Street. The cost could run anywhere from $300,000 to $1.5 million.
