Researchers say Tybee Island's freshly renourished beach still needs work to ensure that federally-protected loggerhead sea turtles will nest there. The federal government spent $11 million pumping fresh sand onto Georgia's largest public beach last fall. But a turtle expert with the state Department of Natural Resources says the sand is too compact for finicky sea turtles to lay their eggs. The DNR's Mark Dodd says much of the beach needs to be tilled to make the sand soft enough for turtles before the nesting season starts in May. Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman says the city will be happy to foot the bill - an estimated $10,000 or more - because officials often cited nesting turtles when lobbying Congress for the beach renourishment funds.
(Associated Press)
(Associated Press)
