This begins a multipart series about the Upham Beach, an area of St. Pete Beach, of the T-Groin Project and the role of the Suncoast Chapter Surfrider Foundation. The groins reside on and around the Starlight Tower (7000 Beach Plaza) on St. Pete Beach.

According to documentation "The History of Blind Pass":

In the 1800's, Blind Pass was an established tidal inlet. Blind Pass deteriorated due to a lack of tidal flow caused by several man-interferences. In 1873, Blind Pass was located 2 km north of its present location. In response to southern moving long-shore sediment transport, the inlet began migrating south and eroded the wide north end of Long Key. The final collapse of Blind Pass’s ebb shoal occurred as a result of construction beyond the mean-high water line during the 1960’s. No coastal construction control line building regulations existed – thus the condos, then as well as additional later, were built on the beach.

The issue at hand does not question saving a historical beach. The issue involves choosing the best solution, one that will last for years, and one which does not was taxpayer's dollars through unfounded speculation without true results.

As researched by Surfrider Member Julie Pappas, the project was proposed "as a solution, forty-four geotextile sand bags form pyramids that make up the five T- groin jetties that extend westward from the beach. The 'T' crosses at the water line [according to the scientific erosion calculations]. Construction of the bags consisted of filling them with sand provided by the federally funded nourishment project (regularly scheduled every four to five years). Work began immediately after the 2004 re-nourishment on Upham beach."

This article appears in May 13-19, 2010.