Beach erosion is an ongoing issue for Florida’s coastal counties. For example, a major federally-backed restoration project for Brevard County beaches is scheduled to begin next week, shoring up losses from last year’s Superstorm Sandy. Meanwhile, some officials in the Panhandle are asking lawmakers for $30 million from recently-collected oil spill fines to do a beach replenishment project of their own.

This week, economic analyst Hank Fishkind explains to WMFE’s Nicole Creston the mechanics and economics of maintaining Florida’s beaches, starting with a look at why beaches are an important state asset.