Officials mull Westerly sand decision

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) -- An estimated 100,000 to 150,000 cubic yards of sand have been dumped in the Misquamicut State Beach parking lot in Westerly during the cleanup after Superstorm Sandy, and now state and local officials are trying to decide what to do with it.

The Westerly Sun reports the state Department of Environmental Management is working with other state and federal agencies to develop guidelines on how to replenish the beaches and dunes pushed inland by the storm.

Misquamicut State Beach lost about 5 feet of sand depth during Sandy.

Officials have to calculate the exact amount of sand in the beach parking lot. The sand will have to be screened to remove nails, glass, wood and other debris before being put back on public and private beaches and dunes.