I'm not saying whether or not it might work. I'm saying I think I'd rather have oil on my beach (if it proved workable) than no beach at all.
I have friends in Florida who have no beach today, thanks to Dennis. And if the state can't restore the land under their homes, they'll lose everything...
http://photosflorida.com/images/dennis
Well, we got a sand storm heading our way from Africa, maybe that'll help out your friends. ;-)
The beach is a constantly changing place. The sands come and go. That's life. The state trying to stop it or fix it sounds as unrealistic as pissing on a forest fire.
Your friends should move to a place where mother nature is more predictable.