Hurricane Ian/Nicole
FEMA Dune Enhancement Project

Hurricane Ian/Nicole
FEMA Dune Enhancement Project

Announcements

St. Johns County to Temporarily Close Fort Matanzas Beach Access Ramp for Next Phase of FEMA Dune Enhancement Project – On Monday, Nov. 13, St. Johns County will temporarily close the Fort Matanzas Beach Access Ramp for public safety as crews begin work on the next phase of the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project. The ramp’s closure is anticipated to last about three weeks, weather permitting. Fort Matanzas Beach Access Ramp Temporary Closure

St. Johns County Completes Butler Beach Reach Portion of FEMA Dune Enhancement Project – St. Johns County has completed the Butler Beach Reach portion of the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project, the first of several major fortifications for the County’s invaluable coastline. Butler Beach Reach Project Completion Press Release | Butler Beach Restoration Video | Emergency Management Director Joseph Giammanco FEMA Dune Enhancement Project Status Presentation to BOCC

Beach Access Closures – As part of the Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project, the following locations will be temporarily closed to the public:

• Starting November 13: Fort Matanzas Beach Access will be closed
• Public access to the northern parking area will be allowed ONLY Mon-Sat, 7pm-6:30am, and Sundays all day.

These locations will be used as a staging area and/or access point for trucks and machinery in order to complete the dune enhancement. These closures are expected to last until approximately early December, weather-permitting.

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South Ponte Vedra Beach Reach of Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project – This portion of the project mobilized October 9th and has been completed as of mid-November.

Butler Beach Reach of Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project – The Butler Beach reach portion of the project began in July 2023, and has been completed as of August 2023.

Crescent Beach Reach of Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project – This portion of the project began mid-November at the Fort Matanzas Beach Ramp access. Operations will then move to the Cubbedge Road Beach Access, Spyglass, and 7740 A1A S. Updates will be provided as the project continues.

Follow St. Johns County Beaches on Facebook or Twitter (@SJCBeaches) or download the free Reach the Beach mobile app.  Beaches Access Map  |  Beaches homepage

Project Details

• Description

  • This project will enhance the dune system by adding sand at the seaward edge of the existing dune, planting sea oats and supporting vegetation, and creating a more uniform front to the dune system along qualifying sections of the beaches of Ponte Vedra, South Ponte Vedra, Butler and Crescent Beach.

• Project Location

  • Ponte Vedra Beach – NOT YET APPROVED
  • South Ponte Vedra Beach – Completed November 2023
    • 2607 South Ponte Vedra Blvd to 2731 South Ponte Vedra Blvd
    • 2979 South Ponte Vedra Blvd to 3033 South Ponte Vedra Blvd
  • Butler Beach – Completed August 2023
    • Ocean Hammock Park to Bryn Mahr
    • Mary Street to Creston House
  • Crescent Beach – Approved
    • Cubbedge Rd to 7172 A1A S
    • 7560 A1A S to Fort Matanzas Ramp

• Environmental Considerations

  • The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Wildlife Commission, in consultation with the National Fish and Wildlife Service, have approved the sand quality, the geometry of the sand placement, and the efforts to protect marine turtles and their eggs.
  • Permit required sea turtle nest monitoring have begun every morning by specially permitted experts on the parts of the beach that will have sand placement or truck traffic.
  • If any nests had been laid in those areas the previous night, they were carefully relocated to a safe area outside of the work zone.

Construction Schedule

• Butler Beach
• Completed August 2023
• Crescent Beach
  • Started – November 2023
  • Expected Completion – December 2023
• South Ponte Vedra Beach
  • Completed November 2023
• Ponte Vedra Beach
  • TBD

Funding

The project does not cost any additional money to the oceanfront homeowners. The project is funded through the FEMA Public Assistance program and County funds.

Contact Us

For more information, please contact the Coastal Management team at 904-209-0260, or coastalprojects@sjcfl.us.

Non-project Beach updates can be heard on the Beach Services Hotline at 904-209-0331.