Coastal Projects

Announcements

St. Johns County to Temporarily Close South Ponte Vedra Park for Restoration Project – St. Johns County will temporarily close the South Ponte Vedra Park, located at 2993 S. Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, to complete a $305,529.63 restoration project from Sept. 18 to Sept. 28, 2023, weather permitting.

The restoration project will help restore the dune that protects the upland infrastructure of South Ponte Vedra Park. The park took substantial damage from both Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022.

"St. Johns County Coastal Management continues to make substantial progress on restoring and strengthening St. Johns County's coastline and associated beachfront parks," Emergency Management Director Joseph Giammanco said. "We are grateful for the continued support of our partners at FEMA, the Board of County Commissioners, and our community as we navigate through these vital coastal projects."

The $305,529.63 restoration project is funded by FEMA through Public Assistance Category G (Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Other Areas). South Ponte Vedra Park Closure Press Release

St. Johns County Proceeds with Public Engagement for the Summer Haven River Study and Summerhouse Study – St. Johns County has released two new draft reports on the Summer Haven River Study website as a part of the public engagement process to address the impacts storms have had on the flow of the Summer Haven River and, in a separate report, the critical erosion at Summerhouse. The reports are available for download and public comment at https://bit.ly/SHRstudyPublicComments. St. Johns County is planning future public engagement meetings. Please check the St. Johns County Coastal Projects Summer Haven River Study page for project updates. Summer Haven River Study and Summerhouse Study Press Release

• Summerhouse Feasibility Study Findings Public Meeting – The event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, from 6-8pm and will be located at 8850 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080.
• Summer Haven Feasibility Study Findings Public Meeting – The event is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, 2023 from 6-8pm and willl take place at St. Anastasia Catholic Church located at 5205 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080. Summer Haven Feasibility Study Press Release

St. Johns County Beach Access Update CLOSURES

• As part of the South Ponte Vedra and Vilano Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will temporarily close public parking at Surfside Park from Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, to March 2024 in the interest of public safety. The Surfside Park parking lot will be used as a staging area to store heavy equipment and materials during the beach renourishment project. Pedestrian access to the beach and the restroom facilities at Surfside Park will remain open to the public. Surfside Park Closure Map
• As part of the South Ponte Vedra Park Project this park located at 2993 S Ponte Vedra Blvd. and its beach access will be temporarily closed to the public beginning September 18, 2023, for approximately 10 days. The parking lot will be used as a staging area to store equipment and materials for the project duration.

USACE South Ponte Vedra and Vilano Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Project – The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has started construction in mid-August 2023. This project extends from Serenata Beach Club to approximately 250 ft north of Nease Beach's front park.

South Ponte Vedra Dune Restoration – Beach restoration operations were completed in July 2022, from approximately one-and-one-third mile north of Guana River Road, south to tie into the taper of the USACE Project in front of Serenata Ocean Villas. The sand did provide substantial protection to the oceanfront properties in the project area, but Hurricane Ian and Nicole eroded much of the new sand from the beach into the nearshore system. It has been confirmed that replacing the lost sand will be eligible for FEMA funding.

USACE Releases Draft IFS/EA for Ponte Vedra Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study for Public Review and Comment – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is pleased to announce the release of the Draft Integrated Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment for the St. Johns County, FL Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study (Ponte Vedra Beach). The purpose of this three-year study is to address coastal storm damages and effects from sea level rise for long-term community resilience over a 50-year period of analysis along the shores of South Ponte Vedra Beach. Access the US Army Corps of Engineers Feasibility Study website.

For project-specific information, select a project link below.

Projects & Studies

Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project >>

Project 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 the proposed beaches of Ponte Vedra, South Ponte Vedra, Butler Beach and Crescent Beach. Construction has started in Summer 2023. Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project

Summer Haven River Study >>

Project Description –The study objective is to develop an array of possible, environmentally and financially sustainable, long-term solutions to maintain the flow of the Summer Haven River. The draft reports have been released. Summer Haven River Study

Vilano Beach Army Corps Beach Project >>

Project Description – A Coastal Storm Risk Management project by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and St. Johns County. The project extends from the Ocean Villas at Serenata Beach to just north of Nease Beach Front Park. Construction started in mid-August 2023. Vilano Beach Army Corps Beach Project

St. Augustine Beach Army Corps Beach Project >>

Project Description – A Shore Protection Project by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and St. Johns County. This project extends from 4,000’ north of Pope Road in Anastasia State Park to Ocean Hammock Park. Construction anticipated to start in mid to late summer 2023. St Augustine Beach Army Corps Beach Project

Porpoise Point Drive Armoring Project >>

Project Description – The project consists of the installation of approximately 172 linear feet steel sheet pile with reinforced concrete cap and additional revetment. The seawall will cross the eastern end of Porpoise Point Drive and tie into an existing seawall to the south and existing revetment to the north. Porpoise Point Drive Armoring Project

Additional Information

The Beach Brief E-newsletter
St. Johns County remains dedicated to providing our residents, visitors, and businesses with timely and accurate information regarding current and upcoming St. Johns County beach projects. The monthly Beach Brief provides subscribers with an overview of beach nourishment, dune enhancement, and other major coastal projects. To sign up for 'The Beach Brief' e-newsletter, please visit The Beach Brief.

About Us
The St. Johns County Coastal Management team, now housed in the Disaster Recovery Department, is responsible for engineered beach projects. Coastal Management coordinates with the public and funding and regulatory agencies to ensure successful implementation of coastal projects that preserve and enhance the beaches of St. Johns County.

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.