Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project

• Project Description
  • St. Johns County has secured permits to place approximately two million cubic yards of sand on the beaches in Ponte Vedra Beach between the Duval County line to the north, and the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve to the south.
  • The sand will be brought in to construct a dune and berm system throughout the project area.
  • The project will dredge sand from the permitted offshore borrow site out in federal waters and pump it onto the beach with large pipes, where it will be shaped by into position by heavy equipment.
  • 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 within the project area.
• Project Location
  • 8.9 miles of Ponte Vedra Beach, from the County line to GTM.
• Environmental Considerations
  • Per the permit the dredging ship will be required to have Right Whale monitors on board. The ships speed will also be restricted during Right Whale season.

The County has secured over $30 million form the State towards the construction of the project, which is estimated to cost approximately $40 million. Likewise, the County has committed over $8 million to the project cost.

Once constructed, and a maintenance/monitoring plan is in place, the project could be eligible for post-disaster funding assistance from FEMA and the FL DEM in the event the project is damaged in a declared disaster.

Please note that dates are subject to change due to unanticipated delays such as weather.

• Mobilization
  • Started: March 18
  • Completed: early-April
• Construction
  • Started: March 29
  • Anticipated completion: mid-August
• Demobilization
  • Anticipated start: mid-late August
  • Anticipated completion: late-August

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Will Mickler’s be impacted for the whole duration of the project?
   • Mickler’s will be temporarily closed for mobilization (end of March) and demobilization (expected mid-August).
   • There is a possibility for intermittent closures throughout the project.
   • Any closures to Mickler’s will be advertised to the public and posted on this website under “Announcements”.
2. What are the anticipated hours?
   • Dredging and sand placement will occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
3. Will it be loud near the active construction site?
   • Please expect there to be beeping noises and the movement of heavy machinery (bulldozers) within active construction areas.
4. How will the new dunes be preserved?
   • Planting crews will be following shortly after construction to plant dune vegetation.
   • Post and rope will be installed at public access points to assist in guiding pedestrian activity.
   • “Stay Off the Dune” signs are available to beachfront residents, to install at the toe of the new dune. Please email or call us for more information.