Coastal Projects

Announcements

Temporary Closure of Crescent Beach Park and Cubbedge Road Beach Access Ramp for Next Phase of FEMA Dune Enhancement Project – On Friday, Dec. 8, St. Johns County will temporarily close Crescent Beach Park (located at 6930 A1A South, St. Augustine) and the Cubbedge Road Beach Access Ramp for public safety as crews begin work on the next phase of the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project. The closures are only expected to last one week. Crescent Beach Park / Cubbege Road Beach Access Ramp Closure

Laure Noualhat visits St. Johns County Beach Renourishment Projects – St. Johns County was honored to welcome Laure Noualhat, a French environmental journalist, writer, and film director, to St. Johns County. Laure is currently working on a story for Le Figaro Magazine, focusing on how governments are handling the effects of climate change, including beach erosion. Laure Noualhat visits St. Johns County Beach Renourishment Projects

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 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. Please check the St. Johns County Coastal Projects Summer Haven River Study page for project updates.

St. Johns County Beach Access Update CLOSURES

• Surfside Park – As part of the South Ponte Vedra and Vilano Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has 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
• Fort Matanzas – As part of the Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project, the following locations will be temporarily closed to the public starting Monday, October 9th:
• Starting November 13: Fort Matanzas Beach Access will be limited
  • 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.

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.

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 will continue through December 2023. Hurricane Ian/Nicole FEMA Dune Enhancement Project

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. Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration 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

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 fall or winter 2023. St Augustine Beach Army Corps Beach 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 50-Year 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

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.