The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an approximately $34 million Federal Emergency Management Agency dune enhancement project on Tuesday, June 15.
The project will focus on strengthening the coastline dunes in Ponte Vedra Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach and the southern three-quarters of a mile in Crescent Beach.
The emergency dune enhancements will provide extra protection to homes, businesses and infrastructure and will be an added defense for the coastline against future storm events.
The project is currently in the permitting phase, with work anticipated to begin in September and completed in December.
Due to the volume of sand authorized by FEMA, trucking has been identified as the only viable construction option, according to the county. There may be intermittent beach closures within designated work areas due to sand placement, tidal conditions and other public safety-related factors.
Residents and visitors can expect to see project preparations beginning in July. St. Johns County is currently accepting voluntary temporary easements from property owners in the approved project areas who wish to participate in receiving additional dune protection.
Easements will be accepted throughout the project, as long as the request is made within two weeks of the project reaching the property related to that particular easement. The deadline to rescind easements is July 1.
A portion of Cornerstone Park in Ponte Vedra will be used as a staging area for the project.
This project will also use access points at Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park and other suitable private lots. Access to Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park will be restricted for beach visitors Monday through Friday. A portion of the parking lot and the beach walkway will remain open on weekends.
All project areas will be continually monitored for protected species and environmental impact.
For additional information, go to www.sjcfl.us/CoastalProjects/FEMADunes, email coastalprojects@sjcfl.us, or call 904-209-0260.
