The Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, officially signed the Chief of Engineers Report for the St. Johns County, Fla. – Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study on August 8.
The recommended plan includes approximately 3 miles of beach and dune renourishment within Vilano Beach and a small portion in South Ponte Vedra Beach.
“The Chief’s signing of this report is a significant milestone for our continued partnership with St. Johns County, and addresses critical and vulnerable shorelines historically impacted by storm events in this area,” said Project Manager Jason Harrah . “This report allows us to move forward with the next phase of the project which includes design and permitting, once federal and non-federal funding is appropriated.”
The signed report certifies the coastal storm risk management report is technically and environmentally sound, and economically beneficial to the nation. The Chief’s report will now go to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), and then to the Office of Management and Budget for review.
After these reviews, the report is sent to Congress for future authorization.
Initial construction will require approximately 1.3 million cubic yards of sand, and each periodic nourishment event will require approximately 866,000 cubic yards. The periodic nourishment interval is expected about 12 years, equaling 3 nourishment events in addition to the initial construction over the 50-year federal participation period.
The identified sand source for the project is the St. Augustine Inlet, located adjacent to the project area to the south.
The planning, engineering and design phase could start as early as 2018, subject to funding, and the Corps anticipates completion of this phase in 1 year.
Construction of the project is subject to authorization and appropriations and would likely take 6-8 months to complete.