JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Jan. 21, 2022) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today the publication for public review and comment of a draft Environmental Assessment and Notice of Availability of a proposed Finding of No Significant Impact in connection with potential future dredging of additional offshore borrow areas to support the St. Johns County, Florida, Shore Protection Project (SPP) at St. Augustine Beach and Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) project at South Ponte Vedra and Vilano Beaches.
The district’s Preferred Alternative includes dredging borrow areas S-1 for the St. Augustine SPP and N-3 for the CSRM project. It proposes dredging beach compatible sand from the Outer Continental Shelf for the continued renourishment of the authorized project shorelines. Use of the alternate sand sources will serve to supplement, as needed, St. Augustine Inlet Complex sand borrow source sites.
The continued use of the St. Augustine Inlet as the primary or only sand source for the St. Johns County projects is unsustainable. The additional, offshore borrow sources are needed to support future nourishment, potential emergency projects, and conceivable future authorized projects to reduce the risk of potential damages from waves, erosion, and storm surge caused by coastal storms to structures and infrastructure along the county shoreline.
The proposed action will not change the location or frequency of sand placement directed by the presently authorized CSRM and SPP projects.
The publication of the documents and request for public review and comment are in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulation 33 CFR 230.11. Public comment is strongly encouraged and will be accepted for consideration through Feb. 19, 2022.
The public may view the documents online at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/. Scroll down the page to St. Johns County, click on the + to open the section to find and review the documents.
Please email comments to Darren.J.Pecora@usace.army.mil or submit them by U.S. Postal Service to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
ATTN: Mr. Darren Pecora, PD-EC
701 San Marco Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida 32207-8175
For more information about Corps projects, please visit www.saj.usace.army.mil.
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