'State of the Beaches' focus of July's Chamber at Noon

The county's "State of the Beaches" presentation was featured at a joint Chamber at Noon event on July 17 in partnership with the JAX Chamber and St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. The presentation provided an update on beach restoration, construction projects, and the importance of the dunes and beaches in the St. Johns County ecosystem.

St. Johns County Coastal Management shared how it manages more than 32 miles of eroded shoreline. Seven projects kicked off in 2023, and four launched in 2024.

Most funding for St. Johns County coastal projects is provided by federal and state grants and tax dollars paid by tourists. The county recently announced it will receive $4.75 million from the state for the South Ponte Vedra Beach Dune Restoration project.

Stephen Hammond, St. Johns County Coastal Environment Project Manager, provided the presentation to business leaders at the event.

He promoted the information on the county's special webpage, www.sjcfl.us/departments/coastal-projects, which is dedicated to all coastal projects.

St. Johns County recently completed the Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project two months ahead of the originally anticipated schedule. It was a $38.6 million dune restoration project covering nearly nine miles of coastline. 

"The beaches bring in a lot of revenue and tourism, and they protect our residents," St. Johns County Emergency Management Director Joe Giammanco said. "The beaches are a vital part of our community."