St. Augustine Beach renourishment work delayed

USACE Jacksonville District has temporarily halted beach renourishment at St. Augustine Beach so as not to interfere with the start of protected shorebird nesting.

The contractor began work on March 8, 2024, but could not complete the park portion before significant shorebird nesting activity occurred in this area.

Least terns, American oyster catchers and Wilson’s plovers typically start nesting in late April and early May with late nests in July and the last chicks fledging off the site in early August, said USACE.

Existing portions of the federally constructed and renourished beach continue to provide protection from erosional forces and habitat benefits to the St. Augustine Beach shoreline.

USACE Jacksonville is working with its contractor to re-set a project timeline for completing the 100-percent federally funded Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies beach renourishment.

According to USACE, announcement of a revised schedule is expected by the middle of May.