South Ponte
Vedra-Vilano
Beach
Restoration Association, Inc.
Restoration Association, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions Page (FAQ's)
We hope that the following questions and answers will help you understand the reason that South Ponte Vedra-Vilano Beach Restoration Association, Inc. was formed. .
Each of the categorized questions has one or more detailed questions and answers to further explain the specific process of our beach restoration. You can always click on "Main" to start back at the original categories.
What has happened to our beach?
QUESTIONS
- How bad is the erosion?
- Can we expect the beach to restore itself naturally?
- How much coastal armoring has been constructed?
- How do I know if I qualify for coastal armoring?
- Have property values been affected?
- Has there been any impact on the habitat, specifically turtle nesting?
- Is our erosion situation unique?
ANSWERS
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How bad is the erosion?
The erosion rate has accelerated. As we reported in our first newsletter, in the past few years our beach has eroded significantly, far beyond the normal ebb and flow that we typically experience during the various seasons. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has designated the shoreline segments from FDEP survey monuments R84 to R94 (Gate Station south to South Ponte Vedra County Park across from new Fire Station) and R109 to R117 (Reef Restaurant to just south of the Beachcomber) as “critically eroded.” That means that in FDEP’s opinion the erosion and recession of the beach or dune system threatens upland development (such as our houses, as well as the road), recreational interests, wildlife habitat, or important cultural resources. Since the beginning of 2006, 27 property owners in the R84-94 segment have had to construct bulkheads to protect their homes. Between the two critically eroded segments is a 3 mile segment, which saw significant erosion during the Oct-Nov-Dec 2007 storms. That area, as well the areas to the north and south, will continue to be monitored for possible additional critical erosion designation.
A preliminary analysis of beach profile survey data from 1972 to 2007 indicates the change rate has accelerated from -0.1 cubic yards per linear foot per year (1972-2003) to just under -2.0 cubic yards per linear foot per year (2003-2007). The result is a loss between 2 and 24 feet of shoreline per year. During the severe storm events of the past few years, some locations (“hot spots”) lost on the order of approximately 30 feet of dune over the period of a few high tide cycles, resulting in dramatic, and structure-threatening, loss of land. Lately, nearly every storm event seems to result in expanded or new hot spots. For our area, storm events are usually coastal nor’easters, and they seem often to coincide with the highest tides of the month or season, further worsening the erosion.
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Can we expect the beach to restore itself naturally?
Some of our property owners have commented that “nature always brings it back.” Unfortunately, not always. The extensiveness and speed of the recent erosion of our beach are indicative of some serious problems, which might not have existed before. There is some speculation by coastal engineers that the busy hurricane seasons of the past few years may have impacted the sandbars to an extent that natural beach recovery is no longer likely. In addition, many property owners have observed a correlation of the increased erosion with the recent dredging of the St Augustine Inlet and the lack of maintenance of the Inlet’s jetties. A Feasibility Study will analyze the data to understand the processes affecting our area.
Some property owners have commented that while they have seen the sand come and go over many years of observation, now the sand no longer seems to be coming back, and they are very concerned about the recent severe erosion and the potential threat to their homes. The FDEP, after a 2007 review of the erosion data for our beach, determined the situation and trend were “alarming.” Although a full-scale beach restoration is needed to restore the health of the beach, FDEP indicated that the beach badly needs sand added back into the system. As a result, the FDEP offered the County a matching grant, up to a maximum of $1.5 million, for an emergency sand placement project via truck-haul in the near-term.
Recently, at the same time that new areas were devastated with erosion of the bluffs all the way back to the foundations of the homes, other areas experienced some accumulation of sand, visible in the form of a more sloping profile as well as deeper sand measurable by buried walkover steps. While we remain hopeful, it is much too early assume the beach will be able to heal naturally.
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How much coastal armoring has been constructed?
Since April of 2006, 27 property owners have constructed bulkheads (i.e., “coastal armoring”) within the crtitically eroded area of South Ponte Vedra Blvd. Several more, both along South Ponte Vedra Blvd and Coastal Highway are in the permit application process.
Following the most recent erosion event in April 2008, four of the affected five property owners along Coastal Highway, whose homes do not qualify for armoring because they were built post-1985, are in the process of applying to the Florida DEP for a variance to permit armoring. We are hopeful that these owners can acquire permits, but we are also not aware of any precedent for such a variance. For some of these homes, the erosion has begun to undermine the sand from around the foundation pilings. While the houses were designed to withstand this, they could become uninhabitable if the undermining results in safety issues associated with septic and electricity.
The recent costs for armoring have been in the range of $700/foot, or approximately $55,000+ for a lot with 75 feet of oceanfront.
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How do I know if I qualify for coastal armoring?
Florida statute defines Coastal Armoring as a manmade structure designed to either prevent erosion of the upland property or protect eligible structures from the effects of coastal waves and current action. Because of the significant potential impacts associated with coastal armoring, strict site and design criteria are applied, and construction must be conducted in a way that provides protection to nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, and their habitat. It is important to note that vacant lots and properties with structures built post-March 1985 (which should have been constructed on deep pilings) are not eligible for armoring, with the exception that such properties may become eligible if a continuous line of rigid coastal armoring exists on either side of the unarmored property and the gap does not exceed 250 feet. The process for obtaining a permit, which generally cannot be initiated until the erosion is within 20 feet of the building’s foundation, is lengthy; the Florida DEP, U.S. and Florida Fish and Wildlife, and St Johns County requirements must be met.
For more information visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Beaches website
The rigid armoring, which is not even available as an option to many of us, is discouraged by the State, whereas beach restoration and dune restoration is often the recommended solution, so that the beach can better withstand future storms’ erosion events. Furthermore, rigid armoring should be viewed as emergency protection and not a full solution, since armoring itself causes further damage to the beach.
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Have property values been affected?
The County Property Appraiser is sensitive to the negative impact the eroded beach has had on the market value of the properties. In 2007, the assessed land values on 98 properties between 2659 and 2891 SPVB were reduced by as much as 50% depending on their proximity to the erosion “hot spots” through May 2007. The total 2007 reduction in “just values” on these eroded properties was more than $20,000,000. At a tax rate of 16 mils, that represents a decline in County tax revenues of $320,000 per year, and a significant loss of equity for property owners. The loss in value for coastal properties is expected to result in softening of overall real estate values in the area.
After the April 2008 nor’easter event, the assessed land values on the five severely affected properties on Coastal Highway were reduced by 52% of their previous values.
The good news is that properties located in areas with managed beaches normally enjoy increased property values after restoration, as documented in a recent study conducted under a contract with the Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems. The economic benefits apply not only to individual property owners, but also to the area’s economy in general, as well as the county property tax collections. Healthy beaches also contribute to federal, state, and local tax bases, providing increased income and employment opportunities for residents as well as increased visitor spending.
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Has there been any impact on the habitat, specifically turtle nesting?
Sea turtles have difficulty nesting on an eroding beach, and those nests are more susceptible to overwash and predators. On a narrow or nonexistent beach, birds have no place to nest or feed. The profile of more than half of our 10 mile beach is primarily a deep scarp at the edge of the bluff or dune, and the highest tides continue to wash up to that scarp line. Sea turtles will not nest in wet sand or climb a 90 degree incline to reach dry sand. Nests created in vulnerable areas after June will be in danger of storms that normally occur in September and October and cause very high tides. Some of our property owners also are volunteer members of the Sea Turtle Patrol; they noted the reduced number of attempted nests in the critically eroded area during last year’s turtle season.
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Is our erosion situation unique?
Perhaps what is most unique about our situation is that we are fortunate in that we are being faced with these erosion issues much later than other coastal areas, in Florida and other coastal states. Numerous other shorelines have already been protected through restoration and other means since the 1970s.
The state of Florida recognizes the serious implications of beach erosion. “Because beach erosion is a serious menace to the economy and general welfare of the people of this state and has advanced to emergency proportions, it is hereby declared to be a necessary governmental responsibility to properly manage and protect Florida beaches fronting on the Atlantic ocean, gulf of Mexico, and straits of Florida from erosion and that the legislature make provision for beach restoration and nourishment projects . . .” [Florida statutes 161.088]
There are more than 50 beach restoration projects currently being monitored by the Florida DEP. Other coastal states have numerous projects as well. Many of you may remember the devastating erosion in Jacksonville Beach, St Augustine Beach, and South Amelia Island before those beaches were nourished and restored.
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