FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – When you think of Florida beaches, images of calm waves, golden sunsets, and a much-needed escape from the chaos often come to mind.
However, beneath this picturesque facade lies a significant struggle against time, tide, and storms. Which is why there are efforts underway in Fernandina Beach to protect the shoreline that safeguards both the environment and the communities that thrive along it.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: 4 Your Neighborhood Fernandina Beach
Charlotte McCullars, a visitor from Middle Georgia, shared her sentiments about the beach experience.
“Not having to worry about problems… just coming down here and listening to the waves,” she said.
For many, including Charlotte and her husband, Reggie, the beach is more than just a getaway; it’s a cherished tradition. The couple typically visits Ormond Beach four to five times a year with friends and family.
This time, they made a solo stop in Fernandina Beach on their way to Destin.
Like the McCullars, countless beachgoers relish the chance to unwind by the shore.
Beau Corbett, project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, told News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee that the beach serves a critical purpose beyond recreation.
“The beach is here to protect the land,” he noted, highlighting the federal government’s $20 million investment in the Nassau County Shore Protection Project.
The shoreline is not just a scenic backdrop; it acts as a vital shield against the elements. The McCullars have observed alarming changes along Florida’s east coast, particularly in Daytona Beach, where shorelines are gradually disappearing.
“We’ve been going to Daytona maybe for 15 years, and you know, over time we’ve seen it do this,” Reggie reflected. “And then you think of your grandkids, and you think, ‘Well, 15 more years, what’s going to be left?’”
Corbett, who is leading the charge on the Nassau County Shore Protection Project, stressed the importance of preserving the beach as the first line of defense during storms.
“When the storm surge comes up onto the land, all of that energy the hurricane brings will attack the beach first,” Corbett explained.
The stretch of beach extending from Fort Clinch to Saddler Road is currently undergoing reinforcement. The initative is a long-awaited response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Dora in 1964, which prompted local advocates to seek congressional action.
The $20 million project is fully funded by the federal government as part of a storm recovery effort.
Corbett elaborated on the process: “The sand you are seeing here is being dredged from offshore. It’s pumping sand from offshore onto the beach, which is being filtered to remove all the debris before it’s placed on the beach.”
In 2018, sand from the Kings Bay channel was used, but this time, the project requires a staggering 750,000 cubic yards of sand, necessitating offshore dredging.
Originally slated for completion in November, crews are optimistic that, weather permitting, they could finish by late July, saving both time and taxpayer dollars.
As work continues around the clock, particularly at night when progress is most significant, Corbett asks for patience from beachgoers and residents.
“The purpose of this project, I hope, far outweighs the inconvenience,” he said. “When that storm comes, and the beach is there to protect my home, it will be worth it.”
