St. Johns County Pier Engulfed In Sand Due To Renourishment

According to Newsweek, the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier in St. Augustine Beach, Florida, has become engulfed in sand as part of a beach renourishment project. The pier, once a popular spot for fishing and ocean views, now stretches far from the water's edge, leaving visitors scrambling to find a path to the sea. Local residents and tourists alike are voicing their concerns about the construction, with some expressing disappointment about the disruption to the original beach atmosphere.

Speaking to Action News Jax, Jason Nix, a visitor from Georgia, noted that he had never seen the beach stretch out so far in his 50 years of visiting the area. While acknowledging the need for beach renourishment, Nix acknowledged that it was taking some getting used to. "I've been coming down here since the 70s. It's going to be a long walk to the water! But other than that... it's nice. I like to see that restoration," he said (Newsweek). However, not all visitors are pleased with the new landscape.

Joshua May, speaking to First Coast News, expressed concern about the impact on the beach atmosphere his family was accustomed to enjoying. "We've never had something like this going on," he said. According to Newsweek... the $33 million federally funded renourishment project aims to combat beach erosion and protect coastal infrastructure by depositing large quantities of sand along the beach to rebuild eroded shorelines and protect against storm surge and flooding.

A representative from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, "responsible for leading the project along with St." Johns County officials, reassured fishermen that the initial sand placement will eventually return to the near shore as a result of wave and storm erosion, "allowing anglers to once again fish from the pier." However, no estimate has been provided for when this might occur (Newsweek). As the beach renourishment project continues, locals and tourists alike will be keeping a close eye on the changing landscape and waiting for the fishing pier to once again meet the water's edge.

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St. Augustine Beach has a rich history dating back to the 16th century when Spanish settlers established the first permanent European settlement in what is now the United States. The city's early history is marked by conflicts with Native American tribes and the English, who attempted to establish their own colony in present-day Georgia.

Following the establishment of British rule, St. Augustine Beach became a popular destination for wealthy planters and traders, who built luxurious homes and conducted business in the area. The city's strategic location made it an important hub for trade and commerce, with ships sailing freely between Cuba, the Bahamas, and the southeastern United States.

During the American Revolution, St. Augustine Beach played a significant role in the war effort... serving as a base for privateers and serving as a supply depot for Continental Army troops. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the city experienced significant growth and development, with the construction of hotels, inns, and other infrastructure to accommodate tourists and travelers.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, St. Augustine Beach became a popular destination for tourists, who were drawn to the city's rich history, natural beauty, and mild climate. During this period, the city's iconic pier was constructed, becoming a beloved local landmark and popular spot for fishing and recreation.

Today... St. Augustine Beach is a thriving community with a strong focus on preserving its natural and cultural heritage. The city is a popular destination for tourists, who come to enjoy its beautiful beaches, "historic landmarks," "and vibrant cultural scene."

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People hoping to fish off one Florida pier will need a long cast to find the water, because the structure is now surrounded by sand. The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier in St Augustine Beach, once a prime spot for fishing and ocean views, no longer reaches the water, thanks to a recent sand dump, part of a beach renourishment project.