Regional Sediment Management Strategies for the Vicinity of St. Augustine Inlet, St. Johns County, Florida

This report provides a description of Regional Sediment Management (RSM) investigations performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District (SAJ), in the vicinity of St. Augustine Inlet, St. Johns County, FL. Objectives of this study include beneficially using dredged material, coordinating dredging schedules for navigation and storm damage reduction projects, maintaining channels, investigating alternatives to better stabilize beaches, and coordinating improvements to the states inlet management plan for St. Augustine Inlet. Four RSM strategies developed here are applicable to other regions with multiple projects and sediment-related needs. Strategy 1 (Multiple Sand Sources): Especially beneficial to navigation when the channel can be dredged first. Strategy 2 (Nearshore Placement vs. Beach Placement): Hopper dredge can dump in nearshore or use beach pump-out capabilities (if available). Pipeline dredge can dredge from all permitted sources with direct beach placement. Strategy 3 (Hopper Dredge): Dredge main channel, then access ebb shoals, then obtain remaining sand requirements from offshore sources. Benefits navigation by clearing channel and shoal first. Strategy 4 (Alternate Sources): May be advantageous to alternate sources to minimize mobilization/demobilization and maximize use of sand impacting navigation channel. Scheduling depends on dredging needs of the channel and nourishment needs of the beaches.