When Hurricane Matthew hit Northeast Florida, the dunes along Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach protected the coastal communities from serious storm surge damage. However, the dunes sustained significant damage and future storms could now result in flooding without the dune protection.
On Wednesday, November 2, Beaches Watch hosted a speaker panel to discuss plans to restore the dunes. Speakers were Kevin Bodge, coastal and ocean engineer with Olsen and Associates; Bill Gulliford, Jacksonville City Council representative for the beaches; Jackie Smith from Congressman Ander Crenshaw’s office; and Kevin Brown, Fletcher High School science teacher who has led past sea oats planting efforts.
You can see the presentation about the dunes here: Beach Dune Presentation
Watch the meeting video of the speakers discussing the plans to restore the dunes: