VILANO BEACH, Fla. — Tons of sand will be pumped on to Vilano Beach over the next few months.
A beach renourishment project got underway today to make sure the shoreline is ready for the next few hurricane seasons.
In total, two million cubic yards of sand will be pumped on to about a three mile stretch of beach.
"We've seen the beach eroded," said Beach-goer Donna Vientos. "Last year was pretty bad. It took all the sand dunes away."
Vientos couldn't help but notice the dunes along Vilano Beach have taken a hit.
Her favorite beach access at Surfside Park will be filled with construction equipment soon to start building those dunes back up.
"I think we need it," said Vientos. "Unfortunately, mother nature takes it away"
The renourishment will run from South Ponte Vedra Beach down through Vilano Beach.
A dredge will pump sand from offshore, through a pipeline, back to the beach.
Crews will work 24 hours a day for the next eight months or so to pack it all in, focusing on 1500 foot sections at a time.
"People often say, it doesn't make sense to place sand on the beach, it just washes away when there's a hurricane or storms," said Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Specialist David Ruderman. "The point is the beach, the berm takes the brunt of the storm and protects the infrastructure."
Florida Fish and Wildlife has spent the last two months transplanting all the sea turtle nests in the project area so they won't be impacted by the tons of sand getting dumped on top.
Once it's done this spring, The Army Corps of Engineers believes the renourishment should protect the coast for five years.
"If that holds up, then I think it's worth it," said Vientos. "You just hope."
A similar renourishment is planned for St. Augustine Beach in November, after sea turtle nesting season and another for Ponte Vedra Beach toward Mickler's Landing after that.
The Army Corps of Engineers is going to start by packing all the sand in, then they'll go back through to plant some sea oats and vegetation to strengthen those new dunes to help them last a little longer.