Local

Construction begins on Summer Haven dune breach

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Hurricane Dorian caused the initial dune breach here in Summer Haven, but high winds, high tide and big swells made the breach even bigger.

So the contractors have now partnered with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to get the job done.

And with the weather finally cooperating, construction crews finally have the green light to repair the dune.

Action News Jax first told you in September that the St. Johns County Commission allocated $500,000 in emergency funds to fix the dune, but crews weren't able to start working until now.

Thaddeus Starling, who fishes in Summer Haven, said, "We feel like it's a good thing, like we talked about. The water quality is good. We want to preserve the fishing here. We want to preserve our beaches, so I'm glad they did that."

The county says it was all hands on deck to get the permitting and funds available because the bigger the breach gets, the more it can affect the water quality in the river and all waterways connected to it.

Those tributaries that flow up and across a majority of Northeast Florida.

Another local who fishes in Summer Haven, Linda Merritt, adds, "Anything they can do to help the waterways, maintain healthy waters, the fish stay good, I'm for it." 
 
St. Johns County Public Works said the breach should be fixed in the next two weeks, but only if Mother Nature cooperates.

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