Reconnaissance studies conducted in the 1960's and 1970's by the U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Center showed that most of the sand available in Federal waters occurs in discrete linear sand shoals or in fields of several sand ridges. A geological model of continental shelf sand ridges can be combined with a numerical model of physical processes to assess the potential for recovering beach quality sand and to assess potential risks of borrow excavation. The shelf sand ridge geological model includes a coarsening upward sequence beginning with silts, clay and silty fine sand grading upward into relatively coarse sands having minimal silt and clay fraction. The upper meter of the sequence includes a clean cross-bedded sand unit that is reworked by episodic storms and waves on the inner to mid-continental shelf. The Coastal Modeling System (CMS) was applied in a series of four regional model grids positioned offshore of northeast Florida where substantial sand resources can be found. Results of a numerical model investigation of modern sand ridges of northeast Florida are consistent with the elements of the geological model. Sand ridge crests at relatively shallow depths are reworked by passing storms are predicted to be subject to topographic change of up to 1 m consisting of both deposition and erosion. The models were also applied to determine the potential influence of borrow cuts within these features on wave transformation and the potential for the modified wave field to measurably influence sand transport and topographic evolution at the shoreline.