Crews began replenishing sand on Montauk's storm-battered downtown beach Monday, a monthlong project to restore the beachfront before the summer season.

Four nor'easters in March alone were among the weather events that led to erosion along The End.

It's expected to cost almost $1 million.

There is also a separate federal project to shore up the beach all the way from Fire Island to Montauk. That's not expected to begin for a few years.

Just a few years ago another federal project sought to reinforce the beaches by burying sandbags to protect a 3,000-foot stretch of dunes. The erosion this winter was so significant it left the bags exposed.

That's on top of about 3 feet of beach the Town of East Hampton expects to lose to erosion every year.