Massive Replenishment Project May Be On Tap for Beaches to the North
The Sandy relief package passed by Congress in January would fund the project, according to a Congressman.
Monmouth County and Ocean County beach towns could be part of an upcoming large-scale beach replenishment project, according to Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06).
The Sandy relief package passed by Congress in January would fund the beach replenishment project and others Pallone said he expects to be completed to restore damage to the Jersey Shore caused by Superstorm Sandy.
"Based on his interpretation of the Sandy aid bill, Pallone pointed to these projects in Monmouth County that he expects the Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with as part of the relief plan," a release from Pallone's office stated. "Pallone stressed that these projects only represent a preliminary list and that other projects may be forthcoming."
The beach replenishment project would cover beaches from Sandy Hook to the Barnegat Inlet, and would be the largest beach nourishment project ever undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers and the world’s biggest beach-fill project, in terms of sand volume.
An Army Corps of Engineers project is currently under way on the north end of Ocean City, but the beach widening project is expected to reach only 14th Street. The severely eroded southern end of the island has an approved Army Corps application that is awaiting funding.
"The work will include the restoration of most of the beaches from Sea Bright to the Manasquan Inlet in Monmouth County," the release states.
However, specific beaches that will be included in the project have not been finalized at this time, but the areas chosen will include those that suffered the most damage from Sandy.
"The planned work would not only restore the region to pre-storm conditions, but would make massive improvements totaling well in excess of $100 million to replenish beaches and prevent future erosion damage," the release states.
“The Jersey Shore is a treasure of our state,” Pallone said in the release. “The shore sustained such severe damage from Sandy, which if unaddressed, would continue to wash away our beaches and make much of the region uninhabitable. That’s why I have been insistent that restoring our coast, beaches and waterways must be a top priority for the funding from the Sandy relief package.”
Richard Jacoby
5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
This story will only piss off more OC residents living on the south end. Someone really needs to get a hold of some of that money for the south side
jenine
5:05 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The southend has an approved ACE application that is awaiting funding? Please elaborate
South End Citizen
5:49 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Jenine, A replenishment project for the South End has been approved by the Army Corps for years. It was last done about 8 years ago as an "add-on" project to the usual North End job. However it depends on Congressional approval for Federal funding. It was done at that time as a State/City partnership which is more expensive to OC. It's supposed to be "nourished" every three years. The City hasn't really stepped up to get it done as a State/City partnership, presumably hoping for Federal $$ and because they had to play that card for the North End a couple of years ago when Congress didn't approve the last cycle.
South End Citizen
5:37 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
As mentioned before, our City officials need to "interpret" the Sandy Aid bill the same way :"The Sandy relief package passed by Congress in January would fund the beach replenishment project and others Pallone said he expects to be completed to restore damage to the Jersey Shore caused by Superstorm Sandy.
"Based on his interpretation of the Sandy aid bill, ...."
Get on the ball!
South End Citizen
5:39 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
There's GOT to be a way to access the emergency funding for the rest of the island. Repeating that the previously approved but not funded ACOE project is in the works is "inside the box" thinking. LEADERSHIP, please!
Eric Sauder
5:43 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
That must be news to the DEP. I ask again has a sand harvesting site been approved for the south end and if not why? Have we resolved all other environmental issues in advance of beach repleishment? If we just now applied to the DEP I can certainly understand how it is we're behind the 8 ball here.
It seems beach replenishment isn't an impossibilty anywhere but for the south end of Ocean City. And I wonder why that's true. Why isn't it happening here???
Eric Sauder
5:50 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I agree with south end. When our representatives are telling us that the city has to get with the program I'm inclined to think there's some truth to it. I don't want to hear anymore WHY we can't do what every other municiplaity has found a way to do,
Eric Sauder
5:56 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Apparently there IS funding. Why can't WE get some of it?
Darby T.
5:57 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Maybe the Piping Plovers are nesting South this year.
Unbelievably frustrating.
sick of south end neglect
6:39 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I do know somethng for a fact - this situation has absolutely nothing to do with piping plovers or environmentalists - it is unfortunate the Mayor alluded to that in one of his statements because it is not even a little bit correct. Did he say it to divert or did he say it because he was confused - don't know and don't care. Not even looking to point fingers here - just find a way to get those beaches replenished because the south end of Ocean City is at risk - dire risk of a catastrophic loss. Got that, guys? And if it does experience huge loss - then the finget pointing is going to be ugly and may result in who knows how many law suits to add to the collection in Ocean City
wjs
6:40 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
This is ridiculous. You are correct, Richard. We need all of Ocean City to stand up and ask State and Federal officials to do the right thing here. Anyone now question why we who live in the southend feel as we do? Those ten blocks of beaches from 50-59th streets were leveled. This is not just about the southend, this is about Ocean City!!!
sick of south end neglect
6:55 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Why isn't the Sandy relief package working for us in the south end of Ocean City? Mayor Gillian, please get on this and get an answer to that question - Is it our Congressman because we sure have asked him for help - why is this guy Pallone getting these funds for his area? Please let us know who or what is lacking that other areas are getting massive beach replenishment using those Sandy funds but - we have to wait? and while we wait - the beach goes lower, the storms occur, the beaches go lower - the costs to replenish will go higher and what if there is a really bad storm and more flooding - that's more funds needed. prevention is the key here and time is money
Steve Glaspey
8:07 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Wait, wait, I understand the Mayor's plan: if you pump enough sand on the north end of the island, eventually the accumulated weight of the sand will cause the south end to rise. Simple physics.
I have always been accused of not seeing the "big picture".
Eric Sauder
10:28 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Representatives of the DEP and ACE are supposed to be at the council meeting Thursday. Sounds like a good opportunity to get some answers.