Massive Replenishment Project May Be On Tap for Beaches to the North

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.”