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NEW JERSEY BEACHES GET NEEDED BOOST
State and federal funding total more than $60 million
(03/178) TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced $34.5 million in state funding to protect the Jersey shore from erosion and severe coastal damage during major storms. U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg today announced $30.5 million in federal funding to assist in shore protection and enhancement projects.
"Protecting our natural resources, especially our beaches, is integral to New Jersey's recreational opportunities," said Governor James E. McGreevey. "Clearly, the shore is one of our greatest assets — culturally, economically and environmentally — and we will continue to take any step necessary to protect it."
"Thanks to the leadership of Senators Lautenberg and Corzine, we have $30.5 million more to help safeguard our coasts from erosion and our homes and businesses from flooding," he added.
"I have worked hard for many years bringing federal dollars into the state to repair and replenish New Jersey's beaches. This year Senator Corzine and I secured more than $30.5 million for beaches up and down the shore, including Raritan Bay, Barnegat Inlet, Sandy Hook and the Shrewsbury, Manasquan, and Shark Rivers," said Senator Frank Lautenberg. "It is good to learn that all our hard work has paid off. Millions of people from all across the country enjoy our beautiful beaches each year, and I intend to continue to fight hard to secure additional federal investment to ensure they are in the best possible condition; clean, safe and ready for use."
"Healthy beaches can better withstand the effects of a punishing storm and provide a stronger buffer between the pounding surf and homes, businesses and infrastructure along our coastline," said Commissioner Campbell. "This funding reflects our ongoing commitment to protect our precious coastal resources and support communities along our shore."
A portion of the state funding will be directed to coastal municipalities to aid shore stabilization projects, such as beach fills, bulkhead replacements and jetty construction that provide a critical defense against severe erosion and flooding.
DEP funded research conducted by the Richard Stockton Coastal Research Center to record the effects of major beach restoration projects undertaken by federal, state, and local partners. Stockton recently completed a 15-year study which also reviewed beach changes from 1986 through the fall of 2002. The research shows beach restoration projects, when completed and maintained can successfully stabilize short-term erosion and highlighted the importance of beach replenishment projects and New Jersey's shore economy and tourism. The study states that 22 percent of the 31 billion dollars spent on tourism related recreational activities is generated from direct beach or waterfront activities.
"Our data provides independent verification that large-scale beach restoration projects add environmental, economic and recreational value to New Jersey's coastal municipalities and individual property owners," said Dr. Stewart Farrell, director of the Pomona-based research center.
"New Jersey's 127 miles of white sand beaches are an integral component of our overall tourism economy," said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism. "As the state's most famous attraction, visitors and residents alike flock to the Jersey Shore, generating revenues for boardwalk amusements, restaurants, hotels and countless retail businesses that depend on a healthy beach environment."
Shore protection projects are funded through either a federal-state-local cost share or a state-local cost share, depending on the project. Design and real estate acquisition costs are the responsibility of the local sponsor.
State-owned shore protection structures are designed, constructed and maintained through the DEP Bureau of Coastal Engineering. The Bureau of Coastal Engineering, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provides beach nourishment and re-nourishment projects for the purpose of restoring New Jersey's beaches along our coastline.
DEP surveyed the New Jersey shoreline immediately after the recent nor'easter pummeled much of the Atlantic coast and found moderate-to-severe erosion in Ocean County, minor-to-moderate erosion in Monmouth County, and no significant erosion in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.
Below is a listing of projects.
|
Municipality |
Total |
State Share |
Local Share |
|
Beachwood |
$66,667 |
$50,000 |
$16,667 |
|
Beachwood |
$373,867 |
$280,400 |
$93,467 |
|
Brooklawn |
$425,000 |
$318,750 |
$106,250 |
|
Cape May Point |
$400,000 |
$300,000 |
$100,000 |
|
Downe Twp. |
$100,000 |
$75,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Jersey City |
$666,667 |
$500,000 |
$166,667 |
|
Longport |
$1,100,000 |
$825,000 |
$275,000 |
|
Monmouth County Park System |
$333,333 |
$250,000 |
$83,333 |
|
North Wildwood |
$1,333,333 |
$1,000,000 |
$333,333 |
|
North Wildwood |
$3,333,333 |
$2,500,000 |
$833,333 |
|
Pennsville |
$1,000,000 |
$750,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Rumson |
$234,667 |
$176,000 |
$58,667 |
|
Seaside Heights |
$300,000 |
$225,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Stone Harbor |
$1,000,000 |
$750,000 |
$250,000 |
|
West Wildwood |
$1,626,667 |
$1,220,000 |
$406,667 |
|
Wildwood |
$1,066,667 |
$800,000 |
$266,667 |
|
Wildwood Crest |
$1,866,667 |
$1,400,000 |
$466,667 |
|
|
$15,226,867 |
$11,420,150 |
$3,806,717 |
|
Previous Fiscal Years Carry-Overs |
|
Keyport Bulkhead (FY 2000) |
$2,150,000 |
$1,612,500 |
$537,500 |
|
Westville Stabilization (FY2001) |
$800,000 |
$600,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Sea Breeze Rip-Rap (FY 2001) |
$1,000,000 |
$750,000 |
$250,000 |
|
DOD Sea Girt Bulkhead (FY 2003) |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
|
Loch Arbour/ Deal Lake Bulkhead (FY 2003) |
$1,333,333 |
$1,000,000 |
$333,333 |
|
Fletcher Lake (FY 2003) |
$1,000,000 |
$750,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Pleasantville 5% Reimbursement (FY 2002) |
$113,333 |
$85,000 |
$28,333 |
|
Perth Amboy 5% Reimbursement (FY 2002) |
$150,000 |
$112,500 |
$37,500 |
|
Stockton State College (FY 2003) |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
|
|
Total |
$8,046,667 |
$6,410,000 |
$1,636,667 |
|
US Army Corps of Engineers Projects |
|
New York District |
Federal |
State |
Local |
|
Belmar to Manasquan Beachfill |
$4,333,333 |
$1,750,000 |
$583,333 |
|
Port Monmouth Feasibility & PED |
$700,000 |
$700,000 |
$0 |
|
Keansburg Feasibility Study |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$0 |
|
Total |
$5,133,333 |
$2,550,000 |
$583,333
|
|
Philadelphia District |
|
|
|
|
Absecon Island Beachfill |
$19,500,000 |
$7,875,000 |
$2,525,000 |
|
Great Egg to Townsends(Strathmere,Whale Beach) |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
$0 |
|
NJ Alternative Nourishment Feasibility Study |
$300,000 |
$300,000 |
$0 |
|
Hereford to Cape May Inlet Feasibility Study |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$0 |
|
Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet |
$300,000 |
$100,000 |
$0 |
|
Townsends Inlet-Cape May Int Beachfill/Seawall |
$12,380,951 |
$5,000,000 |
$1,666,666 |
|
Cape May City Beachfill |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$0 |
|
Long Beach Island Beachfill |
$300,000 |
$100,000 |
$0 |
|
Delaware Bay/Reeds Beach/Pierces Pt |
$900,000 |
$300,000 |
$0 |
|
Lower Cape May Meadows |
$185,715 |
$100,000 |
$0 |
|
Total |
$34,216,666 |
$14,125,000 |
$4,191,666 |
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US Army Corps Grand Total |
$60,799,998 |
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|
|
State Share Grand Total |
|
$34,505,150 |
|
|
Local Share Grand Total |
|
|
$10,218,383 |
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OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY