Official Site of The State of New Jersey
The Pond Creek Marsh Restoration Project is a 290-acre site fully encompassed by the Higbee Beach WMA in Lower Township and the Borough of West Cape May, Cape May County. The project site consists of the former Harbison-Walker magnesite facility and associated landfill, Davey’s Lake, and the majority of Pond Creek marsh.
The principal project goal is to reestablish tidal inundation to a large portion of Pond Creek Marsh without increasing the flood risk to the upper watershed or inundating the eastern freshwater marsh area, and allowing for habitat management of the northern marsh area. Achieving these goals will require modification of the inlet channel to allow sufficient tidal flushing, developing a network of secondary and tertiary channels to assist tidal flow into the interior of the marsh, excavating deep flood pools for fish habitat, and creating upland islands for shorebirds. An earthern berm will be constructed around much of the perimeter of the marsh, which will provide access to wildlife observation blinds and contribute to a trail system encircling the marsh.
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Portions of Higbee Beach WMA Closed through December 2026
Portions of Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area (WMA) closed starting January 29, 2024, for the Pond Creek Restoration Project and will remain closed until completed (approximately December 2026). This closure is for public safety reasons and to protect and preserve the land and water areas of Higbee Beach WMA.
The areas to be closed are reflected on the attached map .
The closure will not affect the parking lot behind Sunset Beach Gifts located on Sunset Boulevard. However, the parking lot across from the World War II Lookout Tower will be closed.
The project is funded with Natural Resource Damage funds and co-led by DEP’s Office of Natural Resource Restoration and Office of Coastal Engineering in partnership with Fish & Wildlife.
For a comprehensive project description and updated project schedule, please visit the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area Tidal Marsh/Upland Restoration Project webpage.
The public is invited to attend an informational meeting to learn about and comment on this ecological restoration project at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 8 at Lower Township’s Municipal Hall, 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas, NJ (Cape May County). Those unable to attend in person may participate virtually by registering here.
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife sincerely appreciates your patience and understanding while this work is being completed and improvements are made.
Questions and comments throughout the duration of the project can be sent to: NJDEP-HBR-inquiries@portal3.pbid.com.
Thank you!
