LOCATION: Maurice River Township on the Delaware Bay

PURPOSE: To remove rubble and grade sand in order to improve habitat for shorebirds and horseshoe crabs.

BACKGROUND: Moore’s Beach consisted of rubble left behind from houses that were previously located there.  The State purchased the property from individual land owners.  As a result of Super Storm Sandy 2012, there was extensive damage along this Delaware Bay beach primarily from sand and additional rubble transported from the intertidal areas into the marshes leaving the intertidal areas devoid of sand.  This resulted in a net lowering of the beach elevation so that at high tide, water covered all sand to the vegetation line and/or exposed peat, preventing habitat for the horseshoe crabs to lay their eggs successfully.

PROJECT SUMMARY: The rubble, consisting of cinderblocks, glass, bricks, and pilings were removed from the beach.  In 2014, sand in the marshes was graded towards the bay with additional sand brought in.  The project was managed by the Office of Engineering and Construction and NJ Fish and Wildlife.  The work was coordinated under the contract used for similar work being performed at the adjacent Thompson’s Beach.

Overall, the project greatly improved the habitat for horse shoe crabs and shore birds.

FUNDING: Funding for this project was from the Anitra Oil Spill.