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 |
US Army Corps Grand Total |
$60,799,998 |
|
|
State Share Grand Total |
|
$34,505,150 |
|
Local Share Grand Total |
|
|
$10,218,383 |
|