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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2003

Contact: Elaine Makatura
609-292-2994

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

 

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