PETERSBURG — More sand is expected on beaches in Strathmere, Sea Isle City and Ocean City in early summer.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew announced April 6 that southern New Jersey would receive $99 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replenish and protect key beaches in the three areas along with Avalon and Stone Harbor.
After receiving $28 million in federal funding, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced April 10 that it is moving forward with the Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet dune and beach fill project.
“I couldn’t be happier and I couldn’t be more appreciative of everybody’s work that went into it,” Upper Township Mayor Curtis Corson said April 13. “There was a lot of work on behalf of the congressman and everybody else that went into this project.”
According to a news release, the Army Corps has published a contract solicitation for work in Strathmere and Sea Isle.
“If all the ducks are in a row and things are lined up as anticipated, we can expect — granted, this is pre-decisional, this is extremely early in the process — but right now we can anticipate pumping to start some time in the middle of June and finish some time in the middle of July. The thing we have to identify is the funding match,” Township Administrator Jimmy Van Zlike said.
The base contract calls for dredging, pumping and placing more than 1.1 million cubic yards of sand from two borrow areas — one off Corsons Inlet and the other about three miles offshore of Sea Isle.
The sand will be pumped onto the beach at the following locations:
— 863,000 cubic yards from Ocean Drive to Jasper Road (about 5,168 feet) in Strathmere.
— 299,000 cubic yards from between 29th/30th streets to between 54th/55th streets (about 6,771 feet) in Sea Isle.
The contract also includes options for the placement of additional sand. Dune crossovers/access paths, fencing and other features will be installed/repaired as part of the contract.
The project is a joint effort of the Army Corps’s Philadelphia District, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the municipalities. Work is cost-shared (50 percent federal and 50 percent non-federal).
“We have to figure out where exactly our money is coming from, but we have a commitment to do the right thing here,” Corson said.
Van Zlike said Upper Township and Sea Isle must fund 25 percent of the $28 million non-federal share, or $7 million, split based on amount of sand. The township’s share is 74 percent, equating to about $5.25 million, but Van Zlike would not confirm that because of variables in the project.
“We are exploring ways to fully fund this, replenishment options and alternate funding strategies through the state, federal and potentially county to see what we can do here to get this funded,” Van Zlike said. “We are in reaction mode, trying to get our dots in order so that we can be a good partner in this project and make sure we have a suitable beach come summertime.”
Corson said the funds would be used to put sand on the beach and not for any type of permanent structure to help control erosion.
Ongoing erosion in Strathmere forced the township to demolish the Upper Township Beach Patrol headquarters, which was undermined by loss of sand, on March 29.
Corson said the township has worked out an agreement with a beachfront homeowner who offered to donate a house for the UTBP’s use this summer.
“Our lifeguards will be there instead of the trailer, instead of shipping containers and port-a-potty,” he said. “There’s a couple of little safety protocols, things we have to do there, but it’s going to be a good thing. It’s going to be very low-key and low-impact for the neighborhood. We assure you of that.”
The township now is working toward a permanent replacement for the headquarters.
Ocean City
The Army Corps is concurrently preparing additional contract solicitations for separate projects in north Ocean City and Avalon/Stone Harbor.
Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian announced during a town hall meeting April 11 that the resort is getting a $38 million beach replenishment project to cover from Sea Spray to 14th Street.
Gillian said the beaches will get 1 million cubic yards of sand and Ocean City’s share will be $3.3 million, which already is included in the city’s capital plan, while the federal government and state will pick up more than 91 percent of the cost.
He noted that although working through federal bureaucracy can be time-consuming, the NJDEP is going to fast-track the permitting. “It’s going to be amazing how quick this goes,” Gillian said.
The mayor added that the city has been prepared, having stockpiled sand and by harvesting sand from healthier beaches to help repair the worst-hit sections in time for the summer season.
City spokesman Doug Bergen said the administration was able to secure a separate 50-year agreement for Southend beaches about 10 years ago, and that part of the island would be part of a project area along with Strathmere and Sea Isle City, which is also being fast-tracked.
“That project would rely on some slightly different equipment — a hopper dredge — so there’s a possibility the two projects could overlap,” Bergen wrote in an email.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– Staff writer David Nahan contributed to this report.