TRENTON — The Sherrill Administration has requested expedited emergency federal assistance to repair and restore beaches in eight Army Corps of Engineers project areas that were severely damaged during the nor’easter that hammered the state late last month.
The administration specifically requests the Army Corps of Engineers to provide emergency assistance for seven Coastal Storm Risk Management Project areas under the purview of the its Philadelphia District and for one Coastal Storm Risk Management Project area under the purview of the New York District.
“We are working to get our coastal communities every resource they need to recover from the recent nor’easter and replenish the beaches and dunes that protect residents, homes and businesses. I thank DEP for swiftly completing its damage assessment so we can pursue federal assistance without delay. My Administration will continue working closely with these communities to secure the support they need to remain resilient throughout storm season,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said.
“DEP dispatched resources swiftly to assess the impacts of this storm, which battered beaches and dunes for days,” Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak said. “In many communities, beaches maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers that provide important storm protection sustained extensive erosion and are now extremely vulnerable heading into the winter season. It is imperative that we get sand back on these beaches and make other necessary infrastructure repairs as quickly as possible to protect property, lives and coastal economies.”
A post-storm assessment by the DEP’s Office of Coastal Engineering noted that while many beaches withstood the impacts of the nor’easter, the storm left many areas with heavily sloped erosion, exposed groins (coastal protection structures constructed perpendicular to beaches) and increased wave runup frequency to upper beaches, seawalls and/or dunes.
The administration is requesting assistance for the following Army Corps project areas:
Philadelphia District:
— Great Egg Harbor Inlet and Pecks Beach, Ocean City Coastal Storm Risk Management
— Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsend Inlet, N.J. Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project
— Townsend Inlet to Cape May Inlet Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
— Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Absecon Island, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
— Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet, Long Beach Island, New Jersey Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project
— Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Brigantine Island, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
— Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
“The damage we’re seeing in our South Jersey shore communities is devastating and it’s clear that we need all hands on deck to restore our beaches and protect these communities. One thing this storm has demonstrated is that beach replenishment works. It helps protect homes, minimizes damage from powerful storms and provides a critical line of defense. But, even with that protection in place, the damage is significant and we cannot afford to wait any longer to make the necessary repairs,” state Sen. Michael Testa said. “We need our state and federal partners working together, all pulling in the same direction to get our beaches replenished so our residents and their homes are protected and our tourism industry stays robust.”
“Flood mitigation and storm risk reduction are critical to the long-term resilience of Sea Isle City and coastal communities throughout our region,” Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio said. “We value our strong partnerships with state and federal officials as we work together to advance effective, lasting solutions that protect our residents, businesses and infrastructure. Federal investment in these efforts is essential, not only to safeguard our local communities, but also to protect the broader regional economy that our coastal communities help sustain.”