(26/P49) TRENTON – The Sherrill Administration today 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 Corps’ 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,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill.

“DEP dispatched resources swiftly to assess the impacts of this storm, which battered beaches and dunes for days,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ed Potosnak. “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 structure constructed perpendicular to beaches) and increased wave runup frequency to upper beaches, seawalls and/or dunes.

The assessment determined that the eight federal coastal storm risk management projects were significantly damaged and are now “vulnerable to future catastrophic failure without near-term repair.”

The Administration requests emergency assistance under Public Law 84-99, which provides the Army Corps with authority to assist state and local governments with storm preparedness, response and recovery actions. The Administration is requesting assistance for the following Army Corps project areas:

New York District:

• Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey, Sections I and II Beach Erosion Control Project, Sea Bright to Manasquan

Philadelphia District:

• 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
• Great Egg Harbor Inlet and Pecks Beach, Ocean City Coastal Storm Risk Management
• Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsend Inlet, New Jersey Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project
• Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
• Townsend Inlet to Cape May Inlet Coastal Storm Risk Management Project

Quotes from officials representing impacted communities

District 1 Senator Michael Testa: “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. 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.”

District 2 Senator Vince Polistina: “Atlantic County’s beaches are one of our State’s greatest assets that draw visitors from across the country and are integral to our way of life in South Jersey’s shore communities. But our beaches are more than a destination. They are a critical line of defense that helps protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from devastating erosion and coastal flooding. We need the Army Corps of Engineers to work with us to get these repairs and replenishment projects underway as quickly as possible so residents and business owners can enjoy greater peace of mind and we can protect the tourism industry that drives our local economy.”

District 2 Assemblywoman Maureen Rowan: “The nor’easter that recently struck the eastern coast caused major damage in many of our coastal towns, including those that I represent in Atlantic County. In the aftermath, recovering and rebuilding are a priority. Federal assistance has in the past funded projects that that keep our communities safe from the impacts of severe weather. Restoring federal funding to coastal storm risk projects would go a long way in supporting a speedier recovery from the recent devastation.”

District 9 Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr., Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory E. Myhre: “As coastal legislators, our Delegation strongly supports restoring effective coastal risk reduction projects undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect New Jersey’s coastline, especially following the damage caused by the recent Nor’easter. Several areas within our legislative district, including Long Beach Island, have experienced severe flooding and beach erosion, resulting in dramatic sand cliffs and significant shoreline loss. New Jersey needs both short- and long-term funding for beach replenishment projects to protect lives and property, strengthen coastal resilience, and prevent significant disruptions to our state’s vital tourism industry.”

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr.: “It’s my responsibility as Mayor of the great city of Atlantic City to protect our residents and businesses while supporting a tourism industry that generates more than $8 billion annually. While the City has completed numerous resiliency projects in recent years, more work remains. The recent nor’easter has underscored the need for additional improvements, including beach renourishment, to protect our shoreline and strengthen our resilience. Federal leadership and funding are essential to ensuring we have the resources and tools necessary to continue protecting our community.”

Borough of Bay Head Mayor William W. Curtis: “These projects from the federal or state government would be a great help to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors. Right now, all public access points to our beaches are compromised."

City of Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera: “The recent nor’easter was a clear reminder of just how important our beaches, dunes, and seawalls are to protecting our community. Here in Brigantine, we saw firsthand how these coastal protection projects helped prevent what could have been catastrophic damage to homes and public infrastructure. Federal funding for beach replenishment and coastal protection is not just about restoring our beaches. It is about protecting people's homes, keeping our residents safe, and preventing far more costly damage in the future. We cannot afford to wait until the next major storm to make these investments. We need to address the damage we have today while continuing to build a stronger, more resilient coastline for tomorrow.”

Borough of Manasquan Mayor Michael W. Mangan: “Manasquan has 140 years of history on the water.  Our roads and bulkheads, in some cases as old, are holding the water back. Federal investment is what lets a borough of 6,000 people and tens of thousands more, rebuild for the next century instead of the next storm.  Every dollar we don’t spend on resilience now is a dollar we’ll spend on recovery later, with the damage already done. Federal funding lets a small town like Manasquan get ahead of the storm for once.”

Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio: “Flood mitigation and storm risk reduction are critical to the long-term resilience of Sea Isle City and coastal communities throughout our region. 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.”

Borough of Sea Bright Mayor Brian P. Kelly: “As a coastal community, Sea Bright understands firsthand the importance of investing in storm risk reduction and shoreline protection. The recent late September storm has only reinforced just how vulnerable our community is to coastal flooding and erosion, and how important these projects are to protecting our residents, businesses, critical infrastructure, and beaches. Federal investment is essential to repairing storm damage, and also to strengthening our shoreline and building long-term resilience. These projects are vital to Sea Bright’s safety, economic stability, and ability to withstand future storms.”

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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to protecting New Jersey’s environment and public health. The agency prioritizes addressing climate change, protecting New Jersey’s water, revitalizing its communities and managing and promoting its natural and historic resources.

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