Jersey Shore Leaders Urge Urgent Funding for Beach Replenishment
URGENT UPDATE: Federal budget cuts threaten essential beach replenishment funding for New Jersey’s South Jersey coast, leaders warn. This alarming move jeopardizes successful projects that protect coastal properties and boost local tourism.
Officials from the Jersey Shore, including Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian and Avalon’s business manager Scott Wahl, have raised serious concerns following the announcement that the federal government will cut funding for Army Corps of Engineers projects. These projects traditionally replace sand washed away by storms, crucial for maintaining accessible and safe beaches.
“Federal funding covers the majority of our beach nourishment projects,” Wahl stated. He highlighted that a recent project cost a staggering $28 million, with Avalon alone contributing $1 million. The cuts come at a time when coastal storms are intensifying, placing even greater importance on these protective measures.
Gillian expressed the urgent need for lawmakers to understand the direct benefits of well-maintained beaches, which drive tourism and generate federal tax revenues. “Such activities help produce federal tax revenues that far outweigh the cost of the program,” he stated in a letter to Congressman Jeff Van Drew and U.S. Senators Andy Kim and Cory Booker.
As the House of Representatives moves forward with an appropriations bill that would eliminate this funding for the first time in almost three decades, Congressman Frank Pallone criticized the decision as abandoning coastal communities. “House Republicans are pulling the sand out from under us. These projects aren’t luxuries, they’re lifelines,” he declared. “I will fight these cuts every step of the way.”
Gillian urged lawmakers to witness firsthand the benefits of beach replenishment in Ocean City. “Where the ocean once cut our Boardwalk in half, the re-engineered beaches and dunes have protected lives and property,” he explained. He emphasized that, during Superstorm Sandy, most of Ocean City’s beachfront streets remained dry, showcasing the effectiveness of these projects.
The ongoing discussion highlights the vital role of beach replenishment not just for recreation but for safeguarding billions of dollars in public and private property that are often insured by federal flood insurance. As climate change accelerates erosion and the risk of devastating storms, the need for continued funding has never been more critical.
With the possibility of losing this essential funding looming, local leaders are calling on residents and tourists alike to advocate for the restoration of beach nourishment funding. As this situation develops, the impact on the economy and safety of coastal communities remains at stake.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
