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WALK THIS WAY: Significant erosion has occurred on Surf City beaches since last summer, after the borough was bumped from the 2025 LBI beach nourishment project. (Photo by Ryan Morrill)<\/p>\n
Separated by less than 50 miles of roadway at the Jersey Shore, Ocean City and Surf City have more than just the Atlantic Ocean as their easternmost point in common. Another shared trait was on full display Feb. 13 as federal officials toured several towns to survey beach erosion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know this is a big issue for the Jersey Shore,\u201d Congressman Jeff Van Drew said as he stood on the Ocean City boardwalk with the eroded Fifth Street beach behind him. \u201cWe know we have a cycle of life, and sometimes, it\u2019s not an easy one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Van Drew was in Ocean City to begin a tour of four Cape May County towns with, among others, Adam Tell, assistant secretary of the Army, Civil Works, to assess beach erosion in the wake of a tumultuous summer, fall and winter storm season and discuss short- and long-term plans to address it across the country.<\/p>\n
On Long Beach Island, Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney has been fighting for the borough\u2019s inclusion in the last LBI beach nourishment program that saw work done in Beach Haven, parts of Long Beach Township and Harvey Cedars in 2025. Beach replenishment was slated to be done in Surf City but was bumped by the contractor to an option.<\/p>\n
So, on Friday, Hartney made the trek down the Garden State Parkway for the opportunity to hear what Van Drew and Telle had to say about beach replenishment during a press event.<\/p>\n
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Congressman Jeff Van Drew (above left) and Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian discuss the condition of Ocean City beaches ahead of a press event on changes to funding and methodology of projects. (Photo by Gina Scala)<\/p>\n
Afterward, he said he\u2019d had the opportunity to speak with the congressman and assistant secretary, alerting them to the \u201cneed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to return to Surf City to complete the renourishment project that was authorized by Congress but sidelined into the category of a \u2018contract option\u2019 by the USACE, essentially enabling the contractor and USACE to disregard congressional project authorization.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two days prior, at the borough council\u2019s Feb. 11 meeting, Hartney had said the hardest hit beaches in Surf City were between 22nd and 25th streets, but the damage extended an additional 10 blocks to 15th Street.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe erosion on the beaches of Surf City that the renourishment was meant to address continues to deepen and extend further southward,\u201d he said following his brief discussion with Van Drew, in which the congressman said he is keeping an eye on the borough and has not forgotten about its needs.<\/p>\n
Van Drew has not been to Surf City to survey the erosion there, despite being invited on at least two prior occasions last year. He was invited by Hartney, on behalf of Mayor Francis Hodgson, again last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe environment on the beach is that the beach is continuing to erode, especially with all these winter storms,\u201d Hartney said.<\/p>\n
He encouraged borough residents to contact Van Drew\u2019s office and ask that the USACE return post-haste and to complete the work as it was directed by Congress.<\/p>\n
While there will be no immediate relief for Surf City\u00a0as of yet, Van Drew and Telle said help is on the way for the Jersey Shore.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason I am here today is because Jeff Van Drew is a tireless and effective advocate. We talk, it feels like on a daily basis, about how we can solve the beach challenges here in South Jersey,\u201d Tell said, calling the beaches a critical tool to prevent floods from inland communities.<\/p>\n
The duo has spent the better part of the past two weeks proactively identifying resources to deliver relief to impacted communities throughout the Jersey Shore region. The region has not seen the same level of commitment from state officials, who to date have failed to declare a state of emergency for beach erosion stemming from summer storms, the Columbus Day weekend nor\u2019easter and now, Winter Storm Fern.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe as a government have to do better in terms of how we are delivering infrastructure for the American public; not just here in Jersey, but across the country,\u201d Telle said. \u201cFor too long, we haven\u2019t had the proper incentives aligned within the government to deliver the best product at the best price for the American taxpayers.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a result, reforms are being rolled out Feb. 23 for the Army\u2019s Civil Works in the largest capacity in four decades, according to the assistant secretary.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to deliver more dredging, more flood risk mitigation, more navigation for the country, and it\u2019s going to be called building infrastructure, not paperwork,\u201d he said. \u201cOur goal here is to get away from the endless loops of government paperwork and get back to doing things like restoring beaches here in New Jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n
During Friday\u2019s press gathering on the Ocean City boardwalk, Van Drew and Telle said in the short term, tens of millions of dollars would be pumped for beach replenishment as early as this summer \u2013 at least that\u2019s the hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just had this conversation, and we\u2019re optimistic that we can have the resources made available within a matter of a month or two,\u201d Telle said, adding the work and mobilization would begin shortly thereafter.<\/p>\n
As for what projects would be funded first, Van Drew said that comes down to multiple factors, including severity of problem and what towns are on the cycle.<\/p>\n
\u201cOcean City is due to have this done now,\u201d the congressman said. \u201cSo, Ocean City is certainly one that would rank up there. We\u2019d like to do them all at once, but it\u2019s not going to happen that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
A technicality prevented New Jersey from getting funding for work caused by the same storms that impacted Delaware and New York, which both received federal funds, but that has since been cleared up, Telle said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how we\u2019re going to lock this money for New Jersey,\u201d he said, adding Van Drew had solved the problem at issue.<\/p>\n
Long-term, Telle said Van Drew had identified a lapse in how the Army Corps handles navigational dredging that could and should change how beach replenishment is conducted.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany times, the (dredge) material that comes from the bottom can be used to renourish beaches, and to the degree that we\u2019re doing more dredging, opening up our economy for global commerce, there\u2019s a great side benefit of that activity, which is beach renourishment,\u201d Telle said.<\/p>\n
Van Drew also talked about hot spot erosion and solving that problem. In December 2024, Congressman Frank Pallone and Van Drew announced the inclusion of their New Jersey Shore Hot Spot Erosion Mitigation Study in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024.<\/p>\n
Protecting more than 100 miles of the state\u2019s coastline, which tallies about $100 billion in property and accounts for tens of thousands of jobs, is the focus of the study. Without it, hot spot erosion will continue to sink any investment in shore projection by undermining the projects.\u00a0That type of erosion happens when currents collide with geography, focusing wave action and energy on a narrow area of beach.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under the study, the Army Corps of Engineers will identify areas most prone to that type of erosion, assess their impact on existing federal shore protection projects and recommend solutions tailored to sustain project effectiveness in the long term.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we\u2019re looking at that to see if there are better ways to deal with that,\u201d Van Drew said, adding one thing he always hears about beach replenishment is \u201cyou put sand down one year, and it seems like a year later it\u2019s all gone. We want to study that. We\u2019re looking at doing things like that. In some areas, not everywhere and not all the time, a permanent structure may be called for.\u201d<\/p>\n
The congressman said beach nourishment solutions should be undertaken on a project-specific basis, as opposed to the blanket solutions currently in play.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes a permanent structure can be harmful; sometimes it can be good. We need to look into that more,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cLong-term, we want to do this in a better way. That doesn\u2019t mean less, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
A change in how things are done is exactly what some have been calling to happen for sometime.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can and should learn from our mistakes. The time for change is here. Enough is enough,\u201d Ross Kushner, New Jersey Coastal Alliance coordinator, said ahead of Van Drew\u2019s press event in Ocean City. \u201cThe slap-dash beach projects of the Army Corps have given us sinkholes that have killed people, sand cliffs as high as 15 feet, dangerous shore-break waves, severe undertow, increased rip currents and devastation of coastal fish and wildlife. Our beaches have never been worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the 2025 review by the NJDEP showed the greatest erosion this past fall occurred on beaches that were all replenished in the last two years.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoincidence? Hardly,\u201d Kushner said, noting reports of rescues and drownings are also now frequent, mostly on recently replenished beaches. \u201cThere are other techniques producing more-natural beaches with shallow slopes and rebuilt sand bars that are used worldwide with great results. One was even tested by the Army Corps in Harvey Cedars just a few years ago. This would give us safer, more natural and longer-lasting beaches.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Van Drew, along with Congressman Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.), introduced the Coastal Trust Fund Act last week. If approved, the act would establish a reliable and long-term funding source for coastal protection work across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a big deal, not just for New Jersey, but for the whole country,\u201d Van Drew said in a statement. \u201cThe American coastal economy contributes to 46% of national GDP, but too often the government does not deliver coastal protection until after a disaster strikes.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Friday, he called the current funding formula a roller-coaster ride and said a permanent, reliable source of funding is key.<\/p>\n
The proposed legislation aims to change the status quo with the investment of $1 billion annually on coastal storm management projects, with the funds coming from offshore energy lease revenues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe earned a budget-neutral score from the Congressional Budget Office, meaning no new taxes or fees on anybody,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Coastal experts from around the country collaborated on developing the bill, Van Drew said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is one of the most serious efforts in history to protect the coastlines of the United States,\u201d he added, thanking Gillen and coastal communities for supporting the effort.<\/p>\n
Gillen, a lifelong Long Islander, said she has witnessed firsthand how hurricanes, severe storms and erosion can devastate coastal communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it is critical that we act now to strengthen our coastal resilience by investing in proactive, long-term solutions,\u201d she said. \u201cWe must secure dedicated funding for projects that protect our waterfront communities and preserve our shoreline.\u201d<\/p>\n
The bill is garnering support from across the country, and from a variety of different industries, including the specialized maritime sector of dredging.<\/p>\n
\u201cA dedicated funding stream for the Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 coastal storm risk management projects strengthens our nation\u2019s resilience, protects lives and property and safeguards the ports and waterways that power the American economy,\u201d said William P. Doyle, chief executive officer of Dredging Contractors of America.<\/p>\n
He said reliable funding permits coastal communities, the Army Corps and industries to strategically plan and maintain critical infrastructure while also ensuring marine navigation continues to be secure and operational.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoastal protection is not just an environmental priority; it is an economic and national-security imperative,\u201d Doyle added.<\/p>\n
To that end, Derek Brockbank, executive director of the Coastal States Organization, said beaches not only play a key role in resiliency, but also drive tourism and other economic activity for states and local communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all benefit (from beach replenishment) whether we live here or in Montana,\u201d Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian said last week.<\/p>\n
Nicole Elko, executive director of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, called the new bill \u201cbold,\u201d saying it \u201cwill transform how our nation funds coastal risk management.\u201d<\/p>\n
Perhaps, the first group to benefit from a permanent funding source is local public works employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic works professionals are on the front lines before, during and after disasters, and dedicated support for federally authorized coastal storm risk management projects will help protect lives, safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure communities can recover faster when storms strike,\u201d said Scott D. Grayson, chief executive officer of the American Public Works Association.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Gina G. Scala<\/p>\n