Gov. Christie May Force Homeowners To Accept Beach-Protecting Sand Dunes
By Ian Bush
SHIP BOTTOM, N.J. (CBS) -- Sand dunes are credited with saving thousands of shore homes along the South Jersey shore from the worst of Hurricane Sandy's wrath. But some who live along the coast are blocking the government's plan to install more of them.
Andy's home in Ship Bottom weathered the big October storm.
"No water in the house, some siding off," he notes, along with "a lot of tools and storage stuff spread all over the backyard."
But some of his neighbors to the north and south weren't so lucky. Still, Andy (no last name given) opposes plans to build dunes and widen and strengthen the shoreline.
"They did Harvey Cedars for two years, and before the storm came, you walked to the top of those dunes, it dropped 10 feet straight down," he recalls. "You just can't put a beach where it's not meant to be."
Before starting their work, the US Army Corps of Engineers needs permission from all oceanfront homeowners whose view would be blocked or their property values otherwise affected by the sand.
But now, Governor Chris Christie has said, he may force the holdouts to give in.
