New Jersey Legal Dispute Over Sand Dunes Settled For $1

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey officials say a lengthy legal dispute between a town and an elderly couple who complained that a protective sand dune blocked their ocean views has been settled for $1.

Officials say the payment is compensation for an easement obtained by Harvey Cedars for its construction of the dune.

Harvey and Phyllis Karan went to court after they had rejected the town's offer of $300 in compensation for their lost views. A jury awarded them $375,000.

The state Supreme Court in July overturned the award and faulted the lower court for not allowing jurors to consider the dune's benefits in calculating property value.

The state says the settlement has far-reaching implications for efforts to fortify the coastline.

A law enacted after Superstorm Sandy aims to guide future disputes.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)