NJ Erecting New and Improved Protective Dunes Along Long Beach Island
By David Madden
SHIP BOTTOM, N.J. (CBS) -- Work is now underway along Long Beach Island to repair and protect more of the South Jersey shoreline from another superstorm like Hurricane Sandy.
The US Army Corps of Engineers began work last month on a similar project, from Ocean City south. "This particular project is going to cover approximately about two thirds of (Long Beach) island," says NJ Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Hajna. "It's actually going to be a series of projects that will bring all of the beaches on Long Beach Island to Army Corps-engineered standards."
Hajna says it will take about a year and cost $120 million. The main part of the project will establish or shore up dunes in the area.
The island was severely damaged by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The work is part of a $1.2-billion appropriation by Congress to return the beaches to a better condition than they were in before the storm hit.
Hajna says about 50 out of 850 homeowners who need to sign easements permitting the work still have not done so. But they are all in Long Beach Township, where the work doesn't begin until June. He expects that issue to be addressed in short order -- either by agreement or legal intervention.
