The Coaster
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Neptune

Neptune Tables Plan to Install Bulkhead Along Shark River

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
May 24, 2017
in Neptune
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter

 

Coaster File Photo - A bulkhead has been proposed along Shark River in Neptune.
Coaster File Photo – A bulkhead has been proposed along Shark River in Neptune.

By DON STINE

An ordinance putting funding in place for a $1.2 million project to install a bulkhead along sections of the Shark River in the Shark River Hills area was tabled by the Neptune Township Committee this week.

The ordinance would have approved accepting an $835,529 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to pay for much of the project, with the remaining $346,245 funded through a bond ordinance.

The public hearing was on Monday and area residents, including members of the Shark River Cleanup Coalition, said a bulkhead along S. Riverside Drive would change the aesthetics and biology of the shoreline. Many said they use the area for boating, fishing and walking dogs and that a bulkhead would interfere with all of that.

Others said that bulkheads are outdated concepts that can have a negative impact on the river’s ecosystem.

Resident Kira Lang said many residents would like to see the river’s shoreline restored to what is was a longtime ago before bulkheads.

“The tide will not be held back by walls. Flooding will always happen and water will always find a path,” she said.

She called the bulkhead plan “a short-sighted solution to a long-term concern.”

Many residents said they would like to see a living shoreline created instead of bulkheads.

A “living shoreline” is a term used to define a number of shoreline protection options that allow for natural coastal processes through the strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural and organic materials.

“If anything other than a living shoreline is considered, then I do not approve of the project,” resident Stephanie Sayers said.

Township Business Administrator Vito D. Gadaleta said previously that a proposal to create a living shoreline was submitted to state Department of Environmental Protect (DEP) officials but that the agency turned it down. He said state officials are concerned about storm damage to nearby roads and sewer systems.

He said protecting private property is part of the plan but that protecting the township’s infrastructure, such as storm and sanitary drains and lines and roadways, are also a priority.

“Our public infrastructure continues to erode,” he said.

Resident Bill Burdge said he disagrees with many people voicing concerns against the bulkhead, pointing out that if, or when, S. Riverside Drive is one day washed away, they may regret it.

“We need a bulkhead now,” he said.

Township officials said that the current ordinance is to just provide the funding only and that no consultant or formal designs have been put in place.

“I am seeing valid concerns here but cannot respond to them because it is still too premature. Accepting the grant doesn’t mean we are going to build a wall. We are going to get different opinions and have a professional come up with what is best for Neptune,” Mayor Michael Brantley said.

Township officials said that the plan may include a mixture of bulkheads and a living shoreline.

After lengthy debate on the issue, the governing body decided to table the ordinance and have another public meeting on the matter. Township officials said they probably have about 60 to 90 days to make a decision if they will accept the grant money.

“I am hoping we can use the Shark River Hills fire department for the meeting and have it with the next 30 days,” Gadaleta said.

“We can reassess the grant if it is not what the township wants. There is the opportunity for public input throughout the entire process,” he said.

Related Posts

Ocean Grove Group Hosting Winter Social

Law Enforcement Seeks Public’s Help Following Fatal Crash in Neptune

January 30, 2023
Festive New Year in Neptune

Festive New Year in Neptune

January 25, 2023
neptune police car

Neptune Settles Lawsuit for $500,000 With Former Police Chief

January 25, 2023
neptune police car

Law Enforcement Seeks Community Help in 2019 Barbershop Murder

January 16, 2023
Neptune Class of ‘72 to Celebrate

Neptune Students Urged to Submit Works for Black History Program

January 10, 2023
neptune police car

Neptune Homicide Under Investigation

January 9, 2023

Trending This Week

Developer ‘Cares Deeply About Boardwalk’ As Iconic Asbury Park Buildings Deteriorate

Developer ‘Cares Deeply About Boardwalk’ As Iconic Asbury Park Buildings Deteriorate

January 25, 2023
Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary Raised $58,000 for Projects

Pilot Parking Program is Topic Of Special Meeting in Ocean Grove

January 25, 2023
Disussions Continue to Preserve Asbury Park Historic Sites

Disussions Continue to Preserve Asbury Park Historic Sites

January 25, 2023
neptune police car

Neptune Settles Lawsuit for $500,000 With Former Police Chief

January 25, 2023

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.