More than 1.1 million cubic yards of beach sand will be restored to the beaches in Deal, Allenhurst, and Loch Arbour by the Army Corps of Engineers beginning in November.
Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. announced the federal investment in the project is $16.9 million, which is 65 percent of the cost, which also includes an option for renourishment in the Elberon section of Long Branch.
A combination of state and local funds will make up the remaining cost. The Army Corps will continue to survey the coast along the Atlantic Ocean in Monmouth County to identify areas for possible beach replenishment in the future.
“Beach replenishment is critical to our beaches and communities along the Jersey Shore,” Pallone said. “After Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey nearly nine years ago, coastal restoration projects like beach replenishment ensured that our beaches would remain resilient to bad weather events. I would like to thank the Army Corps of Engineers for their continued dedication to this important project in our state. Beach replenishment will make sure our beautiful beaches will remain safe and enjoyable for residents and tourists for years to come.”
In preparation for this project, Pallone worked with the Army Corps and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan to allow for the timely distribution of sand. The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of March if there are no weather or mechanical delays.
Pallone has been a longtime advocate for beach replenishment along the Jersey Shore. Following Superstorm Sandy, Congressman Pallone requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency allocate emergency funding to address the immediate needs of impacted homeowners and businesses, as well as, repair breached dunes, and damaged beaches to protect New Jersey’s coastal areas from future flooding. As a result, the beaches from Sea Bright to Manasquan were filled, which was the largest beach replenishment project ever undertaken by the Army Corps. In 2015, the areas from southern Deal to Loch Arbour were filled. In 2019, Pallone announced beach replenishment projects in Long Branch, Sea Bright, and Monmouth Beach. In 2020, he secured additional replenishment projects in these towns. Beach replenishment projects are repeated every six years on average.
