New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill recently wrote a letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers requesting expedited emergency federal assistance for NJ coastal communities following September’s nor’easter.
The nor’easter storm caused several New Jersey communities to experience moderate to major beach erosion, according to a post-storm assessment by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Beach erosion and sand depletion has left coastlines vulnerable to future storms, requiring urgent restoration to protect communities throughout hurricane season and the approaching winter storm season that is anticipated to be stronger than usual.
This request is a direct result of the American Coastal Coalition’s letter urging Governor Sherrill to submit a request to the Corps for rehabilitation assistance under Public Law 84-9, which enables beaches and other coastal assets to be rebuilt at 100% federal expense.
Gov. Sherrill specifically requested support for eight Coastal Storm Risk Management Project areas:
- Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey, Sections I and II Beach Erosion Control Project, Sea Bright to Manasquan
- Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Absecon Island, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
- Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet, Long Beach Island, New Jersey Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project
- Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Brigantine Island, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
- Great Egg Harbor Inlet and Pecks Beach, Ocean City Coastal Storm Risk Management
- Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsend Inlet, New Jersey Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project
- Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet, Coastal Storm Risk Management Project