Some environmental groups, however, opposed the measure, criticizing beach replenishment as artificial and ineffective over the long-term. Pro-business groups including the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and the state Chamber of Commerce also endorsed the bill. “We can anticipate higher temperatures, rising seas, bigger storms.” “Out state’s coastline is the first line of defense from devastating storms,” said Margot Walsh, the group’s executive director. The Jersey Shore Partnership, which advocates for beach replenishment programs as crucial to protecting the state’s tourism industry, as well as lives and property, praised the proposed increase. The bill approved by the Senate committee would double that amount, to $50 million a year. The realty transfer fee is imposed on the recording of deeds transferring real property, and is calculated on the basis of the amount paid in the deed.įor over a decade, $25 million from those fees was dedicated to the shore fund, which is used for projects like the state’s share of beach replenishment or dune construction. Money from New Jersey’s Shore Protection Fund comes from the collection of real estate transfer fees. The cost of beach work is shared by the federal, state and local governments. The Army Corps did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Then who is responsible? We need help before it is too late.” Plus, the dunes could collapse, some are so precarious. If someone were to fall now, they could be seriously hurt or killed. We can’t make our beaches safe right now with 18-feet cliff-like drops throughout. “As a small town, we can’t afford to correct the Army Corp’s dune. “Bay Head beaches were destroyed as a result of Winter Storm Orlena,” he said. Army Corps of Engineers, which builds and maintains beach and dune projects, said damage from those storms does not appear to be enough to qualify for emergency rebuilding aid.īill Curtis, mayor of Bay Head, whose beaches sustained major damage last month, called that decision “ludicrous.” The bill actually was introduced over a year ago but had been languishing in the state Legislature before being advanced Thursday by a state Senate committee.īut three storms last month that caused serious to severe erosion in numerous parts of the Jersey Shore has given the measure new relevance. (AP) - With a string of February storms having taken big chunks out of many Jersey Shore beaches, New Jersey is considering doubling the amount of money it allocates to shore protection projects each year to $50 million.
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