AVALON – Noting that recent storms had eroded the north end beaches, Business Administrator Scott Wahl told the Borough Council that the town would need to conduct a back-passing project next spring to prepare for the summer season.
Wahl said the results of a beach survey by Stockton University’s Marine Center showed ample amounts of sand had collected at the borough’s middle beach areas, where there is an approved sand borrow area around 34th Street.
In a back-passing effort, sand is harvested at the borrow area and transported using large trucks to the eroded north end beaches.
Speaking at the council’s Oct. 23 meeting, Wahl said the borough is starting the process earlier than it has in the past in order to give the contractor added time to secure the necessary permits. Borough Engineer Tom Thornton said the intent is to have work commence in March.
With the extra time afforded by an early start, the administrator said, the borough may have the contractor work evenings only to free the beaches for daytime use. Evening work in the past has never resulted in citizen complaints, he added.
Avalon has frequently used back-passing as a means of redistributing sand from mid-borough beaches to its erosion-prone north end in years between federally sponsored hydraulic beach replenishments. The work was often done by the Public Works Department, until the heavy equipment required became more difficult to secure on a short-term rental basis.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
