Beach Fill Project Explained to Council

SEA ISLE CITY – City Council heard briefings by principals of the long-awaited beach fill project April 28. They were from N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers and lead contractor, Great Lakes Dredging & Dock Co.
The project which encompasses beach fill along Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsend’s Inlet will affect Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City for an overall cost of $57.6 million.
The project is totally funded by the federal government and is linked to funds approved by Congress reflecting the severity of damage those communities suffered from Superstorm Sandy.
The project provides a protective beach and dune strategy in southern Ocean City and all of Ludlum Island, on which Sea Isle City and Strathmere are located.
The rationale for this mammoth undertaking is that these areas are “regionally important and economically vital coast communities that serve as a destination for tourism and recreation. The health and productivity of a coastal community and its beachfront are linked,” per Army Corps of Engineers’ website.
“I know why everyone is here,” said DEP project manager Chris Constantino, speaking to a crowded meeting room, “and that is to learn the schedule of what’s going to happen.”
Constantino described the whereabouts of the pipeline Dredge Illinois that will be doing the city’s project as still in Norfolk, Va. because of repairs. It is expected to arrive to that area “next week.”
Corps of Engineers project manager Dwight Pakan said, “This will cause the timetable to slip a bit but we do expect that the project will commence soon. We update our website www.nap.usace.army.mil/get every other day on all matters pertaining to the project, especially scheduling so please check our site for the latest and most accurate information,” he advised.
“We have factored in delays from normal weather and repair, if we hit bad weather that will affect the timetable although we would still expect to be finished around the stated completion autumn timeframe,” he said. Rule of thumb project progression is about a block a day completed as refill makes its way along the beach.
Other details as described by Constantino include that the project will be done in tranches of 1,000 feet so that no area of beach will be affected at any one time beyond that scope. The main goal per the presentation is mitigation and minimization of potential disruption especially to endangered species and the use and enjoyment of the community’s beaches.
Continuing the detailed background of the project, Pakan noted that “borrow areas” will be a territory termed “L-3” which is off shore by about two miles. Planned renourishment and periodic replenishment that will be needed every five years after the project is completed will come from a territory termed “C-1” or more familiarly the Corson’s Inlet area.
Samples of sand that already have been tested are “of good quality” according to Pakan and the refill work will require about 5 million cubic yards of sand.
Future replenishment and nourishment after completion of the federally-funded project will be at a cost of 75 percent – 25 percent with the higher proportion paid by the state and the lower percentage paid by the municipality.
“The community will see a lot of what we term ‘yellow equipment’ which are all manner of excavators, dump trucks and other construction vehicles as the project progresses,” said Constantino. “I expect we will also see a number of ‘sidewalk supervisors,’ members of the community who will be paying close attention to the project and we’ll have signs posted with information as well as of course on our website,” he said with a smile.
During the slide presentation, Constantino showed a picture of a structural vibration monitoring device that will be used to measure potential vibrational differences because of the project. “We will use the results of this monitoring to gauge the vibrations caused by the refill and they will be useful to inform any homeowner who might have concerns about vibrations affecting their structures.”
SIC School Budget Presentation
“We have 141 school-age children in Sea Isle City and 100 are in Ocean City schools as we are a sending district,” said Dan Tumolo, president of the city school board opening his presentation. “We are extremely fortunate to have the Ocean City School District as our receiving district since they are at the top of everyone’s list even nationally as one of the best school districts anywhere.”
Tumolo explained that although Ocean City has increased tuition by about $200,000 for the contingent of city students, the school board has maintained a tuition reserve of $300,000 which it has not tapped for several years and now will do so for this purpose. As a result, taxes will be maintained at their present level, that is no tax increase.
Two Ordinances Passed
Council passed upon second reading and public hearing an ordinance to amend its general ordinance on licensing related to taxis and other vehicles ordered over the Internet, such as Uber and Lyft.
Council also passed upon second reading and public hearing another ordinance to regulate the speed limit on Venicean Road and Pleasure Avenue with the ordinance also making Pleasure Avenue a one-way traffic street.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.