STONE HARBOR – Stockton University’s Coastal Research Center (CRC) has completed its semi-annual review of Stone Harbor’s beaches following the spring replenishment project by the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The conclusion: “Over three-quarters of a million cubic yards of sand is now in place on Stone Harbor beaches and should provide a good measure of recreational benefit this summer and storm protection in the coming winter.”
At the July 18 borough council work session, Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour remarked on her sense that the wider beaches have seen no letup in the crowds since the July 4 weekend.
First Line of Defense
The CRC 20-page report contains numerous photographs showing the wider beaches that greeted this year’s visitors.
The seemingly never-ending battle with nature that has the USACE regularly replenishing county beaches was even more complex in the case of Stone Harbor this year.
Legal issues restricted the borrow zones for sand when the dredging was to be paid for with federal dollars.
The unusual process of sand acquisition saw long pipes at sea pumping sand onto the borough’s northern beaches from Townsend’s Inlet rather than the closer borrow zones in Hereford Inlet.
This maneuver allowed that portion of the process to be covered with federal funds. The southern beaches used Hereford Inlet sand, requiring an unexpected influx of funds from both the borough and the state to make up for federal monies that could not be used.
Still, with all the effort, a March storm transferred “substantial volumes of sand offshore,” according to the report.
The report stated that at 116th Street the March storm made such a difference that “it was difficult to detect clear evidence for the new work in the profiles.” This battle with nature can be seen in other areas as well.
Bulkhead Elevation
The meeting continued its discussion on potential changes to ordinances concerning bulkhead elevation.
Council member Ray Parzych has been steadfast in his push to have the borough take strong steps to prepare for inevitable sea level rise. Wetlands Institute Executive Director Lenore Tedesco has briefed the council on the science of rising seas.
Parzych has argued that communities on the shore need to put aside their differences on what is causing rising seas and concentrate on the steps that need to be taken to protect island towns.
Replenishment of the beaches and dunes is a critical step as is making the wetlands a better “natural sponge” as a barrier to inundations from the bay side. The borough has acknowledged a need to focus on upgrading drainage systems and pump stations as well.
Future Flooding?
Council’s discussions on bulkhead heights are a part of this broad response needed to deal with the likely threats of chronic flooding in the coming decades.
The two issues that are key in the bulkhead discussions are minimal heights for bulkheads and the triggers that would mandate that property owners raise existing bulkheads.
The problem is not the proposed new elevations for bulkheads where new homes are being constructed.
Changes to the ordinance requirements can be relatively easily accommodated in situations of new construction.
FEMA requirements on base elevations for homes and Community Rating System insurance discount incentives will complement new regulations on bulkheads.
The sticking point is with existing homes and bulkheads. The strategy being discussed is to have some trigger level for substantial home renovations that would then require that the bulkhead be brought up to new code levels.
These discussions are continuing at council work sessions. Interested property owners can hear the discussions either in person or on video.
The borough began video capture of council work sessions and regular meetings July 3.
According to Administrator Jill Gougher, the videos are posted on the council website by the Friday morning after the Tuesday afternoon meetings twice a month.
No decisions were made on the bulkhead issue, but the discussions continue on this issue of importance to all who live in the borough.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.
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