Crest Dunes Remain a Dream, They’ll Be 16 Feet Above Sea Level

WILDWOOD CREST ─ The words of Mayor Carl Groon, “We’ve (the borough) been waiting and waiting,” echo the sentiments of residents as the borough awaits final word from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the placement of the dunes. 
Stretching from Hereford Inlet in North Wildwood to this borough, the extensive dune system is designed to protect the Wildwoods from further beach erosion.
Conducted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Corps of Engineers, the project is pending, but a tentative plan is available.
The Herald saw the proposed plans Oct. 4 as Thomas Thornton and Steven Morey, engineers with Mott-MacDonald, explained points of the dune location and purpose.
According to Thornton, the dune was originally intended for North Wildwood but transitioned to include Wildwood and the borough. “Ancillary benefits” to the Crest include increased safety for beaches and holding back storm surge.
Thornton said the dune’s measurement would be 16 feet above sea level, not ground level.
Walkways will be strategically located for beach access as well as ramps that are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act access rules at five locations.
Ramps will measure nine feet wide, providing access for emergency vehicles and beach patrol. Rest areas will also exist.
According to the drawings, an 80-foot span will separate the dune and bulkhead.
Raising the beach may be necessary due to a conflict in measurements.
“In Wildwood Crest, it’s all about elevation,” said Morey in response to Commissioner Don Cabrera’s concerns about ponding.
If rain water or storm surge is trapped between the dune and bulkhead, ponding is a threat. However, neither Thornton or Morey anticipate ponding if the Army Corps elevates the beach. The elevation is a key to prevent flooding.
Will the borough’s existing outfall pipes bear the sand’s weight? Thornton said that the Army Corps had no plan to update pipes. Both engineers will advocate for the Army Corps to replace outdated pipes if necessary.
Borough Commission candidate David Thompson thanked the engineers. “I’m very pleased with 80 feet instead of 100,” said Thompson. Thompson inquired if the Crest would be allowed to plant vegetation on the dunes.
“There are other ways to deal with vegetation,” Mayor Carl Groon said. Planting vegetation provides increased dune stability and falls under beach maintenance in the borough’s Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) permit.
By installing the dune system, the Army Corps is entering a 50-year commitment with island municipalities. DEP has offered to assist the borough with its four-year replenishment plan.
2019 is the expected time of construction.
Questions concerning the borough’s bike path still linger, but engineers say the existing path is over the dune and is “heavily vegetated,” posing no threat.
North of Rambler Road, the bike path’s projected path is impacted. Neither Thornton nor Morey are “giving up” on the idea of extending the “area of disturbance” 16 feet for the path.
Groon assures residents that information will be shared as details continue to fall into place.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.