Crest to Speed Beach Repair

WILDWOOD CREST ─ “I think the public will agree with me,” Mayor Don Cabrera said March 12, referring to an “aggressive” stance taken by Wildwood Crest Borough Commissioners.
As Five Mile Island and Lower Township await the Army Corps of Engineers’ dune installment, Cabrera said the Crest will move forward with a Back Beach Sand Fill Project in 2019.
Commissioners passed a resolution March 6, authorizing a professional services contract with Mott MacDonald for coastal engineering services regarding the project. However, until “specifications” are given by the coastal engineer, the sand fill cannot go out to bid. Cabrera told the Herald March 12 that the project would go out to bid as soon as the specifications are received.
Cabrera described the project as “aggressive,” based on the timing and execution. The mayor hopes to begin and finish before Memorial Day Weekend; yet, if the weather “turns,” then June is the completion target.
Filling in the back portions of the beaches will help reduce “ponding” and flooding along the beach. In order to elevate the problematic areas, sand will be filled.
Cabrera said the state Department of Environmental Protection showed interest in reimbursing the borough for the project. Thus the burden of payment may not entirely rest on borough residents.
When does Cabrera expect the Army Corps to begin the long-anticipated dune installation?
According to Cabrera, Army Corps officials said the earliest may be 2021 or 2023. Unlike Crest beaches, several portions of Lower Township’s beaches and Wildwood’s are privately owned, according to Cabrera.
“We (Crest) are expediting,” Cabrera said. The mayor added that he will not wait two or four years to address beach-flooding issues.
“I think the public will agree with me,” Cabrera said.
The proposed Army Corps dune plan is submitted to each municipality involved, allowing administrations and the public to give feedback. 
The following is a response from the Army Corps of Engineers: “The earliest we anticipate awarding a contract for the Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet project is October 2020, however the real estate acquisition process has the potential to push that award date beyond October 2020 due to the lengthy coordination.  
“NJDEP (the non-federal sponsor) and the Army Corps are developing the final acquisition plan and are actively engaging with the municipalities on the progress of this real estate plan as well as the final design elements of the project.  
“Once a contract is awarded and notice to proceed is issued, the physical construction of the project is estimated to take eight months.”
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.