WILDWOOD CREST – Borough Administrator Constance Mahon provided some project updates to residents at the Aug. 16 Borough Commission meeting regarding beach protection and avoiding the “ponding” problems that communities to the north in Atlantic County have been experiencing.
According to Mahon, the Crest and the Army Corps of Engineers are discussing minor occurrences of beach ponding that occurred recently here to ensure that there are no beach issues due to fresh water being trapped behind any dune that is constructed.
Gas Project Update
The South Jersey Gas project in Grid 1 (southern end) will be completed in October; anyone wishing to see the plans can visit the borough administrator’s office during normal business hours.
Kayak Launch Project
Mahon also reported that the Sunset Lake kayak project is proceeding; the old launch site is being converted to a fishing pier and observation deck, while the new kayak launch is being constructed at the parking lot area.
Mahon stated that the total cost of this project is estimated to be $150,000; the borough is seeking county or state funding for the project.
Tweak Language
The borough passed an ordinance that changes some language in the Borough Code to align the Borough’s legal definitions of various flood hazard conditions with the language used by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). For example, the definition of a “base flood” will now be “a flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.” The consistency of language for definitions will help the borough, and the state communicate more clearly when flooding or other coastal issues are discussed, and policies developed.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
