Dune Project Dogs Crest Commissioners

WILDWOOD CREST ─  “We’ve been waiting and waiting,” said Mayor Carl Groon Aug. 2 as he spoke of the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) and Army Corps of Engineers dune project still in the design phase.
Stretching the length of Five Mile Beach and into Cape May, the dune’s purpose is to protect the shoreline, reduce erosion and shield homes and properties during storms.
However, Groon believes both the borough and Wildwood “need to be looked at differently” than sister shore communities.
“Not all beaches are the same,” said Commissioner Joyce Gould in conjunction with Groon. “The state paints us as all the same.”
Questions have been raised to the borough governing body concerning the actual dune-line plan.
Resident David Thompson pointed out the recent ongoing dispute in Margate over the dune placement responsible for severe flooding between the dune and beach area.
According to Groon, a “recreational space” between the Crest’s dune portion and bulkhead is in the current plan. Groon also stated that the significant rainfall of July 28 “should give us pause.”
“What is your position?” Thompson inquired of Groon after suggesting the dune-line be moved closer to the bulkhead.
Groon replied that the original plan was to “create a recreational zone” between the dune and bulkhead. “We all have to talk,” Groon added, referring to Gould and Commissioner Don Cabrera.
“It’s a choice we have to make,” Groon said. He admitted he would like to keep the proposed recreational space.
“We are an island: we aren’t going to get rid of sand and water,” Groon said.
According to recent studies, the borough’s beach (south of Rambler Road) grows at least 50 feet per year, creating a different situation than where beach area is lost.
Borough Administrator Constance Mahon confirmed that these issues and more had been raised with DEP.
“We can have good conversations and find creative solutions,” said Mahon.
The present dune-line plan places a portion of dune directly over the borough’s outfall pipes.
“It’s an engineering issue,” Cabrera agreed. Cabrera believes a recreational space would better serve residents and guests. 
“We have to go back to work,” Groon concluded. Further discussions between the commissioners over the fate of the recreational space are expected.
As Groon added, the shape and flow of the dune-line project rest in the hand of the Army Corps of Engineers and the DEP.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.