Extended Four Days, Dredging Project Hits First Year Target

AVALON – Princeton Harbor dredging was to stop Dec. 31 due to environmental regulations that limit bay dredging to specific times of the year. At the last moment, the borough was able to get permit modifications to extend the project by four days.
That bit of extra time allowed Avalon to hit its target for the first year. The borough was able to complete Princeton Harbor, which Business Administrator Scott Wahl estimated represents about 40 percent of the material to be removed. All contracted private slip dredging in Princeton Harbor was also completed.
The borough’s contractor, Mobile Dredging and Dock Company, will return to the project Sept. 15, the next date when dredging is permitted. The first target in 2015 will be Sterbeck Harbor in Avalon Manor, Middle Township.
Sterbeck Harbor is part of the cost-sharing arrangement and partnership with that municipality. The hope is that there will still be time left before Dec. 31 for the contractor to return to finish Avalon’s dredging.
Wahl acknowledged it will be a challenge to get everything done in the small window of opportunity in 2015 and the project could spill over into 2016. “We knew it could be a three-year project,” Wahl said.
Beach Refill Next
Borough council heard a report from borough Engineer Thomas Thornton of Hatch Mott MacDonald concerning the projected need for sand beach fill especially in the north end of the resort. The project could involve anywhere from 700,000 to 300,000 cubic yards of sand.
To give some idea of the amount of sand involved, a typical swimming pool would hold about 40 cubic yards. Decision on the extent of the project will depend on the borough’s ability to secure state funding.
Avalon was the first municipality to get sand replenishment following Hurricane Sandy and is among the first to begin the refill process again. “Most of the sand from north-end beaches is now in the south end,” Wahl said.
The goal is to get the necessary funds and approvals and have a bid process completed by April. A single dredge can pump about 10,000 cubic yards in a day. Even if the project can begin on time, the sand replenishment will run right up against the start of the beach season.
Wahl acknowledged that one complication beyond funding will be securing a dredging contractor in that time frame. There is a great deal of competition for dredging work in the state and it is possible that a contractor will have to begin work later in the spring or early summer.
“In 2012, Stone Harbor was pumping sand on July 4 and no one complained,” Wahl noted. “They appreciated the effort” and they were willing to experience a bit of inconvenience for a short time. Everyone hopes that will not be the case in 2015, but the schedule depends on too many unknowns to be very precise at this time. The borough hopes to be able to start the bidding for a contractor in March.
Lottery to determine kayak storage
Council had the first reading of an ordinance that would establish an annual lottery for the purpose of distributing registration tags required for the storage of kayaks at a borough facility.
In recent years demand for spaces has far outstripped supply. The proposed lottery will give residents a chance to compete for a space. The duration of the permit tag would be for one season and winners and losers in any given year would compete again the following year.
The borough provides metal racks for storage of kayaks at a facility known as Kayak Park on the northwest corner of 57th Street. Kayaks stored at the facility without the proper tag can be impounded by the borough.
Residents seeking to participate in the lottery will be required to file a registration form. The lottery will take place in late March. One registration form will be drawn for each berth available until the spaces are all taken. Any vacancies that occur during the season will be filled from the waiting list.
It is expected that the ordinance will come up for final reading and approval at the Jan. 28 council meeting.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.