VILLAS – As the saying goes, “money talks.” Although there are many facets and considerations to the proposed Hereford’s Inlet-to-Cape May Inlet “dune project,” the economic costs and benefits of the proposed dune project were featured at Lower Township Planning Board’s meeting March 20.
Christopher Constantino, environmental services specialist for the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection told the board that costs of the project will be apportioned according to a formula that commits the federal government to fund 65 percent, while the state and the participating municipalities would jointly fund the remaining 35 percent.
This formula further breaks down the state/municipal portion (35 percent) described above to a 75 percent to 25 percent split of that 35 percent share, with the state funding 75 percent and municipalities funding 25 percent.
According to Constantino, that means municipal governments will actually pay approximately 8.75 percent of the total cost of the project. The initial project construction cost of the proposal is estimated to be $21.9 million.
Constantino further added that if the currently proposed dune project had been in place before Hurricane Sandy, the estimated Sandy-related coastal damage of approximately $170 million would have been reduced to $10 to $15 million.
He based that analysis on a study by the Army Corps of Engineers which calculated Sandy damage costs based solely on the beach and beachfront properties.
Constantino also stated that the proposed dune project will save the participating communities additional beach maintenance costs. He explained that the accretion, and build up of sand in the southern beach communities has caused millions of dollars of maintenance costs because beach drainage pipes become clogged with the excess sand and the sand buildup requires pipes to be cleaned and lengthened to keep them open.
Those costs will be dramatically reduced because the excess sand will be relocated northward where it is needed, and reduce the need for constant maintenance on the southern end.
Constantino summarized the construction project by explaining that the project will create or incorporate existing dunes from Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet so that a 16-foot dune, reinforced with natural grasses, will exist to significantly reduce future storm damage.
Constantino said that concept has been planned for about 12 years, but Sandy expedited the process to this point.
He also explained that the 16-foot height of the dune does not mean that 16-feet will be automatically added to the height of existing dunes; he clarified that whatever system of dunes already exists will be incorporated into the 16-foot high plan to reduce construction costs and ensure the aesthetics and views are considered as much as is practical. He stated that “inevitable blockages in some areas may occur”.
He further related although there has been discussion about lowering the proposed 16-foot height to 12- feet, that “lowering the dune to 12 feet would double the costs of future storm damage remediation.”
He added that they “kept aesthetics in mind” when the project was being developed with respect resident’s concerns about ocean views and property values. He said easements had yet to be obtained from property owners, saying “we are working on that” to address concerns about property values, rights of way and any potential compensation to home owners as the process continues.
According to Constantino, the sand relocation concept of this project will avoid the need for constantly dredging more sand to the northern beaches; “we’re not just digging another hole offshore here,” he said. He explained that to repeatedly dredge for sand to restore northern beaches would just result in that dredged sand migrating right back to the southern beaches again.
Board member Fred Long asked Constantino if the proposed project would address the significant problem of back bay flooding on the barrier island. Constantino indicated that the project does not address that issue. He added that he agrees that the back bay issue is extremely important and he plans to include a position paper on that issue with the final report which is due in July. “This is a huge issue” …and another problem that must be faced” he concluded.
According to Constantino, public hearings have been held throughout the affected areas; the initial 45- day period of public comment had also been extended to 60 days. Although that extended period has recently expired, his office stands ready to respond to any community concerns.
“There was a lot of time and effort put into the study and I feel the prescribed project balances out the value of shore protection as well as local interests”. He further added that he believes that the economic analysis of the concept represent “a compelling” reason to proceed with this project.
The planning board voted to recommend that Lower Township participate in the project and referred that action to Lower Township Council for legislative action pending council approval.
To contact McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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