WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd) announced on Dec. 18 that Congress is set to approve a spending bill containing $14.24-million in federal funding for local beach replenishment and construction projects in New Jersey’s Second District. The final vote will occur later this week,
“This is certainly great news during this holiday season for many of our coastal communities, including Ocean City,” LoBiondo stated in a release.
“This funding represents a continued commitment by the federal government to enhance the economic strengths of southern New Jersey, and will continue to bolster the local economies of our coastal communities. I appreciate Sen. (Frank) Lautenberg’s leadership and will continue to work for additional funding for these critical projects,” he continued.
Within the massive appropriations bill is $2.8 million for beach renourishment in Ocean City.
Other local projects funded include:
• $4,785,000 for environmental restoration at The Lower Cape May Meadows project.
It is approximately 350 acres, containing the Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. The project is designed to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitats in the area, and to reduce hurricane and storm damage to the beaches;
• $4,779,000 for the Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet project – to finish initial construction of a sea wall in North Wildwood, and to study if the back-passing of sand in Stone Harbor and Avalon is feasible;
• $989,000 for the dredging of the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway;
• $877,000 for the ongoing construction of beach renourishment project in Atlantic City and Ventnor;
• $770,000 for the ongoing oyster revitalization project conducted by Rutgers University’s Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory in conjunction with the Delaware River Basin Commission.
The Delaware Bay project is rebuilding oyster reefs by using discarded shells to provide an inviting habitat for oyster larvae, thus improving their survival rates;
• $414,000 for the Cold Spring Inlet dredging project;
• $252,000 for the Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet project – to complete a feasibility study of a shore protection project for North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest;
• $245,000 for the Cape May Inlet to Lower Township project – to conduct ongoing monitoring of the shore protection project in Cape May;
• $133,000 for dredging of the Absecon Inlet;
• $123,000 for an ongoing study to determine the feasibility of sites for the beneficial reuse of dredged materials;
• $107,000 for the Alternative Long Term Nourishment study – to conduct a feasibility study on the long term management of New Jersey beach renourishment projects; and,
• $75,000 for the monitoring of beach erosion in Brigantine.
This funding is included in the House-Senate conference report for the remaining 11 of 12 annual appropriations that were combined this week in an omnibus package.
The House and Senate are expected to vote on the massive spending bill later this week, sending the measure to President Bush for his signature.
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
