Strathmere Bulkhead Height Debated

STRATHMERE – The upstairs meeting room of the Strathmere Volunteer Firehouse was standing-room-only Sept. 15. Dozens of residents and property owners gathered to hear the latest information as to Upper Township’s plans regarding bulkhead height. 
This meeting was the second exchange as to the varying perspectives Strathmere, the seaside section of Upper Township, wants to be taken into consideration for any change from the current seven feet mandatory bulkhead level.
The first town hall held June 30 was prompted by the significant sand drop-offs or scarping in certain locations as well as persistent beach erosion and flooding at the north end of Strathmere.
Mayor Richard Palombo opened the meeting by stressing that nothing had been decided and that the township was pursuing all opportunities to gather input.
“There are some bulkheads in Strathmere that, for whatever reason, are not compliant with NJDEP (Department of Environment Protection) regulations so as significant renovations are done, bulkheads deteriorate, or new properties are constructed the seven-feet level currently mandated by municipal ordinance will be enforced.
“We’ve applied for a grant with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that is matching $50,000 funding to embark on a study that would help us figure out what bulkhead level is most appropriate. We also are working with the Coastal Coalition of New Jersey for a potential FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) partnership that would look at beach replenishment options,” Palombo said.
Dr. Stewart Farrell, director of Stockton University’s Coastal Research Center, noted, “Last year Stone Harbor went to eight-feet bulkheads with those non-compliant having five years to remedy. The inconsistent elevations there and throughout the barrier islands on bulkhead height is an issue.
“Avalon is using natural shoreline and resources such as thick reeds rather than bulkheads. We’re always seeking to research if there is something better we can or should be doing. And there is no doubt there are many unanswered questions.”
Farrell then forecast, based on NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) models that by 2100 the county’s barrier islands would be underwater due to climate warming and that the only issue at that point would be “Who can I sell to?”
Township Engineer Paul Dietrich explained more about the township grant application with the Fish and Wildlife Service: “If we were lucky enough to be awarded this grant it’s for planning purposes only. I was on the (frequently asked questions) webinar with them, and there were over 1,000 people also joining this call. So, obviously it’s a very competitive grant. The Coastal Coalition partnership could be quite helpful though. The township already has put in some new bulkheads, such as the eight-foot one at the playground and we’re planning on a few streets that are most impacted.”
Palombo added, “We’re always considering do we plan for ‘normal’ storms or that once-every-century storm? In reality, even at eight feet, a bulkhead won’t solve the flooding that comes from a stalled storm such as Florence this week or the ’62 storm here where many high tides occurred during these storms.”
Strathmere resident Ted Kingston queried, “What should a property owner do?”
Farrell replied, “The Stone Harbor model is not appropriate for Strathmere because there they currently have a very large and drastic range of bulkheads, some as low as less than three feet. There’s also the possibility of constructing portable gates which are dropped into place whenever there is a surge. In North Wildwood they’ve built a rock wall which has proved effective.
“Some think that especially at the northeast portions of each inlet along the Jersey Shore we should be constructing dikes like in the Zuiderzee in the Netherlands. Each of these would cost upwards of three-quarters of a billion dollars so that probably is not realistic.”
A resident asked why rock jetties could not be constructed for Strathmere. Farrell’s reply was “Anything that would change the flow of sand into Corson’s Inlet State Park, such as a rock jetty, would be strongly and negatively reacted to by state park personnel.”
Palombo summed up by saying, “We want to be fair to all property owners. Those who live along Bayview Avenue would have to bear the brunt of the cost of any new bulkhead ordinance to benefit the rest of Strathmere. We could help with a municipal bond, but they’d still need to reimburse Upper. In the end, all of this is a question of money.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.