Against Proposed Beach Access Plan

To the Editor: 
I am deeply troubled by the continued efforts of the township to “oceanize” the Bayfront beaches.  The current proposal to widen all the access paths to 8 feet, lay down compacted gravel and put up split rail fences seems a terrible waste of township money and resources. 
Widening the paths will cut into the dunes disturbing the balance of the delicate ecosystem. By reducing nesting and feeding areas, you would be limiting the number of shore birds, butterflies and other creatures which migrate through our area. Additionally, this will add to sand blowing up onto the road and into the yards of Bayfront residents. Widening the paths also leaves the dunes vulnerable to the winter wind and high tides which are already washing up the existing, narrow paths. The first big winter storm will force tides up the wider paths and wash away any material along with the sand underneath. Wider paths also open up the potential for ATVs and personal watercraft to be launched from our bay beaches.  Since this is against township ordinances, who will be monitoring this on the weekends to make sure this doesn’t happen? We’ve already seen large truck tracks on the beach off of Lincoln Blvd.  The average ATV is between 50-53 inches wide. The average jet ski/wave runner on a trailer is about 55 inches wide. I cannot imagine that a fire truck or ambulance would ever venture onto the beach – why are we considering 8-foot-wide paths when a maximum of 2-3 feet will provide adequate access? Basket stretchers are used on most beaches to transport injured or ill individuals.
Split rail fences won’t last past the first winter storm either and certainly won’t keep people off the dunes.  They are easy to climb and the beachgoers I have witnessed over the last decade have no regard for fences.  I’ve watched people walk up into the dunes and use them as a bathroom. I’ve also seen people walk into neighbor’s yards to use their bushes as a bathroom or to “borrow” their hose to clean off their beach gear. We need to be building up the dunes with drift fences and/or the use of old Christmas trees as other towns do.  Current high tide is up to the edge of the dunes which leaves very little beach for visitors. It will cost a phenomenal amount of money to maintain this proposed plan year after year.
People come to our beach because it is free.  They don’t pay to park their SUVs, they don’t pay to go on the beach. They do not spend money in our stores. Why do we want to entice them with wider paths?  What is the benefit to the township?
Wouldn’t our resources be better used by fixing the road and ensuring the existing sidewalk on the east side of the road is properly maintained? Or designing programs for at-risk teens and children, helping seniors who are homebound? I can only speculate that this latest plan hatched by Hatch Mott McDonald is a precursor to bringing back the proposal of a sidewalk on the west side of the street and eventually, the entertainment peer. Residents firmly told you this was not wanted in May 2014. Nothing has changed since then.
We live here because it is quiet, peaceful and naturally beautiful. My family has been here since 1946 and I have lived at least part of every year here since 1959. Please don’t destroy the last piece of Lower Township that is purely natural. Please don’t pave paradise to attract tourists who are only here a few months of the year at the expense of those of us who enjoy the natural beauty all year round and pay the high beachfront taxes which support the township.
The author sent a copy of this letter to Lower Township Council.