According to this article released on November 7, 2013 by the Sandpaper, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is proceeding with plans to complete beach replenishment for all of Long Beach Island.
The implication for those in most northern streets in Surf City is that they will finally have rebuilt dunes. Based on an inquiry to Surf City Councilman Peter Hartney — the point person for beach replenishment in the borough — he confirmed the following:
“As far as Surf City is concerned the last 3 or blocks that need to be completed will become part of the replenishment project when it begins in North Beach. At this time the last easement is in the process of being signed and then reviewed by the DEP so barring any delay Surf City will be positioned so that the replenishment can take place.”
As for the question of easements for the rest of LBI, here is the official statement:
“We will have the easements,” Larry Ragonese, press director for the DEP, said in regard to property access easements from a number of reluctant oceanfront property owners, a sticky issue that for several years has held up beach replenishment on most of LBI.
“When the Army Corps in the spring is ready to bring in their equipment and mobilize their gear, we will have all the easements. And we’re hoping to convince people to do it in a manner that would be something that would be for the public benefit,” Ragonese said. “But the governor has made it clear that we would take whatever steps are needed to obtain easements. So when the Army Corps is ready, we have to be ready for them – and we will.”
According to the Sandpaper: “The Army Corps is not responsible for obtaining the easements, but rather designing and overseeing the project using DEP guidelines. The Corps is preparing to launch a full-scale replenishment of LBI for those areas yet to receive it, said Corps spokesman Stephen Rochette.”
Rochestte is quoted as saying:
“We’re proceeding as if they’re getting the easements, and we’re working to update the design and complete the review as if we’re building the remainder of Long Beach Island – with the exception of Barnegat Light, because it’s not part of the authorized project, and of course, Forsythe (National Wildlife Refuge) and those areas,” he said.
Read the full Sandpaper article here.