Cove Beach Erosion Update April of 2024

In a recent meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers, the City was notified that their previous short-term solution of placing sandbags along the Cove Beach along the South End Jetty, will no longer be considered as an option.  The Army Corps visited the site last week, and concluded that sandbags will not be considered as a viable solution to address the erosion issues. 

After further review, the Army Corps feels that sandbags would not hold up for more than a few days of getting hit by waves.  They’re also concerned that the thousands of sandbags required for this solution, would just end up in the water causing navigation issues in the Absecon inlet.

With the help of Congressman Jeff Van Drew and Senator Vince Polistina, the City will be working with the Army Corps and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to come up with another short-term solution, to slow the erosion and protect the homes and City infrastructure in that area of the island.

The City is doing everything in its power to push the Army Corps and NJDEP to offer an immediate, short-term solution.  We have requested for both the Army Corps and NJDEP, to visit the area first-hand.  We believe that an in-person visit to the site will demonstrate just how emergent this situation is.  

Although both agencies have seen videos and pictures of the erosion and the waves breaking in the backyards of the homeowners, we feel that these videos and pictures don’t fully illustrate the severity of this situation.  

Many of the homeowners have met with contractors, to begin the process of building bulkheads as a first line of protection.  

The City is working on a plan to ease the local municipal permitting process.  We have also asked Congressman Van Drew and Senator Polistina to request that the NJDEP expedite the state permitting process so that the homeowners can build the bulkheads and protect their homes as fast as possible.  

If the NJDEP is willing to expedite the process, we will provide direction on how to go about this, as soon as information becomes available.

As for a long-term solution, the Army Corps let us know that our best path forward is the Planning Assistance to States (PAS) program.  Under this program, the Army Corps will offer a team to review the erosion concerns and threat to properties along the inlet.  This review will help determine possible actions, and in-turn, provide long-term protections for homes and City infrastructure.

The City has requested to participate in the PAS program and we are waiting to hear back from the Army Corp on the next steps.  It is my understanding that participation in the program is required, in order to get the Army Corps and the NJDEP working together to develop solutions.

From our conversations with Congressman Van Drew’s staff, the Army Corps, and the NJDEP, I believe that all parties are working in good faith, to properly address this situation as fast as possible.  

We will provide more information as soon as it's available.