Cove Beach Erosion Update Feb of 2024

Over the last several months, Brigantine has experienced a series of strong coastal storms that have significantly eroded the beach along the inlet side of Brigantine’s South End Jetty.  

We have lost more than 900 feet of beach and city council is very concerned that the ongoing erosion could potentially damage the homes and city infrastructure in that area.

The loss of the beach has created a situation where the waves are now crashing over the Jetty, on a regular basis into the backyards of the homeowners who live along the Jetty.

The City is also concerned that the loss of beach could impact 4 X 4 access during the peak summer months.  With more than 900 feet of beach gone, there will be limited space for vehicles on the beach and the police may need to restrict access from time to time due to overcrowding.

The Brigantine Beach Fee office is working to make sure the public is aware of this situation before anyone purchases a 4 X 4 permit.  

They have posted signs and have included the potential for limited access on the paperwork that must be signed at the time of purchase.

The City is in the beginning stages of gathering the necessary resources and information in order to develop a plan to properly address the situation.

Recently, Mayor Sera and other city officials met with Dr. Steward Farrell, a retired Stockton professor and renowned expert with more than 50 years experience studying and managing Brigantine’s beach.

Dr. Farrell did an informal analysis of the area in order to provide the City with a few possible reasons for the erosion.  He also provided the City with a history of the cycle of erosion that has been going on in that area dating back to the 1970s.

Based on Dr. Farrell’s recommendations, it was apparent that the City needed to request assistance from State and Federal agencies.  The City is currently working with Congressman Van Drew’s office and the Army Corps of Engineers to address the situation.

At the request of Congressman Van Drew, the Army Corps has agreed to conduct a federal interest determination to see if there is a connection attributable to any navigation or dredging work that was performed in the area that might be causing the significant beach erosion.  

Van Drew also asked the Army Corp to take a look at the structure of Brigantine’s South End Jetty to see if any improvements or repairs are needed. 

Dr. Farrell did an informal assessment of the Jetty and believes that some settling and spreading of the jetty rocks may have occurred causing the Jetty to no longer be at the proper height.

The City will work with Congressman Van Drew and the Army Corps to develop a comprehensive plan that will address the erosion and best protect the homes and city infrastructure along the Cove Beach.

Additionally, the City just awarded a contract, at the February 7th city council meeting, for the design and construction management for the replacement of the bulkhead at the Pepper Cove street end.  

The bulkhead was damaged during a storm in 2023.  The Department of Public Works has made temporary repairs to prevent further damage.