New Jersey requests Corps help for eight damaged coastal areas

New Jersey has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for expedited emergency assistance to repair eight coastal project areas damaged by the Sept. 23–27 nor’easter. The state Department of Environmental Protection announced the request on Oct. 16, saying Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration sought help under Public Law 84-99.

The state characterized the eight projects as significantly damaged and vulnerable to future failure without near-term repairs. That is the state’s assessment, not an independently established engineering conclusion.

Eight projects span two Corps districts

Seven requested project areas fall under the Corps’ Philadelphia District and one under its New York District. The New York District project, Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet, Sections I and II, runs from Sea Bright to Manasquan.

The seven Philadelphia District projects are Absecon Island; Long Beach Island; Brigantine Island; Great Egg Harbor Inlet and Peck Beach in Ocean City; Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsend Inlet; Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet; and Townsend Inlet to Cape May Inlet.

The request concerns those eight named Army Corps project areas. They are distinct from the erosion findings in DEP’s broader post-storm assessment, which News 12 reported examined more than 200 locations and identified 81 areas of concern.

Minor erosion accounted for the largest number of findings in that assessment. DEP described heavily sloped erosion, exposed groins and increased wave runup at affected locations. Those reported observations provide broader context for the request, but the 81 assessment areas are not an additional count of Corps projects.

State says beaches and dunes help protect coastal communities

DEP says beaches and dunes are intended to help protect coastal residents, homeowners, businesses and communities. Officials cited in the state announcement argued that repairs and restoration are needed for storm protection and coastal resilience. The state’s warning that the eight projects could face future catastrophic failure without near-term work remains an assessment by the state.

Independent reporting documented flooding at homes and businesses and dune damage on Long Beach Island after the storm. The Associated Press also reported coastal flooding in New Jersey, including in Sea Bright. Those accounts document storm impacts; they do not establish how many people would be affected by the repairs sought in the request.

The state announcement did not provide an overall repair cost, a response deadline or a construction schedule. The Oct. 16 announcement and reporting that day did not establish federal approval, funding or resulting repairs.