Jeffrey Ross Williams
Guest Column
Time is now to deal with beach replenishment

The clock is ticking. The federal and state-funded beach replenishment project is about to start in Elberon (Long Branch), and this stretch of coast will suffer substantial adverse environmental and recreational impacts unless the state government and local municipal officials take steps to slow down this process, take a deep breath, and consider different designs that could easily mitigate the impacts. Beach replenishment in Long Branch has not been as great a success as the public is led to believe.

Businesses such as Jim’s Bait n’ Tackle in north Long Branch, Stevens Bait n’ Tackle in West End, local surf shops and organizations like Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, N.J. Council of Dive Clubs, C.R.A.B., Asbury Park Fishing Club, the local Green Party chapter and many individuals and activists have been involved in identifying and demonstrating the flaws in the joint state-federal project.

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. and State Senator Joe Palaia are working with us to improve the plan and craft a solution which would protect coastal infrastructure, but also accommodate the state and federal rights held by recreational user groups and serious concerns about impacts on recreation and sea life. The Schneider Administration has yet to join this effort.

While bigger beaches provide enhanced storm damage protection, the design of the renourishment project — the largest in the country — has already produced serious consequences in our county. We are gravely concerned this last remaining untouched stretch of coastline will experience the same unfortunate, adverse consequences that have resulted in the other phases of the project.

Potential impacts we have recently documented include the possible loss of precious underwater habitat, wildlife, diving recreational resources, and irreplaceable sport fishing and surfing areas along the Elberon-Deal coast.

The destruction of wildlife, fishing, surfing and diving areas is imminent. Residents need to realize this. It would be a shame to see them disappear.

If the project proceeds as currently designed, there will be no going back. Just look at North Long Branch, which used to have a huge thriving community of young and old, families and singles, all enjoying the North End beaches season after season because of exciting surfing, bodyboarding, snorkeling, spear-fishing and jetty fishing, a surf shop with amenities and supplies, indeed, an entire community was knocked out by poorly designed and poorly planned beach replenishment.

Fortunately, there exists a narrow window of opportunity to prevent this from occurring on the Elberon-Deal coast. We believe there are solutions that would permit beach replenishment to proceed, but would help minimize or mitigate the adverse affects on the resources that so many people enjoy. Long Branch area residents who care about these issues and sports need to telephone Mayor Adam Schneider to express your concerns. The clock is ticking.

The State of New Jersey and the municipalities of Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst and Loch Arbour are the public’s last and best hope to stop this coastal resource destruction and solve this imminent crisis. We are engaging the relevant state and local officials, both elected and appointed, and we hope to have productive discussions with all of them.

The Shore is defined by coastal resources, the most important part of the fabric of life there. To preserve it requires a more informed and active public, honest answers from DEP and COE officials, and vigorous local leadership.

Jeffrey Ross Williams, national legal counsel for Surfers’ Environmental Alliance, has a summer home in Loch Arbour.