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Long Branch, NJ - - U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), held a press conference today with Dave Rosenblatt, Administrator of the Office of Engineering and Construction at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and Doug Leite, Project Manager, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce the start of a multi-million dollar beach replenishment project in Long Branch.
The project, which Pallone secured $3 million in federal funds to implement, will repair beach erosion between Cedar Avenue and Pier Village, an area which DEP and Army Corps officials have identified as a part of the Monmouth County shoreline with significant need.
"We've seen too many storms, like the nor'easters last year, do serious damage up and down our coastline," Pallone said. "Maintaining our beaches is critical to being able to enjoy them over the long term and to securing our state's economy. New Jersey's tourism industry supports 500,000 jobs and indirectly supports $5.5 billion in state tax revenues. To keep that engine running, we need to ensure that our beaches remain clean, healthy, and large enough for residents and tourists to enjoy."
In addition to their recreational value, healthy beaches are also critical storm buffers for protecting inland infrastructure, Pallone noted during the press conference. Large beaches prevent storm surges from washing out roads, utility poles, and other structures on land during nor'easters and tropical summer storms. Better beach replenishment can therefore mean less costly damage after a storm.
The New Jersey lawmaker expressed his hope that the work the Army Corps will perform in Long Branch this fall will not only repair some of the worst damaged beach areas in Monmouth County, but also provide the region with critical new protections in advance of the winter storm season.
"This year I was pleased to secure $3 million in federal funding for this necessary project through the congressional appropriations process," Pallone said. "Unfortunately, under the Republican's control, obtaining federal funds for beaches is becoming harder every year. The Bush administration continues a policy of trying to end federal contributions to beach replenishment projects, despite their ability to protect coastal regions from storm damage and their recreational value for all Americans." |
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