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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today sent the following letter to Colonel Richard J. Polo, Jr., Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the New York District, requesting the Corps examine the beaches along the Jersey shore following the nor'easter.
Colonel Richard J. Polo, Jr.
Commander and District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278-0090
Dear Col. Polo:
I am writing to request that the New York District of the Army Corps send investigators to examine New Jersey's ocean beaches in the aftermath of the nor'easter that occurred at the beginning of this week.
From press reports, investigations by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and inspections conducted by a member of my staff, I have heard that there is moderate to serious beach erosion in various places along the Atlantic shore of New Jersey. For example, Bradley Beach has informed me that they have lost 5 vertical feet and 200 horizontal feet of beach, nearly up to the dunes. My office has also received a report that ocean waters came close to overtopping the seawall in Sea Bright and that river water flowed over the bulkheads, causing street flooding.
I would like to know from your office what the status is of the Jersey Shore beaches in your district and whether emergency actions need to be taken to ensure adequate flood protection for coastal communities. While I realize that beach replenishment projects generally do not occur during the fall and winter, it is important to know whether federal and state agencies need to take immediate action to prevent further erosion and flooding. A strong winter storm season could seriously damage coastal infrastructure if we do not remain vigilant.
Please inform me of the results of your investigation and whether or not your agency will be able to conduct emergency actions. I would like to know if we will need to request further funding from the Army Corps Headquarters or through the Congressional appropriations process.
I look forward to continuing to work with you, and I appreciate your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Frank Pallone, Jr. Member of Congress |
