Congressman Pallone Announces Start of Beach Replenishment in Long Branch, Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach
Long Branch, NJ — Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced today that the Army Corps of Engineers beach replenishment project in Long Branch, Sea Bright, and Monmouth Beach will begin in December. As a result of Congressman Pallone’s advocacy, the beach replenishment projects will restore more than 1.3 million cubic yards of sand to beaches that suffer from erosion caused by tidal activity and storms. The federal investment in the project is $24.5 million, which is 65% of the total cost. A combination of state and local funds will make up the remaining cost.
“This replenishment project is critical to our beaches and communities along the Jersey Shore,” Congressman Pallone said. “Coastal restoration projects like beach replenishment ensure our beautiful beaches will remain safe and enjoyable for residents and tourists for years to come. I would like to thank Colonel Asbery and the Army Corps of Engineers staff for their dedication to this important project.”
In preparation for this project, Pallone worked with the Army Corps and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan to allow for timely distribution of sand along the three towns. The Army Corps plans to move equipment and materials to three staging sites in November and begin pumping sand in December in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach. The work in Long Branch is expected to begin in February. Sand will be placed in Long Branch from West End Beach south to Sycamore Avenue in Elberon. In Monmouth Beach, sand will be placed from the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion near Valentine Street north to Cottage Road. Sand will be placed in Sea Bright from the area near Island View Way north to Tradewinds Lane. Pallone will continue to fight for additional funding for expanded beach replenishment in the three towns. The Corps has identified future replenishment in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach between the areas in the current project and to the north of Tradewinds Lane. The Corps has also identified the area between Madison Avenue north of Pier Village to Seven Presidents Park for future replenishment.
Pallone has been a longtime advocate for beach replenishment along the Jersey Shore. Beach replenishment is repeated every six years on average. At Pallone’s request, the Army Corps surveys which locations need sand and this project is a direct result of the survey.
Following Superstorm Sandy, Congressman Pallone requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency allocate emergency funding to address immediate needs of impacted homeowners and businesses, as well as repair breached dunes and damaged beaches to protect New Jersey’s coastal areas from future flooding. As a result, the beaches from Sea Bright south to Manasquan were filled, which was the largest beach replenishment project ever undertaken by the Army Corps.
Pallone has also fought to protect New Jersey from the effects of climate change. As Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone has announced a bold plan to combat climate change by achieving net zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050. This plan is consistent with the global scientific community’s consensus that this target is necessary to avoid the most catastrophic effects of the climate crisis. Additional details on the plan are available here. Pallone is the author of the Living Shorelines Act that will expand federal investment in climate-resilient natural infrastructure like dunes, wetlands, and oyster reefs. More details about the Living Shorelines Act are available here.