This week, representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers actually heard concerns about and alternative ideas for the beach replenishment project it has been conducting for the last eight years.
The Corps is expected to begin pumping sand onto the beach in Elberon next year. It may be the final stretch of coastline between Sandy Hook and the Manasquan inlet to take part in the first phase of the project. Only the beaches in the neighboring communities of Deal, Allenhurst and Loch Arbour have not taken part in the project, and it remains in doubt if they ever will.
If the replenishment work in Elberon progresses like the rest of the Corps’ efforts to date, surfers, divers and fishermen believe they will lose one of the last best places on the Jersey Shore where they can pursue their interests. It would be a shame if that happened.
In an attempt to prevent the loss of their recreation area, some participants of the three activities, along with residents of Elberon, met with Corps officials to propose finding a different solution.
The meeting with the Corps was arranged by Congressman Frank Pallone, who deserves some recognition for making sure these constituents got the chance to have their say.
Until now, the Corps has single-mindedly pursued the replenishment project, paying little heed to the effect the work might be having beyond the pile of sand created.
It is long past time for that approach to stop. The shifted sand has disrupted some of the activities that define the Shore and make it such a desirable place to live and visit.
Some residents of Elberon contend that the coastline in the area has been relatively stable, and that claim should not be overlooked. The Corps should take the time to determine whether the area really does need to be replenished before it proceeds with its plan.
If indeed there is work to be done, the Elberon beaches present a golden opportunity for the Corps to try to approach the problem in a different way. If the changes proposed are implemented and prove to be both cost-effective and viable, the Corps will have learned a valuable lesson that it can apply elsewhere.
From the start, beach replenishment detractors have said the sand dumping method is both too costly and ineffective.
A change in the way the Corps goes about stabilizing New Jersey’s beaches could allow it to address both issues.
Clearly, the Army Corps has listened. It remains to be seen if it heard.