Shore advocates are seeking an increase in the New Jersey Shore Protection Fund, a cost-sharing partnership with the federal government to replenish eroded beaches along the 137-mile Jersey Coast. KATHY CHANG/STAFF The biggest driver of the tourism industry— the third largest industry in the state—- is the beachfront that spans the length New Jersey.
Those beaches, boardwalks and coastal waterways contribute over $19 billion in tourism revenue annually — one half of the state’s total $40 billion tourism revenue, according to a resolution in support of increasing the Shore Protection Fund to at least $50 million. That increase would help support future beach preservation projects.
“As I think about the 137 miles of shoreline, I think about growing up coming to the beach every day with my brothers,” said Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-Monmouth).
As a policy maker, Angelini said she has the obligation to protect natural resources, such as the beaches.
“To increase [the Shore Protection Fund] is a no brainer,” she said.
Angelini joined Assemblyman David Wolfe (R-Monmouth), state Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R-Monmouth), Sea Bright Mayor Dina Long, and members of the public at a press conference held on the beachfront in Sea Bright on Aug. 4
The Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey Shore Partnership, which is an organization that was established in 1991 to advocate for beach protection funding, sponsored the press conference.
New Jersey beaches are the largest visitor destination in the $40 billion tourism industry.
Margot Walsh, executive director of the Jersey Shore Partnership, said a campaign was started a year ago to increase the Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million.
“We want to be proactive not reactive,” she said, adding that the increased funding is critical for the future.
The dedicated $25 million annual allocation for the New Jersey Shore Protection Fund has supported a successful cost-sharing partnership with the federal government to replenish eroded beaches along the 137- mile Jersey Coast from Middlesex to Cape May County and provides needed matching funds for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s numerous other municipal coastal projects.
Two bills — Assembly Bill 4215 and Senate Bill 2775 — are sponsored across party lines. The bills seek and to increase the funding to meet the anticipated costs of protecting communities from future devastating storm damage.
“We learned our lesson on how important protecting [our beaches] really is after superstorm Sandy [in 2012],” said Long.
The storm demonstrated the value of well-nourished wide beaches with dune systems to protect life and property along the coast and prevent more extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
Kyrillos said there was no shore protection fund until 1993, when $15 million was allocated through the federal housing program.
The funds were eventually increased to $25 million. Kyrillos said despite financial budget constraints, it is important to increase the funding.
Wolfe said in assessing the value of beach replenishment, it is important to look at history. In the early 1990s, three northeastern storms devastated the state and there were no available resources.
“There was a [state] beach erosion committee that was formed in the early 1940s and it was pumped back to life in the early 1990s,” he said. “Sandy was a wake-up call … we need shore protection.” Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas Arnone said it is not just about the large crowds that come to the beaches every summer.
“We saw what can happen to these small Shore communities [after Sandy],” he said.
Arnone said the Board of Chosen Freeholders is committed to working with the local mayors and lobbying for funding.
Walsh said the reason for the campaign and outreach now is to demonstrate to the Legislature the need for additional funding for future shore protection projects.
She said the current $25 million allocation is insufficient.
“The bills are in their respective environmental committees now,” she said.
For more information, visit www.jerseyshorepartnership.com.