The U.S. House of Representatives recently gave final funding approval for the continuation of beach-replenishment and flood-control projects in Monmouth County.
The funds were part of a conference report reconciling separate fiscal year 2004 energy and water development appropriations bills passed in the House and Senate earlier in 2003.
Local beach-renourishment projects will be:
• Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay – $100,000 to begin construction of replenishment. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers previously constructed levees in the areas of Old Bridge, Keansburg, and North Middletown.
• Port Monmouth section of Middletown – $250,000 to move the project to the construction phase, which is scheduled to begin next fall.
• Leonardo section of Middletown – $150,000 to continue a feasibility study.
• Keyport – $200,000 to continue a feasibility study.
Also, $150,000 was approved for a feasibility study of the flood-control project for the Shrewsbury River basin and its tributaries.