Ocean County comes to the rescue as Shore towns face hefty beach replenishment bills
Posted on September 20, 2022
Ocean County has agreed to pay half the local cost of the latest federal beach replenishment project, bringing welcome relief to barrier island towns that are struggling to pay their portion of the bill.
“They were very gracious and very helpful,” Bay Head Mayor William Curtis said following a Sept. 13 meeting that included barrier island mayors, Jack Kelly, director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, fellow Commissioner Gary Quinn and county Administrator Michael J. Fiure. “I couldn’t thank them more.”
Bay Head’s local share of the beach work is expected to be $1.4 million, a hefty amount for a small town with a $6 million budget. Neighboring Mantoloking’s bill is almost $1.3 million. Toms River has the highest estimated bill, at $2 million.
The Port of Galveston’s West Port Cargo Complex will soon undergo a massive transformation, courtesy of a $29.9 million contract. The Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees recently approved a construction contract that will kickstart the first phase of the facility’s larger $90 million cargo infrastructure expansion and improvement project. The contract, funded by cash reserves… Read More
JACKSONVILLE, Florida (MAY 1, 2024) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, announced today an immediate halt to its current beach renourishment activities within the Anastasia State Park reach of its St. Augustine Beach, St. Johns County Shore Protection Project. The contractor began work on March 8, 2024, but could not complete the park… Read More
The Bathtub Reef Beach renourishment project continues Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 1585 S.E. MacArthur Blvd. on South Hutchinson Island in Martin County. Nourishment has covered the sea wall in a sand dune. There will be a second phase to build another sea wall across MacArthur Boulevard on the lagoon side, and a third phase… Read More
Tradepoint Atlantic wants to fast track plans to build a deep water container terminal in Eastern Baltimore County. But to do that, it needs permission to dump dredge on a nearby island that years ago was at the center of a legal fight over dredging. Tradepoint is hoping it can convince the community that depositing… Read More
Long-time visitor Kathy DeFrancesco has witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by shallow waters in Ocean City and Assateague Island, particularly for larger boats. “A couple of years ago, there was a very large commercial boat that was stuck right out in front of us by the rocks in front of the Assateague Island, and she… Read More