Posted on January 1, 2025
Army Corps releases draft report for New Jersey Back Bays Study
PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced the release of a draft report for the New Jersey Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Study. The draft report outlines an updated plan, which includes the elevation of approximately 6400 residential structures; floodproofing 279 critical infrastructure facilities (police, fire, ambulance, hospitals); and the implementation of nature-based solutions (using dredged material to enhance 217 acres of salt marsh habitat vulnerable to sea level change at 7 locations in the back bay area).
The Army Corps, in partnership with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), is conducting the feasibility study within the New Jersey Back Bay area, defined as the network of interconnected tidal water bodies located landward of the New Jersey Ocean coastline in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Burlington, and Cape May Counties. The study area includes approximately 950 square miles and nearly 3,400 miles of shoreline across 89 municipalities. The objective of the study is to investigate problems and solutions to reduce damages from coastal storm-related flooding that affects population, critical infrastructure, property, and ecosystems. Engineering and economic analyses indicate the study area could experience $2.6 billion in average annual flood damages if no action is taken.
The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment details extensive engineering, economic, and environmental analyses conducted to date as part of the study. The Army Corps and NJDEP will host a virtual public meeting on Jan. 22 from 6-7 p.m. to provide additional information on the draft report and the study. The public is invited to comment on the report by Feb. 18, 2025. (comment submission instructions and meeting instructions are detailed below).
Prior reports associated with the study outlined structural features, including three storm surge barriers and two cross bay barriers in addition to home elevations and floodproofing. The study team has pivoted from this approach to introduce a different plan that is more achievable in the near-term given the extensive engineering, environmental and technical analyses still needed on the potential structural measures. The science and engineering conducted to date on the storm surge barriers and cross-bay barriers remain valuable for a variety of purposes and can be revisited at future phase of the study.
It’s important to note that the plan is subject to change. It has not yet been approved by higher authorities, including Congress, and has not been funded for implementation at the federal or state level.
To view the full draft report and appendices, visit
https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/New-Jersey-Back-Bays-Study/
- Submit comments by email: PDPA-NAP@usace.army.mil
- Submit comments by mail: USACE Planning Division, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Virtual public meeting Instructions
- January 22, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Join the meeting now
- Meeting ID: 993 972 525 107
- https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/meetup-join/19%3adod%3ameeting_04077d805338499db6dff57465c1d7e3%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22fc4d76ba-f17c-4c50-b9a7-8f3163d27582%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22b3bc1e99-09b3-4c49-acd1-4da0f06a8c8c%22%7d
- +1 503-207-9433,,696502659#
- Phone conference ID: 696 502 659#
