County seeks federal help for beach aid

TOMS RIVER – With 44 miles of oceanfront coastline helping to fuel Ocean County’s economic engine, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders this week urged the federal government to continue to fund beach nourishment and maintenance programs.

Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to the county’s Tourism Advisory Council, noted that statewide, the tourism industry accounts for an estimated $38.8 billion in economic activities, of which $3.1 billion is generated in Ocean County.

In addition, New Jersey’s coastal economy returns over $3 billion per year to the federal government in tax revenues, which fund programs, including disaster relief throughout the nation.

“It’s important the federal government continues to assist with beach nourishment projects in Ocean County and throughout the state of New Jersey,” Vicari noted. “Tourism provides an economic benefit to the entire state, not just beachfront communities and the beaches serve as a centerpiece to tourism.”

In addition, renourished beaches and well-maintained dune systems offer protection to coastal communities and the public infrastructure including boardwalks and roads.

Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett Jr. noted that the Board of Freeholders recently provided Harvey Cedars with more than $1 million to help cover the cost of the municipal share for its beach renourishment project.

“Preserving the coastline protects coastal communities from storms; it protects lives and properties in addition to the health of our tourism industry,” Bartlett said.

“Renourishment projects are critical to the economic and environmental well being of the New Jersey coastline.

“Providing this assistance to make certain those towns can continue to flourish and serve as the tourism hubs that they are is a sound investment,” Bartlett noted.

Noting the recent nor’easters that have pounded Ocean County’s beaches, leaving some in precarious positions with dune systems suffering significant damage, the Board of Freeholders in a resolution to Ocean County’s Congressional representatives, the state Department of Environmental Protection and its municipalities, recommitted its support for continued beach restoration and maintenance projects.

“The state of New Jersey has provided for a stable source of funding to match federal funds required for beach nourishment and protection measures,” the Freeholders stated in the resolution. “This Board continues to express its support for federal funding of beach nourishment and maintenance projects and it urges the federal government to continue the necessary studies required to implement beach nourishment and maintenance projects in Ocean County.”