Federal funds secured for some Monmouth Beach replenishment

LONG BRANCH - Three Monmouth County beaches will get another infusion of sand replenishment this winter from federal funds and matching state and local money.

At least $37 million in federal funds plus an unknown amount in state and local money will help replenish sections of beach in Long Branch, Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach, according to Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. .

Pallone said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin a targeted sand replenishment project in Monmouth County, continuing the ongoing annual event that has been controversial over the years due to the large amount of taxpayer money spent and the relentless battering of New Jersey shoreline by storms.

More than $3.4 billion of local, state and federal tax dollars have been spent trying to stabilize the New Jersey coast, according to previous reporting by the Asbury Park Press.

Pallone made the announcement on Aug. 4, and the contractor bids are due by August 25.

The base contract includes the area in Monmouth Beach from the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion, north to the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club, as well as the area in Sea Bright from the Ship Ahoy beach club north. These were the areas that have experienced the worst sand erosion, Pallone said.

The project could extend in Sea Bright from Ship Ahoy south to the Sea Bright Public Beach, as well as the area in Long Branch north of Pier Village. The precise areas that will receive replenishment will be determined once the bids are submitted.

The project is expected to begin in late fall, finishing by March 2027.

Last summer, Pallone told the Press that New Jersey normally receives up to $200 million in federal dollars each year for beach replenishment, but a new bill in Congress will provide only a fraction of that money this year.

"Thanks to months of partnership between the Army Corps of Engineers, state and local leaders, and my office, critical sand replenishment work will begin later this year in Monmouth County. These projects are essential to protecting our coastal communities, strengthening storm resilience, and preserving the Jersey Shore for future generations," Pallone said.

Monmouth Beach Mayor Tim Somers said "beach replenishment is critical for a town like Monmouth Beach to protect our residents and their property."

"Over the last year, Residents delivered hundreds of letters to Congressman Pallone asking for assistance to help replenish our beach sand that we have seen erode with each storm. We are grateful to Congressman Pallone for listening and successfully securing funding for this project," Somers said.

Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly thanked Pallone for his efforts "to secure funding for this critical beach replenishment project to protect our residents, their homes, and our businesses."

"Over the last year, Sea Bright has seen alarming erosion of its beaches with the ocean in some places rising all the way to the sea wall," Kelly said.

Long Branch Mayor John Pallone, the congressman's younger brother, said beach replenishment projects are critical to protect the municipality's infrastructure.

Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Federal funds secured for some Monmouth Beach replenishment