Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters announced that a major beach renourishment project authorized earlier this year by the United States Army Corps of Engineers will commence on or about December 15th.
The project will result in up to 450,000 cubic yards of new sand to be placed on the Seven Mile Island Beachfront that was damaged during Hurricane Irene in August, 2011.
“ Both Avalon and Stone Harbor are fortunate that the contract for this beach fill was awarded by the Corps in August, 2012” , Mayor Pagliughi said. “ This beach fill project will ensure that both communities are protected in advance of the winter and spring storm seasons”.
A partnering meeting regarding the upcoming beach fill project will be held in Avalon on Wednesday, December 19th. Representatives from both communities, as well as officials from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the dredging company will be in attendance.
The $4.59 million project was awarded to Norfolk Dredging Company. The company will be using a hydraulic dredge named the “Charleston” to conduct the major beach fill project on several sections of the Seven Mile Island beachfront in Avalon and Stone Harbor. The dredge is expected to be in place within two weeks, weather permitting. Once the beach fill operations begin, the dredge will work seven days a week, around the clock to complete the major reconstruction of the beachfront.
“The beachfront not only provides protection to the Seven Mile Beach infrastructure and property, it is also the economic engine that drives the local tourism economy ”, Mayor Walters said. “ This beach fill project will provide assurances that both Stone Harbor and Avalon have spacious recreational beaches for residents and visitors to enjoy next summer, and beyond”.
In August, 2011 Hurricane Irene brought significant wind and wave action to the beachfront of Avalon and Stone Harbor. The storm eroded dozens of blocks of beachfront in both communities. The hydraulic dredge will take sand from “borrow areas” in both the Townsends Inlet and Hereford Inlet and place sand that washed away back onto the beaches. The beach fill project will begin in Avalon, and conclude in Stone Harbor later this winter.
Avalon’s beach fill project will result in a potential total of 190,000 cubic yards of sand being placed on north end beaches from 9th Street south to 20th Street. Avalon will also receive 2,200 linear feet of new dune grass that will be planted from 9th Street south to 16th Street. Stone Harbor’s beach fill project will result in a potential of 260,000 cubic yards of sand that will be placed on the beachfront from 106th Street south to the mid block of 113th Street and 114th Street; sand will also be placed from 106th Street to 99th Street, and from 119th Street to the Hereford Inlet groin.
This Seven Mile beach nourishment project is being funded by the United States Army Corps of Engineers with support from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection along with Avalon and Stone Harbor.
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Press Release, December 11, 2012