Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) yesterday hosted a meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to revisit concerns previously expressed by fishermen, surfers and recreational users regarding the Elberon to Loch Arbour Beach Replenishment Project.
This discussion followed up on an April 2014 meeting that Pallone hosted with concerned citizens after the Army Corps released their initial draft proposal for the replenishment project.
Originally, the Army Corps had planned to notch six groins, also known as jetties, between Elberon and Loch Arbour. However, in response to the first meeting, the Army Corps presented a revised plan that will only notch three groins within the project area. The Corps announced that they will not be notching the groins at the end of Whitehall Ave. in Deal, Roseld Ave. in Deal, and Cedar Ave. in Allenhurst.
There was also discussion at the meeting of constructing shallower notches than originally planned in order to allow access across the notches during low tide. The Army Corps is examining the possibility of that option with the three groins in Deal that will be notched, including Phillips Ave., Deal Casino, and South of Deal Esplanade near Marine Pl.
“I agree with the concerns that many have voiced with respect to notching the groins in this area and the impacts that it may have on recreational fishing, ” said Congressman Pallone . “ This new plan is a compromise with the Army Corps. I want to thank all the fishermen and other residents who took the time to submit comments and voice their concerns throughout this process.”
The Deal Lake Flume was also discussed with Congressman Pallone. The Army Corps agreed to install an electronic gate which would allow the outfall to be cleared efficiently if it were to become blocked by sand. All parties agreed that there was no need to extend the Deal Lake Flume farther into the ocean. Instead, there would be improved monitoring of the sand placement by the Corps during the project to avoid any excessive placement of sand in the area of the flume.
This meeting also confirmed that the Army Corps will insist that towns maintain existing beach access points and parking areas and will explore the possibility of new access points in the project area from Lake Takanassee to Deal Lake.
The contract for the Elberon to Loch Arbour Beach Replenishment Project is expected to be awarded in October or November 2014 and work will start soon after, weather permitting.
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Press Release, June 24, 2014