CAPE MAY POINT — Federal funds for beach replenishment have not been allocated this year for New Jersey beaches for the first time since 1996.
Fortunately for Cape May Point, the development will not affect its beaches.
“This year was our year for replenishment, but we found we didn’t need anything,” Mayor Anita VanHeeswyk said July 22.
She added that the sand was filled to the original template, and the amount of sand is down slightly but not significantly.
“The next few years we can hold our breath and hope funding gets restored,” she said. “Our lives and our property depend on it.”
VanHeeswyk also noted that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has made revisions to its proposed Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rules.
The DEP initially proposed the rules with the intention of modernizing New Jersey’s environmental land use regulations in response to current scientific findings on climate change, including risks of sea-level rise, chronic flooding and overall climate resilience.
The REAL rules have not been adopted but the DEP is likely to do so in January 2026, taking into consideration the public comments received during the open comment period.
The DEP began a new comment period from July 21 to Sept. 19. Additionally, the DEP has scheduled a virtual public hearing for 6 p.m. Sept. 3. Residents can pre-register online at dep.nj.gov.
The proposed changes to the REAL rules include increasing the proposed building height by 4 feet, down from the original proposal of 5 feet.
“The revisions for us means 10 feet above where we were, which is really high,” VanHeeswyk said, adding she would like to see a measured incremental approach.
The REAL rules could take effect in January 2026, just before Gov. Phil Murphy’s term is complete. VanHeeswyk said she thinks the DEP might run over that timeframe.
“It really depends on who the next governor is, and how hard everyone pushes,” VanHeeswyk said. “But to have the DEP come out and say they made changes lightening it up, [but] a one foot reduction is almost ridiculous.”
She added that the borough is in a position where, if someone came in next week for a building permit, that house would be 5 feet higher than anything in the borough.
“With this being so close to the time of the new governor, and there’s going to be public input soon, I don’t know where this is going and we can’t be sure what’s going on,” VanHeeswyk said.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
