CAPE MAY — City officials continue to urge Congress to release federal funding for beach replenishment and other methods to protect the coastline.
During the third week of January, Mayor Zack Mullock and City Manager Paul Dietrich met with federal representatives in Washington, D.C. to request a state disaster declaration for New Jersey beaches.
Dietrich said Jan. 21 that they met with different legislative teams from New Jersey, as well as appropriation committees of both the Senate and House.
“We wanted to make our pitch and talk about the state of the beaches, especially in Cape May County,” Dietrich said.
They were joined by representatives from other shore towns, including Upper Township Mayor Curtis Corson, Upper Township Administrator Jimmy Van Zlike, Avalon Mayor John McCorristin, and Avalon Business Administrator Scott Wahl.
Dietrich said the most productive meeting was with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“The important thing was having a consistent message and trying to get dedicated, long-term funding support,” he said.
Dietrich added that U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is working on the Coastal Storm Risk Management Trust Fund Act to dedicate shoreline protection funding.
“What we need, in the short term, is to request from the governor of New Jersey, to declare a state of emergency for our beaches,” Dietrich said, adding that it was a resolution on the meeting agenda.
The next step is for Gov. Mikie Sherrill to declare a state of emergency. She was sworn in as governor Jan. 20.
“I ask the council to move forward on that, because it opens up a pot of money that the [Army Corps] has to do emergency work,” Dietrich said. “It can only be used in a state of emergency, which the governor must declare to open this pot of money. It’s not readily available.”
Currently, for a city to follow the normal procurement process for beach replenishment, it would be passed through the federal budget. Dietrich said the city expected to get a replenishment project this year.
“I think our beaches are in OK shape; there are some hot spots that could use more sand,” Dietrich said. “The Coast Guard base is starting to see some wearing on the beach.”
He added it would be prudent for all communities along the coast, from Cape May to Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth counties, to encourage the governor to declare a state of emergency due to the conditions of the beaches.
City Council unanimously approved the resolution.
Reaching out to elected officials was a key part of Mullock’s State of the City address on Jan. 6. He called on federal officials to release the grant funding for the seawall extension project, noting that the delay poses a threat to Cape May residents and property.
The project includes extending the Promenade just east of Madison Avenue to Wilmington Avenue, then down Wilmington Avenue. The protection plan was developed in collaboration with the DEP and Army Corps to significantly reduce the risk of property loss and loss of life.
“This project has undergone years of scientific, environmental, historic and economic analysis,” Mullock said during his address.
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave