New Jersey Refuses Permission for Shore Town to Build Bulkhead, Citing Lack of Imminent Danger
North Wildwood, N.J. – The state of New Jersey has denied a shore town’s request to construct a bulkhead in a section of beach where sand dunes have been washed away, ruling that there is no immediate threat to residents or property. The decision by the state Department of Environmental Protection has prompted North Wildwood to seek permission from an appellate court to proceed with the construction.
Mayor Patrick Rosenello expressed disappointment in the state’s lack of concern for shore protection and accused the department of obstructing the town’s efforts to safeguard itself. The DEP, in a letter to North Wildwood, stated that there is no imminent risk to life or property near the breached dunes, with public walkways and stormwater management systems providing a buffer zone between the dunes and nearby structures.
The DEP argues that building a bulkhead in the affected area would exacerbate erosion, as the force of waves would further erode the beach and dune system. The refusal is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the city and the state over how to protect North Wildwood, known for being highly susceptible to erosion.
New Jersey has fined the town $12 million for unauthorized beach repairs, which it claims could worsen erosion. In response, the city is suing to recover the $30 million it has spent on sand replenishment over the past decade. However, due to narrow choke points along the beach caused by erosion, trucking in sand is no longer feasible.
North Wildwood has sought emergency permission from the state to construct a steel bulkhead along the most heavily eroded section of its beachfront, following a similar approach implemented in two other areas. The DEP favors beach replenishment projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which involve pumping large amounts of sand from offshore to widen eroded beaches and create protective sand dunes.
While most of the New Jersey coastline has undergone such projects, legal and property easement issues have hindered progress in North Wildwood. Despite receiving approval from the last two towns required to sign off on a sand replenishment project, the final go-ahead is still pending. Officials estimate that the project will take two years to complete once approved.
North Wildwood has previously undertaken emergency repairs without state authorization, including the construction of a bulkhead. However, New Jersey’s environment protection commissioner warned the town that such unauthorized work could lead to the loss of future shore protection funding.
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New Jersey has denied permission to a shore town, North Wildwood, to build a bulkhead to protect itself from erosion caused by storms. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection claims that there is no immediate danger to life or property. However, the city plans to appeal the decision in court. The state argues that a bulkhead could worsen erosion and recommends beach replenishment projects instead. North Wildwood has previously been fined for unauthorized beach repairs and is now seeking emergency permission to build a bulkhead. The town has spent $30 million on trucking sand to the site over the past decade, but erosion has made it impossible to continue this method. The approval for a sand replenishment project is still pending due to legal issues and property easements.
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