What will it take to stop Jersey Shore town from bulldozing its beach? $12M in fines hasn’t done it

Jersey Shore Town Continues Bulldozing Beach Despite $12M in Fines

Despite incurring fines worth $12 million, a Jersey Shore town remains relentless in bulldozing sand on its beach to fortify eroded areas, disregarding the objections of state environmental officials.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has accused North Wildwood of repeatedly conducting unauthorized repairs to its eroding dunes. The most recent incident occurred on June 5, in violation of a court order issued in February to resolve a longstanding conflict between the two parties.

In an attempt to settle the matter without imposing further penalties, DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette addressed a letter to North Wildwood officials, expressing his bewilderment at the city’s actions. LaTourette emphasized that the city’s conduct jeopardizes future funding for beach protection projects, describing it as “wrongheaded” and demanding that it cease immediately.

North Wildwood’s Mayor, Patrick Rosenello, places blame on the state for neglecting to facilitate government beach replenishment projects in his city, which have been commonplace along the rest of the Jersey Shore for decades. He asserts that the DEP should prioritize its duty to protect the shoreline and focus less on threats and intimidation. Rosenello argues that if the DEP had fulfilled its responsibilities, the situation would have never escalated.

As a form of protest, the city erected signs at beach entrances displaying photos and phone numbers of LaTourette and Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. The signs directly accuse the two individuals of the state’s inaction regarding North Wildwood’s beach replenishment.

Undeterred by fines and threats, North Wildwood is suing the state for $21 million, seeking reimbursement for the cost of transporting sand to its eroded beaches over the past decade.

The dispute between the city and the state centers around North Wildwood’s position at the end of the line for beach replenishment projects led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Difficulties in obtaining necessary approvals from property owners have caused delays. While the project is finally underway, it is not expected to be completed before 2025.

As a result, significant erosion has occurred in parts of North Wildwood’s beaches, prompting the city to take matters into its own hands and reinforce the dunes independently, often without state permission.

The DEP claims that each instance involving heavy equipment moving sand has further weakened the dunes, exacerbating the issue and destroying natural plant and animal habitats.

In late May, the two parties agreed to a temporary truce after erosion created hazardous cliffs at beach entrances, just prior to the Memorial Day weekend. The state granted authorization for emergency repairs on that occasion.

However, the city’s dune work on June 5 did not receive approval, as it was sought by North Wildwood after the work had already been completed. Mayor Rosenello argues that the city had informed the DEP in advance of their intentions.

Rosenello maintains that the June 5 work was justified since it was an extension of the same problem that had led to the state’s emergency authorization in May. He believes that due to the limited remaining dune, the city does not require a direct hit from a hurricane for it to vanish completely.

As of Friday, the dunes in the most affected area, which lies at the center of the dispute, had diminished by approximately 70% compared to their size in May, before the city’s recent reshaping efforts.

DEP Commissioner LaTourette acknowledges that the department has been willing to settle the city’s outstanding penalties, but insists that North Wildwood must immediately halt its pattern of violating the law. Failure to do so could endanger public safety, the environment, and the city’s access to financial support for shore protection.

Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about beach erosion

More about beach erosion

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
• North Wildwood Official Website
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – New Jersey
• The Press of Atlantic City
• NJ.com – North Wildwood News
• Shawn LaTourette – DEP Commissioner
• Governor Phil Murphy Official Website