Two towns refuse to share sand, causing Wildwood beach replenishment project to collapse.

A significant federal beach replenishment initiative that has been in development for several years in the Wildwoods region of New Jersey has collapsed due to the withdrawal of two local municipalities. This setback presents a considerable challenge for North Wildwood, which is in urgent need of beach reinforcement. The broader implications of this development also raise concerns about the future of erosion mitigation projects along the New Jersey Shore, especially given that the state received no federal funding for replenishment efforts this year—the first occurrence of such a funding drought since 1996.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on Friday the official suspension of the Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Storm Risk Management Project, particularly impacting Five Mile Island. The DEP has indicated that the federal funds earmarked for this project will now be redirected, as a crucial deadline set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which was designated to oversee the undertaking, has been missed following the loss of collaboration from Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.

In a communication directed to the mayors of the affected towns, DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette expressed disappointment over the project’s termination, citing prolonged local disputes and significant engineering expenditure without a resolution. After both Wildwood and Wildwood Crest initially committed to the project, their subsequent withdrawal highlights the complexities involved in managing shared resources and regional planning.

Originally, the Army Corps plan proposed extracting sand from the expansive beaches of Wildwood and Wildwood Crest to enhance the beach area in North Wildwood. However, earlier this year, leaders from the two resort communities expressed a desire to retain their wide beaches and opted out of the project, leading to this unfortunate impasse.

North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello stated he had yet to review the DEP’s letter and was unable to provide a comment at this time. Meanwhile, Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera has publicly voiced opposition to the project, emphasizing the aesthetics and spatial dimensions of their beaches.

The origins of the project can be traced back to the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, yet it wasn’t until 2017 that state and federal authorities formulated an actionable plan. This plan outlined a cost-sharing arrangement where the federal government would cover 65% and the state would assume 35% of expenses. It aimed not only to support North Wildwood but also to establish protective dunes along all adjacent beaches.

The DEP has long maintained that a coordinated approach is necessary to fortify the coast effectively. With the project’s collapse, concerns regarding the vulnerability of communities on Five Mile Island to coastal erosion and storm events remain imminent, reinforcing the need for comprehensive and collaborative solutions to address these critical issues.

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.