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Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

I am writing in response to the Asbury Park Sun article published on September 11, 2015 entitled Beach Replenishment Heads North to Elberon.  I would like to respond to two statements in the article in which many local residents may share a different viewpoint.

First, the article mentions that several rock jetties in Deal/Elberon are in need of “repair”.  As local residents can attest to, none of these jetties were damaged during Hurricane Sandy, nor by countless other coastal storms which have impacted the Jersey Shore in the approximate 100 years that the jetties have existed.  It should be noted that the Army Corp of Engineer (ACOE) plan is to “notch” the jetties, by removing large sections of the jetty rocks, and not to repair them.

These jetties (known to locals as “Jetty Country”) which the ACOE is either burying under nine feet of sand, or destroyed via notching, have provided important fish habitat and excellent recreational fishing and diving opportunities for decades.  Additionally, the jetties serve as very popular surfing locations.  After notching and beach replenishment, fishing, diving, and surfing are generally ruined, or at least severely impacted.  The beach replenishment project is changing a way of life for those that frequent this area and know it best.

Congressman Frank Pallone is quoted in the article as saying he will “continue to fight for replenishment projects to help protect our homes and businesses along the Jersey Shore.”  It should be noted that the areas of Deal/Elberon have never had large beaches, and with the exception of a couple beach clubs, there are no businesses present.  Aerial photos going back to 1930 show Deal/Elberon has always had very narrow beaches, or no beaches at all.  This is due to the natural, elevated (cliff-like) bluff of this area.  Many of the homes in this area did not suffer significant damage or flooding due to their elevation above sea level, unlike the low-lying homes in Sea Bright and the barrier islands of Ocean County.  While some homes right on the ocean front in Deal/ Elberon were damaged by Sandy (a once in a lifetime storm event), most were actually protected by the elevation of the bluff.  It should also be considered that the sand the ACOE is pumping on the beaches is very poor quality, consisting of fines and large gravel, and will erode quickly, as it is poorly sorted and not suitable as beach sand.  In short, the sand being pumped in this area is a waste of money.

Public access and parking is also very limited in this area as well, as large mansions and private beach clubs occupy much of the beachfront in northern Deal/Elberon.  In the end, these “new” beaches being constructed by the ACOE will be mostly private beaches.  A count of the residences in this area indicates only thirty homes located right along the beachfront.  With a cost of approximately $87 million dollars for the beach replenishment project in north Deal/Elberon alone, the project is spending $2.9 million of public, tax payer dollars to “protect” each home, with mostly limited-access, private beaches.

This is literally money being washed away, for the limited benefit of an elite few, to the detriment of many.

Bill Dougherty,

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

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