Fight To Save Beach Access in Deal Continues
Deal Board Will Vote Wednesday Morning On Vacating End Of Neptune Avenue At The Beach
The Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Coast Chapter, and COBRA: Citizens in Opposition to Beach Restrictive Access, is leading a charge to save a beach access point Deal officials plan to vote on vacating during a 9 am Wednesday Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
First introduced on Nov 9, the ordinance seeks to vacate the street end at Neptune Avenue on the waterfront by releasing and extinguishing the public’s rights…where the public interest will be better served, the ordinance reads.
“The Borough has determined that a portion of said Neptune Avenue, including, but not limited to, an undeveloped portion of the Neptune Avenue Right of Way is no longer needed for public use as the Borough has no plans or interest in developing the undeveloped portion of the Neptune Avenue Right of Way,” it further states.
The Local Surfrider Foundation Chair Andrew Chambarry said action opens to the door for sale of the undeveloped land to an adjacent homeowner, ICC Neptune Avenue.
“The Borough will likely argue that this access point is not necessary because access is regulated and maintained at Hathaway,” he said. “However, it is our position that all access points should be maintained for future use.”
Chambarry said the beach access point has not been maintained or repaired since Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
“Both Hathaway and Neptune should be open to the public to enjoy their public trust rights,” he said. “In reality, the Borough could repair Neptune Avenue access and maintain two access points to the public beach. Up and down the coast, we are losing access with street vacation ordinances like this.”
Chambarry said those interested in preserving public beach access can implore the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [NJDEP] to investigate the matter by calling the toll free 1-877-WARNDEP [1-877-927-6337].
[Photos courtesy of the Surfrider Foundation Jersey Coast Chapter]
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