2 Brick Residents Sue State Over Steel Wall: Report

BRICK, NJ -- Two oceanfront property owners in Brick are suing the state over the installation of the steel revetment wall, saying the wall has created dangerous conditions and seeking payment for property loss due to the wall, according to a report.

NJ.com reported the two say they have lost use of the beach in front of their properties because of severe erosion that has left a 10- to 12-foot dropoff at the wall.

The erosion has occurred during storms going back to early last fall, when Hurricane Joaquin and a nor'easter pounded the Jersey Shore in late September.

The beachfront was eroded to as much as 18 feet from the top of the wall during that event, but Brick Township Mayor John Ducey at the time said the wall did its job, preventing damaging flooding.

The beach erosion is supposed to be remedied when the long-awaited Army Corps of Engineers dune and beach replenishment project in the works for the oceanfront from Manasquan Inlet to Island Beach State Park is constructed.

But that project continues to be delayed while easements are obtained; more than 300 easements are still outstanding, officials have said, and eminent domain proceedings are underway.

Ducey has said Brick Township will construct access ramps again this summer so residents can access the beach safely despite the dropoff.

William Ward, attorney for the two Brick property owners, told NJ.com his clients received an offer of $2,000 each through eminent domain for the loss of their property for the federal work, but nothing for the state-built steel wall, which he said caused more damage.

(Storms have exposed the steel revetment wall as much as 12 feet in some areas. Steven Erb photo)