DeCamp Wildlife Trail In Brick Getting Sandy Repairs

Nearly 2-1/2 years after Hurricane Sandy came through and left its mark, the deCamp Wildlife Trail in the northern part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge will be reconstructed.

Refuge officials announced this week that Veterans Elite Incorporated of Point Pleasant Beach has been awarded a $248,000 contract to repair the trail and improve public access.

“This trail is Forsythe Refuge’s best opportunity for public wildlife observation and photography,” said Refuge Manager Virginia Rettig. “Because this trail is heavily used by our patrons, we are excited to see work starting on the project.”

The funding for the project is part of $65 million in federal funds awarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the cleanup and repair of national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries damaged during Hurricane Sandy, officials said. Sandy’s tidal surge brought debris onto the trail, which caused extensive damage. The debris clean-up operation was concluded about a year ago.

The trail will be open for public access to the Ocean County sewer right-of-way during construction, officials said. Areas beyond the right-of-way will be closed for what they expect will be as much as two months.

The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 47,000 acres of sensitive wetlands, marshes, and coastal habitats along the New Jersey shore from Brick Township to the Brigantine Channel. It is one of the most important habitats for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds east of the Mississippi River.

(Debris from the storm surge during Hurricane Sandy damaged the public walking trail in Brick. Photo courtesy Edwin Forsythe Wildlife Refuge Facebook page)