Manasquan Residents Need to Move Sand Before Jan. 30

Update: DEP to Manasquan announcement, story here: http://manasquan.patch.com/articles/dep-says-state-fines-not-likely-for-squan-residents-sand

The destructive storm surge of Hurricane Sandy pushed acres of sand into homes, garages, yards and streets, destroying so many properties in Manasquan.

Now the borough is heeding a Jan. 30 deadline to have residents move sand to its beach right of way for sifting, and warns that Department of Environmental Protection fines may apply to property owners who deposit sand in the wrong area or fail to move sand.

In an announcement posted Friday, the Borough of Manasquan addressed property owners urging them to move sand to the beach or beach right of way by Wednesday, Jan. 30.

The reason is the borough is about to begin the next phase of its beach restoration project: sifting sand to be deposited back on the beach. Large scale construction equipment will take the mountains of sand, sift them of the finest particles and then make the sand ready for use on the beach.

The borough is asking residents to move sand, but not deposit it on emergency access roadways now in use on the beachfront such as the beachwalk. The proper place to deposit sand, according to the borough, is on the beach itself or on the Borough Right of Way — in the area of up to 10 feet west of the emergency access roadway.

Dumping sand after Jan. 30 is considered an offense subject to a summons or fines, but the borough did not specify what the penalties could be. Specific questions can be directed to the department of public works, 732-223-0369 or email at tnicastro@manasquan-nj.com.

Here is the full text of the borough's announcement:

Dear Property Owner,

The Borough is ready to begin its next phase of the beach restoration project. In order to properly sift the sand on our beaches most effectively with the least cost, all sand that will be part of this project must be on the beach or beach right of way by the end of the day January 30, 2013.
Please do not place sand on the emergency access roadway (beachwalk) on beachfront. However you may place the sand on the beach or on the Borough Right of Way in the area of up to 10 feet west of the emergency access roadway (beachwalk).

After this date, any sand removed from your property can not be placed on the beach or any public property and will be subject to a fine by Borough summons and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulatory fines.

Since Superstorm Sandy, the First Presbyterian Church has been offering volunteers to help move sand. If you need assistance, please contact them at 219-921-4931.

Should you have any questions about where to place sand, you can contact the Department of Public Works at 732-223-0369 or email at tnicastro@manasquan-nj.com.