Jersey Shore Beach Preserve To Close For 2 Year Restoration Project

LOWER TOWNSHIP, NJ — An area of protected land in Cape May County will be closed until about December 2026 as part of a $37.5 million restoration project, the Department of Environmental Protection announced.

Members of the public are invited to learn more about the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area project at a Feb. 8 meeting at the Lower Township Municipal Hall at 5:30 p.m. It can be attended in-person or virtually by registering here.

Portions of the preserved area, which sits on the Delaware Bay at the southernmost tip of the state, closed on Jan. 29 for site preparation work, according to a DEP news release.

The project, to be implemented by A.P. Construction of Philadelphia, will enhance wildlife habitats and re-establish tidal flow to the property's marshes. The DEP anticipates that a 428-acre section of the wildlife management area will remain closed until approximately December 2026.

Its purpose is to protect and preserve the land and water of the 1,160-acre wildlife management area. The Pond Creek Restoration Project's main goal is to re-establish tidal inundation to a large portion of Pond Creek Marsh without increasing flood risk to the upper watershed or inundating the eastern freshwater marsh area while allowing for habitat management of the northern marsh area.

Achieving these goals will require modifying the inlet channel to allow sufficient tidal flushing, developing a network of secondary and tertiary channels to assist tidal flow into the interior of the marsh, excavating deep flood pools for fish habitat and creating upland islands for shorebirds.

An earthen berm will also be constructed around much of the perimeter of the marsh, which will provide access to wildlife observation blinds and contribute to a trail system encircling the marsh.

“The Delaware Bayshore is a globally unique place, vital to migrations of shorebirds and raptors and home to an abundance of wildlife,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “The Pond Creek Restoration Project will restore a major section of the wildlife management area that was degraded many years ago by a magnesium-extraction plant. We are excited to share our progress as we begin the important work of restoring this land for wildlife and public enjoyment.”

The Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area is managed by NJDEP Fish & Wildlife for its value to endangered, threatened and nongame wildlife. It features 1.5 miles of pristine shoreline and has a blend of several habitat types, including dunes, forest, scrub and early successional fields. It also served as a nude beach for several decades.

The restored wetland project area will provide foraging and loafing habitat for raptors, such as osprey, peregrine falcons, merlins, kestrels, cooper hawks and sharp-shinned hawks during their migratory season. It also will increase food, shelter and general habitat for numerous species of fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

“We are excited to work together with other programs within DEP to restore this portion of Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area to maximize wildlife benefits and public access,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fish & Wildlife David Golden. “Once completed, the site will have a new trail network and multiple wildlife viewing platforms integrated into enhanced stopover habitat for migrating species. It will surely be one of New Jersey’s best wildlife viewing destinations.”