Jersey Shore Marshes Are Drowning, Here's What's Being Done

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — Salt marshes are an important part of the coastal ecosystem. They house bird and fish species and even can protect homes from storms. New Jersey has more than 200,000 acres of salt marshes. But these marshes are at risk of drowning due to rising sea levels and climate change, experts say. That's why a project recently started at Cape May County's Scotch Bonnet Island to rescue the important habitat.

The restoration project at Scotch Bonnet Island, part of the Cape May Coastal Wetlands Wildlife Management Area, is a partnership between the Wetlands Institute, the Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

According to the Stone Harbor-based Wetlands Institute, the 86-acre marsh is "almost entirely at or below stable low marsh elevation with many areas below mean high water." Basically, the marsh is drowning. Projections predict that by 2050, only 34 acres will be vegetated marsh. Without the marsh, New Jersey loses the benefits and protections it offers.

The plan is to pump about 25,000 cubic yards of sediment into the marsh to increase its elevation. Tidal flooding will naturally distribute the sediment across the marsh. Coconut fiber logs have also been placed to help direct the flow.

These marshes are important for local flora and fauna, but they also protect areas from flood damages. According to the Nature Conservatory, marshes store carbon and slow down waves. It's estimated that during Superstorm Sandy, the coastal wetlands prevented $430 million in damages.

The project will take about six to eight weeks, and you can actually watch it underway via the Wetlands Institute's live webcams.