Ocean City Council Takes Steps on South End Beach Replenishment

Ocean City Council took two steps at Thursday night’s meeting to help move the south end beach replenishment project forward.

First, Ocean City Council approved an ordinance on first reading that provides an easement on every beachfront parcel from 34th Street to Corson’s Inlet State Park so that work can be completed in the south end beach replenishment project.

The City holds riparian grants on areas located between the tax lots and the mean high water line on the beach.

Then, as part of the consent agenda, City Council approved a resolution that allows the City to enter into an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for state aid for $84,941,000 to cover 100 percent of the initial cost of the project.

The City entered into a 50-year agreement for the south end. For future renourishments, the cost will be split 50-50 between the federal government and the State and the City, with the State covering 75 percent of the cost and the City picking up the other 25 percent.

The contract calls for a three-year renourishment cycle, depending upon the availability of funding.

“If we don’t sign this, there is no south end beach replenishment project,” Business Administrator Mike Dattilo explained during the meeting. “This is very important.”

The City entered into the same agreement for the north end 20 years ago.

Councilman Michael DeVlieger asked if the agreement for the north end could be adjusted so that the whole island is covered for the same 50-year period. Dattilo said he would explore that option.

In September, the City granted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with an easement over 14 streets and 16 alleys between 34th Street and Corson’s Inlet State Park.

It also gave the Corps of Engineers an easement over a vacated portion of Wesley Avenue that recently became the City’s possession.

On Oct. 10, bids were opened for the project and Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. of Oak Brook, Illinois, came in as the low-bidder, with a $58 million bid.

The replenishment project is a multi-town project that spans Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City, and is known as the New Jersey Shore Protection, Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet project. It was initiated as part of the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.