I Don’t Get It, Am I a Blockhead, Why the Bulkhead?

The Red Bank Public Library bulkhead is deteriorating. It needs to be replaced.  That much is agreeable to all.  

However, the remedy is debatable and is the subject of this blog.  On one side, the Borough is pushing for replacement in kind - a shiny new bulkhead.  On the other side, many are attempting to enlighten the Borough about the concept of a living shoreline. As first outlined to the Borough by the American Littoral Society, an engineered living shoreline returns the water’s edge back to its natural condition while protecting its stability, allowing access, providing educational opportunities, and filtering runoff.  Bulkheads, conversely, are detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem, mainly because they eliminate the productive shallow habitat zone.  

The Borough has offered reasons for their anti-shoreline stance, none compelling and all previously rebuffed, so the official position is a bit of a head-scratcher.  Let’s take a closer look at the rationale offered to date.   The objections below are actual.  The responses are mine, but are based on information the Borough has already received from public presentations and meetings. For fun, because boring presentations and meetings apparently are not working, I assembled this as a mock debate featuring Mr. R.B. Borough (the sinister antagonist) versus Lou Sid (the suave protagonist).  The setting is the water’s edge at the Library grounds.  Jim Lehrer moderates.  The restless crowd, pro-bulkheads on one side and pro-shorelines on the other, anxiously waits.     

The Debate.

(Jim Lehrer cedes the first salvo to R.B. Borough)

R. B. Borough:  The living shoreline will affect the alignment of the River Walk easements and its future construction.  (The pro-bulkhead crowd lets out a collective “oooooooo.”)

Lou Sid Response:  Well sure it will affect the River Walk - it will enhance it!  After all, it’s a River Walk, not a Vertical Steel Plate Bulkheaded Shoreline Walk.  To imply that a Living Shoreline is mutually exclusive to the River Walk is just plain bulwark.  (The three people that find the obscure bulwark pun funny, chuckle)  

R.B. Borough:  Living shoreline will result in a loss of stabilized lawn area at the river’s edge behind the library in order to establish the sloping bank to the river’s edge. This will reduce the height of the Library property adjacent to the existing easement at Corinthian Cove and affect easement extension.  (Jim Lehrer scribbles notes on a yellow pad)

Lou Sid Response:  Experts indicate that this is a non-issue - that the entire gradient will be stable and the elevations can most likely remain the same.  But even if there were elevation changes, at this rate, the River Walk won’t be built until well into the next century and I’m sure landscape architects will still be adept at incorporating elevation changes into their designs.  This one shore sounds like a stretch to me.

R.B. Borough:  Loss of usable lawn area at rear of Library adjacent to the water which allows enjoyment without getting wet or muddy in the process.  (In the crowd, several eyebrows raise at this one)

Lou Sid Response:  Seriously?  Somebody is worried about wet loafers?  Red Bank has plenty of nice, dry interior floors and paved sidewalks for the squeamish.  But, to avoid potential lawsuits along that tiny strip of soggy land, we are amenable to installing a sign.  Maybe something like: No Italian Wingtips Beyond This Point!  Or:  Enter At Your Own Risk - Mud Ahead, Ewwwwww!  (Most of the crowd giggles, one well dressed man nervously looks down at his shoes)

R.B. Borough:  Loss of library bulkhead will result in erosion and undermining of adjoining bulkheads.  (The pro-bulkhead side claps with gusto)

Lou Sid Response:  As above, experts have indicated that this in not an issue.  Many, many waterfront situations exist where one neighbor has a bulkheaded property, and the other has a natural shoreline - and they live in relative harmony.  Some even invite each other over for tea and let their children play together.  (One person from the pro-bulkhead side and another from the pro-shoreline side smile and wink at each other knowingly)

R.B. Borough:  Neighboring Corinthian Cove residents have voiced opposition. (Uncomfortable silence from the crowd)

Lou Sid Response:  Certainly, the neighbors should have input just like all stakeholders. No doubt. However, we would like to hear the specifics of said opposition. Are their 401ks top heavy with Consolidated Bulkheads stock?  Do they reject healthy river systems outright on principle alone? Or, maybe they worry their bulkhead would look silly next to a beautiful natural shoreline?  I invite any Corinthian Cove residents to weigh in.  I’m curious.  

R.B. Borough:  Library Board has made numerous requests for bulkhead replacement.

Lou Sid Response:  True.  But is it just that they asked for a non-specific remedy? Or, have they actually sent high-powered lobbyists to Borough Hall demanding a concrete and steel barrier to the water interface?  Can we please have some clarification from the Library Board? (Crowd looks left, right, and back searching for a Board member)

R.B. Borough:  A living shoreline located between two adjoining bulk headed properties will act as a collection point for river flotsam and debris which will require constant cleaning/clearing.

Lou Sid Response:  Actually, it’s not between two bulkheads - there’s only one adjacent bulkhead.  And, coincidentally, the other property without a bulkhead is Borough owned!  But, sure, stuff will inevitably wash up from time to time.  I’d imagine we’ll find the occasional stick, leaves in Autumn, and probably a few of those nefarious plastic bags that Red Bank explored banning a few years back. But, I say, Mr. R.B. Borough, tear down this wall!

(With that, the crowd goes into a frenzy and starts chanting “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, That Bulkhead Has Got To Go...”)

Mock debate aside, none of the objections come close to cancelling out the benefits of the natural shoreline - furthering our Waterfront Development Plan, habitat protection, potential grant funding for construction, river access - and another, educational opportunities.   There are plenty of resources within the library walls to teach children about the ecological, physical, chemical, and geological processes inherent to waterways and the associated land interface. Now is the time to complement the library holdings with an outdoor lab bench. Don’t let this opportunity slip into yet another ecologically harmful bulkheaded barrier to the natural land/water interface. The transformation of the library waterfront from inanimate bulkhead to living shoreline is within our reach.  Let’s get it right this time.