Army Corps, DEP Turning Attention To Back-Bay Issues

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are hosting public meetings regarding flood risk management in New Jersey's back bays.

The Army Corps and the DEP are conducting a feasibility study for coastal storm risk management problems within the back bay areas, which are the interconnected tidal water bodies in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Burlington, and Cape May counties.

The study area includes approximately 950 square miles and nearly 3,400 miles of shoreline. The goal of the study is to investigate problems and solutions to reduce damage from coastal flooding that affects population, critical infrastructure, critical facilities, property, and ecosystems.

Some of the measures that will be discussed at the public meetings include structural solutions such as storm surge barriers, tide gates, levees, and floodwalls; non-structural solutions such as elevating homes; and nature-based features such as marsh restoration and the creation of living shorelines.

The final plan also may also include recommendations on things that can be done to address issues, such as floodplain management and Community Rating System enhancement opportunities.

The meetings are open to everyone. both to learn more about the study process and current status and to give comment.

The meeting details are as follows:

• Sept. 12, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex, 400 N Lafayette Ave, Ventnor City, NJ 08406

• Sept. 13, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at the Ocean County College Gateway Building, Lot 1, College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753

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Back bay flooding during Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff