Coastal Resiliency addressed in recent draft
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has recently announced the release of a draft report for the New Jersey Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Study. The draft report outlines an updated plan, which includes the elevation of approximately 6400 residential structures; floodproofing 279 critical infrastructure facilities (police, fire, ambulance, hospitals); and the implementation of nature-based solutions (using dredged material to enhance 217 acres of salt marsh habitat vulnerable to sea level change at 7 locations in the back bay area).
The Army Corps, in partnership with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), has been conducting the feasibility study within the New Jersey Back Bay area, defined as the network of interconnected tidal water bodies located landward of the New Jersey Ocean coastline in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Burlington, and Cape May Counties. The study area includes approximately 950 square miles and nearly 3,400 miles of shoreline across 89 municipalities. The objective of the study is to investigate problems and solutions to reduce damages from coastal storm-related flooding that affects population, critical infrastructure, property, and ecosystems. Engineering and economic analyses indicate the study area could experience $2.6 billion in average annual flood damages if no action is taken. The Southern Ocean County Chamber has been focused on sharing information regarding upcoming environmental regulations, including dedicating the keynote at their 111th Annual State of the Chamber Business Breakfast on January 31.
The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment details extensive engineering, economic, and environmental analyses conducted to date as part of the study. Prior reports associated with the study outlined structural features, including three storm surge barriers and two cross bay barriers in addition to home elevations and floodproofing. The study team has pivoted from this approach to introduce a different plan that is more achievable in the near-term given the extensive engineering, environmental and technical analyses still needed on the potential structural measures. The science and engineering conducted to date on the storm surge barriers and cross-bay barriers remain valuable for a variety of purposes and can be revisited at future phase of the study.
The Army Corp notes that the plan is subject to change. It has not yet been approved by higher authorities, including Congress, and has not been funded for implementation at the federal or state level. The document is available online at the US Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District & Marine Design Center Website. To find out more on attending the January 31 event, or future Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce activities contact their Mill Creek Road office at 609 494 7211, or follow their communications on visitlbiregion.com