By Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff
South Jersey will receive $99 million in federal funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for beach replenishment and protection projects, according to an announcement from Congressman Jeff Van Drew in Washington, D.C.
The funding will go to projects in Ocean City, Strathmere, Sea Isle City, Avalon and Stone Harbor.
Van Drew called it the biggest investment in New Jersey beach projects in a year without a hurricane.
“I have been working closely with the Army Corps to make sure South Jersey is a priority, and today we are seeing that pay off in a massive way,” said Congressman Van Drew. “This announcement delivers $99 million for beach replenishment across Ocean City, Strathmere, Sea Isle City, Avalon, and Stone Harbor.”
He also said the investment would bring “stronger protection, more stability, and peace of mind for our shore communities.”
Van Drew said disaster funding was used to unlock money for projects in Avalon and Stone Harbor. He also announced additional dredging investments across South Jersey, with more than $5 million for projects on the Salem River, Maurice River, Cold Spring Inlet and the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, along with continued work to deepen the Salem and Maurice Rivers. According to Van Drew’s announcement, support was also secured to move forward with the redesign of the Wildwoods project.
In Ocean City, Mayor Jay Gillian said the funding is “the first and most important step in a process that will lead to a full hydraulic renourishment of our north-end and downtown beaches.”
Gillian said the city has worked for years with the Army Corps of Engineers, the state Department of Environmental Protection and contractors on similar work, and said, “We will work closely our partners to make sure this important project can be completed as quickly as possible.”
Gillian said this will be the 11th replenishment project for Ocean City’s north end since a 50-year agreement was signed in the early 1990s. He said the city later secured a separate 50-year agreement for south end beaches, and said the overall program has helped build dunes and protect lives and property along Ocean City’s eight miles of beaches.
As Ocean City moves toward the larger project, Gillian said the city’s Public Works team will continue moving stockpiled sand to beaches that need it most.
Van Drew said he is also seeking another $70 million through the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process for beach projects in Long Beach Island and Atlantic City, along with funding tied to erosion mitigation structures and a seawall extension in North Brigantine.
