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A $3.2 million study will help re-assess how federal engineers protect 21 miles worth of beaches at the Jersey Shore, federal officials said this week.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering reinforced dunes, berm modifications, submerged artificial reefs, groins, flood walls, sand back passing and other measures for the project area.

The same slice of coast — which stretches from Sea Bright to Manasquan — received an estimated 8 million cubic yards of sand in an emergency replenishment following Hurricane Sandy.

The study will consider some alternatives to a heavy reliance on sand replenishment which has faced some criticism. A federal spokesperson said the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection initiated the reassessment.

“This study aims to reassess the original project from the late 1980s, focusing on addressing erosion issues and possibly incorporating new features like dunes, especially considering the damages from Hurricane Sandy,” Michael Embrich, a spokesperson for the Army Corps of Engineers’ New York District, said Friday.

In a March 2021 letter from the NJDEP to the Army Corps, the state agency said the reassessment was needed as part of additional resilience and risk reduction efforts in the area. It also said the reevaluation was “warranted given current and projected sea level and climate change trends,” according to a copy of the letter provided by the department Tuesday.

Despite some disapproval that it’s become too costly and will not be sustainable over time, federal officials say New Jersey beaches benefit from beach nourishment (usually done every two years) and undergo periodic studies to better understand how the work can be more effective.

Dropping millions of cubic yards of sand as part of the nourishment, or sand replenishment, is on pace to surpass $3 billion in New Jersey. It’s covered by state and federal taxpayers and takes place for flood protection as shore towns and nearby power infrastructure face higher risks due to sea level rise and worsening erosion due to climate change, according to the NJDEP.

Replenishment is also done to ensure beaches remain bountiful for the busy summer when they are an economic driver for Jersey Shore towns, several local mayors have highlighted.

“New Jersey’s coastal infrastructure is its first line of defense in protecting people, property, ecosystems, and the state’s $20 billion annual tourism economy from the impacts of devastating storms,” said Grace Hanlon, executive director of the Jersey Shore Partnership, a not-for-profit organization which supports the replenishment and notes aquatic habitats and bird species benefit from it as well.

The latest analysis will be fully funded by the federal 2022 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act. A public discussion for the study — efforts for which began in October 2022 — was held Nov. 20.

Army Corps officials are still evaluating next steps and gathering more feedback, a spokesman for the agency said.

Ross Kushner, a Sea Bright resident and coordinator of a grassroots group called the New Jersey Coastal Alliance, said federal project managers indicated during a virtual session that severe beach erosion found in two areas was part of the impetus for re-considering how to protect that section of coast.

In a summary on the study, the Army Corps said two areas in Monmouth Beach and Elberon are considered “erosion hotspots.”

“These erosion hotspots require more frequent nourishment than anticipated,” a statement from the agency said. “This redirects re-nourishment funds and sand to these locations, as opposed to other sections of the existing project that could also benefit from sand placement. The study will investigate improvements to these areas to reduce the need for re-nourishment and the risk of erosion.”

As for the strategies being contemplated by federal engineers like dunes, seawalls and groins, Jon Miller — research associate professor at Stevens Institute of Technology — said Friday nearly all have been tried in the Garden State in one form or another (although often in isolation).

“The current study is a bit different in that it is looking at techniques that can enhance the existing project,” said Miller, who is also a board member of the Jersey Shore Partnership.

Kushner said Friday he was pleasantly surprised to hear of the re-assessment. However, he said options as part of new work — like building dunes, breakwaters, groins and even elevating or flood-proofing nearby properties — were simply laid out by the Army Corps in November.

“They presented those measures on equal footing and said they’re reviewing them,” said Kushner, adding that he’d hope to hear how those options were being narrowed down.

The Jersey Shore Partnership said it was sensible for the Army Corps to evaluate how to better protect the coast through the $3.2 million study.

But in a letter to the Army Corps on the project, Kushner said he was wary beach replenishment could impact the environment, nearby habitats and species — such as by possibly reducing the diet of piping plover. That, despite the federal agency saying it considers these factors during its feasibility analysis.

“It is our opinion that the (Army Corps) creates replenished beaches in the manner they do solely for economic reasons, as the cheapest, easiest alternative and with utter disregard for the public, the environment, or New Jersey’s enforceable policies,” Kushner wrote. “Their only goal is to prevent storm damage to the real estate directly facing the ocean in the least costly fashion.”

Miller, director of Stevens’ Coastal Protection Technical Assistance Service, said beach nourishment activities have been shown to impact infauna, invertebrates that live within the matrix of aquatic sediments.

“The scientific literature varies with reports of population recovery ranging from as short as several months or as long as several years, similar to the rates of recovery reported after extreme storm events,” said Miller. “What is clear is that beach nourishment creates and sustains habitats for a number of species such as the red knot, piping plover, and sea beach amaranth.”

The Army Corps said it plans more outreach to gather additional comments surrounding its coastal protection between Sea Bright and Manasquan.

A protection project, the agency said in a recent statement, that has so far “performed well during extreme storm conditions and has been successful in reducing the magnitude of storm damages” but could be modified “to better reduce coastal flood risk.”

A timeline for the study was not immediately provided.

LONG BRANCH, New Jersey (WABC) -- The Coast Guard and several other agencies in New Jersey are investigating after tar balls were discovered along the Jersey Shore on Long Branch and Monmouth beaches.

Officials in the area say they have no clue where they came from.

The Coast Guard received reports of tar balls ranging in size from approximately 1-2 inches and smaller near Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park on Tuesday morning.

Tar balls are created when crude oil floats on the ocean's surface. Waves and wind begin tearing the oil slick into smaller and smaller pieces and the water starts changing its physical characteristics.

According to NOAA, tar balls are usually the remnants of an oil spill, but can also be produced by "natural seeps." That's when oil or natural gas leaks through fractures and sediments on the ocean floor.

Officials in New Jersey dispatched a pollution response team to investigate.

A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City conducted a flight of the area to look for any oil pollution in the water. No oil was observed in the water during the flight.

Beachgoers and mariners are advised to avoid contact with the tar balls.

Anyone who notices any tar balls or oil sheen in the area should contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

There are no reports of impacted wildlife at this time.

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MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ—Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced the next phase of beach replenishment and dredging projects in Monmouth County. Pallone secured $26 million for maintenance dredging of the federal channels along the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers in a federal spending bill for Fiscal Year 2023 that President Biden signed into law late last year.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will begin the second phase of the dredging project this week along the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers. The area to be dredged runs south along the Shrewsbury River from the Rumson-Sea Bright Bridge to the Branchport Avenue Bridge in Long Branch. It runs west along the Navesink River from Sea Bright to the Route 35 Bridge between Red Bank and the Navesink Section of Middletown Township. The dredged sand will then be used for beach replenishment and pumped onto the beach across from the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center.

Beach replenishment from offshore burrow pits is expected to begin around December 7 in two areas of Monmouth County. Sand will be pumped in Monmouth Beach south of the Monmouth Beach Bath and Tennis Club to the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion. Sand will also be pumped in Long Branch from Cedar Avenue in the West End Section to Pavilion Avenue in the Elberon Section of the city.

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The majority of the dredging project should be completed by the end of year. Beach replenishment should be completed by March 2024 at the latest. The dredging project is paid for by the federal government. Beach replenishment is paid 65% by the federal government and the other 35% is split 75% by the state and 25% by Monmouth County and the affected municipalities.

“I’m proud to announce the next phase of the Shrewsbury and Navesink dredging project today. I secured $26 million in federal funding for the project, because protecting our waterways and replenishing our beaches are both essential to bolster the resiliency of the Jersey Shore,” said Pallone. “I’m grateful for the Army Corps of Engineers’ commitment to this important project in our state. The dredging will make our rivers safer and more accessible, while beach replenishment will protect residents and help ensure our renowned beaches remain enjoyable for residents and tourists for years to come.”

“Thank you to our federal officials for their continued support with local beach replenishment and the dredging projects in Monmouth County. These projects are very important to Long Branch and the surrounding Jersey Shore area,” said Long Branch Mayor John Pallone.

"Monmouth Beach is a town located between the Shrewsbury River and the Atlantic Ocean. As such, it is of vital importance to maintain our waterways and beach,” said Monmouth Beach Mayor David Stickle. “We thank Congressman Pallone for his continuing efforts to help protect our town from future storm damage with this and other critical projects. "

“I’m very pleased to be announcing the next phase of the vital work to maintenance dredge the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers, which will also include beach replenishment of both Long Branch and Monmouth Beach,” said Colonel Alex Young, Commander, USACE, New York District. “This work will have multiple benefits, including maintenance dredging of a key federal navigation channel and coastal storm risk reduction for surrounding communities in both Long Branch and Monmouth Beach where we will use the sand to increase resiliency. I’d like to thank Rep. Pallone for his continued support of this project as well as our partners at New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, our local partners and the dedicated men and women from New York District, who’ve worked tirelessly on this project. We couldn’t have made this possible without a tremendous amount of support from the entire team top to bottom.”

MONMOUTH BEACH — The unified command composed of the Coast Guard, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Monmouth County, continued their response today to reports of tar balls on the beach from Sea Bright south to Asbury Park, with cleanup operations today focused on Monmouth Beach and Long Branch, where the heaviest concentration of tar balls has been observed.

The Coast Guard has opened the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund and contracted Ken’s Marine, an oil spill removal organization, to conduct shoreline assessments and cleanup operations.

Operations are scheduled to continue through the day tomorrow in the other impacted areas.

Response crews from the Coast Guard, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Monmouth County and the National Park Service completed shoreline assessments. Shoreline assessments were conducted from Sandy Hook to Asbury Park to locate and document the extent of tar balls present.

Focus areas included Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook and the communities of Sea Bright, Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst and Asbury Park.

There are no reports of broader impact to the environment of wildlife at this time.

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Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City conducted an overflight of the area Tuesday to identify any oil pollution in the water. No oil was observed in the water during the flight.

The source of the tar balls remains under investigation. Assisting agencies include:• U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York• U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay• NOAA• U.S. National Park Service• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection• Monmouth County Sheriffs Office of Emergency Management• Monmouth County Health/HAZMAT Department• Long Branch Office of Emergency Management

Coast Guard Sector New York received initial reports of tar balls ranging in size from approximately 1-2 inches and smaller near Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park in Long Branch Tuesday and dispatched pollution response personnel to investigate.

Beach goers and mariners are advised to avoid contact with the tar balls. Anyone who notices any tar balls or oil sheen in the area should contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

MONMOUTH BEACH — Four New Jersey community-based organizations (CBOs) recently received funding to work with regional artists to develop community-engaged art projects that communicate climate risks to the public. These projects were made possible through funding awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Coastal Management Program (CMP).

Among the four groups selected were Monmouth Arts and artist Allison Hunter. Hunter will create “Monmouth Beach Rising,” a multimedia event inspired by the rising sea level threatening the coastal community of Monmouth Beach. The video content will feature actual footage of bay area water and sound that the artist will capture over the course of the next six-months.

The event will feature a community discussion including the artist and community leaders in flood water issues in the Monmouth Beach area.

Since 2019, the CMP has partnered with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (Arts Council) to develop and implement a Community-Based Art Grant Program, which - as part of a larger risk communications campaign - addresses the need to involve and inform the public about coastal hazard impacts and what actions they can take to reduce their risk. “The Arts Council has been a partner with the CMP since the inception of the program,” said Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the State Arts Council. “We applaud both NOAA and the DEP for taking the opportunity to capitalize on the unique ability of artists and art to connect communities around issues of climate resilience and risk.”

The CBOs and artists work together to address the theme of climate resilience and coastal flooding through original, site-specific artwork and community engagement events. The purpose is to engage communities in new ways, increasing awareness and understanding of flooding risks in the coastal zone, and introduce the other risk communication tools being produced by the CMP through this project.

"Since the launch of the Community-Based Art Grant Program in 2019, it has been incredibly exciting to see a variety of local artists, community organizations, climate scientists, and municipalities come together to learn about their local coasts and the risks they are facing,” said Nick Angarone, NJ Chief Resilience Officer. "This program enables these groups to bring that shared knowledge to the public through innovative, immersive art projects. I am looking forward to seeing what unique installations this next cohort of artists and organizations create for their communities." “I’m honored to work closely with the State Arts Council in their mission to serve and support artists, organizations, and communities throughout the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the Council in her capacity as Secretary of State. “I look forward to seeing these installations created over the coming months and watching as communities come together to spark important conversations around environmental protection and the preservation of our coastal communities.” The other three groups selected to participate are:• Artworks Trenton.• Perkins Center for the Arts.• WheatonArts - Taral Thompson.

Planned projects will be opened for public exhibition and/or participation beginning this Spring.

About the New Jersey State Council on the ArtsThe New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including: human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, please visit www.artscouncil.nj.gov.

About the Coastal Management ProgramNew Jersey’s Coastal Management Program works with and provides resources to communities across New Jersey’s coastal zone. Through collaborative partnerships with municipalities, federal agencies, and NGOs, the program works to address New Jersey’s most pressing coastal issues, including resilient coastal community planning, climate change, ocean planning, public access, wetlands, and coastal restoration.

To learn more about the Coastal Management Program, please visit www.nj.gov/dep/cmp.