Brick, Mantoloking Working on Easements, Pushing for Dune Projects
After Sandy, officials say, need for dune renourishment is greater than ever
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Officials in Brick Township and Mantoloking Borough are both hoping their residents sign easements allowing for an Army Corps of Engineers dune project that will shore up the oceanfront and, hopefully, prevent breaches like the one that occurred near the Mantoloking Bridge during Superstorm Sandy.
That breach, which led to a 20 foot-deep inlet forming between the ocean and the base of the county-owned bridge across Barnegat Bay, is largely blamed for the resulting floods in mainland neighborhoods such as Shore Acres and Baywood in Brick Township.
A plan to greatly widen ocean beaches and erect high dunes – similar to those in Long Beach Island, which withstood the wrath of Sandy – between Manasquan Inlet and South Seaside Park has been in place for about a decade, though it could never be put into action due to a lack of easements signed by oceanfront residents.
Those easements allow the Army Corps of Engineers and its contractor to build up dunes and renourish them every seven years after the initial project, however homeowners have been reluctant to sign them. Some homeowners say the very dunes that would protect their homes – and the homes of their neighbors – would destroy their view of the ocean and lower their home's property value. Others are afraid that the easement could be used as license in a future project to build a boardwalk or bathrooms in their backyards.
Not true, officials say.
"I can guarantee we will not be building a boardwalk in front of anyone's house," said Brick Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis. "We like what we have, and we just want to make things safer."
The same assurances have been given to Mantoloking residents, said Chris Nelson, the borough's special counsel for the Sandy cleanup effort there.
In Mantoloking, oceanfront homeowners have been given a revised easement form that contains language that states the land given up by the property owner will only be used in the federal dune replenishment project.
The width of the beach, according to Army Corps of Engineers documents, shows the beaches between Manasquan and Barnegat inlets will grow in length to the point where the current dune will end where the ocean water line begins today. In some cases, the 167-foot-wide dunes will be larger than the entire beachfront area they are replacing.
"When you stand on the new 22-foot dune that the Army Corps of Engineers is going to put in, it's going to take 350 steps to get to the sand," said Nelson. "If you're thinking of going into business, try making flip flops, because it's going to be hot out there."
In the small borough of Mantoloking alone, the federal plan calls for 2 million cubic yards of sand to be deposited on the beach and dunes.
The plan would be essentially identical for Brick Township's 3.5 miles of oceanfront.
In the Long Beach Island project, the dune project included a great amount of dune grass to hold the sand in place, and fencing to protect the dunes themselves.
While Mantoloking contends with a host of individual homeowners, Brick officials are trying to convince a number of homeowners associations to sign the easements which will allow the project to span the entire length of the town, including beaches where there is private access only.
Brick officials have been in contact with the associations and oceanfront homeowners, and have made progress, the mayor said.
"Things seem to be going very well," said Acropolis.
Nelson said federal officials have been open to replenishing beaches in one individual town if another local community does not get enough signatures to make a project worth it.
In the wake of the thrashing from Sandy endured by local beaches, plus the risk to non-oceanfront homeowners that comes from an inadequate dune system, the need for replenishment is greater than ever, and a refusal to sign an easement could be met with consequences.
"If we don't get all the easements in, we will do what's best for the community and expand legal options," said Nelson. "I sincerely hope it does not come down to that."
Acropolis has also alluded to potential legal action if homeowners do not sign the easements: a potential class action lawsuit brought by mainland homeowners whose properties could be at risk if the barrier beaches are not rebuilt.
Fred y
6:51 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Well it looks like they got what they wanted. Great view of the ocean from the top of the stairs looking into the living room. Now they want us to pay for it??
Thanks Sandy
10:27 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
heres a thought. Since the breach from Mantoloking impacted mainland flooding in Baywood and Shore Acres, shouldnt we be able to sue the town of Mantoloking and the private beach owners for neglect/ upkeep of the dunes that caused our damage.
pam ulrich
7:20 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
3.5 miles of beach in Brick and the residents get to use 1 mile. If tax payer money is used to fix the dunes and replenish the beach, then the private beaches along Brick should be open to the public. Really hope the man who does nothing but sits and yells at Brick beach one residents if their chair crosses the line into his "private" beach will rethink his actions this summer. Ps my parents lived there and joined the private beach one year, hundreds of dollars, for one season. where does that money go? Neendless to say they ended up at Brick beach anyway for the am entities. OPEN the whole 3.5 miles of ocean front to us all!
jack cee
1:08 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
You can buy a beach badge for any of the private beaches in Brick.We pay 1100 a year to maintain,insure and pay for lifeguards for our private beach.Its only private to the point were you are not using it for free which is probably what you want.
Chu-Man-Fu
7:46 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Easments and voluntary signatures be damned - JUST DO IT - Build the dunes so high that the hoy poloy won't be able to see the sunrise until noon ! I'm not one in favor of emminent domain but why should the lives, property, and possessions of so many be put at risk for the sake a few who want to see the sun pop out of the surf ! Bulldoze everything east of route 35 and put up a 30' high sea wall from Sandy Hook to Barnegat Light to Cape May !
Judy Ward
7:51 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Class action suit if they don't. I'm in!
Art D
8:02 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Me too Judy. Sue them all. My home was 60% damaged on the mainland because of the breach and now I'm in a V zone have to raise it to an insane level to keep my flood insurance affordable.
Jim
10:13 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Jim
I'm in too!!! Make 'em do it !!! My home was 60% damaged because of this breach. Now I have to fight tooth and nail to get $$ to repair it from the ins co and they are not too quick in paying. Not good
JAM
11:26 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Class action, absolutely! Where and when?
bernie
9:02 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Chu, Judy and Art Im in as well as thousands on Bricks mainland
Opinionated
9:27 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Perhaps you could sue these people as a group for the damages you have from the storm. You could take them to court and blame them for not allowing dunes on their property which caused you your losses. Just a thought. Hey, we sue for lesser reasons. Maybe you'll get what you want on the threat alone.
wookfish
9:48 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
just like an inland home when you change the grade on one property to cause drainage to damage or harm a neighboring property!!!!!
Mr Ships27
11:38 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Just another view...how is it determined that the owners of the homes would be found negligent in a class action suit? How do we know that the breaches wouldn't have happened without the houses there, in the natural state of the barrier islands. Most ocean front homeowners are not deliberately removing dunes, it's quite the opposite in my understanding. Don't the houses/structures provide some form of an impediment to the water, therefore providing a benefit to those west of the ocean?
Total taxes/capita for Sandy and all dune replenishment projects in NJ since 1986 is approximately $300 total. $60B Sandy + $700M dune replenishment/ 206M US citizens between 18-65=$300 over 30 years or $10 a year. Not sure that really merits the transfer of property rights as some have called for (my taxes=my beach, btw you already have access to the beaches). Certainly an eminent domain case would be very tough to make as all of the properties/structures are already contributing to the tax rolls and not formally blighted, most will be rebuilt.
Judy Ward
12:18 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Mr Ships27, Sandy was an act of God, homeowners are not being blamed for it now. But refusal to allow easements for dune replenishment which endangers others, could be a class action. Just saying.
Mr Ships27
1:24 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
@Judy Ward..you did read the first line of opinionated's post, right? That's what I was responding to. I'm sorry, but I didn't realize that property owners were obligated to protect other properties that they don't own, with the obvious caveat of negligence. Wouldn't a class action suit have to prove negligence, even non-action wouldn't meet that test would it? Especially in a case like this, act of god/force majeure.
A Resident
1:48 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Wouldn't you need a little bit of proof that the "breach" is what caused the damage.....and not lots of speculation?
Lori Morrison
10:30 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Ships27, Look at the area where the ocean breached. How many homes are left standing? There is one because it was built to withstand hurricanes. If the houses provided an impediment to the water then can the person who lost their home sue the neighbor whose house is on top of theirs? There are 58 homes that are missing. Will the homeowners be charged for dredging costs? If their cars are found then they can put a claim in to insurance. It should not matter whether you live on the barrier island or the mainland, we all have a responsibility to help protect our communities.
Chief Wahoo
10:22 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
those easements are going to make the property assesments drop ALOT.....which will than be passed on to everyone elses property tax bill , as well as drop everyones property values...... Be careful what you wish for !
Chu-Man-Fu
10:47 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Yeah - I can see my taxes going up now that I've had over 50% damage and am now classified in a V rather than an A zone - Let them try ..... I'll be lucky to get what I paid for it in '86
Judy Ward
10:51 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
LBI did the same thing and I didn't see property values dropping due to dune replenishment. Property values dropped for other reasons. Eminent domain will solve the problem.
jack cee
4:58 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
They call it the million dollar view.Can you imagine how much the rest of us will be paying in property tax if all the ocean front homes go down 1 million in value?????
Michael
10:41 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
The project was to run from a couple towns north of Mantoloking all the way south to I believe past Sea Side. All the towns had to sign easements, not just Mantoloking. I also recall Bay Head flat out saying they would not do it. There were also towns south that said the same thing. It was all or nothing! We have/had a house in Mantoloking and would signed but if Bay Head wouldn't what's the point? People really need to get the real history behind this and stop blaming Mantoloking.
Daniel Nee
11:07 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
As Chris Nelson said, the new opinion by the Army Corps is that individual towns can get replenishment even if neighboring towns put up a fight. This has played out in LBI. Surf City, for example, had its replenishment project done essentially by itself in 2006. Harvey Cedars was done by itself a couple years back and last summer. the Brant Beach section of Long Beach Township (granted, Brant Beach is arguably larger than Mantoloking but it is still just a section of another town) was done on its own. So in that regard, things have changed for the positive.
Brick Jerz Mom
10:41 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Sad that a lot of these home will get nothing to help to rebuild/ elevate their homes because it was a " second home" meanwhile these people are paying the highest of high taxes on 2 homes in NJ./NY area ....
may are just going to sell out & bring there $$ somewhere else. great move FEMA/ & NJ
Michael
11:23 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
Daniel Nee, I just think people are not given all the facts when it comes to the easements. As for my view? I couldn't really see the ocean from our first floor nor did I ever want to because if you did, you really knew you were going to have a problem....and we did. As I said, I could have signed 100 easements and since Bay Head would not ever sign the the Army Corp wouldn't do the project. That was the fact at the time.
bayboat
11:30 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
The words are choking on their way out of my mouth...."eminent domain"
jack smith
12:12 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
If this dune projects go forward shouldn't they redo the flood maps again for homes on the mainland. Right now I am not in a flood zone, but the upcoming ABFE puts me in an A zone. Shouldn't the dune project at least move some of the homes out of flood zones. These ABFE maps were drawn up based on the condition of the barrier island prior to the storm. The new dunes should help to alleviate future flooding to many mainland homes. No?
A Resident
1:47 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
FEMA officials have repeatedly stated that No, the ABFE will not change due to dune construction/beach replenishment.
Know why? Beach replenishment is temporary. Look at how many times the beaches in Manasquan and north of that have been replenished by A.C.E. And yet, the beach goes back to the way it was before replenishment....and they do it again....and the beach goes back....and so on.
Everyone is trying to change what Mother Nature put there as a beach....and she keeps on winning. Mantolokings giant beach will be gone in less than year from it's completion. The ocean will pull the sand back into the ocean where it wants it. They will then have huge dunes that will slowly whither away as well.
But millions of dollars will have been spent on the replenishment....to need to be done again.
lisad
12:20 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
If these people do not want to grant easements, take their property via eminent domain. period. screw them.
Michael
12:34 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
So, you want my property via Eminent domain? - "the power to take private property for public use by a state, municipality, or private person or corporation authorized to exercise functions of public character, following the payment of just compensation to the owner of that property." Go ahead, I'll give you my checking account routing number. Keep in mind, I pay about $26k a year in property tax on my second home. Say good bye to that and the millions it will take to give me "just compensation".
Judy Ward
2:11 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Unfortunately, you would only be compensated for the area being taken and would be offered market value at the time of the taking. If you don't accept the offer, they will take it anyway and then you would have to hire a lawyer for litigation. I'm not saying I agree with it, but that's how it will go down. I could see the dunes being a positive for everyone. It will protect the beachfront properties as well.
Betty Ann Fuller
1:42 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
I thought it would be a suit not eminent domain.
KC
12:45 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Nobody seems to have their story straight. If Mother Nature continues to have her way none of this is going to matter anyway.
Michael
2:28 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Judy Ward, writers here are suggesting that everything east of 35 be bulldozed. That would be my whole property. Current value? Well a tear down in Mantoloking just sold for $4.2 million so that's what a lot is worth I guess. Seems crazy but thats what someone paid. So go ahead, bulldoze all the ocean front homes which would cost about $533,400,000 in "just compensation". Go ahead, make it all a park, that would be $3,302,000 per year in property tax revenue gone.
Judy Ward
2:59 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Bulldozing everything east of 35 is ridiculous. No way the municipalities would want to do that. They can't afford to. Can't figure out why people make those type of comments. So I think we agree in part.
Trish
3:30 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
I know why. It begins with "J" and end with "ealousy."
Its over!
3:40 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
In the end, I wonder, Just how many of the people on here bickering back and forth will still be living in new Jersey?
nick verdina
4:50 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
anyone know a competent real estate attorney?
Keith
4:55 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Ask the expert at The Stevens Insitute about the breach. I posed the question that if the proper dunes were in place, would the breach have occured and was the breach the cause of the back bay areas to flood. He said yes the breach was the cause and that the dunes would have prevented it and he showed pictures before and after detailing his evidence. Micheal you are quick to point out your tax bill and that it is your second home...it appears as if is it your big eggo that is preventing your acceptance of the dunes. Get over yourself and look at the suffering from your front porch!
Michael
6:50 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Keith, I think you miss my point. You have no idea if I signed the easement the first time around several years ago. I could have signed it 10 times and everyone in Mantoloking could have but since Bay Head and other towns south REFUSED to even consider it the Army Corp wouldn't have done the project. No big ego, just the truth. Blame Bay Head. At least Mantoloking tried and considered it.
BTW, if I had a front porch I'd be willing to "look at the suffering" but you see, my house is GONE. Ego? I don't think so. Heart broken...yes.
re-tired
6:29 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Simple solution just zone all this property for commercial development ,since the property is so valuable let commercial interests build higher stronger condos ,hotels or even casinos .Get all the private interests bought out in this critical zone and adhere to strict codes. This is the only economic solution to the patch work dunes now in place. This would protect the mainland far better than private interests and those "special " towns along the barrier islands .
JHill
7:54 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
That is the plan. There are lots of investors looking to snatch up land on the cheap right now and a lot of them are doing it.
You think they are going to rebuild a beach house and make $200,000 dollars or build condos and make $5,000,000 dollars?
The towns are going to approve all of these because they will need the revenue.
Vincent Pischettola
11:09 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/reevaluate-new-fema-advisory-base-flood-elevation-maps-help-us-rebuild-not-shore-not-push-us-out/tZYxj3V5
Save the shore sign this and help stop FEMA
Betty Ann Fuller
7:55 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Why is Bay Head not signing, or are they going to sign? Wait, I thought they didn't own their beaches, per a previous lawsuit several years ago by a beach goer who sued BH because they were told to leave the beach because they had no badge, and were below the MHW line. Can't the Army Corps of Engineers do it anyway if this was the case back then?
Laura
8:39 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Bay Head Improvement Association owns the land to the high water mark, I believe.
Quaghogdigger
8:55 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I believe the beach in Bay Head is owned by the town, and run by the Bay head improvement assoc. (BHIA). If you read the article, the army corp is proposing a 167 foot wide dune. That is probably wider than the existing, even pre-storm, beach is now. So envision walking up the street end, up the stairs, taking a sand path across the wide dune, which remember will be covered with dune grass, except access walks, and down to the newly pumped in sand beach. Now the problem is, this new level beach area will be gone in short order and normal tides will be lapping at the base of the dune, effectively removing any usable beach for beach badge sales, which I'm sure in Bay head is a big $ item. I would think the homeowners would WANT this seclusion from the beach goers.
PPB1996
5:11 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
test
Betty Ann Fuller
7:34 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
@ Jack Cee: Your comment, "You can buy a beach badge for ANY of the private beaches in Brick.We pay 1100 a year to maintain,insure and pay for lifeguards for our private beach.Its only private to the point were you are not using it for free which is probably what you want." is not correct. There are private associations on the barrier Island that do not use beach badges.
mineeeemoh
9:13 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
You forgot to mention how disgusting the port a potties are.
jack cee
3:55 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Enlighten me....You have to by state law offer use of your beach to the public for a fee.
Ask an officer in your association.I know what I'm talking about.
brick strong
12:45 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Why wouldn't anyone what to stop putting in protection from this to ever happen again...We don't know if it would but why take the chance to have this damage and hardship to anyone in the future..Its sad they suffered this much this time..
proud
3:25 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
A pig by any other name is still a pig.
mineeeemoh
7:40 pm on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Llipstick?
proudnot2bliberal
5:07 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
for all the whiners out there basking in the glory of the homes in Mantoloking destroyed I pose a few questions for you (most of you will have to T-H-I-N-K many it will be a 1st) 1) the ONLY place there has been any proof of dune removal is in Ortley beach area 2) if "we" (collectively) DO NOT rebuild the beaches on the island the Island will disappear (just take a trip to Cape May WW2 Gun battery http://www.lostinjersey.com/military/capemaybunker.html Originally built 900 feet from the shoreline, 60 years of rising tides and erosion have now brought the ocean to the bunker. T-H-I-N-K of what would happen to your inland house if we didnt rebuild the dunes you would now have ocean front property & then the whiners would be complaining about you. 3) Brick & TR are looking at a substantial tax shortage from these destroyed homes. See no big home on shore (many have been in families for decades) no taxes IE: NO obomie bucks on your EBT (food stamp card) or no money for the senior center bus trip rec-hall & pool.
4th I dont know if any of you whiners have been out on 35 but its a very very sad site empty lots driveways to nowhere empty foundations all of the 100's of homes washed away, then there are the others with big "X" on them slated for demo & a few that survived but sustained severe damage
Youve to be a cold heartless person not to be chocked up by this. BUT when you live off the backs of working people collecting swellfare & guberment handouts what do you care
A Resident
9:56 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013
1) Have no idea, so I'll give you that one.
2) Funny thing is....those beaches were there before there were any houses/structures at all....Mother Nature built them. She will do what she wants with them regardless of human intervention. She adds sand, she takes sand away. She will win.
3) Yes, they may face a substantial tax shortage....or they may raise the taxes of "inland" properties to make up the difference.....your guess as to which way they go.
4) I drive 35 pretty often. I also tend to get up north of here and see some areas just as bad. Mantoloking and Ortley Beach are not the centers of the world....get over yourselves.
sophie123
3:25 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
As a Brick barrier island resident and also a board association member, I take issue with Mayor Acropolis's statement that ocean front owners and associations have been contacted concerning easements granting access to replenish the beach and dunes. We have heard NOTHING from Brick. It's almost March.
Betty Ann Fuller
5:16 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I can tell you there are places on the island with private beach associations, that do not use badges.
Betty Ann Fuller
5:26 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sophie, it is my understanding that all association president's have been notified. Has your president notified notified his/her entire board?
mineeeemoh
12:28 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
In dealing with the aftermath of the wrath of that storm, do you really think something as trivial as a badge is warranted in any discussion now? Maybe bankruptcy is called for. It seems to solve so many issues. Hey it may even get you elected? Aint that right Mayor?
Frustrated Taxpayer
12:01 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Sadly parts of Mantoloking and Bayhead have always had problems with storms . Because the barrier island is so narrow between the bay and the ocean, nothing would have saved the island from the devastation. Conditions were just too perfect . I have noticed that sand has been bulldozed onto people's properties. Some have dunes five ft from their front doors. Who is responsible for getting these properties back in order ? The people on the barrier island are paying $$$$ for taxes that take care of the people on the mainland and the schools. The value of my house is only $250,000. My taxes are over $30,000. We get no services; [I can pay for my own trash pick up in the summer] , we have no voting rights. I think I was taught in history class that is called.."Taxation Without Representation." I want the barrier island disconnected from Brick Township. Let us connect with Mantoloking Borough or Lavalette. I think they would welcome our taxes and support. Free us please, Mr. Mayor. I'll even pay for the bulldozing to get our properties back in order with the money I am saving from the huge taxes. Oh, and our taxes went up 100% IN ONE YEAR. Brick pulled that fast one off right before Gov. Christie put the 2% increase cap on NJ home taxes when he came into office. Property values will shrink now....and I hope those who got so greedy with the huge taxes will come to their senses and bring them back to what they once were.
Frustrated Taxpayer
8:12 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Another question...wasn't the bay at fault for the surge also. Are we going to build dunes there too? Or are we letting mother nature slide on that one??? Truth is Mother nature will do what she wants to do.
A Resident
9:29 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Frustrated Taxpayer, I'd love to know where you live that you are paying over $30,000 in taxes on a $250,000 valued assessment. (unless you are leaving out the assessed value of your land)
And no, the bay was not at fault. No water at all ever came in to the bay through the Manasquan inlet nor the Barnegat inlet. It all came from the opening in Mantoloking. (if you ignore facts)
Frustrated Taxpayer
9:56 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Of course the land value was not added into the property value, but trust me...my house.+..my land does not warrant me to pay $30,000 in property taxes.....when I get nothing from Brick. Just a few years ago I was paying $14,000.I know I am not alone in wanting fair taxes for my land and property.
Betty Ann Fuller
9:08 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Not sure where youve been over the past 10 years but we can never succeed to mantoloking. Read their charter. And you are surely not the only homeowner paying 30k+ in taxes on the island. Please reach out to the FOBA or ron ivanecki for historical facts.
proud
6:03 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013
@PPNB, there was an interesting article on revetments close to home this morning:
http://www.app.com/proart/20130505/njnews/305050091/rocks-under-sand-could-protection-from-storm?pagerestricted=1