"I used to have a 24 foot dune out there," said Frank Gallagher, a resident of Brick's barrier island portion. "Now, you look out right onto the ocean, and it's a very scary situation."
Gallagher told township council members this week he is afraid another storm could cause damage to his home that is still standing after Hurricane Sandy.
The issue of dune restoration is a crucial one for homeowners in essentially every community that fronts the ocean. Without protective dunes, homes even blocks away could be at risk. And if the ocean breaches the barrier island, as it did near the Mantoloking Bridge during Sandy, rushing water could cause flooding even on the western shore of Barnegat Bay.
State officials were as concerned as anyone, and in the immediate aftermath of Sandy, commented on the great extent to which the dunes were destroyed.
In Brick, restoring the dunes will be both a short-term and long-term project, officials said.
"We have one contractor out there right now doing dune restoration," said Business Administrator Scott Pezarras. "He's pushing as much up as he can."
The current plan includes taking sand washed onto local streets by the storm and pushing it back to the beach to form a berm.
"We are in an effort to secure as much of the beach, by pushing up some sand, as we can," said Pezarras.
Another technique the township has been using to help restore dunes in the short-term is acquiring storm fencing, which Pezarras said is a "hot commodity" right now.
The initial, short-term work is a quick fix to help prevent additional damage to township neighborhoods.
Dune restoration work is one of the many expenditures for which the township can be expected to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agenca (FEMA).
Pezarras said long-term dune restoration is "very preliminary phased right now."
Fortunately, in the wake of Sandy, state officials have alleviated lengthy permitting requirements that normally come with dune restoration projects, said Pezarras.
"There are so many moving parts to the recovery process, it's just mind-boggling," he said.
1st... Jetties... about every 1/2 mile. They need to go out at least 50 yds from current low tide. It keeps the sand from eroding from the beaches and eliminates the need for annual beach replenishment. If you have a deep beaches that alone can sustain many storms. The ocean currents cause the erosion on a regular basis... jetties keep the sand in place for the most part. 2nd... build concrete barriers up to the elevation of 10 feet above high tide. If you want to put sand over it to look natural so be it. But that will sustain a storm whereas dunes will not... and they have to be replenished every year.... notwithstanding they need to be 20ft high and 20ft deep to withstand a storm. That blocks all views from the boardwalk, etc.
and... wait to hear what I have to say about you on Tuesday!!! can't believe TRRS is paying part of your salary... that will soon change!!
I'm very familiar with jetties... and they work... the keep for a deeper beach and don't need replenishment every year.. I know.. I built one on the pacific ocean... If you have a deep beach... water has hard time even reaching the dunes... did you see AC in front of the casinos.... not a drop hit the boardwalk!!
The beach I live on has never been replentished, we have no jetties and no problems for 74 years. Hardening of the front of the T Bird built too close to the ocean in 1966 has caused the only problem. Jetties also cause issues for swimming and alike.
beach restoration is done EVERY year up and down the Jersey coast... including your beachfront. It is done by the state... paid for by the state..
Are non residents allowed in to help now, or are we still forbidden from entering these private fiefdoms?
Even though I have been chased off their "private beaches" many times over the years, Me and my family are still volunteering and donating to help them during these times. I just hope they don't put the "Keep Out" signs back up.