Brigantine Beach Erosion Problem on the Table

The City of Brigantine, New Jersey, continues to pursue a more permanent solution to the town’s ongoing struggle to prevent erosion of the north-end beaches.

The City Engineer Ed Stinson announced at the May 3 Council Meeting that he is having discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who are very interested in finding solution for the ongoing problem.

According to Stinson, Brigantine has entered into an agreement with the federal government designating it as an “engineered beach.” This makes Brigantine eligible for scheduled beach replenishments in which sand is pumped into areas eroded by storms.

“Right now it’s very preliminary, and every project involves a cost analysis, meaning that the cost of the project cannot outweigh the cumulative future benefits of doing it. So the next step is the cost analysis and how it will be funded,” said Stinson.“It’s taken a couple of years for the Army Corps to get through their studies, but they’ve determined that there is a federal interest to review those options and take it to the next step.”

Stinson also added that the city is looking for a funding partner and has reached out to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s coastal engineering division. “Nothing is in writing yet, but it definitely appears that the state will partner with the federal government in helping Brigantine achieve this.” 

Years ago, the Corps installed groins up to the Roosevelt Boulevard beach and beyond that point is where Brigantine’s most severe erosion problems tend to occur when a severe storm hits.

“The last set of jetties that were put in stopped at Roosevelt Boulevard, and they worked,” said Mayor Guenther. “We’ve argued for years that having stopped at Roosevelt Boulevard is part of the problem — not the entire problem but part of the problem — as to why erosion takes place beyond that.”

USACE recently has been considering a variety of solutions to tackle this problem, including adding more groins, or rockpile jetties, in strategic areas to help contain the sand.

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