The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is working hard to ensure a safe and enjoyable season at the Jersey shore, the backbone of New Jersey’s tourism economy.
Following a pre-holiday weekend coastal monitoring flight, DEP Acting Commissioner Shawn LaTourette announced that New Jersey beaches are in good shape and water quality is excellent during the annual State of the Shore event in Asbury Park.
A February nor’easter caused significant erosion in parts of Ocean and Cape May counties. Shore protection projects prevented damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. Repairs are underway to ensure public access to affected beaches.
In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the DEP, has completed a $61 million beach renourishment project for northern Monmouth County and a $25 million beach renourishment project for Absecon Island in Atlantic County.
These projects mitigated the impacts of the nor’easter.
Favorable weather conditions since then have helped the beaches to recover. They are in good condition entering the beach season, concluded DEP.