PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced the release of an interim report for the New Jersey Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Study.
The Army Corps, in partnership with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, is conducting the feasibility study within the New Jersey Back Bay area, defined as the network of interconnected tidal water bodies located landward of the New Jersey ocean coastline in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Burlington and Cape May counties. The study area includes approximately 950 square miles and nearly 3,400 miles of shoreline. The objective of the study is to investigate problems and solutions to reduce damages from coastal flooding that affect population, critical infrastructure, property and ecosystems.
The study team prepared the interim report to present preliminary findings and a focused array of alternative plans that manage risk and reduce damages from coastal storms. The document describes the engineering, economic, social and environmental analyses conducted to date. The focused array of alternative plans described in the report and future study analyses will ultimately result in the selection of a recommended plan for the region while minimizing environmental, social and economic impacts.
Some of the alternatives under consideration include structural solutions such as storm surge barriers, tide gates, levees and floodwalls; non-structural solutions such as elevation of homes; and nature-based features such as marsh restoration and the creation of living shorelines.
The study is being cost-shared by the DEP and federal government. The study was developed out of the Army Corps’ North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, which was undertaken after Hurricane Sandy.
The general public and stakeholders are invited to provide comments by April 1.
To view the report, visit http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/New-Jersey-Back-Bays-Coastal-Storm-RiskManagement/
Comments by email: PDPA-NAP@usace.army.mil
Comments in writing:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Planning Division
Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square E.
Philadelphia PA 19107
