Ocean Grove, New Jersey boardwalk. October 30, 2012. 8:40 a.m. By Paul Goldfinger. Click left for full view
by Paul Goldfinger
When the OGCMA received the FEMA rejection in January, they felt that Ocean Grove was being treated unfairly. After all, our boardwalk has been no different in terms of its importance to the community than, for example, Bradley Beach’s. Ralph delCampo, interim administrator of the CMA, pointed out that we are eligible for FEMA aid, and the only reason for the rejection was that our boardwalk was seen as a purely recreational space, even though the reality is otherwise. When seen in that light, surely there is an injustice here, when other towns with identical boardwalk situations have been already granted financial aid. It was clear that the current FEMA regulations should be modified to address the legitimate needs in the Grove.
A decision was then made to appeal, but the CMA quickly learned that the situation was complicated . One of the first things that they discovered was that the goal posts have been moved since the CMA last received FEMA money in the 1990’s; changing regulations had left Ocean Grove vulnerable. And the appeal process would require a lot more than just filling out some papers.
They soon realized that they would need help from multiple sources in local, state and federal government. In addition, a team of consultants would be required to help navigate the situation.
They also looked back at what happened in 2011 when, after Hurricane Irene, the CMA was denied FEMA funding to fix the pier . You might be surprised as to why they were rejected back then. We will explain that in our next piece on this topic.
In an interview today, Mr. delCampo was effusive in his praise for everyone who has stepped to the plate in a genuine, “nonpolitical” way to try and help Ocean Grove. He mentioned the support of Neptune Township elected officials and staff, the Governor’s office, State Senator Jennifer Beck, our State Assemblymen, Congressman Chris Smith, as well as consultants including Eileen Kean and a group of FEMA experts led by a “young man” who used to be a lifeguard in the Grove.
In keeping with a multi-pronged process for the appeal, Mr. delCampo is asking citizens to “write letters to FEMA describing personal anecdotes” where they witnessed or personally experienced emergency services at the beachfront area or any other events that illustrate the non-recreational activities that occur there. Please send those letters to the CMA at their offices (54 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756) and they will be sent to FEMA along with other elements of the appeal.
In my letter to FEMA I wrote that the boardwalk is how I have gone to Asbury to enjoy its ocean-front restaurants and shops. Other walking routes or driving are not realistic. Therefore I consider the boardwalk a thoroughfare, a street, a walkway which should qualify it for funding as per FEMA regulations.
The CMA office thanked me for my letter but expressed disappointment that there were not more letters of support.
I brought my letter to the CMA today. The receptionist said thank you and then commented that she wished more people would write letters. I told FEMA the boardwalk served as a thoroughfare for me to walk rather than drive to visit Asbury’s boardwalk businesses.
Joe –
The Boardwalk itself is an erosion mitigation asset and there is no question that without the Boardwalk there would have been much more property damage with Sandy. Yes, there are occasional accidents and safety issues that occur directly on the Boardwalk, but the Boardwalk is also a reliable and helpful staging area for responses to safety issues on the beach. It’s not that the Boardwalk prevents accidents, but rather, it is infrastructure that helps the town manage the beach area more safely (e.g., there are phones, power, lights at night, easy to transverse surfaces for gurneys, etc.). For both of these reasons, the Boardwalk should not be thought of as a recreational space — rather it is a key piece of enabling infrastructure.
I don’t think there is any doubt that the beach itself, that area lying between the mean high water line and the easterly line of Ocean Ave serves as a critical link in the defense of residential properties and infrastructures.
Which is why the ACOE has already stated that the beach would be replenished and erosion mitigation systems would be installed.
However the boardwalk is considered a separate entity from the beach and dunes, which is why they are not funding its replacement. I don’t see how writing stories about rescue in the ocean and on the sands will help change FEMA’s decision. In fact, after all the nashing of teeth over the hazards of bikes on the boards last year plus the trip hazards the boards present, I would say it actually causes more emergencies. It certainly doesn’t prevent them.
State Senator Jennifer Beck, representing Ocean Grove, recently gave an interview to NJ Today Online (viewed on YouTube). She said that the Camp Meeting Association is a “quasi governmental entity” that functions “like a small municipality within Neptune.” It provides “critical infrastructure” for “essential elements” of public service functions at the shore such as emergency management as well as critical links to other towns
She said that she “hopes” that FEMA will consider new information in reevaluating their decision regarding the Grove.