Ocean Grove beach. October, 2013. Paul Goldfinger photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger Thursday, October 30, 2013.
At last night’s OGCMA project review, Bill Bailey spoke of the forthcoming beach replenishment project. He said that originally the Army Corp of Engineers was supposed to begin work in Manasquan and head north to Asbury Park. But he thought that the action might actually begin in AP and go south. He said that the work would probably begin after January 1, 2014. The plan is to also build a continuous dune that would run lengthwise. The design takes into consideration the bad results that occurred during Sandy where dunes were not continuous. Note that our dunes at the north end are in fine condition and are “the best dunes on the Shore.” They will not be replaced.
Dune engineering is a complex process, and Neptune Township’s engineering consultants (Avakian Co.) will be monitoring the work to be done in the Grove. He said that the ACE gained considerable experience with dunes after Katrina and other storms. However, it appears that the ACE will not be building the Jersey Shore dunes, so other arrangements will be made. Note that the dunes will have handicap access onto the beach.
Mr. Bailey emphasized that dunes must be properly engineered and constructed. “We want to do the project right,” he said. “We will not rush, and our dunes will be built to last by professionals. The process is slow, and the roots have to go deep.” Dune grass will be planted including some being grown on the rooftops of Neptune schools. The students are “very excited” about the project. It will teach them about helping others and it “shows community spirit.” Currently there is a shortage of dune grass.
Today we heard from Linda and Mike Oakes of Ocean Grove who sent us a link to the ACE web site where you can read about the contract for our work that was awarded to a company from Illinois: Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. This article is very interesting. I recommend that we all read it. Link to ACE announcement
Mr. Bailey was proud of the work done in the last two weeks when the final removal of boardwalk pilings was completed. They used heavy equipment to pull out the entire pilings instead of cutting them off. These were 25 to 30 feet long. Some of them go back to the ’40’s and ’50’s. One piling consisted of an entire tree with the branches removed. He said that the beach “now looks beautiful” and is ready for the sand project.
You will notice a “series” of double snow fence along the middle beach. This is to protect beachgoers from the corrugated metal bulkhead (“the steel wall”) which is underground, but near the surface. The fence arrangement will also hinder the sand from blowing back across Ocean Avenue.
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY, who was born in Ocean Grove, and the POOR FOOLS.
Album: Songs From the Barn
: “Beneath Still Waters.”
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