New Ocean Grove pier under construction. Neptune and the HPC did not inspect or approve this project. March 2023. Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net. Click to enlarge. ©
Historian David H. Fox has come upon some information regarding these topics, so we are posting his Part I comment separately here as Part II.
If any of our readers have the knowledge to participate in this discussion, just click on “comments” below or send us a email: Blogfinger@verizon.net. We appreciate such commenters to use their actual names, although anonymous comments will also be accepted.
From David H Fox: 12/28/23.
The use of “sold” in connection with lots may have been technically incorrect. This is similar to when one buys a cooperative apartment. In this case, one buys a “right of occupancy” and shares in a corporation that owns the building.
A person kindly sent me a copy of response to an inquiry to the State of NJ regarding the beach and pier construction.
Michael Cuccia, NJDEP Bureau Of Tidelands Management:
“In response to your Tidelands related questions, I have done a cursory review of the application materials and submitted plans/drawings for above listed pending permit application, and have reviewed the records of this office for any Tidelands instruments for the subject area (existing/proposed pier).
“The State issued a Tidelands (Riparian) Lease in 1880 to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Of The Methodist Episcopal Church. That lease got converted to a Tidelands Grant (sale of the State’s tidelands ownership) on 12/17/1887.”</em>
DHF: I believe new laws have superseded these. The original grant was from the mean high water mark on the beach seaward for 1,000 feet.
Cuccia went on to write:
“A party holding the rights to a valid Riparian grant does Not have automatic rights to build any type of structure desired. Approval of all pertinent federal, state & local construction permits would first be required. A valid riparian grant would negate the need to apply for and obtain a Tidelands License (rental agreement with an annual fee) prior to permit approved construction within the limits of the granted area. A license is required whenever there is no grant within a State tidelands claimed waterway, such as the Atlantic Ocean within the State’s 3 nautical mile limit.”