WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will receive more than $24 million for beach replenishment, flood mitigation, environmental restoration, and waterway navigation projects in New Jersey.

“Last year, Hurricane Irene and other storms wreaked havoc on our state,” said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which funds the Corps of Engineers. “While we have more work to do, these funds are a critical investment in helping our most flood-prone communities and finding long-term solutions to prevent future flooding. This federal funding will support our coastline by replenishing New Jersey's beaches, which protect our coastal economy from storms.”

“This investment is critical to our state’s economy, our environment, and the safety of our residents,” said Senator Menendez. “Millions in resources will go towards flood control, water infrastructure, beach replenishment, and environmental restoration efforts that New Jersey needs to remain competitive. I am proud to have helped secure this important funding for New Jersey.”

The funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which funds the Corps. Following severe storms that caused extensive flooding last year, Senators Lautenberg and Menendez called on the Corps of Engineers to use these resources for flood prevention work in flood-prone areas. In addition, the Senators called on the Corps to fund beach projects, which help prevent damage when storms hit the coast.

Flood Mitigation

These funds will go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood mitigation and water infrastructure projects.

Passaic River Basin – $250,000
Rahway River Basin (Union County) – $225,000
Peckman River (Essex and Passaic Counties) – $200,000
South River, Raritan River (South River and Sayreville) – $125,000
Stony Brook, Millstone River (Manville and surrounding area) – $50,000

Beach Replenishment

These funds will go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for beach replenishment and storm damage reduction projects.

Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright (Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet) – $12.3 million
Atlantic City (Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Absecon Island) – $3.5 million
Brigantine Island (Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Absecon Island) – $3.58 million
Long Beach Island (Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet) – $600,000
Avalon and Stone Harbor (Townsends Inlet to Cape May Inlet) – $300,000
Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest (Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet) – $300,000
Cape May (Cape May Inlet to Lower Township) – $200,000
Sandy Hook Bay (Leonardo) – $127,710
Long-Term Beach Nourishment Study – $100,000 to improve the beach replenishment process

Environmental Restoration

These funds will go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for environmental restoration.

Hudson-Raritan Estuary– $200,000 to develop a comprehensive ecosystem restoration and management plan for the New York and New Jersey Harbor

Waterway Navigation

These funds will to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain and improve the state’s waterways.

The New York Harbor – $1.3 million (in addition to $63.7 million already announced to deepen the harbor)
Delaware River (Philadelphia to Trenton) – $620,730
New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway – $257,400
Shark River (Monmouth County) – $495,000