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Sand coming to Avalon in 2006, but in meantime...
Avalon considers its beach options after storms left severe beach erosion.
By Brian Ianieri
Staff Writer, (609) 463-8713
The Press of Atlantic City, N.J.
Avalon - The borough is considering its options in dealing with eroding beaches exacerbated by last month's storms.
Officials hope a planned beach renourishment in 2006 stays on track - the project relies heavily on fickle federal funding - but also recognize something might need to be done in the meantime.
Avalon Councilman Joseph Tipping said the borough is considering how to restore the beaches and how much it may cost.
Erosion is most severe at the northern end of the borough, near Townsends Inlet.
Making it through the winter has been a concern.
"It's gotten worse recently...it's gotten over the rocks, it's gotten over the bulkhead, it's chewing into the dune itself," Tipping said of recent storms.
"If you don't do anything now, you leave yourself vulnerable to the storms that come in the spring," he said. "It's a very tough task, but it obviously needs to be done."
Shore towns struggling to keep sand on their beaches are commonplace.
Sand tends to migrate from the beaches in the winter, and then returns in time for vacationers.
But heavy storms, particularly northeasters, can put a crimp in the sand's migration.
Avalon Public Works Director Harry deButts said the borough is not only considering a full-scale beach renourishment in 2006 but also what to do in the meantime to maintain already damaged beaches.
"We're looking at what our alternatives are and trying to work with the legislators at the state and federal levels to see what the potentials are for an Army Corps (of Engineers) renourishment sometime for the fall of next year," deButts said.
The beaches are stable now, deButts said.
"We get ourselves a few nor'easters going and things are going to get different very quickly," he said.
Earlier this year, Avalon trucked thousands of tons of sand from the middle of the island to beaches near Townsends Inlet.
The back passing of sand worked, but would have been more successful if northeasters had not struck at the last minute, deButts said.
"It worked, but it wasn't as effective as it could have been. It was not enough and too late," he said.
Avalon also could consider hydraulically transferring sand through a system that pumps sand where it is needed most, he said.
Meanwhile, a seawall project that started last year on the northern end of Avalon should be completed around the end of the year, he said.
"We're getting there...It's just a long process," he said.
To e-mail Brian Ianieri at The Press: BIanieri@pressofac.com
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