Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
UNION BEACH, N.J. – Today, Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and U.S. House Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.-06) held a groundbreaking ceremony with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the Union Beach flood control project. This phase includes beach replenishment with dunes, pedestrian and automobile dune crossovers, and strategically placed terminal groins, which are similar to jetties. The remaining phases are primarily flood control infrastructure, including flood gates and pump stations.
The project was authorized for construction in the Water Resources Development Act (WRADA) of 2007. The majority of the funding comes from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 that Pallone and Menendez fought to secure after Superstorm Sandy.
“In the days and weeks after Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, with more than $36 billion in damages and 2.6 million residents without power, the entire country quickly learned what it means to be ‘Jersey Strong,’” said Sen. Menendez. “The Superstorm Sandy Coastal Risk Reduction Program, a multi-year and multi-state endeavor, is finally under way and will better protect Union Beach from rising seas and future catastrophic weather events. I’m proud to support the residents of Union Beach and their families, alongside Congressman Pallone, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as we invest in their current and future safety.”
“I’m happy to see that the Union Beach flood control project is finally underway. We saw firsthand the devastating impact of Superstorm Sandy in Union Beach, but it doesn’t just take a major storm to inflict flood damage on homes, businesses, and other property. Coastal states like New Jersey are on the frontlines of rising sea levels and stronger storms due to climate change,” said Rep. Pallone. “I fought to include federal funding for this project so we can protect homes and businesses from future disasters. I will continue to work with our state and local officials to deliver federal support to our communities across Monmouth County so they have the resources they need to withstand future storms and flooding events.”
“Today is a great day for the Borough of Union Beach. We are grateful to Congressman Pallone, our federal delegation, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for their steadfast support of the Union Beach Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project,” said Union Beach Mayor Charles Cocuzza. “Superstorm Sandy devastated our borough and only amplified the need to protect our residents from the growing threat of sea level rise and stronger storms.”
“Today we close the final chapter on the planning phases for the Union Beach Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Project and move on to actual shovels in the ground,” said Colonel Matthew W. Luzzatto, commander, New York District. “This important step could not have been achieved without the support of our partners at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. We’ll continue to work tirelessly to complete this flood risk reduction project, which will provide additional coastal storm risk reduction measures for the residents of these communities.”
“The Murphy Administration thanks Senator Menendez, Congressman Pallone, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Mayor Cocuzza for their commitment to moving this project forward for the protection of lives, properties and infrastructure in Union Beach,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “New Jersey and communities such as Union Beach – devastated by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 – are at ground zero for the worsening impacts of climate change. This project will provide the infrastructure, beaches and dunes that will help protect Union Beach from future storms such as Sandy. The DEP is pleased to be part of this important endeavor.”