JERSEY SHORE — Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has secured a $1 million federal earmark to help restore Silver Lake in Belmar, one of several critical coastal lakes and waterways stretching from Belmar through Brielle—including Spring Lake, Lake Como, and Wreck Pond—that are vital to local ecosystems and flood management. The funding, included in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, is set for a final House vote in September. If approved, it will accelerate ongoing efforts to improve water quality and habitat restoration at Silver Lake.

These interconnected lakes serve as natural stormwater reservoirs, recreational hubs, and wildlife habitats. However, years of storm damage, rising sea levels, and aging infrastructure have compromised their health. Federal and local partnerships, such as this earmark, are essential for restoring environmental balance and protecting communities along the Jersey Shore.

“Silver Lake is just one piece of a larger network of coastal waters that sustain our environment, protect neighborhoods from flooding, and provide recreation for families year-round,” Smith said. “This funding is a critical step toward restoring not just one lake, but the health of our entire regional ecosystem.”

The $1 million earmark will address persistent water quality challenges, with plans to reconnect Silver Lake’s outflow pipe to the Atlantic Ocean—a critical step to revive tidal flow and improve marine habitats. Smith’s office is expected to clarify the amount Belmar will need to match if the federal funding is finalized.

Superstorm Sandy still having an impact:  It has been the assumption the damage from Superstorm Sandy left the outflow pipe to the ocean severely compromised, halting the natural exchange of water between the lake and the ocean. This disruption has resulted in degraded water quality and eutrophic conditions. Smith emphasized that the restoration will not only bring back tidal flow but also improve stormwater management and flood mitigation in the area.

A collaboration: This earmark builds on Smith’s earlier success in securing assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which is currently completing a comprehensive planning phase worth approximately $250,000. The USACE study, expected to wrap up next spring, will guide the design of alternative solutions to improve water quality, restore habitats, and reduce residual flooding around the lake.

“It has been a pleasure working with Environmental Committee Chair Dianne Vellieux and Committee Member Gary Henniger, who first brought the issue to my attention,” Smith said. He also praised the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, led by Commissioner Director Tom Arnone, for contributing additional funding and support. Committee member Henniger said, “It has been a team effort by the town's Environmental Committee and the subcommittees to move this forward. The team worked hard and was diligent to see the efforts through, and hopefully our elected officials in Washington DC will move this forward in September."

The $1 million earmark for Silver Lake must still pass the full House and Senate before it can be finalized. Smith remains confident the funding will garner bipartisan backing, citing the project’s environmental and community benefits. He has also drawn attention to the importance of long-term coastal resiliency efforts, particularly in a region with numerous interconnected lakes and flood-prone areas.

With Congress and the US Senate on summer break from their duties in Washington DC, US Senator representing New Jersey Andy Kim and an entourage went on a tour  on July 27th of the surrounding communities' lakes and ecological challenges for the purpose of understanding community needs here on the Jersey Shore. A vote will be taken on the floor when they reconvene in September about the $1M appropriation. 

This article was published on July 27, 2025 and can be found, along with additional photos, online at: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/gold-coast/sections/government/articles/rep-smith-s-1m-silver-lake-earmark-moves-closer-to-reality-what-s-next