Press Release
Smith secures $50 million in federal funding for state-of-the art vessel for dredgingToday’s House-passed FY26 Energy & Water Appropriations Act (HR 4553) includes $50 million in dedicated funds for a new shallow draft dredging vessel, which Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) specifically sought to address dangerous shoaling issues at the Manasquan Inlet and other locations. “A vote ‘NO’ on today’s bill would have been a vote against a desperately needed new dredge for the Manasquan and Shark River Inlets and the economy of the Jersey Shore,” Smith said. “Categorized as a dynamic inlet with strong tides, regularly shifting sands that create very dangerous shoaling, sand bars, and wave action, the Manasquan Inlet can become treacherous—and at times impassible—for both commercial and recreational boaters. The threat to life and the grave economic impact the shoaling has on NJ’s fishing industry demand a long-term, sustainable solution,” Smith said. “We have been fighting for years for a new dredge, and this bill will make that a reality.” “It should also be clear,” added the senior lawmaker, who represents several shore towns in Monmouth and Ocean counties, “that beach replenishment funds are appropriated in this bill, and existing funds appropriated just this past December—which have not been fully expended—are available for critical beach replenishment projects. “When the FY26 Energy & Water Appropriations Act is enacted into law, there will be more than $375 million in funds available for shore protection and coastal management projects, such as beach nourishment,” Smith stated. Smith noted that in 2022, he worked with the Army Corps and personally secured $30.2 million in federal funding for beach nourishment projects in the 4th congressional district, many of which were completed earlier this year. When those projects are ready for upgrading, he will again work with the Army Corps and the local mayors to ensure that the federal government delivers on its portion of the funding. Historically, there have been only two government-owned, shallow-draft dredges serving the East Coast from Galveston, TX to Maine—the Murden and the Currituck. However, the Currituck, the oldest dredging vessel owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, has been out of service for several years, leaving only the Murden available to dredge inlets and ports along thousands of miles of shoreline. This lack of operating equipment could be catastrophic to ports up and down the Eastern Seaboard. ### Contact: |