The House of Representatives today approved the FY26 Energy & Water Appropriations Act (HR 4553), which includes $50 million for a new shallow-draft dredging vessel—funds Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) fought to secure in order to address dangerous shoaling issues at the Manasquan Inlet, Shark River Inlet, and other key waterways.

              “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 following the vote.

              Smith stressed the urgency of the project, describing the Manasquan Inlet as “a dynamic inlet with strong tides, regularly shifting sands that create very dangerous shoaling, sand bars, and wave action,” which at times can render the waterway “treacherous—and at times impassible—for both commercial and recreational boaters.” He warned that the risks to life and the economic fallout for New Jersey’s fishing industry make a long-term solution essential.

              “We have been fighting for years for a new dredge, and this bill will make that a reality,” Smith said.

              The veteran lawmaker, who represents several Monmouth and Ocean County shore towns, also highlighted the bill’s broader provisions for coastal protection. He noted that beach replenishment funds are included in the package, in addition to existing funds appropriated last December that remain available for ongoing 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 said.

              Smith pointed to his 2022 work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to secure $30.2 million in federal funding for beach nourishment in his district, much of which was completed earlier this year. He pledged to continue collaborating with the Army Corps and local officials to ensure federal commitments are met when upgrades are needed.

              Currently, only two government-owned, shallow-draft dredges serve the entire East Coast from Texas to Maine: the Murden and the Currituck. With the Currituck—the oldest Army Corps dredging vessel—out of service for several years, only the Murden remains operational, leaving critical waterways vulnerable. Smith said the new dredge will provide vital backup to prevent catastrophic disruptions to ports and coastal economies along the Eastern Seaboard.


This article was published on September 4, 2025 and can be found online at: https://thelakewoodscoop.com/news/cong-smith-new-50m-dredge-will-protect-boaters-fishing-industry-at-manasquan-and-beyond/