U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) joined colleagues in the House of Representatives today to pass HR 2419 – the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006. The final bill included funding directly requested by Smith for crucial projects along New Jersey’s coastline. Smith has worked with many local and state officials for several years to secure critical federal funding for southern Monmouth County shore towns in the Fourth Congressional District as well as the Ocean County shore towns within the Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet Shore Protection project. 

    “The New Jersey coastline and shore is an essential part of our state and I am proud that funding for crucial projects and improvements was secured,” said Smith, who had directly requested that the fund be included in the appropriations bill. “These essential projects are wide ranging and will preserve and reinforce our beaches, open up key waterways and protect communities from flooding.

    Smith noted that the bill includes construction funding for the Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet beach replenishment project – which encompasses the majority of beach towns in Smith’s Fourth Congressional District – stretches across approximately 24 miles of the shore from Point Pleasant Beach to Island Beach State Park. Over the years, the northern portion of the strip has been repeatedly hit by major storms. As a result, this area of coastline has been steadily losing between two and six feet per year of our beach dune system. 

    “The Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet beach replenishment project will be a multi-year effort, and I am extremely pleased that the funding in this bill will allow construction phase of this project to begin,” said Smith. 

    Also included in the bill was $3 million to begin the first sand re-nourishment of the Beach Erosion Control Project which extends from Sandy Hook to the Manasquan Inlet and incorporates the beaches of several coastal towns in Monmouth County. Ongoing erosion and tidal processes have created a lack of sand along this area, rendering towns vulnerable to coastal storms and damages. 

    “It is essential that our beaches and homeowners in the area are protected,” said Smith. “Thousands of businesses that depend on tourism dollars generated from our beaches will be secured by this project.” 

    Funds for the continued dredging of the Manasquan River were also secured. The Manasquan River connects the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway with the Atlantic Ocean. Thousands of boats pass through the inlet every year, generating millions of dollars of business and commerce in the process. During the height of the summer fishing season, as many as 500 boats pass through the Inlet each day and a considerable segment of the state's fishing and seafood community passes through the Manasquan Inlet to dock their boats in the bay. The seafood industry generates over $120 million worth of business for our state each year; and $20 million of that revenue is brought in through the operations that rely on the Manasquan Inlet.

    “Any of New Jersey’s commercial fishermen will tell you that it’s essential for the Manasquan Inlet to remain navigable and this funding will help to ensure that,” said Smith. 

    The 127 miles of shoreline in the State of New Jersey generate over $31 billion in economic activity to the state, according to The New Jersey Commerce & Economic Growth Commission, Division of Travel & Tourism. Tourism is a prime contributor to the New Jersey economy and people from across the country to visit the Jersey Shore. Of the 166 million trips made to New Jersey in 2001, 103 million were to the Shore area.