U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) today announced that close to $1 million in federal funds has been allocated for vital Manasquan River protection projects and over $3 million for an important beach replenishment project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    “The Manasquan River is the heart and soul of commercial and recreational fishing and boating in our region. I am pleased that the Army Corps of Engineers made this funding available as it takes an ongoing investment to ensure that this essential waterway remains open, thriving and safe for years to come,” said Smith.

    Specifically, $635,000 will be allocated for the design and construction of a 600-foot retaining wall along the right bank of the Manasquan River parallel to Casino Drive in Howell Township. Casino Drive—portions of which are known as Bergerville Road—is a main thoroughfare that connects Howell Township with Freehold Township which is in danger of collapse as a result of severe river erosion and deterioration.

    The federal money was allocated in accordance with the year-long continuing resolution (P.L. 110-5), which required the Army Corps of Engineers to create a work plan for Corps projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007.

    “We have all witnessed the horrific damage flooding can cause in terms of unexpected financial and navigational stress on effected communities. This federal support will help repair the structural integrity of the river bank and ensure the road’s safety to prevent a disastrous situation from happening during a hazardous storm,” said Smith, who over the years has helped secure $995,000 for this project which is just shy of $1 million which is the maximum amount of federal government funds available for the project.

    In order for the project to proceed, a Project Cooperation Agreement must first be signed by the Army Corps of Engineers and Howell Township.

    The second Manasquan River project—to maintain the 12-foot navigation channel that connects the River to the Inlet will receive $335,000 under the FY 2007 work plan just recently released by the Army Corps of Engineers. Annual maintenance dredging to clear the channel is necessary as a result of sediment build-up that naturally occurs in the River.

    “The Manasquan River and Inlet need to be dredged annually to maintain channel navigability for recreational and commercial boating. The funds being allocated by the Army Corps of Engineers will cover the dredging costs for 2007, but additional funds will be needed for the next year. I am pleased that the President has already included $200,000 for this project in his budget and I will continue to work to ensure those funds are appropriated,” said Smith who has helped receive funding necessary for this project for the past several years.

    Also included in the Corps recently announced work plan is $3.305 million for the ongoing 21-mile Sandy Hook to Barnegat Beach Replenishment Project which extends along the New Jersey shoreline, from the Town of Sea Bright to the Manasquan Inlet in Monmouth County. 

    The project is broken down into two Sections with Section I extending for 12 miles from Sea Bright to Ocean Township and Section II extending for 9 miles form Asbury Park south to the Manasquan Inlet. The FY 07 funding will go towards Section II renourishment of the southern end of Long Branch. The Fourth District portion of the project includes Spring Lake, Manasquan and Sea Girt and is on track to receive renourishment within the next few years.

    “Because replenishment and renourishment projects are essential to the overall health of our beaches, I will continue to push for additional funding to ensure this and other important projects, such as the Manasquan to Barnegat beach replenishment project, remain on track,” said Smith.