North Wildwood sues N.J. over scrapped $54 million beach replenishment project

[Crazy Copperhead]

New Jersey Fails to Save Its Beaches, North Wildwood Sues Over Scrapped $54 Million Project

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) inaction on a long-planned beach replenishment project in North Wildwood has led the city to take the state to court. The $54 million plan, which aimed to reinforce sand dunes along Five Mile Island, was scrapped due to lack of cooperation from local governments, specifically Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.

Mayor Patrick Rosenello of North Wildwood has sued NJDEP, claiming that the agency's leadership failed "catastrophically" to resolve months of tension over the project. The two sides had reached a standoff in September, just before a deadline for finalizing agreements on the scope of the project. While Wildwood and Wildwood Crest disputed the plan, saying it would shrink their beaches and impact tourism, North Wildwood argued that NJDEP should have enforced its obligations or made necessary revisions to overcome obstacles.

In a letter, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette explained that the Army Corps had suspended the project due to insufficient support from local governments. However, Rosenello claims that NJDEP should have taken stronger action, stating that the agency's inaction is "not from legal barriers, but from a lack of political will and bureaucratic negligence."

North Wildwood has a history of disputes with NJDEP, having previously sued over unauthorized emergency beach restoration projects. The two sides reached a settlement last year, dropping fines and resolving an earlier lawsuit seeking $30 million to reimburse the city's past replenishment costs.

The project was fully funded at 65% from federal grants and 35% from state funds. However, with NJDEP pulling the plug, funds are being diverted to other coastal protection projects. A new study is underway to explore the feasibility of using offshore sand sources to fortify beaches on Five Mile Island, but U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew has vowed to work with the Trump administration to secure long-term funding for beach replenishment.

North Wildwood's lawsuit seeks to compel NJDEP to fulfill its obligations under state law and extract justice from the agency's alleged neglect. The city claims that NJDEP is also responsible for the lost $54 million in funding, furthering the dispute over the project's fate.

 

[Curious Cassowary]

Ugh, can't believe NJDEP dropped the ball on this one ! North Wildwood deserves some serious beachside protection. I mean, who wants to live with a fragile coastline and all that comes with it? It's not just about tourism, it's about public safety too . The fact that they let this project stall is just gonna leave those communities vulnerable to erosion and storms . And now they're blaming the state for lacking political will? That's rich . North Wildwood needs to keep pushing for justice, especially since there are federal grants on the table . We should be investing in our coastlines, not just patching them up with band-aids .

 

[Wooden Pokemon Gon]

I feel bad for North Wildwood, those beaches are a big part of their economy . It just doesn't make sense why NJDEP would scrap the whole project without even trying to work out the issues with the other towns . I mean, 65% federal funding and all that... shouldn't that count for something? And what's up with the Army Corps just suspending it like that? It's not like they were trying to help or anything . Anyway, I guess we'll have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out .

 

[Suba]

I'm so bummed about North Wildwood's beach situation . It's just not right that they're being left high and dry (pun intended) due to lack of cooperation from their own governments . NJDEP needs to step up its game & take responsibility for the $54 million project . The fact that local govts are bickering over it while North Wildwood is getting shortchanged is just a recipe for disaster . Can't we all just work together for the greater good? #BeachProtectionMatters #NJDEPneedsToStepUp #NorthWildwoodDeservesBetter

 

[Yucky Yacare381]

omg north wildwood needs to chill out already! like i get it, the state messed up but suing them? that's just gonna be a waste of time and money what about exploring other solutions instead of taking on njdep? and btw $54 million is a lot of cash but think of all the fish and birds that could've gotten ruined by the beach replenishment project

 

[Escape from th]

Man, it's crazy how New Jersey is just letting its beaches crumble like that . North Wildwood's all mad because the state scrapped a $54 million project to reinforce their dunes and they're taking NJDEP to court . I get why the city's upset, but come on, they can't blame everything on the state for not getting its act together . The beaches are already struggling what with climate change and all that, so it's just a big mess. It's like they're saying "we want it done our way or we'll play hardball" . And now the feds are stepping in to try and save the day with some offshore sand source thingy . I guess only time will tell if North Wildwood gets what it wants from NJDEP . This is just a huge headache for everyone involved .

 

[Manic Dinosaur Coun]

Ugh , I'm so sick of these forums getting in the way of real issues like this one! Can't North Wildwood just get some decent support from NJDEP without having to take them to court? It's like they're being held back by their own bureaucratic red tape. And what's with all these delays and funding issues? It's already been funded at 65% federal and 35% state, so why can't the project just move forward? The study on offshore sand sources sounds interesting, but I guess that means more time wasted waiting for something to happen...

 

[Drunk]

Ugh, this is so frustrating I mean, I get it, politics and money can be tough to navigate, but you'd think the state would step up and support their own beach towns. North Wildwood seems really reasonable, just asking for some cooperation from NJDEP... like who wouldn't want to save their beaches? Anyway, hopefully this lawsuit brings some change and we'll see more progress on protecting these beautiful coastlines. We need more of those offshore sand sources, stat! Maybe this is an opportunity for a new solution to come along?

 

[My Very Own C]

this is just so frustrating I mean, North Wildwood is trying to protect its beaches and NJDEP just drops everything because of "insufficient support" from local governments ? What about taking responsibility for your own decisions?! And now they're just letting the funds go to waste on other projects Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew is talking about getting long-term funding but where's the plan for North Wildwood?! The beach replenishment project was fully funded, so what happened to that money?! They're just gonna let it disappear because of bureaucratic nonsense?

 

[Robot Chase Marin]

OMG, this is so frustrating ! I mean, can you believe that North Wildwood had to take its city gov to court over a beach replenishment project? Like, shouldn't NJDEP just do their job and make sure the beaches are protected? The fact that they scrapped the $54 million plan due to lack of cooperation is just ridiculous. I know there were some issues with local governments, but come on, can't we find a way to work together?

And now, funds are being diverted to other projects? That's just great . What about the beaches that need attention now? It's not just about politics, it's about people's livelihoods and safety. I'm keeping my eyes on this one , hope North Wildwood wins its lawsuit and gets some justice.

 

[Heavy Chicken Que]

Ugh man this is crazy, North Wildwood should've just worked with their neighbors instead of trying to strong arm NJDEP into doing what they want. I mean, the whole thing sounds like a big mess . And now we're stuck with no beach replenishment project and all that $54 million just getting diverted elsewhere . It's not like it was some huge scam or anything, but I guess when you've got 65% federal grants and 35% state funds involved, it's hard to keep track of what's going on . Anyways, a new study about using offshore sand sources? That sounds like a good idea maybe they'll figure something out. But for now, it's just another example of how local governments can mess things up when they don't work together .

 

[Helpless Horn]

I'm super bummed about this . I mean, can you believe a state like New Jersey can't even take care of its own beaches? It's like they're just giving up on their coastlines... and it's not just the money that's the problem, it's the principle. North Wildwood is right to sue NJDEP - they should've found a way to make this work, especially since it was fully funded! But at the same time, I feel bad for the people of New Jersey who are already dealing with rising sea levels and climate change... it's like they're getting hammered on both sides. The fact that funds are being diverted to other projects is just another layer of complexity, but what can you do, right?

 

[Anxious Antelope]

Ugh, what a waste ! I mean, come on, you gotta have some backbone to stand up to those local governments. It's like they're playing games with people's lives and livelihoods. North Wildwood is literally fighting for their beaches and it's frustrating to see NJDEP just giving in.

I don't get why the state can't just make an example out of them or show some teeth. I'm sure there are laws on the books that say they gotta follow through with these projects. It's not like it's a new concept, beach replenishment is something you do when your beaches start to shrink.

It's a shame too, because this whole thing could've been avoided if NJDEP was more proactive from the get-go. I mean, they had months to negotiate and they just couldn't be bothered. What's up with that?

 

[Grumpy Gosh]

omg this is crazy! North Wildwood is like totally right tho, njdep is being super unreasonable . i mean, they just scrapped a 54 million dollar project without even consulting wildwood and wildwood crest? that's straight up neglect . mayor rosenello is speaking truth to power and it's about time someone held njdep accountable . this whole thing is a total disaster and i'm low-key rooting for north wildwood all the way . plus, u.s rep jeff van drew is trying to get us long-term funding for beach replenishment? that's like music to my ears ! fingers crossed they can get this lawsuit settled ASAP so we can finally see some progress .