ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK
A Report on Beach Access
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association - May 1996 Newspaper)
By Stephen Machalaba
The news regarding the status of the efforts of the JCAA and other groups to secure unrestricted access to the State's ocean-facing beaches for fishing and other recreational uses is generally not good. Although millions of dollars of taxpayers' money is being spent to replenish beaches, starting in northern Monmouth County, access to these beaches is still being denied. In general, the entire program is a muddled mess, having not been thought properly, prior to being initiated.
When the Army Corps of Engineers proposed it's beach replenishment program to the State of New Jersey, this sounded like a terrific idea. Who would say no to the federal government offering to fund the restoration of miles of beaches that had become narrow strips or, in some cases, non-existent at high tide, due to several powerful Nor'easter storms? What apparently was not made clear was that this was to be a fifty year maintenance program, with sand having to repumped on to the beaches every six years. What is also unusual is the fact that the Army Corp, who usually does not act without studying something for 10 to 20 years, was ready and anxious to start this project immediately. There was not time for environmental impact assessments to examine the effect of placing this sand in the surf zone, on marine life, nor at the source of the dredging. Was the Army Corp actually concerned about restoring New Jersey's beaches, or is that they have built every dam on every river that they could, and beach restoration is a project they can focus on for years to come. In addition, it will keep the handful of major dredging companies busy for the next fifty years.
Without debating the effectiveness of the beach replenishment program, because even the oceanographic experts are divided, we get to the real issue of beach access for fishing which is this committee's concern.
Heretofore the money being spent for the beach restoration program has been all federal funds. In conjunction with the replacement of the sand on the beaches, the state government must agree to fund the repair and maintenance of structures, such as seawalls, dunes, etc. And provide public access through or over them to the beaches. Prior to the State of New Jersey providing funding to maintain beach protection structures and access points, there must be and agreement in place with the local town. Certain towns have refused to establish such an agreement and are being denied state money. They are gladly giving up this money, since with it goes the stipulation of providing access. However, they are still getting the benefit of widened beaches, because the Army Corps program marches along as long as the town agrees to allow the dredging company access for it's equipment.
In 1995 members of the JCAA, along with representatives of the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association and several other concerned persons were invited to, and attended two meetings in Sea Bright concerning beach access in that municipality. At the first meeting this town's proposed beach access plan was described in general terms. At the second meeting, specific beach access points and vehicle parking areas for fishermen were identified for us by the mayor. He seemed sincere, and we left with the impression that the future for beach access, at least in Sea Bright, seemed positive. Unfortunately, the beach restoration program fell behind schedule, and with it the associated "access" work. I have recently been made aware that a member of a local fishing club, and advocate of beach access who was present at the two aforementioned meetings has an arrest warrant pending for attempting to park in one of the proposed designated "fisherman parking" areas and climb over the seawall to gain access to the beach to fish. It seems we were led astray.
Is there any good news regarding beach access? Yes, the American Littoral Society is getting involved in the issue of beach access. On March 5, 1996, I attended a meeting called by the ALS in the Long Branch Municipal Building. Several people representing several different groups or concerns were present. These concerns ranged from those of the JCAA's for beach access for fishing, to access for diving. To people who just like to walk on the beach, to beach front property owners who were concerned about personal liability. All these concerns are related and must be appropriately addressed. It is hoped that the involvement of the American Littoral society, with their resources will aid our cause, and we look forward to working with them to try to gain access to beaches we are all paying to restore.
Steve Machalaba is a member of Red's Surf Devils and Chairman of the JCAA Southern Access Committee