Margate still waiting to hear from both Ventnor, state on beach sand project

By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer
MARGATE -- Two weeks ago, the city sent notification to its neighbors in Ventnor stating its concern that the scope of Ventnor’s proposed groin construction would have a negative effect on Margate beaches.
According to Mayor Vaughn Reale, there has been no reply from Ventnor or from the Department of Environmental Protection, which is overseeing the project.
“We are looking for a solution that works for both communities,” said Reale.
The mayor said the DEP is not required to get back to Margate, but that the city will continue to try and come to an agreement that will have no negative impact on Margate’s beaches over the short or long term.
Margate posed a number of questions based upon the information provided to the city by Norbert Psuty, Ph.D., of Rutgers University, concerning the height and length of the proposed groin and the ability of the sand to pass over the groin as a function of the normal migration of sand from north to south on the Absecon Island beaches.
Moving from the beaches to the bay, last week city commissioners met with the engineer to determine how pressing the need is for dredging the back bay.
The area that has residents and city fathers concerned is the channel behind the Log Cabin along Jerome Avenue.
At low tide the area beyond the bay-front homes there reverts to a large mud flat.
Reale said that 30 to 40 years ago, a second cut or dredge was made near the site of the current municipal pier to speed the flow of water through the main channel. When that cut was made it caused water in surrounding locations to slow down, and the slower water encourages silt accumulation over time.
The mayor explained that the need for dredging in that area is hampered by several factors: disposal of dredge spoils, along with the fact that the area behind the Log Cabin has been declared a clam habitat.
There are several possible locations for the dredge spoils, but the clams would have to be moved and then re-introduced after the project is completed.
An application was filed by the state of New Jersey in 1996, and Margate appealed in 1998, but there has been little or no action in recent years.
Reale said the area is in such need of dredging that it has become impassible in spots, and the mud is pushing up against property owners’ bulkheads.
City Engineer Ed Walberg informed the governing body that there is some funding available for a portion of the project; the balance would have to come from the city of Margate.
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