Lobbying Begins for Doubling Shore Protection Fund

Non-profit ocean advocacy group, Jersey Shore Partnership, launches a major lobbying effort to increase the annual Shore Protection Fund. Partnership Executive Director Margo Walsh said a bill is being drafted to double the $25 million contribution that helps fund major beach replenishment and repair projects.

As the New Jersey's coastline continues to change, there are concerns that the Shore Protection Fund, that has been $25 million for 22 years, will not be enough to help pay for future shore protection projects. Walsh believes that would the threaten shore area's economies.

"It provides 70-thousand jobs here in Ocean County and more than $4 billion in revenue. So we need our beaches," she said.

According to Walsh, New Jersey is the only state in the union that has such a fund. It also makes us the only state in line to have those funds matched by the federal government. Presently, she said when we have a beach replenishment project that needs to be done, the state contributes 25 percent, the federal government puts in 65 percent and the towns and the counties split the difference.

"The good part of it is, because we're on a ratio basis, federal money's should come in double if we double what we're putting into the shore protection fund," explained Walsh.

The bill is being drafted in the Office of Legislative Services (OLS). She said when the bill drops, she's looking for local mayors at the Ocean County Mayor's Association Tuesday to send state lawmakers letters or resolutions in support of the measure.

The proposed bill calls for taking the money out of the state's General Fund.