Mantoloking May Take Land for Beach Replenishment

The community that was hardest-hit by Superstorm Sandy is preparing to use eminent domain to take small strips of land from oceanfront homeowners who are holding up a critically needed beach replenishment project.

Mantoloking is expected to hire an attorney Tuesday to institute condemnation proceedings against a handful of holdouts who won't sign easements that would allow federal officials to carry out the work.

The work is desperately needed in Mantoloking, which saw every one of its 521 homes damaged, with scores destroyed. It would pay compensation for any land taken.

Mayor George Nebel predicts only four or five residents will ultimately refuse to sign. He says the town has no choice if it wants to survive.

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