Legal Challeges Threaten Beach Replenishment Work This Spring

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed beach replenishment project on the Northern Barrier Peninsula ( aka.. Barnegat Peninsula) is once again thrown into limbo following this week's ruling about Long Beach Island property. The ruling compels towns to go through an eminent domain process and not use the Disaster Control Act to acquire land.

Earlier this week, a state superior court judge from Ocean County ruled that the state and local officials overstepped their authority when they took easements for Long Beach Island Property without giving owners a chance at compensation. The ruling came in the lawsuit filed by Robert and Eileen Minke of Long Beach Township.

The Minke lawsuit is similar to one filed in Margate, where a federal judge in December sided with Margate when it came to the use of the Disaster Control Act. But ruling doesn't prevent the state from acquiring the land through eminent domain. 124 Bay Head oceanfront property owners and Jenkinson's Pavilion are also challenging the state's property acquisition efforts.

According to the Asbury Park Press, work on the massive beach storm protection project was slated to begin in late March or April of this year but the Army Corps hasn't sought bids for contractors until the legal matters are resolved.

More Coverage:

No Beach Replenishment in Northern Ocean for Now/ app.com

LBI Homeowner's Property Taken Illegally for Beach Replenishment Judge Rules/ NJ.com