STONE HARBOR, N.J. — July 18, 2014 — New Jersey Audubon has received $1.28 million from the federal Department of Interior for a two-year project to restore beaches at Stone Harbor Point, however, it could be about 16 months before work can begin.
“The start date will depend upon acquiring the necessary permits,” said David Mizrahi, vice president research and monitoring at NJ Audubon. “We haven’t yet had a start date conversation with our partners.”
On Tuesday, Mizrahi said the original plan had called for restoration to begin this year, though that hinged on receiving the grant by April.
Piping plovers typically nest between March 15 and Aug. 31, and there’s a state ban on disturbing beaches during that nesting period, he said.
“Getting the permits to together begin restoration will take four to six months,” Mizrahi said. “The two months between April and June were critical for us to start this year.”
Yet, even with the delay, the project is good news for the area, according to a press release from NJ Audubon.
Beach building projects are a priority along the state’s coast, because of risks posed to communities by coastal storms and sea level rise, according to the statement.
Read the full story at The Middle Township Gazette