The long anticipated arrival of sand in Surf City, as part of the actual construction phase of the Long Beach Island Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project, seemingly will occur by November.  Many residents and visitors throughout LBI have warily watched and waited for this event, due in large part to the mis- and dis-information that has been propagated.  As promised in previous communications, this is the beginning of discussion with the Beach Haven Community regarding the beach replenishment issue.  If there are any specific topics you wish to discuss, please contact me at mayorstewart@beachhaven-nj.gov or by phone at my office.  If I do not have the answer, I will reach out to someone that does.

 

As many of you know, I, along with Borough Administrator Rich Crane and Borough Engineer Frank Little, have been going door to door in order to address a multitude of questions.  The first issue I want to address is beach access, parking and comfort stations, as it has been a constant query.  I’m sure you have read in our local publications that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has mandated that any communities receiving State funding for beach replenishment must provide adequate access, including the necessary accommodations, to the public at large, as public funds are being used.  This is understandable, and the only point of contention has typically been: “What constitutes public access and to what degree.”

 

By the definition provided by NJDEP, public access must be granted both “vertically and horizontally.”  What does that mean?  It means that the public must be able to get onto the beach (vertically) and have access to the beach (horizontally) once they are on it.  Additionally, parking must be adequate for the public to leave their cars and comfort stations, aka restrooms, must be provided.  With beach access on every street, our community complies with the first requirement.  Beach Haven is in compliance with the parking issue as well, due to our numerous public parking areas and the amount of street parking that we have. 

 

As to public accommodations, Beach Haven is in compliance with the spirit of the law, but not necessarily to the letter of the law – but don’t despair!  There will not be any Porto-potties at any street end in Beach Haven – please allow me to explain.  The NJDEP requirement for public facilities is one accommodation within every quarter mile.  As Beach Haven is approximately 1.9 miles long, if public restrooms were precisely located, Beach Haven would need five to fulfill this requirement.  Public bathrooms that are counted toward our compliance quota include:

 

  1. Nelson Avenue Playground
  2. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) – The old Coast Guard Station
  3. Pearl Avenue Tennis Courts
  4. Borough Hall
  5. Center Street Pavilion
  6. Second Street Comfort Station
  7. Taylor Avenue Comfort Station
  8. Bay Village Public Rest Rooms
  9. Schooner’s Wharf Public Rest Rooms
  10. 7 – 11 Convenience Store Public Rest Rooms

 

Thus, Beach Haven has twice as many public facilities than are required.  Where our community falls short in “coverage” is in the four block area of Chatsworth to Fairview Avenues.  Because of our excess of facilities, Borough Engineer Frank Little has requested relief (pardon the pun) from the NJDEP on this requirement, and we are very confident that it will be granted.

I hope this adequately addresses this particular issue.  Remember – no Porto-potties at the street ends in Beach Haven!  The next issue will be why is this replenishment occurring and is there a hidden agenda.

 

Sincerely,

 

Thomas J. Stewart, Mayor

Borough of Beach Haven