Extra wide dunes in Margate. Why? On Sat March 3, we took a good look at the progress of this miles-long beach work. Took plenty of pictures. See below.
We noticed something quite peculiar. Somewhat alarming. The width and location of the dunes vary widely. In Longport & Ventnor, the dune is a typical pile of sand that quickly slopes up, flattens out a bit, then slopes back down.
But on long stretches of Margate beach near Lucy, dune-tops are dramatically wider. Much wider.
In some places, the dune hugs the bulkhead. In other places, a large ‘dead zone’ between the dune & bulkhead was created. We hate dead zones, areas of unusable beach.
When you take into consideration these wasteful ‘dead zones’, Margate might be left with 50% or less, of usable beach. At high tide, it could be worse. Hope we’re wrong about that.
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Dune grass planted on top of the Downbeach dune system.
Former NJ Gov. Christie, Congressman LoBiondo, the NJ DEP and Ventnor Commissioner Lance Landgraf achieved their goal. A wall of view-blocking sand that will protect us from the ‘big one’.
99% of homes owners say the dunes do more harm than good. The cost/benefit ratio is way out of line. In some places, dunes are 20 ft high. Especially in Ventnor and Atlantic City, where backed-up sewers and bay surge are the real danger, not front beach surf.
What’s next? Installation of fencing, railings, walk-ways & ramps. Hopefully, handicap access will be a top priority and be made available on most streets-ends. So far, the way we see it, getting to the water’s edge is not gonna be easy. Climbing hills and navigating zig-zag ramps will keep some physically challenged folks at home.
Everything about this Margate, Ventnor & Longport beach & dune project is ugly, expensive and un-necessary. It also forces taxpayers to pony up for the next 50 years.
Another point of concern: The Army Corp of Engineers & NJ DEP said they’ll pause work by late April, then start up again after summer. OOPS. Did they change their mind? Looks like mid to late June will be the cut-off date for beach & drainage work?
Note: No matter what the NJ DEP or Army Corp of Engineers report, most no longer believe anything they say. They’re accountable to no one. They operate with a blank check book. Their abysmal track record of promises and agreements during Summer 2017, says it all.
If Margate beach work was being done by a private contractor, they’d be fired long ago.
Need a boardwalk like Ventnor now with on and off ramps at various streets.