Vincent Castronuovo of Margate is stepping up efforts to address the current, mid-summer dredging and dune building. The following is a collection of recent communications with the Army Corp of Engineers in reference to dangerous pooling of contaminated water between the new dunes and the bulkheads.
Dear concerned neighbors…
Just want to keep everyone up to speed on the day’s developments. I’m putting together a chronological overview of recent correspondence. Know that I have included Mayor Becker as a cc in our emails. So far, no direct response from him or, for that matter, any of the news channels I have contacted, namely NBC, ABC or NJnews. What’s up with that? In any event, it seems that in addition to the Army Corps, a representative named Jenna Scott can be a potential asset. At least she appears to be a person willing to listen to our concerns. Thanks to everyone involved in the good fight.
Vince 7/25/17 10:50pm
Dear Mr. Rochette,
As indicated in my correspondence yesterday, I will continue to provide updated photos of the area between the bulkhead and the dunes on Argyle Avenue and adjacent streets. The attached photos were taken this morning. It is worth noting that when concerned Margate residents took their opposition to the dunes to court, one of the key points of their case was exactly what is taking place now, a dangerous zone over which taxpaying residents, their families, friends, and vacationers in general must traverse.
The zone is treacherous at a number of different levels. The consistency of the marshy wet sand makes walking a challenge, with undetectable sink hole spots discovered only when a foot submerges. The much greater and potentially life-threatening risk is what is commonly called the “flesh-eating disease.” The perfect storm of bacteria present in dredged sand, broken sea shells in that sand, and E coli in frequently observed dog waste combine for the production of toxins associated with diseases ranging from strep to toxic shock to necrotizing fasciitis. An open wound on a foot cut by a shell, then a walk through the muck, could be followed by an infection that is fatal in 30% to 40% of cases. It is ironic that something undetectable to the eye is potentially more deadly to beach goers than a great white shark.
Here are some of the questions raised by residents. In an overall sense, what measures will be taken to address these environmental, health and safety issues? Who is responsible for monitoring bacteria levels? On what frequency basis is the soil analyzed? Who is responsible for notifying the public when conditions would prohibit the traverse of the area? How will that notification be accomplished? And, ultimately, what plans, if any, will be put into place to permanently rectify these conditions? It is my hope that the lines of communication initiated by these emails proceed in two directions. We look forward to receiving answers.
Sincerely,
Vincent Castronuovo 7/25/17 12:08pm
Dear Ms. Scott,
I was told by Janet Stewart that any questions Margate City residents had pertaining to the current ponding problem between the bulkhead and the recently created dunes be addressed to you. Until yesterday, I had been led to believe that we should contact the Army Corps of Engineers, and that is the avenue I had pursued.
If you don’t mind, to expedite matters, I am forwarding emails that were sent to Mr. Stephen Rochette, Army Corps Philadelphia District. In those emails, with photo attachments, I have attempted to document and describe our concerns. Rather than explain once again, I hope that by reading those emails you will come to appreciate the circumstances, and hopefully, be able to respond to some of the questions posed. Forwarded emails to follow.
Should you need to reach me by text or phone, my number is 610-220-7357.
Thank you very much for your attention to these matters.
Sincerely,
Vince Castronuovo
Hi everyone,
Joan just learned that the office that may be able to answer some of our questions about the swampy area between the dunes and the bulkhead is not the Army Corps of Engineers but the NJDEP Division of Coastal Engineering. So, I have forwarded all of my previous correspondence with Mr. Rochette to a Ms. Jenna Scott. Her contact info is jenna.scott@dep.nj.gov. Phone: 732-255-0770. We haven’t heard anything from either office at this time, but will keep you in the loop if/when developments occur. Sadly, as of yet no response from investigative reporters from NBC, ABC, or NJnews.
Hope you don’t mind my listing you in the email to Rochette as cc which included your email address. If anyone uncovers any other info on conditions or additional contacts, or resources, please share.
Vince 7/25/17 12:59pm
Dear Mr. Rochette,
While I do appreciate hearing from you, almost 20 years of my personal experience, and over 50 years of experience by other residents at this location allows me to beg to differ with the member of your team, who may in fact have limited pertinent historical knowledge of this area. Never, including the time after Super Storm Sandy, has the excavated area of the beach continued to be wet for a three week period, let alone sustained two days of pooled water.
We still await answers to our other previously posed questions.
Sincerely, Vincent Castronuovo 7/25/17 1:38pm
Vincent,
Thank you for your email. It’s important to note that we are building walkways from the street ends to and up and over the dune to the beach. These aren’t completed yet, but there will be mats and hard pack material and fencing to help people get over and access the beach in the future.
The area between the bulkhead and the dune will be intermittently wet depending on conditions and Margate will continue to need to trench and use, equipment to enable to the water to percolate in this area. And as far as long-term – I do know that the state and the municipality are considering some sort of drainage feature (such as an outfall pipe), but I’m not sure anything has been finalized on this. Ultimately, that would be up to them.
As far as bacteria – Margate has always dumped all their runoff water (and everything with it) from the streets directly onto the beach. I know the state and county does do some testing, but I’m not familiar with the process for this.
Thank you, Steve Rochette 7/25/17 2:28pm
From: KATHERIN
Date: July 25, 2017 at 3:49:02 PM
To: “Rochette, Stephen
Steve, thank you for your response. As Vince stated in his e-mail, this pooling of water is new to our beach. Never in the past 50 years has this occurred. I have lived here all of my life and we have never had pools of water like we have now. Nor has the sand in this area remained wet as it is and has been since it was stripped and graded by the Construction.
I understand that the runoff water from the beach block drains to the beach. That has never affected the beach before. With the low grading and the dune blocking any forward flow, the cesspool is being created between the dune and bulkhead. This wet sand and pool is laden with bacteria, it is a hazard to walk through and makes it impossible for anyone with any disability to navigate.
Steve, please take a moment and revisit this area. If it continues to be wet and an area where water pools it will make access to the beach impossible. A beach that was just perfect a few weeks ago!
If there is someone else that we need to be speaking to please let us know. We as residents and taxpayers are not going away. We will continue to e-mail in a regular basis until this problem is fixed.
Thank you,
Katherine Bird
From: Rochette, Stephen V CIV USARMY CENAP (US)
To: Bird
Sent: July 25, 2017 at 2:37 PM
Katherine, I forgot to include you on this email as I know you called our office. Sorry it’s just been a constant stream of calls on other projects as well. Thank you, Steve —–Original Message—– From: Rochette, Stephen V CIV USARMY CENAP (US) Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2017 2:28 PM To: ‘Vincent Castronuovo’ Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Argyle Ave Update Vincent, Thank you for your email.
It’s important to note that we are building walkways from the street ends to and up and over the dune to the beach. These aren’t completed yet, but there will be mats and hard pack material and fencing to help people get over and access the beach in the future. The area between the bulkhead and the dune will be intermittently wet depending on conditions and Margate will continue to need to trench and use, equipment to enable to the water to percolate in this area. And as far as long-term – I do know that the state and the municipality are considering some sort of drainage feature (such as an outfall pipe), but I’m not sure anything has been finalized on this. Ultimately, that would be up to them.
As far as bacteria – Margate has always dumped all their runoff water (and everything with it) from the streets directly onto the beach. I know the state and county does do some testing, but I’m not familiar with the process for this. Thank you, Steve Rochette
Shelly Urofsky
Dear Sir and Madam, I am writing to you to solicit not only your listening ears, but your active and empowered voices and positions, regarding the “beach enhancement and restoration” (talk about irony! I can’t even help chuckling to myself!) project in Margate, and particularly here, in the already “nearly completed” ( really??!!) section of our beach, that is that beach between Andover and Barclay streets, and most specifically, “my beach”..Argyle Ave.
For 25 years, I and my husband have owned a home in Margate. Five years ago, after working long and hard hours in healthcare and the social services, we decided to retire to one of the loves of our lives, “the beach in Margate”. We raved to our friends and family who resided and visited other beaches…. Los Angeles, Virginia beach, Boca Raton,etc. …. “Margate has the best beach”. And know what? When they were lucky enough to come to visit… they agreed!!
All of that has changed! And the people of Margate, by vote and by legal action, after having done much research and investigation, predicted this outcome, and, in fact, proactively tried to work with the “powers that be” to avoid such an outcome. But no, we were overruled! Not once, but more! But we give you another chance. Why? Because we care and are concerned…, and we need your help.
Our beach is a disgrace! Please GO THERE, yourself, and see for yourself, before you ask a member of “your team”, to provide you with historic information that is not relevant to today’s situation. Please do not quote the press or outdated documents.
Not only is it an eyesore, but as Mr. Castronuovo, so eloquently and precisely has detailed, in words and photos, it is a dangerously untraversable, bacteria and insect infested swampland! The dunes are the least of our worries, at this point, although they, too, have shown themselves to be a hazard, for many, and especially for someone like me, who has only a minor knee ailment! And they are an unnecessary and proven non- deterrent to flooding, given that the back bay’s been and continues to be a culprit for our flooding here in Margate.
Be that as it may, I am requesting a detailed remediation plan, for dealing with the defects our beach. Please know that we are not just another complaining group of “locals”. We are an educated, savvy and unstoppable group of residents who want the best for Margate and for our families. We are relying on you to support and promote our charge. Thanking you, both, in advance, for all that you will do with, and for, us!
Sincerely, Shelly Urofsky