Coastal Project Announced to Improve 127 Miles of New Jersey Shoreline

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a new initiative to enhance 127 miles of coastline through regional sediment management in the back bays. The project, described as a “sedimental” journey, involves collaboration with the Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, universities, and nonprofit organizations to create a Regional Sediment Management Framework. The initiative seeks to balance the need to maintain maritime transportation channels with the goal of rebuilding sinking wetlands to protect coastal ecosystems and communities from sea-level rise. The Framework will focus on managing sediment in ways that help restore, protect, and enhance critical marshlands, while maintaining navigable waterways. The project aims to keep dredge sediment in estuarine systems, minimizing material loss offsite and improving habitats for coastal wildlife. The program’s broader objectives include reducing dredging costs, rebuilding resilient wetlands, and enhancing local habitats. Genevieve Clifton, director of maritime resources for the DOT, emphasized that the partnership will maximize the beneficial use of dredged materials, benefiting both the environment and local communities.