Aberdeen, Highlands, Matawan, Atlantic Highlands, Keansburg, Middletown, Hazlet, Keyport, & Union Beach
 

The Monmouth County Bayshore Region is characterized by traditional downtowns, dense residential neighborhoods, rich maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bay coastline. Despite its natural beauty and recreational resources, the Region has not experienced the overall economic growth realized by the rest of Monmouth County and has remained largely unchanged.

The Region’s key assets are pedestrian-friendly seaside villages, miles of sandy beaches, and proximity to the populated metropolitan areas of New Jersey and New York that offer unique opportunities for revitalization. New strategies are needed to balance the need for growth and economic development but also create more cohesive communities that maintain quality of life and preserve the natural resources of the region.

The Bayshore Regional Strategic Plan will help revitalize and/or redevelop cities and towns, promote economic growth, preserve natural features and open space, encourage inter-municipal coordination and cooperation, and preserve and enhance quality of life.

The DMMP will be formulated with the guidance and consensus of an established Regional Collaborative consisting of the County and the region’s nine municipalities as well as other involved stakeholders having an interest in the preservation, growth and redevelopment of the Bayshore. Representatives from State agencies including the NJ Department of Transportation, NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the NJ Office of Smart Growth will be asked to participate in the Collaborative. The open planning process to be undertaken will allow stakeholder participation through regular meetings and strongly encourage public participation.

The proposed collaborative will provide a forum and opportunity for issues related to the DMMP to be discussed and resolved.  Planning and decision-making associated with the DMMP can be incorporated into the larger Bayshore Smart Growth Development process.  Integrating the DMMP into the economic vitality of the region will ensure its successful implementation success.

Proposal Description & Objectives

The goal of the proposed project is to produce a long-term regional dredged material management plan (DMMP) for the Bayshore region of Monmouth County. The plan will cover the entire cycle from reducing sources, to accumulation of bottom sediments, and to the ultimate management of dredged material. The project will be the first comprehensive region-wide look at the issue. Having a long-term dredged material management plan will assist waterfront communities and local marinas in the Bayshore region by improving recreational and commercial boating opportunities, while still protecting and maintaining the value of coastal ecosystems. The DMMP will preserve the environment by providing sustainable dredging solutions, reducing stormwater pollution, promoting best management practices for marina operations, and improving education about dredged material use.

The Bayshore DMMP will serve as a model for other areas interested in developing a regional DMMP.  Coastal communities throughout New Jersey are struggling with dredged material management issues.  The high cost associated with limited disposal options prohibits many marinas and communities from dredging.  The beneficial use options contained in the DMMP will demonstrate cost saving options viable for many communities.

In brief, $20,000 is being requested to create a regional DMMP.  The proposed project will provide local officials with a comprehensive plan that identifies the highest and best use of material in their communities. Project partners will develop a regional plan that involves inter-town cooperation to:

• determine the current volume of maintenance dredging,
• discover storage capacity and operational/management issues,
• identify environmentally sound options for beneficial uses of dredged material,
• evaluate potential costs associated with different types of dredging as well as different methods for material management, and
• summarize pertinent regulatory information (local, state, and federal) related to dredged material management for public, municipal, and marina owner use.

Project Goals and Objectives

The project goal is to create a community forum by which user groups and stakeholders can participate in the development of the Dredged Material Management Plan.  This will accomplish the following goals.

Goal #1: Determine extent of dredging needs along the Bayshore

• Objective A: Collect information about Bayshore dredging activities.
• Objective B: Determine the volume of material from maintenance dredging, material management options, storage capabilities, and operational and management issues.

Goal #2: Identify and explore the capabilities and opportunities for dredged material management in the Bayshore region.

• Objective A: Collect material management information on existing CDFs.

• Objective B: Compile information about environmentally sound dredging practices, beneficial use options, dredging technology and costs and various management methods.

Goal #3: Educate marina managers, municipal officials and the general public on dredged material and management.

• Objective A: Summarize pertinent regulatory information related to dredged material and management to create a user-friendly reference guide.
• Objective B: Provide information to appropriate agencies for the development of the updated version of: The Management and Regulation of Dredging Activities and Dredged Material in NJ Waters. 

Goal #4: Engage user-groups and the community in developing the Dredged Material Management Plan

• Objective A: Solicit input from the community using various data gathering tools such as Clean Ocean Action’s dredging needs and beneficial material use needs surveys.
• Objective B: Hold community meetings to discuss dredging options appropriate for the Bayshore community.

Goal #5: Develop a Dredged Material Management Plan for the Monmouth County Bayshore Region.

• Objective A: Assemble and organize information collected in Goals 1-4 to create a DMMP.
• Objective B: Present the final DMMP to the region through community meetings, and appropriate agencies.

 Project Plan

Development of the Bayshore DMMP will follow a systematic process of data collection and strategy development.  The steps necessary for developing a comprehensive management plan are listed below.  In fact, some of this work has already begun by project partners such as the data collection of historical dredging along the Bayshore.

STEP I: SURVEYS & BASELINES

1)      Determine the scope of the maintenance dredging needs in the region by:

a)      Providing a detailed analysis of the volume of current maintenance dredging needs (local, state, and federal),

b)      Quantifying the siltation rate of material to determine dredging needed to meet the substantiated volume based on a ten-year cycle,

c)      Considering plans to reduce the volume of material that needs to be dredged by using naturally deep areas in a harbor (or estuary), and

d)      Controlling sources of sediment in the watershed that fills in harbors and channels (e.g., soil erosion prevention techniques).

2)      Discuss acceptable alternatives for dredged material management that are based on criteria developed by the community, and comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.   Identify any regulatory constraints that limit dredged material management options.

3)      Gather existing information about material to be dredged to determine general characteristics so that potential uses or limitations of the material can be identified.

4)      Compile federal, state, and local laws and regulations to be included in a reference guide.

STEP II: ACTION PLANS

1)   Identify a list of sites that meet NJDEP site selection criteria for beach replenishment, dewatering, and beneficial use and identify potential sites that support the annual dredging needs as well as watershed and community requirements.

a)   Research and identify environmentally sound alternatives based on differing sediment characteristics and annual dredging needs and provide options for beneficial use of dredged materials. For example:

·        Sandy sediments can be used for remediation, beach replenishment, or erosion control projects without the need for a dewatering facility;

·        For beach replenishment, life expectancy of sand on beach should be considered;

·        Silt/mud can be beneficially used as topsoil, road bed material, landfill cover, or other such uses, but first requires a site for desalinating and dewatering; and

·        Reducing sources of sediments will be necessary to minimize dredging needs.

At this stage, a needs assessment, a characterization and differentiation of the types of dredged material (which will accurately determine the annual volume of material that requires further treatment, such as dewatering), and a general list of alternatives will have been achieved.

STEP III: METHODS & GUIDELINES

1)      Identify methods of dredging, as well as water and land transportation methods for the dredged material.

a)   Efforts should be made to minimize dewatering needs, such as through particular dredging techniques or dewatering technologies that will minimize the volume of material to be managed.

b)   Require environmental dredging techniques that are less disruptive to the sediments and that minimize re-suspension and release of contaminants in the waterway.

2)      Develop an executive summary document for marina managers, municipal officials, and the general public that provides basic information about dredging operation and maintenance requirements.  Summaries will include key information about construction, operations, and closure requirements for dredged material management facilities.  References will be compiled to identify where additional resources can be found.

CONTINUOUS REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements should be implemented throughout the planning process.

• Consult environmental justice policies according to the Executive Order on Environmental Justice.
• Identify funding sources for activities related to a regional dredged material management plan.
• Create and follow criteria prioritizing dredging needs and establish an orderly process for dredging and material management activities.
• Treatment options should also be identified for dredged material that is found to be too contaminated for direct land application.

• Identify sources of pollution in the watershed and require implementation of pollution prevention actions that are quantifiable and accountable. These actions will have specific objectives to measure and monitor for success or failure, and have contingency plans. Link these actions to controlling known sources of toxic hot spots.
• Comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Incorporate collaborative and broad-based public participation (including, but not limited to, community groups, citizens, marina owners, towns, and elected officials) in the planning process.
• Incorporate public awareness and education campaigns to inform citizens that dredging is important, and that if properly managed, dredged material is a resource, not a waste.
• Consistently follow-up on each of the steps within each phase and deal with any other issues that are presented.

Statement of Need

Population and boating interest continue to swell in Monmouth County.  Improving and maintaining existing facilities is necessary to expand boating experiences in the County and statewide.

The project is not a duplication of services, as a DMMP does not exist for the Bayshore communities.

This project should be selected above all others because boating opportunities could see significant declines in the future.  Marina owners are finding the business less lucrative as dredging options are lost, and limited solutions become more expensive.  In addition, stormwater continues to be a source of sedimentation and pollution. Limited options for dredged material management have become unpractical and cost prohibitive.  The project is absolutely necessary for the Bayshore region in order to maintain community culture, waterfront business interests, and boating opportunities.

Partnerships/Leveraging Resources

Principal project partners include the Bayshore Regional Watershed Council, the Hazlet Area Quality of Life Alliance, Clean Ocean Action, Mr. John Tiedemann, Associate Dean of the Monmouth University School of Science, Technology and Engineering; and Mr. Steven Taylor, Adjunct Professor in the Monmouth University Department of Political Science Policy Program and an environmental consultant specializing in the development of watershed management plans.

The municipalities in the Bayshore region and county agencies fully support the development of a regional DMMP and determine it necessary for the maintenance and enhancement of water recreation activities for which their communities are dependent.  The Monmouth County Park System, the Borough of Atlantic Highlands, Middletown Township, Monmouth County Planning Board, the Borough of Keyport, Aberdeen Environmental and Shade Tree Council, have already provided statements of support for the DMMP.

A number of organizations have continually demonstrated support for the DMMP by participating in grant proposal development meetings.  Representatives include the Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission, Keyport Yacht Club, Pederson’s Marina, NJDEP – Coastal Engineering, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Monmouth County Park System, Monmouth County Planning Board, Atlantic Highlands Environmental Commission, Middletown Environmental Commission, Keyport Council and Commission Members, NJ Marine Sciences Consortium, and the Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Commission.