Township moving forward to protect Bayshore areas by MATTHEW McGRATH

Posted: 2006-11-30

The Courier

Middletown's administration is continuing preparations to enlist a lobbying company to assist the township in securing federal funds for needed shore protection and flood control projects.

"We are moving forward with a Request for Proposal to hire a government affairs company to assist the township in securing federal funding for the Army Corps of Engineer's flood control project in Port Monmouth, as well as beach replenishment in Port Monmouth and in Leonardo," Township Administrator Robert Czech said in a prepared statement. "We would utilize this company to monitor recommendations from the Army Corp's draft feasibility study of hurricane and storm reduction measures for Leonardo when it is released next spring."

Czech said the township is moving forward with hiring a lobbyist because "we felt we needed someone to help us navigate the process in Washington to secure funding for these projects."

He added that the township was led to believe that funding would become available for projects when they were slated for construction by the federal government. "That has not happened," Czech said.

Czech added that Hurricane Katrina has changed funding priorities for the Corps, but that lawmakers need to bring Middletown's flooding issues to the front burner.

Czech, who announced the plan during a committee workshop meeting on November 6, did not grant an interview to The Courier to discuss the subject in detail. He did not return a Monday, November 20 phone call, and a member of the township staff said he was not available to speak in person on Tuesday, November 21.

Czech issued his statements via email through the township's Public Information Office on November 21.

Czech said he was specifically investigating Marlowe & Company, Washington, D.C. He said he learned about the company during an administrator's conference, and that he is not related to anyone at the company nor knows anyone employed by the company.

Residents have routinely complained about beach erosion and tidal flooding. The flooding is made worse during major storm events when storm water runoff cannot be discharged into the bay and creeks.

Federal dollars have trickled in over the years. The Port Monmouth project is considered to be in the "Construction Phase." However, only $1.5 million has been secured for the $5 million shore replenishment project in Port Monmouth.

Representative Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, is confident that he will be able to secure another $1 million in this year's budget for Port Monmouth. But, he said at least $ 4 million would be needed before construction will start.

Pallone is also confident that the power shift in Congress will help him secure more money for projects in his district.

Shore replenishment is only one part of the total Port Monmouth project. The total cost for new levees, dunes, beach replenishment and a pumping station is estimated at $70 million, according to the Army Corps of Engineers.

"Residents living in these areas need relief now," Czech said. "We are hopeful that a stronger voice in Washington will result in securing the funding needed to get these projects underway."