ASSEMBLYMAN SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO INCREASE FUNDING TO BOLSTER DUNES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 5, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi today renewed calls to increase funding for the Shore Protection Fund as a persistent nor’easter continued to bite away at dunes up and down the coastline. Fiocchi sponsors legislation to double the annual contribution to the fund.
“Forecasts that Hurricane Joaquin will continue to path toward the northeast are a relief. It appears the Jersey Shore has dodged a bullet, but even without Joaquin, our beaches are taking a pounding,” said Fiocchi, R-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland. “The nor’easter will continue to dump heavy rain on South Jersey, and the beach erosion associated with this kind of storm will be further aggravated by wave action from the powerful off-shore hurricane. This near-miss is a reminder that we have to do a better job protecting our beaches and barrier islands.”
Currently, the Shore Protection Fund receives $25 million per year from the collection of realty transfer fees. Fiocchi’s bill, A-4215, increases the total to $50 million.
“A strong beach and resilient dunes are essential to protecting New Jersey’s crucial shore-related tourism industry. The homes, businesses and infrastructure of vulnerable shore towns depend on projects funded by the Shore Protection Fund,” said Fiocchi. “After Superstorm Sandy, we learned the importance of a robust system of dunes in preventing catastrophic flooding damage to neighborhoods.”
