News Releases

Army Corps announces availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for proposed Elberon to Loch Arbour reach of the Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet Beach Erosion Control Project

Published Feb. 24, 2014

-- Public comment period open until March 26, 2014 --

NEW YORK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) and Draft Statement of Conformity (DSOC) for the Elberon to Loch Arbour reach of the Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet Beach Erosion Control Project, Section I – Sea Bright to Ocean Township and the opening of the window for the public to submit written comments regarding those documents.

With the passage of the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the Army Corps has been given the authority and funding to complete ongoing coastal storm damage risk management projects and studies in the Northeast, including the Elberon to Loch Arbour project, which was previously authorized as part of the larger Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet project but was not constructed. As part of the planning and implementation process for the authorized Elberon to Loch Arbour project, the New York District has updated prior engineering and design efforts, physical surveys, and environmental compliance in putting together the recently completed Draft Hurricane Sandy Limited Re-evaluation Report (HSLRR).

The DEA and DSOC, as well as the Draft HSLRR for the Elberon to Loch Arbour project and associated documents, are available on New York District’s web site at www.nan.usace.army.mil

Public comments on DEA and DSOC regarding this proposed work should be submitted to:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Planning Division-Environmental Branch (ATTN: Mr. Howard Ruben)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278-0090
Public comments can also be submitted by e-mail to Project Biologist Howard.Ruben@usace.army.mil and Project Manager Jenifer.E.Thalhauser@usace.army.mil

Further instructions for submitting comments can be found in the Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment document on the District’s site. Comments received by March 26th regarding the DEA will assist in the agency’s evaluation of the project changes and will be reflected in the project record.
The Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet project is a partnership between the Army Corps and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

The proposed Elberon to Loch Arbour project calls for the placement of roughly 4.5 million cubic yards of sand to create a 100-foot-wide beach berm 12 feet above mean low water. The project also calls for the modification of six groins to allow for the movement of sediment and modifications to 16 outfalls to ensure their continued operation after the beach berm is created and to prevent their operation from negatively impacting the newly constructed beach berm.

Pending the Environmental Assessment, required reviews of the Elberon to Loch Arbour Reach Draft Hurricane Sandy Limited Re-evaluation Report and the signing of a Project Partnership Agreement with the DEP, the Corps expects to award the construction contract for the Elberon to Loch Arbour project in summer or fall of 2014.

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Contact
Chris Gardner
917-790-8007
christopher.p.gardner@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-003