2010 NJSME Municipal Project of the Year

The mouth of the Amherst Inlet and surrounding shorelines opening into the Barnegat Bay are subject to severe erosion from tidal currents that deposit sand in the inlet, causing bank failure during high flood flows. This erosion compromises the shoreline, residential properties, and adjacent properties, and inhibits boat traffic through the channel. Historically, the Amherst Inlet has been dredged and maintained by the Township, a process that is costly, time consuming, requires significant manpower, and does not slow or prevent the natural ingress of sand into the inlet.

Funding from the Bureau of Coastal Engineering enabled the Township to construct a new vinyl breakwater and extend the stone groin to help protect the shoreline, and to remove sand to widen the Amherst Channel to enable the safe passage of boats. Excavated sand was relocated and graded to replenish the eroded shoreline south of Amherst Inlet, and dune grass was planted to stabilize the previously eroded shoreline, protect existing marshland vegetation, and help prevent further erosion along the banks. This project also provided protection from wave action resulting from tide changes, rainfall, and extreme weather by inhibiting the longshore transport of sediment that shoals in the mouth of Amherst Inlet. Services provided for this project included the coordination of coastal engineering, landscape architecture, municipal, recreational/sports, and construction administration and inspection.