FIOCCHI SAYS STORM DAMAGE TO DUNES DEMONSTRATES NEED TO RESURRECT STATE’S BEACH EROSION COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 5, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — After surveying the coastline and depleted dunes from last week’s relentless nor’easter, Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi today called for the reactivation of the state’s Beach Erosion Commission.

“Dune erosion and advancing tides threaten lives, homes and businesses along the Jersey Shore,” said Fiocchi, R-Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland. “The sand and seawalls that stand as the shore’s only defense against tidal surges are extremely vulnerable to constant battering from storms like we just experienced. We were fortunate the hurricane missed us, but as I saw today, our dunes have been eroded and our beaches are susceptible as we approach the winter season when nor’easters most commonly occur.”

Fiocchi called for New Jersey to reconvene the Beach Erosion Commission, established in 1949, to “investigate and study the protection and preservation of the beaches and shore front of the state from erosion and other damage from the elements.”

“This commission hasn’t met in 14 years,” said Fiocchi. “We’ve seen the devastation of Sandy, and we dodged a bullet with Joaquin. We need this commission meeting to discuss and advocate for better shore protection, and I would be proud to serve as one of the representatives from the Assembly. We can’t just sit back and wait for another storm to wipe out property and destroy our shore economy.”

In another effort to strengthen the coast’s resiliency, Fiocchi sponsors legislation, A-4215, to double the annual contribution to New Jersey’s Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million.