Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th District) announced that funding for beach replenishment in Port Monmouth is included in the fiscal year 2012 spending bill approved by the House of Representatives.
The bill provides $2.94 million for the project, which adds to the $3.4 million Pallone has already secured.
“ When the House decides whether or not they’re going to fund this kind of project, they do a cost/benefit analysis. They ask, ‘What would it cost if this isn’t there, in terms of FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] and the federal government declaring a disaster, ” Pallone said in a Dec. 20 interview.
“The idea is to save money that would be required to put everything back in place in absence of the sand. It’s really strictly on that basis, figuring if it’s going to cost more in the long run if we don’t do it.”
According to FEMA statistics, the agency has paid more than $52 million to more than 3,000 Hurricane Irene disaster claimants. On average, a claimant has received about $17,000.
Pallone said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would begin work on the project in the fall.
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Dredging Today Staff, December 28, 2011;