Project Background

The Absecon Island project, often called the Atlantic City and Ventnor beach nourishment or beachfill, is designed to reduce storm damages to homes and infrastructure from the waves, high tides and storm surges associated with these events. The communities along the New Jersey shoreline have suffered significant storm damages from nor’easters and hurricanes and are at risk to suffer further damages from coastal storms. Atlantic City and Ventnor City are important and economically vital coastal communities that serves as a national destination for tourism and recreation. The health and productivity of a coastal community and its beachfront are linked. This project will not only act to reduce the damages to the oceanfront infrastructure, but will protect the island from devastating erosion and damage. In turn, this will help the communities continue to thrive as a destination for beach patrons, surfers, fishermen, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Project Authority

Construction of the Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet, Absecon Island New Jersey Storm Damage Reduction Project, is authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. A Project Cooperation Agreement to construct the project was signed July 2003 with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Completed Work on Absecon Island

In 2004, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection completed initial construction at Atlantic City and Ventnor City. Periodic nourishment is scheduled for a 3 year cycle. The project scheduled to be constructed in the spring of 2012 represents the first full-scale renourishment of the project.

Additionally, in 2009, severe nor’easter events damaged portions of the constructed project. In June 2011, with funds from the Flood Control & Coastal Emergency, (FCCE), program, the Philadelphia District completed an emergency repair of the Atlantic City and Ventnor City beaches to the pre-storm conditions.