Project Background
The Shrewsbury River Basin watershed is located on the eastern coast of New Jersey and experiences back bay flooding from the Shrewsbury River during coastal storms. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a reconnaissance report in 2000 to investigate ways to reduce the risk of flooding in the basin. With the findings of the report and recommendations by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, a potential project to reduce the risk of coastal storm flooding was limited to the Borough of Sea Bright, Monmouth County, New Jersey.
The residents and businesses in Sea Bright have sustained repeated flood damage from coastal storms such as nor’easters, tropical storms, and hurricanes since the borough’s settlement in the early 1840s. Due to the geography, topography, and the effects of relative sea level rise the people, economy, and culture of the Borough of Sea Bright are at increasing risk of flood damage from coastal storms. The downtown area is the most populated area of Sea Bright and has the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the tidally-influenced Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers to the west. The relatively low land is frequently inundated by back bay flooding from the Shrewsbury River.
The Tentatively Selected Plan
The purpose of the current feasibility study is to investigate potential coastal storm risk reduction solutions for the Borough of Sea Bright. USACE considered a range of structural and nonstructural measures that could potentially reduce flood damages in downtown Sea Bright. Through an iterative plan formulation process, potential coastal storm risk reduction measures were identified, evaluated, and compared. The tentatively selected plan as presented in the draft feasibility report is a risk reduction project that is technically sound, economically justified, and environmentally acceptable. The tentatively selected plan includes the elevation of up to 34 structures, and use of a deployable ringwall around 2 structures. This proposed alternative will reduce flood damages from coastal storms. It will also contribute to National Economic Development and will not contribute to environmental impacts to the coastal landscape.
For further information about this study please read the Project Fact Sheet or contact the project manager.
***September 1, 2016 Update***
The public comment period for the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Draft Integrated Feasibility Report & Environmental Assessment for the Shrewsbury River Basin, Sea Bright, New Jersey, Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study has been extended. The comment period ends on October 6, 2016. Comments received regarding the Draft FONSI and Draft Integrated Feasibility Report & Environmental Assessment will assist in the agency’s evaluation of the project and will be reflected in the project record.
The links below are to downloadable PDFs of the draft integrated feasibility report and environmental assessment. To request a copy of the documents and to submit written comments, please contact Mr. Jeffrey Fry. For further information about this study please read the Project Fact Sheet or contact the project manager.
***August 4, 2016 Update***
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District announces the availability of the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Draft Integrated Feasibility Report & Environmental Assessment for the Shrewsbury River Basin, Sea Bright, New Jersey, Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study The following links are to downloadable PDFs of the draft integrated feasibility report and environmental assessment.
Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment - Combined File
Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment - Main Report
Appendix A - Engineering Appendix
Appendix B - Cost Engineering Appendix
Appendix C - Economics Appendix
Appendix D - Real Estate Plan
Appendix E - Pertinent Correspondence & Environmental Documentation
To request a copy of the documents and to submit written comments, please contact:
Mr. Jeffrey Fry
Project Biologist
New York District Corps of Engineers
Attn: CENAN-PL-E
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278-0090
(917) 790-8718
Jeffrey.Fry@usace.army.mil
For further information about this study please read the Project Fact Sheet or contact the project manager.
Comments received regarding the Draft FONSI and Draft Integrated Feasibility Report & Environmental Assessment will assist in the agency’s evaluation of the project and will be reflected in the project record. The comment period ends on September 6, 2016.