North Wildwood Sues to Protect Shore Project
In a bold move to safeguard the future of the Wildwoods’ coastline, the City of North Wildwood has filed a Verified Complaint against the Borough of Wildwood Crest in the Superior Court of New Jersey – Chancery Division.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to protect the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project, a crucial initiative aimed at stabilizing the shorelines and reducing storm damage for the next 50 years.
North Wildwood Sues to Protect Shore Project
The complaint, filed by the City of North Wildwood, addresses the dynamic coastal environment of Wildwoods Island, which remains vulnerable to the effects of severe coastal storms.
This legal action follows concerning public statements from Wildwood Crest, suggesting that the borough may withdraw its commitment to the project, despite having signed the State Aid Agreement for it on March 1, 2022.
Such a withdrawal would put at risk the federal and state governments’ financial and logistical support for shoreline stabilization in the area, leaving the island’s beaches and residents exposed to future threats.
The complaint came after a virtual hearing held on March 18, 2025, before Judge M. Susan Shepard, with representatives from Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Lower Township, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) also participating.
During the hearing, the court issued temporary restraints, preventing Wildwood Crest from withdrawing from the project until further legal proceedings take place.
A significant part of the effort to protect the Wildwoods’ coastline has already been set into motion. In June 2024, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) carried out a dredging project, placing 750,000 cubic yards of sand onto North Wildwood’s Inlet and Front Beaches.
This interim solution, although temporary, has improved the condition of the beaches, making them some of the best they’ve been in over a decade. However, the island’s coastline remains vulnerable, and the long-term commitment of the federal and state governments is critical to ensure continued protection.
The Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Project represents a significant federal and state partnership to provide shoreline stabilization and storm damage reduction across the entire 5-mile island. Notably, the Wildwoods are the only beaches in New Jersey that have not yet benefited from such a commitment since Hurricane Sandy, highlighting the importance of maintaining the project’s momentum.
With Wildwood Crest’s potential withdrawal threatening to disrupt the project, North Wildwood’s Verified Complaint aims to preserve the federal and state governments’ commitment to shore protection, ensuring the Wildwoods remain resilient against future storms and environmental challenges.
This legal action underscores North Wildwood’s dedication to securing the long-term safety and stability of the island, not just for its own residents, but for the entire Wildwoods community. The city is committed to ensuring that the coastlines are properly safeguarded for future generations.
The Wildwood Video Archive explains the island-wide project in the video below. Before you watch please consider subscribing