North Wildwood Fights to Save Dune Project from Federal Termination

North Wildwood Fights to Save Dune Project from Federal Termination

The City of North Wildwood is sounding the alarm after learning that a long-planned coastal storm protection project could be terminated within the next year.

On July 7, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) sent a letter to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), warning that it may suspend or terminate the Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Coastal Storm Risk Management Project within 30 days of July 31, 2025.

The USACE cited NJDEP’s inability to fulfill its obligations under the project agreement and opposition from neighboring municipalities that has stalled the acquisition of necessary real estate.

Since the Project Partnership Agreement was signed nine years ago, the USACE has invested $2.4 million in federal design costs.

The proposed plan was intended to bolster coastal defenses along one of the most vulnerable stretches of the Jersey Shore, protecting residents, businesses, and infrastructure from the increasing threat of severe storms and flooding.

In response to the news, North Wildwood officials contacted the office of U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew, urging him to intervene and help prevent the project’s cancellation.

In a formal letter to Van Drew, Mayor Patrick Rosenello expressed strong opposition to the Army Corps’ potential withdrawal, calling the project a “vital component of our coastal defense system” and warning of the consequences if it were abandoned.

Also See: New Seawall Is Coming To North Wildwood

“Terminating it would not only squander over $2.4 million in Federal design funding, but also leave North Wildwood and neighboring communities increasingly vulnerable to devastating coastal storms,” Rosenello wrote.

The mayor emphasized that the city has already spent over $40 million in local funds since 2009 to maintain and protect its beaches and dunes, its first line of defense against storm damage, largely without federal assistance.

The federal partnership, he noted, was meant to alleviate that financial strain and ensure long-term protection for the region.

Rosenello urged the Army Corps to work more effectively with NJDEP and affected municipalities to resolve outstanding disputes rather than terminating the project under Article VIII of the agreement.

“Your steadfast support for coastal communities like North Wildwood has always been deeply appreciated,” Rosenello told Van Drew. “We now look to your leadership to ensure this critical project moves forward after years of progress.”

The Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet project has been in development for nearly a decade and remains a key part of North Wildwood’s strategy to strengthen its shoreline.

With hurricane season intensifying each year, local officials warn that delaying or abandoning the plan could leave thousands of residents and visitors exposed to future storm devastation.