Wildwoods Island-Wide Dune Project at Risk of Being Cancelled

Wildwoods Island-Wide Dune Project at Risk of Being Cancelled

Multi-Million Dollar Project in Jeopardy as Wildwood Crest and Wildwood Consider Withdrawal

The long-awaited Wildwoods Shore Protection Project, a $54 million federally and state-funded initiative, is facing potential cancellation due to opposition from the Borough of Wildwood Crest and the City of Wildwood.

The project, which was set to provide engineered beaches and dunes to protect against coastal erosion and storm risks, is now in jeopardy as these municipalities reconsider their commitments.

For years, the Wildwoods have been the only stretch of New Jersey’s Atlantic coastline without a comprehensive, government-funded coastal protection system.

The primary reason? A failure among local municipalities to reach an agreement on sand distribution and project participation.

In March 2023, after a decade of deadlock, a breakthrough was reached when all four municipalities–North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Lower Township–signed a State Aid Agreement committing to the project.

This allowed the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to begin design work and secure necessary easements.

Since then, over $1.5 million in state and federal funds have been spent on project preparations. However, Wildwood Crest and Wildwood are now reconsidering their participation, putting the entire initiative at risk.

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At the core of this dispute is the issue of sand distribution. The project relies on using sand from Wildwood and Wildwood Crest’s exceptionally wide beaches to nourish eroding shorelines across the barrier island.

However, officials from these municipalities fear that sharing their sand could impact large-scale beach events, such as monster truck rallies and concerts, which drive tourism revenue.

NJDEP and USACE officials have countered these concerns, stating that:

• The project would not drastically reduce beach widths, meaning events could still take place.
• An engineered beach and dune system would enhance long-term coastal resilience while ensuring regular renourishment every four years.
• The project cannot proceed unless all four municipalities remain committed, as it requires a continuous dune system to be effective.

With tensions rising, NJDEP has issued an ultimatum: all municipalities must reaffirm their commitment in writing by March 18, 2025.

If Wildwood Crest or Wildwood withdraws, the project will be canceled entirely, leading to the loss of all funding and leaving the island vulnerable to future storms and erosion.

State officials have urged the municipalities to act in the interest of public safety and long-term sustainability rather than prioritizing short-term economic concerns.

Without this project, the Wildwoods will remain unprotected while other New Jersey coastal towns benefit from federally backed beach replenishment programs.

The coming days will determine whether the Wildwoods finally receive much-needed coastal protection or if internal disputes will leave the island at the mercy of rising tides and stronger storms.

The Wildwood Video Archive breaks down this project in the video below. Before you watch, please consider subscribing.