TOMS RIVER – Mayors and representatives of municipalities along the Northern Barrier Island in Ocean County were provided good news today as the Ocean County Board of Commissioners announced it would be funding the entire local costs for a upcoming beach replenishment project.

"We know our local municipalities have faced financial struggles as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic," said Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn. "And we also are well aware of the economic and environmental importance of our beaches.

"After reviewing the issue further, the Board has agreed that rather than fund 50 percent of the local share for this project, it will fund 100 percent," Quinn said.

Quinn's announcement was met with applause from the mayors of the Northern Barrier towns attending a meeting at the Ocean County Administration Building on Jan. 26.

Ocean County will fund the $7,550,000 local cost for the project. It will be paid directly to the state Department of Environmental Protection. Work on the beach replenishment project is expected to begin soon.

The overall project is estimated at $60 million. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will pay $30 million, with the remaining $30 million coming from the state and local share.

Quinn, who co-chairs the Ocean County Department of Finance with Commissioner John P. Kelly, noted Kelly had received requests from local mayors asking if the County could help.

"We are here to work with you," Quinn told the mayors. "We are here to help your towns. Our beaches are very important to us and we want to make sure we do all we can to get this project done."

The Northern Barrier Island municipalities receiving the assistance are Berkeley Township, Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Toms River Township, Lavallette, Brick Township, Mantoloking, Bay Head, and Point Pleasant Beach.

While Point Pleasant Borough has no oceanfront property and is not part of the replenishment effort, borough leaders have been supportive of the project in order to assist their neighboring communities.

Mantoloking Mayor E. Laurence "Lance" White said the announcement was a welcome development for his borough.

"This takes a massive weight off of our shoulders," he said. "We deeply appreciate what you are doing."

This project is the first major beach replenishment scheduled by the Army Corps of Engineers along the Northern Barrier Island since it completed repairing and strengthening beaches in the years following Superstorm Sandy.

Toms River Township Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill Jr. noted all the barrier island mayors came together on this issue.

"With the County, it's good to see everyone work together as a team," Hill said. "The anticipated cost would have been a budget buster for Toms River and the other municipalities."

Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey said the County's action will help the township as it moves ahead with its budgeting process.

"This is very good news," he said. "This helps our budget."

Bay Head Mayor William Curtis also extended his appreciation to the Board of Commissioners and the Mayors for working together.

"This is good news for our Borough and all the beaches along the Northern Barrier Island," he said.

Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari noted all of the Commissioners were in approval to get this done.

"As liaison to tourism and business development, it's important we all work together," he said. "Tourism is a cornerstone of our economy.

"In addition, beach replenishment also protects the properties of our year-round residents and businesses," he added.

Northern Barrier beaches have been battered by late fall and winter storms.

"The beaches and dunes are vital to the protection of our towns and our residents," Vicari said. "Our beaches are a natural resource for the entire East Coast."