July, 2022.
Offshore Wind Farm Round-Up #2
June, 2022.
Save LBI – First Lawsuit
May, 2022.
LBI Coalition for Wind Without Impact has filed their first lawsuit against the U.S. Interior Department in January, 2022. Below, you will find an update from Dr. Bob Stern, President of Save LBI. For more information, visit savelbi.org.
From: Bob Stern
Subject: Status, First Lawsuit
Date: May 23, 2022
Hello,
This note is just to provide you with a brief update on the status of our first lawsuit.
As you know, we filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Interior Department on January 10, 2022 alleging that they failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act because they did not prepare an environmental impact statement prior to deciding on wind energy areas-where wind turbines can go- in the New York Bight area and other “connected” areas including the close-in area off Long Beach Island.
As expected, the federal government filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Our attorney responded to that with a thorough analysis of why that motion should be denied.
Last week, we learned that a number of wind energy trade groups intend to seek the D.C. Court’s permission to file an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief in support of the federal government defendants. They are represented by Perkins Coie, one of the largest law firms in the country. We plan to oppose this effort, but if the Court grants their request, we will seek permission to file a response to the amicus brief. On the one hand, this pits additional resources against us. But on the other hand, while one cannot predict the outcome of the case, I think it fair to say that we have certainly gotten the attention of the wind energy industry, perhaps because they are concerned that we have good arguments.
The judge in the case, the Honorable Dabney L. Freidrich, has requested a hearing but the date has not yet been set. We will keep you advised, and thank you for continuing support and encouragement.
Bob Stern, President Save LBI Inc.
Offshore Wind Farm Round-Up #1
May, 2022.
Please see below for the first installment of ‘The Offshore Wind Farm Round Up’
Rethinking Bulkheads – Living vs. Hard Shorelines
March, 2022.
With the new approach to coastline, erosion and ecology, many agencies and engineering firms in the US are beginning to take a second look at the alternative deemed a “living shoreline”.
Read more below.
Wind Turbines on LBI
March, 2022.
The LBI Coalition for Wind Without Impact was formed in February, 2021 by a group of concerned citizens seeking a sensible approach to wind energy and alternative/renewable energy solutions. The Coalition opposes the wind farm project proposed by Atlantic Shores. It is led by Beach Haven resident, Dr. Bob Stern, an engineer who previously managed the office in the US Department of Energy and oversaw environmental protection as it relates to energy programs and projects.
For more information visit savelbi.org
Interior Department, Governor Murphy, and Governor Hochul Announce Historic Wind Energy Auction Offshore New York and New Jersey
Long Beach Township Rescinding Bulkhead Height Rule
February, 2022.
Following months of discussion between Long Beach Township officials and residents, the municipal board of commissioners decided to rescind Ordinance 21-27C, adopted last October, “which changed regulations relating to bulkhead construction requirements for lagoon and bayfront properties as a condition of certificates of occupancy,” as the municipality explained.
The township made an introduction to rescind the measure at the Jan. 5 meeting (moved from Jan. 3 due to inclement weather) with second reading scheduled for the Feb. 7 meeting.
“In the meantime,” the township “will not be enforcing any of the changes that were included in Ordinance 21-27C,” as the municipality states on its website, longbeachtownship.com.
According to the new measure, homeowners making substantial improvements to a residence on the bay or lagoon – meaning any new construction or other work that requires a certificate of occupancy – would have had to meet certain bulkhead height requirements: 7 feet (NAVD 1988) for bayfront properties in the southern sections of the municipality, 6 feet for any houses on the bay in the northern part of the township and 6 feet for homes on a lagoon.
Before the annulment of the ordinance, the bulkhead height mandate was also set to apply to home resales beginning Feb. 1 of this year.
The township had hoped increasing bulkhead heights would help mitigate flooding issues, in combination with other measures. Mayor Joseph Mancini also pointed out the state will eventually mandate higher bulkhead heights, so the township had aimed to get in front of that directive.
A number of residents, though, opposed the ordinance, citing concern about water dispersement, as some noted, and the fact the changes would have been made in a piecemeal manner.
The board of commissioners meeting on Monday, Feb. 7 will be held at 4 p.m. at the municipal complex in Brant Beach. —J.K.-H.
The article was originally published here:
Congressman Van Drew Secures $20 Million in Funding for Major New Jersey Dredging
Washington, DC – This week, the United States Army Corps of Engineers announced over $20 million in dredging projects for South Jersey.
Over the next year, the Army Corps will invest $14.3 million in the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway. This funding will be used to dredge at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and in the back bays of the Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean County barrier islands. The announcement also includes $7 million for dredging Salem River and $550,000 for Cold Spring Inlet in Cape May. This dredging is imperative in making our waterways safer, strengthening the coastal economy, and conserving the environment and wildlife habitats.
This follows a 2021 announcement that the Army Corps would be investing $4.1 million to dredge the Mouth of the Maurice River in 2022. This investment is critical to the economic revitalization and coastal resilience of the Bayshore communities.
“I made a promise that I would help build a stronger shore by investing in resilience, safety, commerce, and conservation; I am keeping that promise,” said Congressman Van Drew.’
“I am proud to have secured these dredging projects for the South Jersey community and I am actively engaged with the U.S. Army Corps to ensure that our community’s needs are being met. These projects are only the beginning of us building a Stronger Jersey Shore and Bayshore.”