Congressman Van Drew Secures $20 Million in Funding for Major New Jersey Dredging

Representative Jeff Van Drew

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.”