The Borough of Avalon participated in a pre-application meeting with several agencies in anticipation of submitting a new, ten-year dredging permit application that would include all navigable channels in Avalon as well as all private boat slips.  The Borough is expected to make the first permit application in the State that not only includes the entire community while supporting opportunities for the re-distribution of dredge materials in certain locations for coastal resiliency and environmental enhancement purposes.  The meeting was hosted on April 13th, 2022 by Genevieve Sarlo from the United States Army Corps of Engineers and included the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other consulting agencies.

“This is an innovative approach that will save the Borough and our residents time and money while eliminating challenges regarding emergency or scheduled dredging projects”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.  “Upon approval of this permit, the Borough would no longer have to apply for emergency permits as conditions arise while also eliminating the costs and the time involved for property owners who wish to dredge their individual boat slips.  All of this would be covered under the Borough’s general permit.  I appreciate Ms. Sarlo and the entire team who is assisting with this application process in behalf of our community”.  If approved, property owners would simply submit an application to the Borough for a municipal permit to dredge a boat slip without applying directly to federal or state agencies for approvals.

Avalon presented to the agencies a map that shows the current condition of navigational channels prepared by municipal engineer Mott MacDonald.  Engineers and administration explained the benefits of a town-wide permit as well as the Borough’s interests in keeping some material in the system for practical purposes.

This town-wide permitting approach will also support innovations in the beneficial use of dredge materials that have been field studied through the Seven Mile Innovation Lab project coordinated by the Wetlands Institute of Stone Harbor and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.  Various dredge material placement strategies have been experimented in the field for potential environmental enhancement and resiliency purposes.  Dr. Lenore Tedesco, the Executive Director of the Institute, previously made a presentation before Borough Council showing potential placement areas for material dredged from the Borough’s navigation channels for these specific purposes.

“There is a new approach to the regulations and requirements for dredging that provide excellent opportunities, when practical and affordable, to permit dredging for safe navigation, beneficial re-use, and natural resiliency”, Pagliughi said.  “Avalon appreciates our federal and state partners for working through this permitting process that we intend to be a model opportunity for other communities to replicate as many coastal communities share similar challenges”.