Bayside Shoreline Project Nearly Complete in Seaside Heights (And It Held Off Its First Storm)

A shoreline protection project along the south bayfront in Seaside Heights – near the border with Seaside Park and adjacent to The Dock Outfitters store – is mainly complete.

The long-awaited project took about a month and resulted in truckloads of old concrete and debris being moved from the site – the remnants of years of makeshift shoreline revetments that had deteriorated. The deterioration had led to erosion of the shoreline, which backs up to the curved Route 35 entrance lanes to the island as well as a municipal parking lot, and was also considered unsightly.

A living shoreline revetment project is largely complete at Seaside Heights’ south bayfront area, Jan. 5, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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A living shoreline revetment project is largely complete at Seaside Heights’ south bayfront area, Jan. 5, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

After a lengthy permitting process, which took years to complete, the borough received the go-ahead earlier this year to move forward with a living shoreline project. The funding for the project was provided in previous years’ capital budgets.

“It’s moved along nicely,” said Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz. “We’ve been fighting for this project for years, and we went through the hoops. Fortunately we got it approved, it will get done the right way, and it will help protect us.”

A living shoreline revetment project is largely complete at Seaside Heights’ south bayfront area, Jan. 5, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

A living shoreline revetment project is largely complete at Seaside Heights’ south bayfront area, Jan. 5, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The rock revetment, which doubles as a “living shoreline” that can foster the development of marine life, has already been put through its paces in terms of shoreline protection. The revetment was in place during the most recent coastal storm which occurred during the holidays, with the rocks absorbing the wave energy instead of the surrounding land. A few pieces of debris left over from the storm were scattered along the rocks.

A living shoreline revetment project is largely complete at Seaside Heights’ south bayfront area, Jan. 5, 2023. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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The project’s scope consisted of a 120 linear foot “planted revetment” living shoreline that was installed at the site, constructed with rip-rap fill and filter fabric to support the required revetment stones. The rip-rap is what is most visible in photos and video. The site was also significantly re-graded. Clean sand and topsoil material required for plantings will be added to complete the project.