For those of us at the Barnegat Bay Partnership, the health of our coastal ecosystems isn’t just a scientific metric: it’s the heartbeat of our community. That’s why we are beyond thrilled to share that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has awarded a $4.8 million grant to restore the Nellie Bennett Salt Marsh in the Borough of Point Pleasant.
This project is a cornerstone of the Sherrill Administration’s Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time.
Why This Marsh Matters
Located where Beaverdam Creek meets the Metedeconk River, the Nellie Bennett Marsh is a vital piece of northern Barnegat Bay. Over the years, we’ve watched this marsh struggle against erosion and rising sea levels. When a marsh degrades, we don’t just lose wildlife habitat; we lose our first line of defense against the impacts of storms.
The Plan
The BBP and project partners have already completed two phases of this project; preparing the marsh for it’s final phase of restoration. To bring the marsh back to providing it’s full ecosystem services, 29,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be used to fill portions of the marsh that have eroded or subsided through the years. We’ll be using this sediment to elevate the marsh platform, essentially giving it the “height” it needs to stay above water.
In addition to fill, the project will rely on several methods to stabilize the new marsh. Coir Logs are biodegradable tubes that help stabilize high marsh areas, and municipal compost will be used to supplement the soil to ensure native vegetation can thrive.
Protecting Our Neighbors
Perhaps the most rewarding part of this project is the direct impact on Point Pleasant. As Mayor Bob Sabosik pointed out, this marsh used to be a place where children could walk; soon, it will once again be a robust buffer protecting Nellie Bennett Elementary School, providing critical protection for drinking water infrastructure, roads, and homes in the neighboring areas.
Looking Ahead
Restoring 13 acres of marsh in a highly developed area like ours is no small feat. It’s a powerful example of how “nature-based infrastructure” can protect our homes while preserving the beauty of the Jersey Shore.
We want to extend a huge thank you to the NJDEP, the Borough of Point Pleasant, and all our partners who helped make this vision a reality. We can’t wait to get our boots in the mud and start building a more resilient Barnegat Bay.
