For Immediate Release
April 19, 2013 Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
AC Lowering Dunes is Losing Bet Jeff Tittel issued the following statement on Gov. Christie's support of a plan to lower dunes in Atlantic City and the DEP is authorizing it:
"It is unbelievable after Superstorm Sandy that the Christie administration is supporting not only cutting the grasses on top of the dunes in Atlantic City, but actually lowering the dunes.The vegetation on the dunes are very important to hold the dunes in place and the long grasses help grab sand out of the air and replenish the dune.Dunes are an important part of the ecosystem and help hold our beaches in place.The dunes themselves help dissipate the energy form waves, protecting the beach, the boardwalk, and the property behind them.We have seen firsthand in Hurricane Sandy that the areas with dunes in place did a lot better than the areas where dunes were lowered or were not in place. They want to cut back and lower the dunes so the people in casinos can get a better view of the beach which is foolishness.These dunes and vegetation help to protect Atlantic City from storms; these changes will increase risks next time there is a storm.When they get more damage they will want tax payers to bail them out and fix the damage after they have done it to themselves. This is not how you revitalize Atlantic City, this is how you end up having more damage from storm surges.They will be gambling with next storm and they are going to lose.This is not only short-sighted, its bad for Atlantic City and will end up costing taxpayers money.During Sandy these dunes helped protect this part of Atlantic City, other parts of the City without dunes got devastated."
-- Kate Millsaps Conservation Program Coordinator NJ Chapter of the Sierra Club 609-656-7612