Long-planned Jersey shore beach replenishment project falls apart

WILDWOOD, N.J. (WPVI) -- The long-planned beach and dune project on a stretch of the Jersey shore has collapsed.

Action News obtained the NJ DEP paperwork that shows the Hereford Inlet to Cape May Inlet Storm Risk Management Project fell apart.

The Army Corps plan called for sand to be taken from the wider beaches of Wildwood and Wildwood Crest and brought to North Wildwood, which is suffering from severe beach erosion.

The deal fell apart after the Wildwood and Wildwood Crest withdrew from sharing sand.

"Unfortunately, after years of costly engineering work and many attempts by DEP to help resolve local disagreements, the Project reached an impasse necessitating its termination: despite prior commitments, the Borough of Wildwood Crest and City of Wildwood will not proceed with the Project by using excess sand accumulated on the beaches of Wildwood and the Crest in order to reconstruct the eroding beach in the City of North Wildwood and construct a continuous protective dune system across all four municipalities," a portion of the letter read.

The federal funds are now being redirected.