Controversial Dock Project in Beach Haven Is a No-Go

An application to build a dock on the bay off Leeward Avenue in Beach Haven has been withdrawn, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Last June, the engineering firm of Horn, Tyson & Yoder sent a letter to all property owners within 200 feet that outlined the project. According to the engineers, Karl Strom proposed installing a 4-foot by 60-foot dock parallel to the bulkhead, two outshore boatlifts (12 feet by 20 feet and 12 feet by 14 feet), and a 25-linear-foot perpendicular breakwater projecting into Liberty Thorofare.

“The property is a bulkheaded lot with frontages on Little Egg Harbor Bay and the Liberty Thorofare and includes a 42×50 boat slip off of Liberty Thorofare,” the engineers wrote. “The letter said the single-family dwelling and accessory development on the upland portion of the property were approved by DEP permits issued in January 2021.”

But last month, a letter from Becky Mazzei, environmental specialist with the Bureau of Coastal Permitting Watershed and Land Management, said the application is “being withdrawn because the project as proposed does not comply with dock structures and you have opted not to pursue a modified project at this time.”

“Please be advised that your application is hereby considered withdrawn,” Mazzei wrote. “The department shall take no further action on this application.”

“We’re all very much relieved,” said Borough Manager Sherry Mason.

Jaime Baumiller, Beach Haven Borough Council president, had written to the DEP on behalf of of the borough to “formally express its strong opposition to the permit application.” The key issue would be interfering with boat traffic in Liberty Thorofare.

“Liberty Thorofare is an exceptionally narrow, shallow, and heavily trafficked public waterway,” Baumiller wrote. “The navigable channel near this property is severely constricted; vessels straying even slightly outside of it face immediate grounding. Even under current conditions, larger vessels must maneuver precariously close to pass one another safely. Allowing a private structure, particularly the 25-foot perpendicular breakwater and outshore boatlifts, to encroach directly into this waterway creates an unacceptable hazard. This development will force maritime traffic into dangerous shallows, drastically increasing the risk of collisions, injuries, and groundings.”

She said the bottleneck would have directly threatened the economic vitality of Beach Haven’s tourism and marine industries.

“Crucial local commercial operators including the Black Pearl , Queen City Cycle Boat, LBI Boat Tours, Tom’s Tiki, SBB Tiki Boat, Star Fish , Miss Beach Haven and Miss Belle rely entirely on safe, unhindered passage through Liberty Thorofare for daily operations.”

The New Jersey Maritime Museum also fired off a letter opposing the plan.

“The proposed development would have a significant impact on navigation and maritime commerce in Beach Haven,” the letter said. “Liberty Thorofare is already an extremely narrow and challenging waterway. In the vicinity of this property the navigable channel is both shallow and constricted. In many areas, a vessel that strays only a few feet outside the channel can find itself aground in water less than two feet deep. Under existing conditions, it is often difficult for two larger vessels to safely pass one another. Captains are frequently required to maneuver only within a few feet of one another while remaining on the navigable channel. The installation of additional structures extending into the waterway would further reduce the available navigable width and create a dangerous bottleneck.”

The letter said the proposed boatlifts and breakwater would force vessels farther into shallow water, increasing the likelihood of groundings, collisions, injuries and other navigational incidents.

“What is currently a narrow and shallow passage would become, in many situations, impossible for larger commercial vessels to navigate safely when encountering oncoming traffic. This is not merely an inconvenience; it directly impacts the viability of numerous businesses operating in Beach Haven.”

Controversial Dock Project in Beach Haven Is a No-Go

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