There is a new issue in Deal with regards to their proposed plans to improve the structural revetment wall at the ocean side of their Pump House at the end of Roosevelt Ave. Deal has submitted an application for a CAFRA Permit with plans to the DEP to repair the area surrounding the Pump House, which was destroyed by Irene and further damaged by Sandy. As some of you will remember, the Borough promised that public access would be accommodated at the Pump House and that stairs to the beach would be included in their plans. After reviewing the plans, Deal and their architect have shown no provision or design for access by way of stairs on the north or south side of the Pump House. If you can remember, there were stairs there before Hurricane Irene. This is a violation of the public trust doctrine, established New Jersey law and the DEP’s own policies. We should not allow Deal to remove a once viable access point.
The DEP will decide to approve or reject the plans after a public comment period which will end on January 1, 2016. You can help by e-mailing and sending letters to the DEP asking for the access stairs at Roosevelt Ave to be replaced.
Send e-mails to:
Kara.Turner@dep.nj.gov
Send your letters to:
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Land Use Regulation Program
P.O. Box 439
501 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0439
Attn.: Borough of Deal Section Chief