NEWARK — Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D – NJ) on Sept. 3 called on the Army Corps of Engineers to immediately investigate the rise in spinal cord injuries to Cape May beachgoers. During the summer, officials in Cape May and recent news stories, reported 17 cases of injuries.

Cape May City also began a public education campaign to raise awareness of the problem in August, wrote Lautenberg in a release.

“As you may know, these injuries are sustained by swimmers and surfers who are crashing into the unusually shallow water near the shoreline,” Lautenberg said in his letter. “We need to address this safety issue to ensure the well-being of beachgoers at the Jersey Shore.”

According to the release, “Keeping New Jersey’s beaches safe and replenished is critical to protecting New Jersey’s coastal communities from flood damage. For fiscal year 2008, Lautenberg secured $176,914,00 in funding for New Jersey as part of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill—money that will help beach replenishment projects up and down the coast.”

The following is a copy of Lautenberg’s letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Tickner
Commander
Philadelphia District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3390

Dear Colonel Tickner:

I am writing regarding the recent dramatic rise in spinal-cord injuries that have occurred on the beach in Cape May, New Jersey this year. As you may know, these injuries are sustained by swimmers and surfers who are crashing into the unusually shallow water near the shoreline. I am concerned that these shallow waters and steep cliffs may be related to erosion of past beach replenishment that the Army Corps has conducted. Therefore, I am requesting that your office conduct an immediate investigation into this problem and recommend solutions.

As you know, I have worked to obtain funding for beach nourishment projects up and down the coast of New Jersey. Beach replenishment is critical to preserving our state’s beaches and supporting our tourism economy. Protecting the Jersey shore is a high priority and that is why I urge the Army Corps to investigate the shoreline at the Cape May beach. We need to address this safety issue to ensure the well-being of beachgoers at the Jersey Shore.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your immediate response.

Sincerely,

Frank R. Lautenberg