Avalon's eroded north beach. Photo by Leslie Truluck.

AVALON — U.S Army Corps of Engineers is studying sediment backpassing to take sand from the abundant downdrift beaches of Wildwood to the eroded shoreline of Avalon as part of a federal shore protection project.

Representatives from the corps attended a council work session here March 4 to explain an upcoming federally funded beach fill and potential sand back passing project from Townsend Inlet to Cape May Inlet.

Avalon’s beach fill project, slated to begin this month, will receive $1.5 million in federal supplemental funding with the borough matching $808,000. It is expected to take about three months to truck in about 140,000 tons of sand.

Test will determine how often and how much sand would be needed from Wildwood to maintain stable beaches in Avalon, borrow locations, impact of backpassing on adjacent beaches, availability of sand to support such a project, different methods to move the sand and potential environmental benefits.

Avalon’s most dire area of need is from 8th to 17th streets; Stone Harbor’s hotspot is from 98th to 111th streets.

Other sediment budget cells on Seven Mile Island include a north fill from 17th to 31st streets, an Avalon south/Stone Harbor north area from 76th to 98th streets and from 111th Street to the terminal groin. There is no fill planned for 31st to 76th streets.

Corps is also looking at alternatives to backpassing, like hydraulic or mechanical transports using pumps and cranes or simply trucking the sand over.

In summary, representatives said bypassing to Avalon is reduced when there is significant dredging, backpassing up to 200,000 cubic yards was concluded to be feasible.

Officials continue looking at environmental issues and budget appropriations.

Contact Truluck at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com