A group from Mordecai Land Trust, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps were out in boats offshore of the island recently, looking at the extent of the erosion on the northwestern side where the Corps’ breakwater will be constructed. Despite the severe erosion along the shoreline, the island was beautiful. A flock of Oystercatchers rose up from their nesting area and shouted with fury, soaring aerodynamically to distract us from their chicks. The low tide showed the rich greens of the grasses and we listened to the constant overhead sounds of island birds mixed with the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. That is Mordecai Island.
The Land Trust, NJDEP and the Army Corps have been working toward building a breakwater off the western shoreline of the island for over twenty years: it’s one of the Corps’ oldest projects in the area, but after disappointments and delays and perseverence by the Land Trust, we are finally moving toward construction.
Without the Army Corps’ help we estimate that Mordecai Island will be gone within our children’s lifetime and with it the incredible ecosystem it supports, the protection to Beach Haven’s shoreline and property it provides, and the beauty we see each time we look out over the natural tranquility of the marsh.
The breakwater is under the Corps’ CAP (Continuing Authority Program) 1135. Years ago the Corps moved the NJ Intracoastal Waterway closer to the island, causing an erosion effect from boatwake that reduced the island from approximately 60 to 45 acres. The breakwater, estimated to cost over $10 million, will stop the wave action, and hopefully give the island back land mass.
It’s been a long road, but we’re not there yet! Once the breakwater is constructed in 2026, the Army Corps will be responsible for monitoring, repair and maintenance for five years and then the responsibility falls on the Land Trust. In the meantime, we are on a payment schedule for the breakwater that extends out to approximately 2033. This is a responsibility that we take on willingly!
Our fundraising and donations are our only means of funding this project. We hope you will help us in our efforts to save this very valuable island, and we can continue to experience those wonderful Oystercatchers, preserve our Beach Haven shoreline, and watch the most beautiful sunsets over Mordecai.
Linda Colgan, President
Mordecai Land Trust
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