U.S. senators press Army Corps to clear beach
By DONNA WEAVER Staff Writer, (609) 978-2015
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007

SURF CITY — Borough residents have received new allies in the push to have the beach open before Memorial Day. U.S. Sens. Robert E. Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg sent a letter Tuesday to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging beach cleanup by Memorial Day weekend. 

“We got some distressing news, and we want to make sure there's expedited treatment to get the munitions off the beach and to let the public know there is no harm,” Lautenberg said Tuesday.

The discovery of military munitions on the beaches earlier this month contributed to the delay of the beach-replenishment project's completion, a spokesman for the corps said last week, adding that the corps is in the process of hiring a contractor to conduct a geophysical investigation and electromagnetic survey of the beaches. The survey is expected to begin Friday. 

Mayor Leonard T. Connors said Tuesday that he was contacted last week by Lautenberg and Menendez and the two legislators offered their help. 

“They called me and asked if getting the beaches open a week before Memorial Day would be good, and I said absolutely. I welcomed their support,” Connors said. 
In a news release from the senators' offices Tuesday, Menendez said that the federal government has the responsibility to make sure the beach is not a minefield by the time Memorial Day arrives.

“The Army Corps of Engineers should conduct this cleanup safely and quickly, which is vital for the community's economy and, more importantly, the safety of beachgoers,” Menendez said. 

Lautenberg said Memorial Day is only about eight weeks away and the corps does not have much time. He said he cannot sit idly by, let families go to the beach and expose themselves to an unimaginable risk.

“These are weapons designed to kill people, heaven forbid. It's the federal government's responsibility to clean this up and not let something like cost get in the way of getting it done,” Lautenberg said. 

In the letter to the corps the senators cite the effect closed beaches could have on the borough's economy. Any economic disruption this time of year could have disastrous consequences for local businesses and the surrounding community, the letter said.

“With warm weather on the horizon and thousands of families planning trips to the beach, these munitions must be removed and removed quickly,” said Lautenberg.? 

Connors said he has been briefed by the corps and that they are doing everything they can to have the beaches open for the start of the summer season. 

“I don't know how it's going to be done any quicker. I think this is just a tempest in a teacup and by Memorial Day I think we'll be back in business,” Connors said.

The senators had not received a response from the corps as of Friday evening, according to Lautenberg.

“I know they are fully aware of the situation and we'll receive an answer fairly quickly,” he said.

Ed Voigt, a spokesman for the corps said Tuesday in response to the letter that he is hopeful the corps will finish clearing the beaches by Memorial Day.

“It is urgent that we do all we can to ensure the public's safety. That takes priority over everything else — that is our mandate,” Voigt said. “But we know it is also urgent that we reopen the beach for the public's use before the summer season. That is our goal.”

Lautenberg said that he and Menendez simply want to make sure that families will be able to safely enjoy the beaches this Memorial Day. 

“This discovery of munitions by happenstance is shocking and also means that we don't know what else is there. We just want to assure people who go to the beach on Memorial Day,” Lautenberg said. 

To e-mail Donna Weaver at The Press:

DWeaver@pressofac.com