Shore Protection Grant Program

The Shore Protection Program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, a state agency responsible for managing natural resources, environmental protection, and resilience planning across New Jersey. The program operates under statutory authority granted by state law and is supported through the Shore Protection Fund, which is financed primarily through realty transfer fee revenues and related investment income. Legislative appropriations have recently established an annual funding level of 25000000 dollars, reinforcing the program’s role as a key mechanism for coastal resilience and infrastructure protection within the state. The primary purpose of the program is to protect property and infrastructure from coastal storm damage, shoreline erosion, shoreline migration, and sea level rise. The program supports a range of project types including beach replenishment, construction and maintenance of shoreline stabilization structures such as bulkheads, jetties, and seawalls, as well as restoration and monitoring efforts. Projects may also include land acquisition and other activities necessary to maintain or enhance shoreline integrity, provided they align with the New Jersey Shore Protection Master Plan and the Coastal Zone Management Program. Funding is distributed to support both standalone state projects and collaborative efforts involving local government entities. Eligible applicants include municipalities and counties, with priority given to projects that leverage or match federal funding, particularly those associated with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The program requires that funded projects be located in tidal areas and that properties involved provide legal and perpetual easements to ensure public access and use. This requirement ensures that investments not only protect infrastructure but also maintain public benefit and accessibility. The funding structure includes cost sharing requirements. For most projects conducted jointly by the state and local grantees, the state provides up to 75 percent of construction costs while the local grantee must contribute a minimum of 25 percent. Local applicants are also responsible for covering engineering design, specifications, and real estate acquisition costs. For projects involving the United States Army Corps of Engineers, a more complex funding formula applies, with the federal government covering a portion of costs and the remaining balance split between the state and local entities according to established ratios. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, allowing government entities to submit proposals at any time. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive proposal that includes detailed project information such as location, scope, estimated costs, funding sources, maintenance plans, design specifications, resilience considerations, and stakeholder support. Additional required materials include exhibits and geospatial files that define the project area and features. The application process emphasizes thorough documentation and alignment with state planning frameworks. Project evaluation is based on several criteria, including the need to maintain or enhance existing shore protection infrastructure, the level of risk posed by coastal hazards to property and infrastructure, improvements to public access, and the project’s integration with broader municipal or regional resilience strategies. Although no formal notification timeline is specified, proposals are reviewed based on available funding and program priorities. Interested applicants may contact designated program staff via email for additional guidance or to submit proposals, ensuring direct communication with program administrators throughout the process.

Align project with resilience plans and demonstrate high risk reduction and public benefit; ensure complete cost breakdown and stakeholder support