Our community is getting a major boost in coastal protection as Ocean City secured a $5 million state grant to restore 136 acres of salt marsh on Shooting Island. The funding, announced this week during Earth Week, represents one of the largest environmental investments in our region's recent history.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection revealed the grant as part of a $14.8 million funding package supporting three projects across Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties. Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak made the announcement during a news conference in Point Pleasant, highlighting the state's commitment to protecting coastal communities from flooding and sea-level rise.
"These projects deliver on Governor Sherrill's mission to protect our communities from flooding and will directly protect property, infrastructure and local economies, and help avoid more costly repairs caused by severe storms," Potosnak said.
Shooting Island sits along the Intracoastal Waterway west of Ocean City in Great Egg Harbor Bay, serving as a natural buffer between open water and our residential areas. The multi-phase restoration project will begin with the placement of approximately 11,200 cubic yards of dredged sediment to reestablish the island's historical wetland footprint—essentially rebuilding what erosion and rising seas have taken away.
Later phases will involve applying thin layers of dredged sediment to interior ponds and other low-lying areas, a technique designed to support marsh creation and improve vegetation growth. This approach helps the wetlands naturally adapt to changing water levels while creating habitat for wildlife.
The restoration work serves multiple critical purposes for our community. By restoring elevation across degraded parts of the marsh, the project aims to improve ecological resilience to sea-level rise while protecting nearby homes and community infrastructure from storm surge and flooding. The enhanced wetlands will also support habitat goals for threatened and endangered bird species, including the black rail and salt marsh sparrow.
Ocean City Mayor Jay A. Gillian emphasized the city's proactive approach to environmental challenges facing coastal communities. "Ocean City has been a leader in investing in solutions related to habitat restoration and living shorelines during an era of rising seas," Gillian said. "The city is deeply grateful to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the grant funding and the opportunity to partner in this important work."
The funding comes through the DEP's Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program, which supports projects that enhance salt marshes, tidal estuaries and forests to improve flood resilience in coastal communities. The latest funding round launched in August 2025, and awards were announced at a salt marsh restoration site in the northern Barnegat Bay region.
While the DEP has not yet provided a construction start date, officials have identified the initial sediment placement and subsequent marsh-building work as the next steps in this multi-phase effort. For residents concerned about flooding and property protection, this project represents a long-term investment in natural infrastructure that will pay dividends for generations to come.
