Figure 1. Borough of Cape May Point, NJ. Narrow-crested submerged reef structures (BeachsaverTM) will enclose groin cells to be used to retain beach-fill material

U.S. Army Engineer District,

Research and Development Center

or preproject monitoring records, and

Philadelphia, Cape May Pont, NJ.

(ERDC) staff) reviewed the submit-

have identifiable spatial and tempo-

The borough of Cape May Point, NJ,

ted site nomination packages and

ral scales associated with localized

was specified in the appropriations

identified specific sites appropriate

coastal processes.

language of Section 227. Cape May

for further consideration. Thirty-

Selection criteria for demonstra-

Point is a 1.8-km-long beachfront

seven nomination packages were

tion technologies include applicability

community located on the southern

originally submitted by 17 coastal

to project site, suitable and quantifi-

tip of New Jersey. Cape May Point

Corps Districts. Technological

able performance prediction metrics,

is particularly vulnerable to storm

advancements will be selected for

sound engineering design, and eco-

damage due to exposure to waves

demonstration by the committee

nomic feasibility of construction and

from both the Atlantic Ocean and

based on scientific and engineering

maintenance. Specific technologies

the Delaware Bay. Existing shore

validity and on economics. Perfor-

identified as having a high priority

protection structures along the

mance of the applied technologies

for testing include innovative groin

shoreline at Cape May Point include

will be evaluated as related to inter-

geometries and permeable groins,

a series of nine groins with a spac-

action with the coastal system and

reef breakwaters and breakwater

ing that varies from 150-300 m, and

other engineering considerations

configuration, armoring alternatives,

a rubble revetment armoring the

such as constructability, structural

bioengineered and vegetative

shoreline in the easternmost groin

stability, and life-cycle costs. The

approaches, cohesive and bluff

cell (Figure 1). While these engi-

performance of all demonstration

shore treatments, and other sand

neered efforts have "held the line" in

projects will be monitored under

retention methods and site manage-

most sections with regard to erosion,

Section 227 for a minimum of

ment strategies. All demonstration

that "line" is at a critical position and

3 years. Evaluation of functional per-

projects must meet local permitting

the width of the back beach is

formance will be documented and

and regulatory requirements.

severely compromised. There is vir-

widely disseminated to the coastal

Nominations for demonstration

tually no buffer from storm events

engineering community.

sites and technological applications

that can severely damage the area,

are being coordinated through the

and this absence also contributes to

Project Implementation,

coastal U.S. Army Corps of Engi-

saltwater intrusion of a nearby criti-

neers (USACE) District and Division

cal freshwater wetland.

Fiscal Year 2000

offices. The Section 227 oversight

The compartmentalized beach at

committee (consisting of the civilian

Cape May Point presents an oppor-

During fiscal year 2000, primary

members of the Coastal Engineering

tunity for researchers to evaluate the

sites were selected for project imple-

Research Board, USACE Headquar-

effectiveness of narrow-crested sub-

mentation plan development

ters and U.S. Army Engineer

merged breakwaters such as the

including:

Figure 1. Borough of Cape May Point, NJ. Narrow-crested submerged reef structures (BeachsaverTM) will enclose groin cells

to be used to retain beach-fill material