Borough issues warning to not dig caves, tunnels into eroded dunes
An eroded dune. (Public domain image)
A Long Beach Island municipality wants beach visitors to stay away from eroded dunes.
Recent winter storms have eaten away at dunes at the Jersey Shore, leaving tall cliffs in some places. In Barnegat Light, some cliffs are more than 10 feet high, and that’s concerning local officials.
The municipality at the northern tip of Long Beach Island has suffered from substantial erosion. With high cliffs, there’s a danger from deep drops.
But that’s not the only concern.
A posting on the borough’s website warns against digging holes, caves, or tunnels into the cliffs. Anyone that becomes trapped under collapsed sand could suffer serious injuries or even die.
Last summer, the Harvey Cedars Beach Patrol issued a warning against digging holes, saying injuries and even the death of a child occurred on the island in recent years.
Barnegat Light officials say to exercise extreme caution on the beach.
“Let’s be vigilant to prevent injuries or worse,” the website statement says.
Borough officials tell the Sandpaper that they’re hoping for prevailing winds to allow sand to fill in by the spring. If not, the municipality can deploy a bulldozer to level the upper beach.
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