Ready for Next Time: Wailing Wall notes detail shore concerns

The question over just how New Jersey’s shore should rebuild is still very much alive. Although many of the boardwalks have been rebuilt and dunes are being built up, many homeowners have not decided whether to rebuild or retreat.

On Monday night, WHYY gathered 60 people to get their reactions to three distinct approaches to rebuilding the Jersey shore.

1) Rebuild and repair everything that was damaged just as it was before Sandy. That was a 1 in 100 year storm and we should not overreact.

2) Accept sea level rise predictions and make local homeowners pay for protecting and insuring their properties.

3) Buyout people’s barrier island homes until no one is left.

In the coming days, we will publish the reports that were generated from four discussion groups around these three approaches. But we also invited anyone to write anonymously on our “Wailing Wall” thoughts they didn’t get a chance to express to a group.

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“We live on the Barnegat Bay in West Creek and sustained wind damage from 7 foot tides. Insurance and grants would only fund tearing down the house or putting the house on pilings. Our house is already on pilings and what we wanted to do was move the house inland so we wouldn’t be caught without a road that is predicted to be underwater in 25 years, Marshes are not compatible with development. No grants were available for this.”

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“In various forums, I have yet to hear anyone say that they think rebuilding as things were is a good idea. But, of course, N.J. is plowing ahead rebuilding things as they were. There is a pervasive sense that the governor and our elected officials cannot and will not make more sustainable, long-term choices.”

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“It’s more than the shore. Moonachie and Little Ferry, Bergen County and Cumberland County, etc.Let’s rethink what “Stronger than the Storm” means. Not necessarily that we are able to rebuild just what was blown away but that we will adapt to changing conditions.”

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We want to know how you think the Jersey shore should be rebuilt.

You’re invited to the next WHYY “Rethinking the Shore” forum on July 30, 2013 Middle Township High School, 300 East Atlantic Ave., Cape May Court House, 6:45 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. RSVP required.