Township of Little Egg Harbor strategic recovery planning report

When Superstorm Sandy struck the coast of New Jersey on October 29, 2012, it brought extensive damage to Little Egg Harbor Township from both storm surge and wind damage. Little Egg Harbor reported that approximately 4,000 residential properties and a number of small retail businesses and marinas suffered damage. Additionally, the Township reported that seven roadways were damaged, and that electricity, water, and sewer service were disrupted. Superstorm Sandy also resulted in damage to the Little Egg Harbor Township Community Center and the Parkertown Dock Recreation Facility, and trees and power lines fell throughout the Township. Little Egg Harbor Township has already done much to recover from the impacts of Superstorm Sandy. However, there is still significant work to be done to further promote recovery and resiliency to future storms. This report, therefore, outlines a recommended set of actions to guide the Township in promoting further recovery and resiliency. Among the actions it recommends are: incorporating the principles of the 2013 Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazard Mitigation Plan into the Township’s master plan; developing evacuation routes and providing signage and education thereon; investigating opportunities for full-time staff within local fire and EMS agencies; investigating opportunities for shared services and mutual aid, in particular with inland communities that are not as vulnerable to major storms; providing natural gas service for generators at schools; providing the Department of Public Works with an emergency staging facility; improving communication infrastructure for police, fire, and EMS, and secure existing equipment; exploring opportunities to participate in the Community Rating System; adopting a master plan element for floodplain management; automating and expediting the processing of building and zoning permits; updating the township’s master plan to address post-Sandy strategies and policies related to hazard mitigation and community resiliency; investigating the need for amendments to the township’s zoning ordinance; improving communication between emergency management and water and electric utility companies; installing bay-front energy dissipation structures; installing riprap along the shoreline; repairing replenishing the eroded beach at Dock Road; providing bulkheads at various locations; performing inlet and lagoon dredging; continuing to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program; maintaining a Local Emergency Planning Committee; holding quarterly emergency management meetings town hall meetings; obtaining a Reverse 911 system; maintaining an Emergency Operations Plan; completing flood protection projects at East Sail, Boat, and Dory drives; upgrading emergency equipment at the municipal building/emergency command center; and, developing a municipal GIS system to support future planning efforts