B250B50 SCH INVENTORY OF TPf lARRIER ISLAND CHAIN OF THE STATES OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
PREPARED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE
FUNDED BY THE MC INTOSH FOUNDATION Pr
OCL 13;.2 B5D 5ch
INVENTORY OF THE BARRIER ISLAND CHAIN OF THE STATES OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
JAMES J, SCHEINKMANJ RESEARCHER
PETER M. BYRNEJ CARTOGRAPHER
,, I PREPARED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE J OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE 45 Rockefeller Plaza Room 2350 New York, N.Y. 10020
FUNDED BY THE MC INTOSH FOUNDATION
October, 1977
I r- I,,' N.J~...; OCZ[VJ dbrary We wish to thank John R. Robinson, 150 Purchase Street, Rye, New York 10580, for his help and guidance and for the use of his office facilities in the prepara tion of this report.
Copyright © The Mcintosh Foundation 1977 All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mech anical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information stor age and retrieval system is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. TABLE OE' CONTENTS
Page Number
Preface iv
New York Barrier Island Chain:
Introduction to the New York Barrier Island Chain NY- 2
Barrier Island (Unnamed) NY- 5
Fire Island NY-10
Jones Beach Island NY-16
Long Beach Island NY-20
Background Information for Nassau County NY-24
Background Information for Suffolk County NY-25
New Jersey Barrier Island Chain:
Introduction to the New Jersey Barrier Island Chain NJ- 2
Sandy Hook Peninsula NJ- 5
Barnegat Bay Peninsula NJ-10
Long Beach Island NJ-14
Little Beach Island NJ-18
Brigantine Island NJ-22
Absecon Island NJ-26
Peck Beach Island NJ-31
Ludlam Beach Island NJ-35
Seven Mile Beach Island NJ-39
Five Mile Beach Island NJ-43 or Background Information for Monmouth County NJ-47 on Background Information for Ocean County NJ-48
Background Information for Atlantic County NJ-49
Background Information for Cape May County NJ-50
For the purposes of this report, the Table of Contents was not arranged in alphabetical order, but was arranged as the islands appear on the maps in a north-south direction. iv
P R E F A C E
During the summer of 1977, information was obtained on twelve barrier islands and two barrier island-type peninsulas which form the barrier island chain in the States of New York and New Jersey.
This information was obtained through extensive interviews and tele- phone conversations with many various governmental and private agen- cies. In addition, all publications provided by these agencies rele- vant to the protection of the islands were examined and organized into a file system for quick and easy reference.
Often, information given by one agency conflicted directly with that obtained from another agency. After careful examination, the seemingly accurate data was used, or a new estimate was made.
For example, in the case of Ludlam Beach Island in New Jersey, three different figures were obtained from three separate governmental . agencies for the total acreage. Information given by the Office of Shore Protection of the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection listed total acreage as 6,292. In a 1967 u.s. Island Inventory, prepared by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation of the U.S.
Department of Interior, the island's acreage was listed as 2,000.
The figure used in this report is 2,116 acres which was derived from information given by the Cape May County Planning Board. While this figure may include offshore property, it is considered the most accurate after viewing United States Geological Survey Maps and consulting other agencies.
This report is intended only to be a general inventory of the status of the barrier island chain in New York and New Jersey. Add- itional specific investigations of individual factors affecting these v
Preface (Continued) barrier islands would be most worthwhile. Such investigations might include an analysis of the effects on barrier islands by such pro- grams as Flood Plain Management, Beach Erosion Control, Sewage Treatment, Outer Continental Shelf Oil Development, Tidal Wetlands Protection and other projects. Please note that in many of the general descriptions for each island, reference is made to the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study prepared for the National Park Service and a number indicating the priority rating given is shown. For clarification purposes, a number one priority rating means that the property is "highly recommended as a potential natural landmark". A property given a number two priority rating is "recommended" as a potential landmark and a number three priority rating is given when there is insufficient information to make a determination. Finally, a number four priority rating is given to property "not recommended" for landmark status. NEW YORK BARRIER ISLAND CHAIN NY-2
INTRODUCTION to the NEW YORK BARRIER ISLAND CHAIN
The New York State barrier island chain consists of four is- lands located off the south shore of Long Island. Two of the islands, the Unnamed Island and Long Beach Island have undergone extensive development. The Unnamed Island is used as a popular resort .area consisting of mostly expensive single-family summer houses and some commercial establishments. Long Beach Island is quite urbanized and along with nearby offshore property, supports a year-round population of approximately 53,000 persons. The two remaining barrier islands -- Fire Island and Jones Beach Island -- have remained relatively free from private development and are used for recreational and natural purposes. Fire Island contains the well-used Fire Island National Seashore, Robert Moses State Park,
Smith Point County Park and several town parks. As of February,
1976, of 5,350 acres of land on Fire Island, 1,153 acres were pri- vately owned. Jones Beach Island, on the other hand, is publicly owned and contains three State parks and several Town parks. Ex- tensive recreational facilities are provided on both islands. Access is available to all four barrier islands by road and other means.
Much of the land located on the bayside and behind the barrier islands are protected under the 1973 New York State Tidal Wetlands
Act. However, the law has been slow to be implemented due to the disputes with the aerial photograph contractor which finally ended this past summer. The photographs and public hearings conducted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, are for all purposes completed and final regulations will be in effect Introduction to the New York Barrier Island Chain (Continued)
in the near future. These regulations will allow "only those uses of tidal wetlands and a 300-foot buffer strip that are compatible with the preservation, protection and enhancement of the present and potential values of the tidal wetlands". No other State law is known to effectively check future development on the barrier islands. Additional information was obtained on other areas of environ- mental significance in New York State. These areas are Robbins Island, Shelter Island, Gardiner's Island, Plum Island, The· Gull Islands, Fisher Island, Mount Sinai Harbor and The Orient Beach State Park-Long Beach Peninsula (no connection with Long Beach Island). However, these areas are not included in this inventory. A detailed profile of each barrier island in the chain, including maps and statistical data follows.
/ -- ·- ~ ~- ~~--- a ., R.I. CONN. A"V fJt ·I " I, I)
• •Qo• • N.~~ ~ \ ,,> 3~ ' 50uND 4\/ :rst-AND \
I .. FISHERS ISLAND t- BIG a LlTTL£ GULL ISLAND 1-BLOCK ISLAND 4 •PLUM' ISLAND IS .. GARDNERS ISLAND 8 .. ORIENT BEACH STATE PARK- LONG BEACH PEN. 1- SHELTER ISLAND 8-ROBINS ISLAND 1-MT. SINAl HARBOR to-MANHATTAN 11-0NNAMED BARRIER 15 ATLANTIC OCEAN a.LANO 12-f'IRE ISLA NO tl-JON£9 8nCtt !BLAND 14-LONG BEACH 18LANO • US- SANOY HOOK LONG ISLAND NOT TO SCALE NY-5
BARRIER ISLAND (UNNAMED) * Suffolk County, New York
5,000 acres (estimated)
General Information:
This unnamed Barrier Island is the furthermost eastern island in the New York State Barrier Island Chain. The island runs from the Shinnecock Inlet to Moriches Inlet and protects approximately half of Shinnecock Bay, Quantuck Bay and half of
Moriches Bay. The remainder of the Shinriecock Bay is protected by a peninsula jutting out from the Village of Southampton to
Shinnecock Inlet. Since this land does function as a typical barrier island, it is included as a part of the Unnamed Barrier
Island. Actually the Unnamed Island and the peninsula were con- nected until the severe 1938 hurricane opened the present Shinne- cock Inlet. Total length of oceanfront for the entire strip of land from Moriches Inlet to the Village of Southampton is 19 3/4 miles. Maximum elevation is 20 feet and an estimated 1,500 acres of marsh are located on the bayside.
As an important feeding ground for shorebirds of Eastern New
England, the Moriches Flats, given a number one priority rating in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study, is located just north of
Moriches Inlet, between this island and Fire Island. It is also interesting to note that the two large barrier islands were con- nected from 1838 to 1931, when the present Moriches Inlet was formed.
* This barrier island is not considered to be an actual island due to its proximity to Long Island. However, to suit the purposes of this inventory, it shall be classified as an existing island as it is separated from Long Island by a body of water. NY-6
Barrier Island (Unnamed) {Continued)
Development: • The entire strip of land has undergone considerable residen- tial development. It is more highly developed near the Villages of Westhampton Beach and Quogue, as compared to Southampton Beach. Present development has predominately leaned toward single family summer houses, most of which are valued upwards of $100,000. each. For example, in the Incorporated Village of Westhampton Beach, out of 558 parcels of land located on the Barrier Island, only 10
parcels are used for commercial purposes, i.e., hotels, beach clubs, etc. Over 3/4 of the other parcels have been used for housing. Un- fortunately, population of the island cannot be determined due to a lack of information available from the municipalities and an ex- tremely large number of seasonal inhabitants (several times larger than the year-round residents). Along the strip of barrier beach, vacant property is in such high demand that each parcel could only be valued individually. Estimates of oceanfront property run as high as $600. or more per linear foot. Interior property averages $300. per linear foot. Pro- perty can be expected to sell at a higher price along the heavily developed areas of Westhampton Beach than at Southampton Beach. Ongoing development of residential housing is expected to in crease to 100% saturation. Town and Village zoning regulations are in conformity with the National Flood Plain Insurance Program and will contain development to large lot properties (average of half NY-7
Barrier Island (Unnamed) (Continued) acre or more) and off sensitive property. The 1973 New York State Tidal Wetlands Act and other governmental regulations restrict future development of tidal wetlands on the bayside.
Ownership: An estimated 75% of the land is under private ownership. No specific breakdowns were available at the time of this study. There are no known Federal or State properties, but Suffolk County does own three parks totaling 630 acres. On the west end of the Barrier Island, across Moriches Inlet from Fire Island, is the Cupsoque Beach County Park which consists of 223 acres. The Shinnecock County Park-West, located adjacent to Shinnecock Inlet, comprises 295 acres. Across Shinnecock Inlet is Shinnecock Beach-East, which is 112 acres. The Town of South- ampton also controls several parks, including Tiana Beach (23.40 acres) and Ponquogue Beach (19.20 acres}. Other small municipal parks are located around the strip of barrier land. The Nature Conservancy also holds two preserves just above Southampton Beach - The Ruth Wales DuPont Sanctuary consists of 31 acres and the Archibald Manning Brown Preserve is 5.8 acres.
Access: Since the barrier island is separated only by two small channels from the south shore of Long Island by the Villages of NY-8
Barrier Island (Unnamed) (Continued)
Quogue and Westhampton Beach, main access is provided by several roads with small bridges. Access is provided to Southampton Beach by direct road. f / -;
J
LONG ISLAND
\ BAY '
MORICHES ATLANTIC OCEAN
1- CUPSOGUE BEACH COUNTY PARK 2- WESTHAMPTON BEACH 3- WESTHAMPTON 4-QUOGUE 5- TJANA BEACH 6- PONQI:JOGUE BEACH 7- SHJNNECOCK BEACH COUNTY PARK -WEST 8- SHJNNECOCK INLET 9- SHINNECOCK BEACH COUNTY PARK - EAST 10-SOUTHAMPTON BEACH II- RUTH WALES DUPONT SANCTUARY 12-ARCHIBALD MANNING BROWN PRESERVE 13-VJLLAGE OF SOUTHAMPTON
UNNAMED BARRIER ISLAND SCALE IN MILES 1.4-- --0 1.4 2.8 NY-10
FIRE ISLAND Suffolk County, New York
Approximately 5,350 acres
General Description:
Fire Island is the largest island in the New York Barrier
Island chain. · The island is well-known for the Fire Island Nation- al Seashore which is widely used during the summer months. This
Barrier Island protects half of Moriches Bay, almost all of the
Great South Bay and comprises thirty-two miles of ocean beach. Fire
Island is composed of 30% marsh and the maximum altitude is 22 feet where sand has been added to protect existing structures. One notable feature of the Island is the Fire Island Sunken Holly Forest which is a 200-300 year old American Holly, White Sassafras, Shadbush
Forest located just behind the secondary dune system. This 40-acre property, which is part of the Fire Island National Seashore, has been given a number one priority in the Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme
Study prepared for the National Park Service. Another property given a number one priority rating is the Moriches Flats, located just north of Moriches Inlet between the eastern end of Fire Island and the western end of the Unnamed Barrier Island. This property consists of mud flats and sand islands and serves as an important feeding ground for shorebirds of all Eastern New England. Moriches
Flats is owned by the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.
Development:
Fire Island has undergonepartial development with the existance of twenty communities located on private land within the boundaries NY-11
Fire Island (Continued}
of the Fire Island National Seashore. The communities contain approximately 3,500 housing units. Although year-round popula- tion of the Island is approximately 170 persons, in 1976 the Fire
Island National Seashore received over 700,000 visitors.
Robert Moses State Park located on the western end of the
Island, is built to accommodate 40,000 people daily and its facili- ties include 8,200 parking spaces, comfort areas, and a boat basin.
The Smith Point County Park located within the Fire Island
National Seashore boundary is also well-used and in 1976, 210,073 vehicles entered the park for recreational purposes. Information on total number of visitors, maximum accommodation of visitors and number of parking spaces at the Smith Point County Park were not av~ilable at this time.
There is a small amount of vacant land which is not under government ownership. All of this property is located within the boundaries of the Fire Island National Seashore. Of this land, the
National Parks Service plans to acquire 80 parcels, totaling 53 acres and an 8.5-acre strip of land running from the barrier beach to the Great South Bay as additions to the National Seashore.
Near the existing communities, vacant land has already been subdivided into residential lots and is estimated to be selling for between $25,000. and $30,000. for a 60 x 100 foot lot. The same size lot if it borders the oceanfront, can cost as much as $60,000. to $80,000. NY-12
Fire Island (Continued)
The west and east ends of Fire Island are protected from resi- dential development through State and County Ownership. Within the boundaries of the National Seashore, future development by the communities is restricted. The National Seashore will be work- ing with the Towns of Islip and Brookhaven, and the Incorporated
Villages of Ocean Beach and Saltaire to establish a special pro- tective "wetlands district" and a "dune preservation district", hopefully by December, 1977.
The fragile wetlands on the bayside of the island will be zoned as critical environmental areas to prevent future develop- rnent. The dune preservation district would put a halt to develop- rnent from the mean high water line on the ocean beach to 40 feet landward of the crest of the primary dune.
The National Seashore is also seeking new overall zoning standards, with any new subdivisions limited to large-lot types of half acre or more. Definite Fire Island National Seashore policy will be set once the final general management plan is corn- pleted in the Fall of 1977. Additional protection against develop- rnent is offered by the prohibition of non-emergency vehicles in the National Seashore and the protection of marsh by the 1973 New
York State Wetlands Act, and other government restrictions.
Ownership:
As of February, 1976, 1,153 of the total 5,350 land acres on Fire Island were privately owned. The National Park Service NY-13
Fire Island (Continued)
owned 1,822 land acres on Fire Island. Unfortunately, accurate updated figures were not available at this time. Other Federal land includes 107.4 acres owned by the United States Coast Guard.
Of this land, the 92-acre Old Fire Island Lighthouse tract is pre sently leased by the Coast Guard to the National Seashore with ultimate transfer anticipated. However, a legislative amendment to the Fire Island National Seashore Act will be necessary to effect the transfer.
Most of the remaining public land is owned by New York State and Suffolk County. On the western end of the Island, the Robert
Moses State Park consists of 1,000 acres. However, the Fire Island
National Seashore will seek the transfer of a State-owned tract ly- ing between the old lighthouse property and the western end of the
National Seashore boundary. Again, a legislative amendment.will be necessary. On the eastern end of the Island, Suffolk County property, which consists of the Smith Point County Park, contains approximately 1,212 acres of land. In addition, local municipalities own 55 acres of land on Fire Island. Of this land, the Towns of
Islip and Brookhaven own several _parks and beaches. The Town of
Islip controls Atlantique Beach which is 19 acres and Barrett Beach which is 7 acres. The Town of Brookhaven owns the Davis Park con- sisting of 13.6 land acres of which 9 acres are beach, and the Great
Gun Beach which is 6 acres. There is a quasi-public park on Fire
Island named The Smoky Hollow Bog, which is a less than one acre parcel owned by The Nature Conservancy located in the Village of
Fire Island Pines. NY-14
Fire Island (Continued)
Access:
Access by vehicle is provided to the Smith Point County Park from the south shore of Long Island by the Smith Point Bridge which is part of the William Floyd Parkway. Access by vehicle is also provided to the Robert Moses State Park from Long Island and
Jones Beach Island by the Robert Moses Causeway. Since Fire Is- land National Seashore does not permit passenger vehicles, access is provided by several pass·enger ferry services, mostly operating only during the summer, and small boat.
Future plans for the National Seashore call for a 10-acre
National Seashore Headquarters and ferry terminal to be located at the head of the Patchogue River on the south shore of Long Island.
A legislative amendment to the Fire Island National Seashore Act would be required for the Park Service to acquire property on the mainland.
-=------NY-16 JONES BEACH ISLAND Nassau and Suffolk Counties, New York
5,100 acres
General Description:
Jones Beach Island is the third island running east to west
in the New York Barrier Island Chain. The island is well-known
for its state parks, which are well-used by the New York metropol-
itan population. Jones Beach Island stretches from Fire Island,
to just east of Point Lookout on Long Beach Island. The island
serves to protect parts of the Great South and Hempstead Bays,
covering 19 miles of oceanfront. There are approximately 1,000
acres of marshland located on Jones Beach Island and extensive
areas of wetlands lie behind the island on the bayside. Maximum
elevation of the island is 14 feet. This occurs at the highways
and parking lots in the State Parks where the land was raised to
protect these facilities against storms.
Development:
Development has been limited on Jones Beach Island due to
public ownership of the barrier island and adjacent wetlands.
However, extensive recreational facilities have been built on the
barrier island. For example, Jones Beach State Park, located on
the western portion of the island, frequently handles 250,000
visitors daily during the summer months and provides 24,000 parking
spaces (covering 146 acres), a marine theatre, a restaurant, several
cafeterias and many other facilities. On the opposite end of the NY-17
Jones Beach Island (Continued)
Island, Captree State Park can accommodate up to 20,000 visitors daily and its facilities include 600 parking spaces, a boat basin, marine fuel station and food stands. A third state park, Gilgo
State Park, has been left undeveloped. Facilities on parks owned by the Town of Oyster Bay (Nassau County) and the Town of Babylon
(Suffolk County) provide almost 2,500 parking spaces and 274 boat berths.
Jones Beach Island and the nearby marshlands are protected from development through public ownership. Development is restricted on the salt water marsh by the 1973 New York Tidal Wetlands Act and other government regulations.
Ownership:
New York State owns all the land on Jones Beach Island totaling
4,200 acres of Island property, with the exception of 898 acres of town park. Of the approximate 4,200 acres owned by New York State,
3,944 acres are designated as state park land, but not all this land is used as such. The Jones Beach State Park is the largest park and contains 2,413 acres. The undeveloped Gilgo State Park com- prises 1,233 acres. Captree State Park is 298 acres, but some of the property is located on the nearby Captree Island. The Town of
Oyster Bay owns a 256-acre park named Tobay Beach, which includes the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Bird Sanctuary. Tobay Beach lies ad- jacent to the eastern boundary of the Jones Beach State Park. The
Town of Babylon operates four town parks on the Barrier Island r NY-18
Jones Beach Island (Continued)
totaling 642 acres. Gilgo Beach is located between Tobay Beach
and the Gilgo State Park and is 398 acres. Two adjacent parks,
Cedar Beach and Cedar Beach Overlook, contain 173 acres; Oak
beach, located near the east end of the island, consists of 71
acres.
Access:
Jones Beach Island is connected to the south shore of Long
Island by the Loop-Meadowbrook State Parkway, the Wantaugh State
Parkway and the Robert Moses Causeway. Access from the Robert
Moses State Park on Fire Island is provided by the Robert Moses
Causeway. In addition, Jones Beach Island is connected to Long
Beach Island by the Loop-Meadowbrook State Parkway. Small boat
access is provided through public boat basins and berths. LONG ISLAND
7 6
FIRE ISLAND INLET 4 ROBERT M STATE PARKOSES
1- MEADOWS ATLANTIC 2- JONES ROOK STATE OCEAN 3- WANTAG~EACH STATE PAr;:KRKWAY 4- TOBAY BEA~~TE PARKWAY LOOP PARKWAY 5-GILGO POINT LOOKOUT 6- GILGO BEACH 7- CEDAR S~~TE PARK 8- OAK BEAC~CH - CEDAR BEACH 9- ROBERT OVERLOOK 10- CAPTREE MOSES CAUSEWAY STATE PARK
JONES BEACH ISLAND SCALE IN 1.4 MILES 0 14 .8 NY-20
LONG BEACH ISL&~D Nassau County, New York
3,500 acres
General Information:
Long Beach Island is the furthermost western island in the
New York Barrier Island chain lying off the south shore of Long
Island. The island covers approximately 10 1/4 miles of ocean beach and contains an estimated 340 acres of marsh concentrated behind the community of Lido Beach/Point Lookout. Maximum ele- vation of this island is ten feet. Following the trend of Nassau
County which is estimated to be 95-97% development-saturated, Long
Beach Island has been greatly developed with residential housing, hotels and beach clubs. Long Beach is also noted for the extensive salt water marsh which is divided by narrow creeks and side chan- nels forming many islands of varying size which lie behind this
Barrier Island. Located in this marsh, is the Laurence Marsh Heron
Colony which was given a number two priority rating in the 1974
Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study prepared for the National Park
Service. This property, along with the rest of the salt water marsh, serves as an important habitat and rest stop for migratory waterfowl.
Development:
As mentioned earlier, Long Beach Island is already highly developed and development is expected to continue until 100% saturation. On January 1, 1977, total population for Long Beach NY-21 l Long Beach Island (Continued)
Island area, including nearby offshore islands, was estimated at
52,959 persons. The most populated community is the City of Long
Beach (34,798), with the Villages of Island Park, Lido Beach/Point
Lookout, and Atlantic Beach following. (l) According to the 1970 United States Census, there were 18,477 housing units located on this Barrier Island. <2 > A few properties are available for future residential develop- ment and already have been subdivided. Almost all of these plots are located on the marsh behind Lido Beach. These properties are in high demand and are estimated to be selling in the $75,000. to
$100,000. an acre range.
Vacant land on Long Beach Island is not currently protected against future development. Development on the marshlands behind the Barrier Island is restricted through the 1973 New York State
Tidal Wetlands Act and other government regulations.
Ownership:
An estimated 1,780 acres of island property are under private ownership. The remaining 1,720 acres are owned by Nassau County,
Town of Hempstead, and the City of Long Beach. Of this land,
751.83 acres consist of public parks and beaches. Nassau County owns two parks •. The Silver Point Park (leased), located on the west end of the Island in Atlantic Beach, is 146 acres, and the
Nassau County Beach Park, located on Lido Beach, is 121.3 acres.
(1) 1977 Population Survey, Long Island Lighting Company (2) 1970 U.S. Census, Volume 4, Housing Inventory, The Nassau Suffolk Regional Planning Board NY-22
Long Beach Island (Continued)
Large town ~~d city parks are the Point Lookout Town Park (Town of Hempstead) which is 234.3 acres and Ocean Beach Park (City of Long Beach) which is 110 acres. Numerous other smaller parks and beaches are scattered throughout the island.
Access:
Long Beach Island is connected to the south shore of Long
Island by the Nassau Expressway, Long Beach Road, and the Loop-
Meadowbrook Parkway. The Loop-Meadowbrook Parkway also provides access from Jones Beach Island. The Long Island Railroad runs directly into the City of Long Beach. Small boat access is also provided through private marinas located on the barrier island. LONG ISLAND
1- Sll... VER POINT PARK 2- NASSAU EXPRESSWAY 3- ATLANTIC BEACH BEACH ·-LAWRENCE MARSH HERON PARK COLONY ATLANTIC OCEAN $-OCEAN BEACH PARK &-CITY OF LONG BEACH 7-LONG BEACH ROAD i-IILAND PARK 1-NASSAU COUNTY BEACH PARK to-POINT LOOKOUT TOWN PARK II-LIDO lEACH- POINT LOOKOUT It-LOOP PARKWAY LONG BEACH ISLAND SCALE IN ·MILES NY-24
BACKGROUND INFORMATION for NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Area: 289 Square Miles Percentage 1970 1960 Change
POPULATION:
Total Population: 1,428,080 1,300,171 9. 8%
Urban 1,424,277 1,295,650 9.9% Rural 3, 803 4,521 15.9%
White 1,355,754 Non-White 72,326
Male 689,847 Female 738,233
Age 18 or under 523,191 Age 65 or older 112,182
INCOME: 1970
Hedian Family Income $ 14,632.
Families below Poverty Level 3.48%
Families earning $15,000. or above 47.98%
EMPLOYMENT:
Civilian Labor Force 585,516
Total Employed - Age 16 and over 569,199
Percentage of Employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries .61%
Percentage of Employment in Manufacturing 20.06%
Percentage of Employment in White Collar Jobs 64.79%
Percentage of Employment in Government 12.21%
Percentage of Unemployed 2.79%
Source: 1970 u.s. Census of Population NY-2~ l BACKGROUND INFORMATION for SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK Area: 929 Square Miles Percentage 1970 1960 Change POPULATION:
Total Population: 1,124,950 666,784 68.7%
Urban 1,008,796 481,841 109.4% Rural 116,154 184,943 37.2%
White 1,066,429 Non-White 58,521
Male 552,028 Female 572,922
Age 18 or under 462,525 Age 65 or older 85,726
INCOME: 1970
Median Family Income $ 12,084.
Families below Poverty Level 4.83%
Families earning $15,000. or above 31.96%
EMPLOYMENT:
Civilian Labor Force 403,170
Total Employed - Age 16 and Over 388,978
Percentage of Employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 1.40%
Percentage of Employment in Manufacturing 21.77%
Percentage of Employment in White Collar Jobs 53.70%
Percentage of Employment in Government 13.56%
Percentage of Unemployed 3.52%
Source: 1970 u.s. Census of Population NEW JERSEY BARRIER ISLAND CHAIN NJ-2
INTRODUCTION to the NEW JERSEY BARRIER ISLAND CHAIN
New Jersey contains eight barrier islands along with two peninsulas having barrier island-type characteristics which are therefore included in this 'inventory. Seven of the barrier is- lands -- Long Beach Island, Brigantine Island, Absecon Island,
Peck Beach Island, Ludlam Beach Island, Seven Mile Beach Island and Five Mile Beach Island, along with Barnegat Bay Peninsula -- have undergone extensive private development as major resort areas.
Especially noteworthy as resort complexes are Absecon Island, which contains Atlantic City, and Five Mile Beach Island, which contains
"The Wildwoods". While the southern portion of the Sandy Hook Pen- insula is similarly developed, the majority of the peninsula is part of the Gateway National Recreational Area under the juris- diction of the National Park Services. The only completely unde- veloped barrier island is Little Beach Island located within the
Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge operated by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. Due to limited access by small boat only, Little
Beach Island is not used for recreational purposes. Easy access to the other barrier islands and peninsulas is provided by road and other means.
This past summer much controversy has centered on Absecon Is- land, due to the passage of the Casino Control Act and legalization of gambling. The effect of the new law will probably not be known
for several years but most likely will spark additional residential
and commercial development on Absecon Island and neighboring Brigan- tine Island and Peck Beach Island. There is also a possibility of NJ-3
Introduction to the New Jersey Barrier Island Chain (Continued)
building casinos on Atlantic City Wetlands. This is thought to be unlikely· due to existing governmental restrictions.
Tidal wetlands located on or behind the barrier islands are protected from substantial development by State law. The 1970
New Jersey Wetlands Act which was not enforced until 1973, regu- lates the alteration of designated wetlands by dredging, draining, bulkheading and filling. Also regulated is discharge and dumping of pollutants and pesticides in these wetlands. The 1973 New Jersey
Coastal Area Facility Review Act (C.A.F.R.A.) also regulates uses of wetlands and adjacent coastal areas by a review process assur- ing that these uses are compatible with wetland conservation. No other State laws are believed to check future development on these barrier islands.
A detailed profile of each barrier island in the chain, in- eluding maps and statistical data follows. SANDY HOOK BAY-----\.----1-
DELAWARE BAY NEW JERSEY TOMS RIVER
GREAT BAY BARNEGAT BAY
LITTLE EGG HARBOR
1- SANDY HOOK 2- BARNEGAT BAY PENINSULA 3- LONG BEACH ISLAND 4- LITTLE BEACH ISLAND ATLANTIC OCEAN 5- BRIGANTINE ISLAND 6- ABSECON ISLAND 7- PECK BEACH ISLAND 8- LUDLAM BEACH ISLAND 9- SEVEN MILE BEACH ISLAND 10- FIVE MILE BEACH ISLAND
NEW JERSEY COAST NOT TO SCALE NJ-5
SANDY HOOK PENINSULA Monmouth County, New Jersey
2,120 acres
General Description:
Sandy Hook is a peninsula extending approximately 12 miles along the New Jersey shore. The peninsula is included in this inventory due to its barrier island-like features which include beaches, dunes, tidal wetlands, and holly forest, the last being of significant ecological interest. There is a definite trend for land growth at the tip of Sandy Hook and a tendency for the upper part of the land mass to separate from the mainland. A seawall protects the narrowest portion of the neck, but a possibil- ity for breakthrough still exists north of the wall.
Previous land uses at Sandy Hook include a New Jersey State
Park and the U.S. Army's Fort Hancock, which was established be- fore the Spanish-American War and used through the Cold War Period when a Nike Missile Base was installed. While the now-obsolete missiles have been removed, the installation and gun batteries remain and provide Sandy Hook with considerable historical and visual interest.
Development:
The amount and type of present development varies along the peninsula. The southern half of the land contains the entire 346 acres of the Borough of Sea Bright and approximately 80 acres of part of the Borough of Monmouth Beach. This area has undergone extensive development and contains many private beach clubs and NJ-6
Sandy Hook Peninsula (Continued)
condominiums. The land is considered to be at near 100% de- velopment saturation. Sea Bright was estimated on January 1,
1977 to have a population of 2,020 persons. The number of total housing units for the same period was 1,080, consisting of 636
(58.9%) multi-family units. The estimated 1977 population of Monmouth Beach is 3,310 persons. The Borough contains 1,371 housing units, including 649 (47.3%} multi-family units. (1) The statistics for Monmouth Beach include the entire borough and are not limited to the property in Monmouth Beach located on the pen- insula.
The upper half of the Sandy Hook Peninsula is under federal ownership and has undergone limited development. The majority of this land is controlled by the Sandy Hook Unit of the Gateway
National Recreational Area under the National Park Service. The
Sandy Hook Unit is a popular recreational facility attraction and in 1976 had 1.952,000 visitors. As many as 43,327 individuals have visited Sandy Hook in a single day (July 3, 1976). According to the September, 1976 draft General Management Plan for Gateway,
Sandy Hook Unit peak day usage will be planned to reach 80,000 persons. Overall, the National Park Service does not see the ex- pansion of public use and protection of the natural environment to be conflicting, as present transportation patterns will not deliver more people to the Sandy Hook Unit than the safe "carrying
(1) Monmouth County Planning Board publications. NJ-7
II Sandy Hook Peninsula (Continued)
capacity .. permits.
On the extreme tip of Sandy Hook, the Army Corps of Engineers
is involved in a civilian works dredging project to widen the Sandy
Hook Channel and halt growth at the tip of the peninsula.
Ownership:
Federal ownership accounts for 1,678.22 acres of the 2,120
acres. Of this property, the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National
Recreational Area contains 1,571 land acres. Gateway property
also includes approximately 2,900 acres of submerged property
making total Federal ownership for Gateway approximately 4,500 acres. The u.s. Coast Guard runs a station on the north end of Sandy Hook and its tract of land consists of 66.10 acres. At the extreme tip of the peninsula, the u.s. Army Corps of Engineers owns 41.12 acres of land as part of its dredging project.
On the southern narrow portion of the peninsula, the 440 acres
contained in the Boroughs of Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach is estim-
ated to be 70% privately-owned. Sea Bright does have a public
beach which is 4 1/2 acres in size.
Access:
Main access to the entire peninsula is provided by several
direct roads and bridges. Present access to the Gateway Sandy Hook
Unit is through Route 36, which often has long delays at the At-
lantic Highlands drawbridge. The National Park Service is currently NJ-8
Sandy Hook Peninsula {Continued)
considering a ferry service from points in New Jersey and Manhattan to Sandy Hook to decrease the gap between the number of visitors with convenient access and the carrying capacity at Sandy Hook.
Such a ferry service could carry 20,000 more visitors on a peak day. However, any expenditure for ferry transportation would re- quire Congressional legislation. 6--
NEW JERSEY I - SANDY HOOK CHANNEL. 2- CORPS PRGJECT 3- U.S. COAST GUARD STATtON 4-FORT HANCOCK 5-GATEWAY NATIONAL RECREATIONAL. AREA 6-NIKE SITE 7- ROUTE 36 8-ATLAMTtc HtGHLAHOS DRAW BRIOGE 9-SEA BRIGHT 10-MONMOUTH BEACK
SANDY HOOK SCALE IN MILES r.•-- --0 1.4 2.& NJ-10
BARNEGAT BAY PENINSULA Ocean County, New Jersey
5,340 acres
General Description:
The Barnegat Bay Peninsula is a long peninsula stretching from the vicinity of the Borough of Bay Head to Barnegat Bay
Inlet. The peninsula is included in this inventory due to its barrier island-like features and also since it protects a large section of Barnegat Bay. The peninsula covers 22 miles of ocean beach and its maximum elevation is 30 feet. While the upper half of the peninsula is highly developed and accommodates a large seasonal population, the lower half consists entirely of the 2,694- acre Island Beach State Park. The park is approximately 9 miles long and is divided into 3 different 3-mile land use areas. The northern section is used as a botanical preserve. The central
3 miles are used as a recreation area and contain two pavilions.
The southern section which extends to Barnegat Inlet is used as a wildlife sanctuary. The peninsula is part of the 56-mile Barnegat
Bay System which was given a number one priority rating in the 1974
Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study.
Development:
The northern half of Barnegat Bay Peninsula contains several boroughs and other communities. Since these communities are under the jurisdiction of other larger municipalities located off the pen- insula, exact population figures for the peninsula are not presently NJ-11
Barnegat Bay Peninsula (Continued}
available. However, present year-round population is approximately 10,000 persons. (1) Seasonal population is believed to be about 112,000 persons. On the southern end of the peninsula, Island
Beach State Park received 443,609 visitors in 1976. Daily visita-
tion for a peak summer day at the park is 9,000 persons. However,
the west side of the park is closed to public use and only minimal
activity is allowed on the sand dunes.
Small areas of vacant property are available along the north-
ern half of the peninsula. Prices for a standard size lot of 50 x
100 feet cost between 30,000. and $40,000. in the interior of the
peninsula. The same size lot on the beach would cost between $60,000.
to $80,000. Prices vary from community to community.
Future development is anticipated along the northern half of
the peninsula. Development on any marsh is restricted through the
1970 New Jersey Wetlands Act, the 1973 New Jersey Coastal Area
Facility Review Act (C.A.F.R.A.) and other governmental regulations.
Most of the communities are believed to have sand dune ordinances
protecting existing dunes. The entire southern half of the penin-
sula is protected by New Jersey State ownership against residential
or commercial development.
Of the 5,340-acre peninsula, 2,694 acres are owned by the
State of New Jersey as the Island Beach State Park. The remaining
(1) Office of Shore Protection, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. NJ-12
Barnegat Bay Peninsula (Continued)
2,646 acres of land are believed to be under private or municipal ownership. Several municipalities maintain a total of 133.54 acres of ocean beach, but some of this property is located north of Bay Head. Private beaches consist of 75.76 acres.
Access:
Access by car is provided to Barnegat Bay Peninsula by
New Jersey Route 37, via the Thomas Mathis Bridge, New Jersey
Route 35 and several other roads. Access is also provided by rail- road. Small boat facilities are located on the peninsula.
NJ-14 LONG BEACH ISLAND Ocean County, New Jersey
5,062 acres
General Description:
Long Beach Island is a long narrow barrier island which has undergone extensive development throughout almost the entire island.
Long Beach Island comprises 21 miles of ocean beach and maximum elevation is 20 feet. Extensive areas of marsh are located along the bay shore of the entire island. Located at the extreme south end of Long Beach Island is the 256-acre Holgate Unit of the 22,038
Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge. The Holgate Unit was a gift from the National Audubon Society in 1960 and serves an important function by offering habitat for nesting and migrant bird life.
The Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge has been given a number one priority rating in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study.
Several other nearby areas have been noted in the abovementioned study. Great Bay located due east of Holgate and adjacent to the rest of Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge was given a number two priority rating. The Barnegat National Wildlife Refuge located on the mainland just west of the northern section of Long Beach Island is a shrinking estuary under intense development pressure. This property was only given a number three priority rating due to pres- ent and potential physical damage to its ecosystem. However,
Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, Barnegat National Wildlife
Refuge and Great Bay are included in the 56-mile Barnegat Bay System, given an overall number one priority rating.
Development:
Located on Long Beach Island are the Boroughs of Beach Haven, NJ-15
Long Beach Island {Continued)
Ship Bottom, Surf City, Harvey Cedars and Barnegat Light. In addi- tion, Long Beach Township comprises the remaining communities on
Long Beach Island. Out of 5,062 acres of land on Long Beach Island,
2,057 or 40.65% are considered developed. In 1975 the total year- round population for this island was estimated to be 10,314 per sons. (1) In 1970, year-round population was 7,474 persons. <2 > Seasonal population for the entire island in 1974 was estimated to be 119,000 persons. <3 > Only Holgate has remained completely undeveloped.
Small pieces of vacant property are available along most of
the island. Real estate prices for a standard size (SO x 100 foot)
plot costs between $30,000. to $40,000. in the interior and any
lots available on the beach would cost between $60,000. to $80,000.
Prices will vary depending on the community.
Development is anticipated to continue on Long Beach Island with the exception of Holgate. Development on the marshlands is
restricted by the 1970 Wetlands Act, the 1973 New Jersey Coastal
Area Facility Review Act (C.A.F.R.A.) and other governmental
regulations. All of the municipalities are believed to have dune
ordinances protecting existing sand dunes •.
Ownership:
Of the 5,062-acre Island, the 256-acre unit of the Brigantine
(1) Population Estimates and Projections, issued May 1977, Bureau of Census (2) 1970 U.S. Census of Population (3) Ocean County Solid Waste Disposal and Research Recovery Management Study, December, 1975 NJ-16
Long Beach Island (Continued)
~ t National Wildlife Refuge is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ! ' Service. The United States Coast Guard Station at Barnegat Light
occupies 3.7 acres and the United States Coast Guard Station at
Beach Haven consists of 1.4 acres. The State of New Jersey oper-
ates the 31.1-acre Barnegat Lighthouse State Park located at the
northern tip of the island. The remaining land is either under
private or municipal ownership. The municipalities maintain a
total 109.9 acres of ocean beach. There also exists 52.05 acres of
privately-owned beach on the island.
Access:
Car access is provided to Long Beach Island from the main-
land by New Jersey Route 72. Small boat facilities are located
on the island. NEW JERSEY
GREAT BAY
BARNEGAT BAY
LITTLE ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK
EGG HARBOR ~
LITTLE BEACH ISLAND 7
ATLANTIC OCEAN
1- BARNCEOGAATST L~GJ!._~~ou;:ATig::TE PARK 2-U.S. HT 3-BARNEGAT LIG 4-LOVELADIES WILDLIFE REFUGE 5_ BARNEGAT NATIONAL 6-HARVEY CEDARS 7-SURF CITY 8-ROUTE 72 9-SHIP BOTTOM 10-BRANT BEACH II-BEACH HAVEN CREST 12-PEAHALA PARK I3-SPRAY BEACH 14-BEACH ~i'E~UARD STATION 15-U.S.16-HOLGAT COEA UNIT BRIGANTINE N.W.R. LONG BEACH ISLAND SCALE IN MILES 1.4 0 1.4 2.8 NJ-18
LITTLE BEACH ISLAND Atlantic County, New Jersey
1,116 acres (approximate)*
General Description:
Little Beach Island is located on the eastern end of the
22,038-acre Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, which was es-
tablished in 1939 primarily for the protection and management of waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway. Little Beach Island covers
4.0 miles of oceanfront and serves to shield extensive areas of wetlands located on and behind the bay shore of the barrier
island. Maximum elevation of the low~lying island is 10 feet.
The majority of Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge consists of
cordgrass-saltgrass tidal marsh interspersed with tidal bays and
channels. Approximately 1,600 acres of salt marsh have been diked
and are being converted to a fresh water habitat. A total of
6,603 acres, including all of Little Beach Island, has been desig-
nated as a National Wilderness Area pursuant to the Wilderness
Act of 1964. The entire Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge was
given a number one priority rating in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal
Plain Theme Study. A number of nearby areas have also received
ecological recognition on the Federal level. Great Bay, which
lies adjacent to the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, is an
excellent example of a New Jersey Bay ecosystem and was given a
number two priority rating in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain
Theme Study. North Brigantine, given a number three rating, is
* Total acreage varies greatly due to sand movement. NJ-19
Little Beach Island (Continued)
located on the southern border of the Brigantine National Wild- life Refuge. To the north, is most of the 56-mile Barnegat Bay
System, which includes the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge,
Great Bay and North Brigantine and was given an overall number one priority rating in the Theme Study.
Development:
Little Beach Island has remained almost entirely undeveloped.
A number of old cabins and docks, several occupied by persons granted lifetime use, are located on the island and will eventually be removed. While 168,504 individuals visitedthe Brigantine National
Wildlife Refuge from July, 1975 through June, 1976, Little Beach
Island is not used for recreational purposes. It has been used for research study on Laughing Gull behavior conducted by Rutgers
University over the last ten years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engin eers has been dumping dredging spoilage by permit on Shar Wood
Island and Black Point, located in the tidal wetlands behind Little
Beach Island.
This Barrier Island is protected from future development by
Federal ownership and its status as part of a National Wildlife
Refuge and part of a National Wilderness Area. It is also pro- tected by its location by wilderness and marsh which limits access.
A study is currently being conducted on the feasibility of construct- ing a floating nuclear power plant located 3 miles east of the NJ-20 l
Little Beach Island (Continued)
Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge. This is not considered a significant threat to Little Beach Island since Congressional legislation is needed to run direct pipelines through the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge and it is highly unlikely that Congressional approval would be obtained.
OWnership: The entire Little Beach Island and adjacent wetlands is owned by the Federal Government· as part of the Brigantine National Wild life Refuge under the jurisdiction of the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Access:
Limited access is available by small boat which is subject to tidal change in the shallow wetlands. GREAT
BAY
HOLGATE UNIT
ATLANTIC OCEAN
NORTH BRIGANTINE
LITTLE BEACH lSLAND SCALE lN MILES 1.4--- --0 1.4- 2.8 - ...... ______~ NJ-22
BRIGANTINE ISLAND Atlantic County, New Jersey
2,320 acres
General Description:
Brigantine Island is located just north of Atlantic City
between the federally-owned Little Beach Island and Absecon Is-
land. Brigantine Island covers 6.7 miles of ocean beach and has
a maximum elevation of 15 feet. The island contains an estimated
450 acres of marsh, and extensive marsh islands lie behind the
Brigantine Island, separated from each other by small creeks and
channels. Located on the north end of the island is the Brigantine
Natural Area acquired under the Green Acres Program of the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Brigantine
Natural Area consists of ocean beach and undisturbed sand dunes.
The property was described in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme
Study, but was only given a number three priority rating since there
was insufficient data available to recommend making this a natural
landmark. Located just above Brigantine Island is the Brigantine
National Wildlife Refuge which contains Little Beach Island and is
listed as a number one priority rating in the abovementioned study.
Along with the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, Brigantine Natural
Area is included in the 56-mile Barnegat Bay System which was also
given a number one priority rating in the Theme Study.
Development:
Brigantine Island is highly developed in its center and lower
portions. The central area is considered to be near 100% develop- NJ-23
Brigantine Island (Continued) ment saturated. The lower third of the island has undergone large development in recent years and is considered to be at a
70% saturation level. The new secondary sewage plant presently being constructed in Atlantic City will supply all of Brigantine
Island with sewage facilities. Brigantine Island currently has its own prLmary plant located on Brigantine Island which will be closed after the completion of the Atlantic City Plant. In 1975 the population of the City of Brigantine, which covers the entire island, was estimated to be 7,979. (l) The 1970 Census lists Brigan tine's population at 6,74i inhabitant~( 2 ) and Brigantine housing at 4,057 units. (3 }
The northern third of Brigantine Island has largely been left undeveloped. In the Brigantine Natural Area, no recreational facili- ties are provided and only surf fishing, swimming, boating and dune buggies are permitted. However, these vehicles are not allowed on the dunes. Approximately 600 buggies are licensed by the City of Brigantine.
Vacant subdivided property is available in the City of Brigan tine. Lots of 50 x 100 feet located near the bayside cost approxi- mately $10,000. and increase in direct proportion to their proximity to the oceanfront. Lots which have available sewage facilities cost an additional $2,000. to $3,000. in price.
(1) Population Estimates and Projections Issued May, 1977, Bureau of Census
(2) 1970 u.s. Census of Population (3) 1970 u.s. Census of Housing NJ-24
Brigantine Island (Continued)
Development is expected to increase along the southern and
central sections of Brigantine and reach 100% saturation in two
or three years. The Brigantine Natural Area, covering a large
section of the northern third of the island is protected by New
Jersey State ownership. The marsh located behind the Natural
Area falls under the 1970 New Jersey Wetlands Act and the 1973
New Jersey Coastal Area Facility Review Act and other government
regulations. In addition, a strict City of Brigantine ordinance
prohibits any man-made alterations to-the existing sand dunes on
Brigantine Island.
Ownership:
Approximately 1,645 acres of land on Brigantine Island are
privately or municipality owned. Unfortunately a more detailed
breakdown was not available. The 675-acre Brigantine Natural
Area is owned by the State of New Jersey acquired under the Green
Acres Program. The City of Brigantine owns approximately 110
acres of beach which covers 4 miles of ocean front. This beach
area runs from the mean high water level to 200 feet landward.
The municipality also operates numerous small developed parks
scattered around the city.
Access:
Access is provided to Brigantine Island from Atlantic City
on Absecon Island by Brigantine Boulevard. Small boat facilities
are also located in the City of Brigantine. NEW JERSEY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
t - BRI6AN11N£ NATURAL AREA Z - CITY OF BRIGANTINE 3- BRI&ANT1N£ BOULEVARD 4- ABSECON INLET
ISLAND
BRIGANTINE ISLAND SCAI E IN t.tLES 1.4-- --0 1.4 2.8 .. ~------NJ-26
ABSECON ISLAND Atlantic County, New Jersey 4,145 acres
General Description: Absecon Island is a heavily populated barrier island located between Brigantine Island and Peck Beach Island. The island con- tains 8.0 miles of ocean beach and maximum elevation is 12 feet. Atlantic City, a huge entertainment and recreational resort complex, is located on Absecon Island, along with Ventnor City, Margate .City and the Borough of Longport. Recently, there has been much contro- versy over the legalization of gambling in Atlantic City. In November, 1976, a state-wide referendum approved the gambling and the Casino Control Act was signed into law on June 2, 1977. Since then there has been talk of building a casino on Atlantic City wetlands since this land is relatively inexpensive. However, an array of permits are needed to do so including those of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New Jersey Office of the Coastal Zone Management. There is also no immediate threat, sirice the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service will probably protest against issuing of permits for fill and development.
Development: Absecon Island is almost fully developed with many hotels, resorts and residential housing. In 1975, total year-round popula tion for all of Absecon Island was estimated to be 67,274 persons. Atlantic City itself contained 43,969 inhabitants and was followed by Ventnor City at 11,370 persons, Margate City at 10,450 persons NJ-27
Absecon Island (Continued)
and Longport at 1,485 persons. (l) In 1970 total year-round popu
lation for Absecon Island was 70,045 inhabitants<2 > and total
housing numbered 35,860 units. ( 3 ) The average summer weekday popu lation in 1965 was 159,480 persons. (4) This figure is comparable
to the present summer weekday population.
The Atlantic County Sewage Authority wi.ll have completed a
secondary sewage treatment plant by March 1978 in Atlantic City.
This plant will service all of the Atlantic County coastal region
including all of Absecon and Brigantine Islands. Presently Atlantic
City and Longport have their own primary plants and Ventnor City
and Margate City operate a joint primary plant. All of these
plants will close once the new Atlantic City plant is put into
operation.
Due to tha scarcity of available property and the expected
advent of gambling casinos, real estate values are at a premium
along the entire island. Estimates of the cost of a 30 or 50 x
100 foot lot located in the interior of Absecon Island run as high
as $15,000. to $25,000. or more Land on the west side near the
marsh is considerably cheaper and can be purchased for as little
as 1,500. and $3,000. for an equivalent size parcel.
Development is expected to continue on all available property
due to the potential profit in Atlantic City gambling. This impact
will not be felt for several more years. As mentioned earlier, only
(1) Population Estimates and Projections Issued May, 1977, Bureau of Census (2) 1970 U.S. Ce rsus of Population ( 3) 1970 u.s. Census of Housing L(4) 1965 Atlantic City Urban Area Transport Study .... ------~~NJ-28
Absecon Island (Continued)
the wetlands located on and behind the bay shore are reasonably
protected from further exploitation.
Ownership:
Approximately 70% of Absecon Island is owned privately.
This figure varies due to· condemnation of property and new urban
renewal projects in Atlantic City. An estimated 500 acres of ocean
beach are owned by the m~icipalities~ This land runs from the
mean high water level to the boardwalk with an average width of
300 to 500 feet. However, some resorts do own some areas of ocean-
front and there exist privately-owned piers. Many small undeveloped
parks and ball fields are scattered throughout the island. In
addition, the Atlantic City Coast Guard Station is located on a
13.7-acre trac~ of land located at the northern end of the island.
Access:
Access is provided to Absecon Island from the mainland by
Absecon Boulevard, Atlantic City Expressway. Albany Avenue, Jerome
Avenue and the Somers Point-Longport Boulevard. Absecon Island
is connected to Brigantine Island by Brigantine Boulevard. Access
from Peck Beach Island is provided by Ocean Drive which joins the
Somers Point-Longport Boulevard. In addition, Atlantic City operates NJ-29
Absecon Island (Continued)
the Bader Field Municipal Airport which provides frequent daily
flights to Philadelphia. The trains of Pennsylvania Reading
Seashore Lines run directly into Atlantic City. Small boat
facilities are located around the island. NEW JERSEY
ABSECOtl INLET
ATLANTIC OCEAN
1--.ATLANTIC CITY COAST GUARD STATION 2- ATLANTlC CITY 3- ABSECON BOULEVARD 4- ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY 5-AL8AIIY MENU£ 6- BADER FIELD MUNJCJPAL AIRPORT 7- VENTNOR CITY 8-JE,._ AW£NUE 9-MAMATE CITY . 10-sc.RS POINT- L.ON6PORT / OCEAN DRIVE BOU..EVARO 12-ef/EAT··-L.OIIaPORT EGG ltARBOR INLET CITY , I I ABSECON ISLAND SCAI I IN MILES t.4--- --0 1.4 2.8 NJ-31
PECK BEACH ISLAND CAPE MAY COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
4,483 acres
General Description:
Peck Beach Island is located between heavily-developed Absecon
Island and Ludlam Beach Island. Ocean City, a large commercial re- sort area, is located on Peck Beach and has jurisdiction over this entire barrier island. Peck Beach Island contains 7.8 miles of oceanfront and its maximum elevation is fifteen feet. The island
contains large amounts of marshland on its lower half along the
bay shore and extensive areas of tidal wetlands lie behind the island.
Approximately 1,895.3 acres of marsh are located within the boundar-
ies of Ocean City. These wetlands are included in the 20,000-acre
Cape May Wetlands which were given a number one priority in the 1974
Atlantic Coastal Plain The~e Study. Peck Beach Island serves an
important function by protecting the northern end of the Cape May
Wetlands.
Development:
Of the 4,483 acres of land located on this barrier island,
2,336.1 acres are considered urbanized. The year-round population
of Ocean City was estimated in 1975 to be 12,808 persons. (l) In
1970 Ocean City's year round population was 10,575 persons(2) and
the municipality contained 13,176 housing units. (3) Average summer
(1) Population Estimates and Projections issued May, 1977, U.S. Bureau~ of Census. (2) 1970 u.s. Census of Population (3) 1970 u.s. Census of Housing , NJ-32
Peck Beach Island (Continued) weekday population in 1965 was 54,130 individuals(l) which accounts for the extensive number of housing units. Presently sewage facilities are supplied by a primary and secondary plant located in Ocean City. A new Ocean City secondary plant is currently in the designing stage. This plant would have ocean outfall near Ocean City. According to a 1974 Cape May County Planning Board Inventory, 1,828 lots were available for single, double and multi-family develop- ment and 18.14 acres were available for commercial resort develop- ment. In the interior of this island, estimates of the cost of a 30 or 50 foot x 100 foot lot run as high as $25,000. to $30,000. Property near the marsh is considerably cheaper. Commercial and residential development on available land is expected to continue. The passage of the Casino Control Act for Atlantic City will probably spur residential development in Ocean City, but the effect will not be known for several years. Currently, future development is restricted on the wetlands by the 1970 New Jersey Wetlands Act and the 1973 New Jersey Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (C.A.F.R.A.) and other governmental restrictions. Ocean City also has a dune ordinance protecting existing dunes.
Ownership: Almost all the property on Peck Beach is under private or mun icipal ownership. The u. s. Coast Guard Great Egg Station, located at the northern end of Ocean City, lies on an approximately 2-acre
{1) 1965 Atlantic City Urban Area Transport Study NJ-33 l
Peck Beach Island (Continued)
tract of land. Ocean Crest State Park and Corson Inlet State Park
~a total of 341 acres, comprising land on Peck Beach Island,
Ludlam Beach Island, and part of Corson Inlet. The State leases approximately 3 acres of this property to Ocean City for use as a public beach. Ocean City maintains 224 acres of beach as well as
34 acres of "developed open space recreational facilities" and an
80-acre golf course.
Access:
Car access is provided to Peck Beach Island from the mainland by New Jersey Route 52., Roosevelt Boulevard and Ocean Drive. Access from Absecon Island and Ludlam Beach Island to Peck Beach Island is also provided by Ocean Drive. In addition, access is provided by the Ocean City Municipal Airport located on this island and by
Pennsylvania Reading Railroad Lines. Small boat facilities are also located on Peck Beach Island. JERSEY
·.
,___ GREAT EGG HARBOR INLET
NEW JERSEY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
I - OCEAN DRIVE 2- U.S. COAST GUARD GREAT EGG STATION 3- NEW JERSEY ROUTE 52 4-OCEAH CITY 5- OCEAN CITY MUNICIPAL. AlftPORT 8- ROOSEVEl-T BOULEVARD 7-CAP€ MAY' WETLANDS (PART) 8- STATE FARM 9- CORSON INLET 10-OCEAN DRIVE
PARK
PECK BEACH ISLAND SCALE IN MLES 1.4-- --0 1.4 2.8 NJ-35
LUDLAM BEACa ISLAND Cape May County, New Jersey
2,116 acres
General Description:
Ludlam Beach Island is the third southernmost barrier island in the New Jersey Barrier Island Chain. Located on Ludlam Beach
Island are the municipalities of Sea Isle City and the Town of
Strathmere. Ludlam Beach Island is used as a resort area and has a comparatively large seasonal population. This island contains
6.0 miles of ocean beach and maximum elevation is 25 feet. Approx imately 840 acres of marsh are contained in Sea Isle City and
Strathmere. Extensive areas of wetlands lie behind Ludlam Beach
Island. These tidal wetlands are included in the 20,000-acre
Cape May Wetlands, which were given a number one priority in the
Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study. Detailed information on vege- tation and wildlife for the barrier island is available from the
November, 1976, "Environmental Impact Statement - Corson Inlet and
Ludlam Beach, New Jersey" prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'
Philadelphia District.
Development:
Like all the other barrier islands along the southern New
Jersey shore, Ludlam Beach Island has undergone extensive development
as a resort area. In 1972, 892.5 acres of the 2,116 acres were con-
sidered urbanized. Sea Isle City contained 797 urbanized acres while
Strathmere contained the other 95.5 acres. Estimated year-round
population is approximately 2,450 persons. The estimated 1975 year- ---- NJ-36
Ludlam Beach Island (Continued) round population for Sea Isle City, including Townsends Inlet, was 2,355 persons. (l) While precise figures for Strathmere's year- round population are not available since it is part of the larger Upper Township, Strathere is known to have about 100 year-round residents. In 1970 Sea Isle City's population was 1,712 persons(2) and total housing numbered 2,430 units. (3) Strathmere contains approximately 270 housing units. Sewage facilities are provided by a primary plant locate¢!. in s·ea Isle City. In a 1974 Cape May County Planning Board Inventory, 830 lots were listed as being available for residential development in Sea Isle City. Starting prices for a 50 x 100 foot lot in the interior of the island are approximately $18,000. At the present time,. there is one available lot on the beach which sells for $75,000. Ongoing residential and commercial development is expected to continue on Ludlam Beach Island. The 1970 New Jersey Wetlands Act, the 1973 New Jersey Coastal Area Facility Review Act (C.A.F.R.A.) and other governmental regulations restrict development on the wetlands. There appears to be no local dune ordinances.
Ownership: Almost all of the property located on Ludlam Beach is under
{1) Population Estimates and Projections, Issued May, 1977, Bureau of Census {2) 1970 U.S. Census of Population (3) 1970 U;S. Census of Housing NJ-37
Ludlam Beach Island (Continued)
private or municipal ownership. The U.S. Coast Guard Station at
Townsend Inlet is located on a slightly less than 1-acre tract of
land. The combined 341 acres of Corson Inlet State Park and Ocean
Crest State Park consists of land on Ludlow Beach Island, Peck Beach,
Island, offshore marsh and part of Corson Inlet. The municipalities maintain 111 acres of ocean beach. Several small developed munici-
pal parks are scattered around the island.·
Access:
Direct access from the mainland to Ludlam Beach Island is
provided by a road running from the Garden State Parkway to Sea Isle
City. Ocean Drive connects Ludlam Beach Island to Peck Beach Island
and Seven Mile Beach Island. Small boat facilities are located on
the island. STATE PARK
NEW OCEAN DRIVE JERSEY
ATLANTIC OCEAN
1- STATE PARK 2-STRATHMERE 3-CAPE MAY WETLANDS (PART) 4-SEA ISL£ CITY 5-U.S. COAST GUARD STATION e- TOWNSEND$ INLET 7-0CEAN DRIVE 8-TOWNSEND INLET
LUDLAM BEACH ISLAND SCALE lN Mll..ES 1.4--- --0 1.4- 2.8 NJ-39
SEVEN MILE BEACH ISLAND Cape May County, New Jersey
4,160 acres
General Description:
Seven Mile Beach Island lies just above North Wildwood be-
tween Ludlam Beach Island and Five Mile Beach Island. Seven Mile
Beach Island Contains 7.8 miles of ocean beach and its maximum
elevation is 24 feet. Located on Seven Mile Beach Island are the
Boroughs of Stone Harbor and Avalon. These two boroughs contain
1,021 acres of marsh and extensive areas of marsh lie behind Seven . Mile Beach -Island. This marsh is part of the 20,000-acre Cape May
Wetlands which was given a number one priority rating in the 1974
Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study. Also included in the Cape May
Wetlands is Nummy Island, a 360-acre virgin cordgrass saltmarsh island-which was given a number one priority rating in the above-
mentioned study. Nummy Island is located just west of the southern
end of Seven Mile Beach.
Development:
In 1972, 1,833.7 acres of Seven Mile Beach Island were con-
sidered urbanized. The estimated 1975 year-round population for the entire island was 3,275 persons.(l) Of this figure, 1,946 persons
(1) Population Estimates and Projections Issued May, 1977, Bureau of Census. NJ-40
Seven Mile Beach Island (Continued)
resided in Avalon and 1,329 persons resided in Stone Harbor. In
1970, total year-round population for the entire island was 2,372 persons 2,389 housing units. Present summer population is estimated to be 45,780 persons. (3} In 1974 a Cape May County Planning Board Inventory listed 92 single family lots and 45. two-family ~ots available in Stone Harbor and 470 single family lots and 169 two-family lots available in Avalon. In Stone Harbor 50 x 110 foot lots cost between $20,000. and $35,000. in the interior and $55,000. for beachfront property. In Avalon, prices are more expensive and the same size interior lots cost between $25,000. and $45,000. and lots on ocean beach cost $75,000. to $8rr,ooo. Lots on the bay shore, but not located on the marsh, run as high as $50,000. Ongoing development is expected to continue on Seven Mile Beach Island. The regional sewage plan calls for a new secondary sewage plant to be located in Cape May. With the existing primary plant in Wildwood, the new secondary plant may share ocean outfall near Seven Mile Beach Island. Currently, a secondary plant in Avalon and a primary plant in Stone Harbor dis- (1} U.S. Census of Population (2} u.s. Census of Housing (3} Office of Shore Protection, N.J. Department of Environmental Prot~ction NJ-41 Seven Mile Beach Island {Continued} charge. into the bay area. All development on marsh is restricted by the 1970 New Jersey Wetlands Act, the 1973 New Jersey Coastal Area Facility Review Act (C.A. F. R.A.) and other government. regula- tions. Avalon and Stone Harbor have dune ordinances protecting de- velopment along the existing sand dunes. Ownership: The majority of property in Seven Mile Beach is under private or municipal ownership. Within the Borough of Avalon, the State of New Jersey has acquired two tracts of land for open space purposes. The State owns 210 acres of offshore property which includes the entire Cedar Island. The State also owns a 953-acre tract at the southern end of the borough consisting of land on the barrier island and adjacent waterways on the bay side. It appears that neither the Federal nor the State Governments own any property within the Borough of Stone Harbor. The two Boroughs maintain in total 185 acres of ocean beach for public use and 44 acres of "developed open space recreational facilities" for public use. Access: Access to Seven Mile Beach Island is provided from the main- land by Ocean Drive, Avalon Boulevard and Stone Harbor Boulevard. Ocean Drive also provides access from Ludlam Beach Island and Five Mile Beach Island. Small boat facilities are located on Seven Mile Beach Island. lNLET ,----~-- OCEAN DRIVE NEW JERSEY ~--TOWNSEND lNLET ATLANnC OCEAN t- .-uJil BOULEVARD: Z...MWJN rCAPE M/tf weTLANDS (AlffT') +-STONE HARBOR 5-STONE HARBOR BOULEVARD a- NUMM¥ ISLAND 7-0C£AN DRIVE 8-HEREFORD INLET SEVEN MILE BEACH ISLAND SCALE IN MILES r.•-- --0 1.4 2.8 ...... ______,, NJ-43 FIVE MILE BEACH ISLAND Cape May County, New Jersey 2,740 acres General Description: Five Mile Beach Island is the furthermost southern barrier island in the New Jersey Barrier Island Chain. The island is well known for "The Wildwoods", which consist of five popular resort cities and boroughs located on Five Mile Beach. The island contains 6.0 miles of ocean beach and maximum elevation is 10 feet. This island, along with the next three northern barrier islands, serves an important function by protecting the 20,000-acr~ Cape May Wetlands which has been given a number one priority rating in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study. Located to the northwest of Five Mile Beach in the Cape May wetlands is Nurnmy Island, a small virgin cordgrass saltmarsh island. Nurnmy Island was also given a number one priority rating in the 1974 Atlantic Coastal Plain Theme Study. Development: The majority of the Five Mile Beach Island has been highly developed as a popular resort area. While year-round population is currently 13,698 persons, summer population is listed as 217,490 persons. (1) The largest municipality is the City of Wildwood which contained 5,745 housing units in 1970. Wildwood is followed by the City of North Wildwood with 5,059 housing units and the Borough of Wildwood Crest with 3,152 housing units. <2 > Housing information for the Borough of West Wildwood and the section of Lower Township located (1) Office of Shore Protection, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (2) 1970 United States Census of Housing ------~,NJ-44 Five Mile Beach Island {Continued) on the southern end of the island, was not available. Sewage facilities are provided by primary plants located in Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. A Cape May secondary sewage plant is currently in the planning stage and possibly would have joint ocean outfall by Five Mile Beach with the Wildwood plants. According to a 1974 Cape May County Planning Board Inventory, 1,806 lots were available for single, double and multi-family housing and 60.5 acres were available for commercial resort development in Wildwood, North Wildwood,_Wildwood Crest, and West Wildwood. A 40 x 80 foot vacant lot in Wildwood ranges from $4,000. to $15,000. depending on its proximity to the oceanfront. In North Wildwood prices for the same size lot start at $8,000. and in Wildwood Crest prices begin at $10,000. Future development is expected to continue on Five Mile Beach until 100% development saturation. Development is restricted on tidal marsh located on and behind the bay shore by the 1970 New Jersey Wetlands Act, New Jersey Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (C.A.F.R.A.), and other governmental regulations. Of the four municipalities facing the oceanfront, only Lower Township has a dune ordinance which protects dune vegetation and prohibits excavation. Ownership: The majority of property on Five Mile Beach is under private or municipal ownership. The United States Coast Guard Electronic Engineering Center, located at the south end of this barrier island, NJ-45 Five Mile Beach Island (Continued) lies on a 392-acre tract of land. The municipalities control most of the oceanfront and own 209 acres of beach for public use. The municipalities also operate 17 acres of "developed open space recreational facilities". Access: Access by car is provided to Five Mile Beach by Route 47, Ocean Drive (Route 585) and North Wildwood Boulevard. Access is also available to Five Mile Beach Island f~om Seven Mile Beach Island via Ocean Drive. In addition, Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines provides railroad service into Five Mile Beach Island. Small boat facilities are located on the island. NEW JERSEY DRIVE ~-I£REFORD INLET 1-NORn+ WILDWOOD BOULEVARD 2-NOR1'1t Wtt..CWOOO ~WEST WILDWOOD ATLANTIC 4-Wil.OWOOO 5-cAPE MAY WETLANDS OCEAN &-WILDWOOD CREST 7-0CEAN DRIVE I-U.S. COAST GUARD ELECTRONIC ENGIN£ERIN& CENTER 9-CAPIE MAr INLET AVE MILE BEACH ISLAND sc• £ '" r.a.es ----- 1.4- 2.8 NJ-47 BACKGROUND INFORMATION for MONMOUTH COUNTY, Nm'l JERSEY Area: 476 Square Miles Percentag~ 1970 1960 Change _ POPULATION: Total Population: 459,379 334,401 37.4% Urban 375,885 259,140 45.1% Rural 83,494 75,261 10.9% White 418,352 Non-White 41,027 Male 224,076 Female 235,303 Age 18 or Under 172,478 Age 65 or Older 44,919 INCOME: 1970 Median Family Income $11,635. Families below Poverty Level 5.91% Families Earning $15,000. or above 31.69% EMPLOYMENT: Civilian Labor Force 169,624 Total Employed - Age 16 and over 162,759 Percentage of Employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 1.39% Percentage of Employment in Manufacturing 22.52% Percentage of Employment in White Collar Jobs 56.72% Percentage of Employment in Government 13.57% Percentage of Unemployed 4.05% Source: 1970 u.s. Census of Population NJ-48 BACKGROUND INFORMATION for OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY Area: 642 Square Miles Percentage 1970 1960 Change POPULATION: Total Population: 208,470 108,241 92.6% Urban 92,388 38,666 138.9% Rural 116,082 69,575 66.8% White 201,482 Non-White 6,988 Male . 100, 895 Female 107,575 Age 18 or Under 71,162 Age 65 or Older 32,920 INCOME: 1970 Median Family Income $ 9,246. Families below Poverty Level 6.74% Families Earning $15,000. or above 17.21% EMPLOYMENT: Civilian Labor Force 69,114 Total Employed - Age 16 and over 65,841 Percentage of Employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 1.28% Percentage of Employment in Manufacturing 18.56% Percentage of Employment in White Collar Jobs so. 32% Percentage of Employment in Government 13.77% Percentage of Unemployment 4.74% Source: 1970 u.s. Census of Population NJ-49 BACKGROUND INFORMATION for ATLANTIC COUNTY, NEW JERSEY Area: 569 Square Miles Percentage 1970 1960 Change POPULATION: Total Population: 175,043 160,880 8.8% Urban 141,893 134,797 5.3% Rural 33,150 26,083 27.1% White 143,427 Non-White 31,616 Male 81,731 Female 93,312 Age 18 or Under 56,914 Age 65 or Older 28,318 INCOME: 1970 Median Family Income $ 8,775. Families below Poverty Level 9.87% Families earning $15,000. or above 17.48% EMPLOYMENT: Civilian Labor Force 69,430 Total Employed - Age 16 and over 65,462 Percentage of Employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 1.78% Percentage of Employment in Manufacturing 16.49% Percentage of Employment in White Collar Jobs 46.34% Percentage of Employment in Government 12.07% Percentage of Unemployed 5.73% Source: 1970 u.s. Census of Population BACKGROUND INFORMATION for CAPE MAY COUNTY, NEW JERSEY Area: 267 Square Miles Percentage 1970 1960 Change POPULATION: Total Population: 59,554 48,555 22.7% Urban 36,665 26,217 39.9% Rural 22,889 22,338 2.5% White 54,565 Non-White 4,989 Male 29,093 Female 30,461 Age 18 or Under 17,566 Age 65 or Older 11,832 INCOME: 1970 Median Family Income $8,296. Families below Poverty Level 8.86% Families Earning $15,000 or above 16.42% EMPLOYMENT: Civilian Labor Force 19,955 Total Employed - Age 16 and over 18,667 Percentage of Employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 2.42% Percentage of Employment in Manufacturing 11.37% Percentage of Employment in White Collar Jobs 46.28% Percentage of Employment in Government 13.07% Percentage of Unemployment 6.45% Source: 1970 U.S. Census of Population