Jersey beaches bring in big tourism revenue for the state and are a popular summer destination for local residents, but the rapidly changing environment may cause a shift along the sandy shores.
Sea level along the Jersey Shore is expected to rise by one foot by 2050, according to Ken Miller, a geology professor at Rutgers University.
This increase is the fastest since the last ice age, Miller said at a recent conference hosted by Rutgers.
Rising sea levels will reportedly cause the beaches to shift inland to the West.
Long Beach Island has already seen huge deterioration at Island Beach State Park and the wildlife refuge at Holgate, the Courier Post reported.
“Island Beach is in the process of breaking down and being transported inland," said Norbert Psuty, professor emeritus at Rutgers. "It's not that they're disappearing -- they're moving."
The refuge beach has been so affected that it now lines up with the middle of Holgate’s street grid, according to the Courier Post.
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Miller and another professor met with the Governor Christie about a week ago to discuss the growing concern and the impact it will have on the $30 billion in tourism dollars that are a central part of New Jersey’s economy, the Courier Post reported.
“You can’t argue beaches aren’t an integral part of New Jersey’s economy,” said Jeff Gerber, Chief of Coastal Planning for the Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia office.
State and federal agencies will be working on plans to protect the beaches and to adapt to future climate changes, according to the Courier Post.
