U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd Dist.) is urging New Jersey’s governor and governor-elect to declare a state of emergency and issue a disaster declaration, arguing that the step is legally required to unlock federal assistance for severely eroded Jersey Shore beaches following a series of powerful storms.
In a Dec. 11 letter sent to Gov. Phil Murphy and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, Van Drew said the state must act immediately so federal agencies can begin stabilization and repair work.
“Under federal law, New Jersey cannot even begin the process of requesting emergency help from the Army Corps of Engineers unless the Governor makes this declaration,” Van Drew said in a statement released by his office. “The Jersey Shore has taken repeated hits from storms, erosion and heavy surf, and we are at a point where action is necessary to prevent further damage. I have already identified the federal funding available for this exact purpose, and I have spoken with the Army Corps of Engineers about how we would implement it. But nothing can begin until the Governor makes the formal request.”
The potential funding in question would be through the Disaster Supplemental of the 2025 Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account, but that money cannot be accessed until the state formally declares an emergency and requests federal assistance.
In his letter, Van Drew cited storm impacts dating back to July, including effects from hurricanes Erin, Imelda and Humberto, as well as a succession of nor’easters. He wrote that the cumulative impacts caused “significant dune loss, beach profile collapse and damage to public infrastructure in multiple municipalities.”
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) documented “major” impacts along wide stretches of coastline on Oct. 23, and several shore towns have already issued local states of emergency, according to the letter.
Under Public Law 84-99, Van Drew noted, emergency assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cannot be mobilized without a state declaration.
“Every day we wait allows more erosion and delays the work that needs to begin,” he said. “Once the State submits the request, I will do everything I can at the federal level to move the process forward and make sure our shore towns get the attention they deserve.”
The renewed push follows meetings Van Drew held with shore town mayors in September, as well as his remarks that same month during a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup, where he voiced support for the FEMA Act (H.R. 4669). The legislation aims to strengthen and reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery efforts.
The urgency has been heightened by recent storms that carved steep sand cliffs along the Jersey Shore.
In response to the congressman’s letter, the governor’s office told Shore Local the storms did not meet the financial thresholds required to qualify for a presidential major disaster declaration under the Stafford Act.
“Even though we didn’t previously qualify for federal assistance for these storms, we will be reaching out to Congressman Van Drew’s office to see what, if any, assistance they can provide through other means,” the office said.
State officials also noted that even if the storms had met the Stafford Act thresholds, beach replenishment projects at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–designed beaches that undergo routine replenishment are not eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
The office further pointed to recent federal budget decisions, saying Congress has significantly cut funding for beach replenishment projects and that Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought has indicated additional cuts to Army Corps projects in Democratic-led states.
In a Dec. 15 follow-up letter, Van Drew pushed back on the governor’s statement, reiterating the damage the Jersey Shore has sustained over the past year.
“A major declaration is not necessary to address this situation. You should issue a state disaster declaration and declare a state of emergency for the Jersey Shore. Executing either action creates a legal pathway to request federal emergency assistance through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” Van Drew wrote.
The competing claims leave the issue at a standstill, with Van Drew pressing for immediate state action to unlock federal resources, while state officials maintain the storms do not qualify under existing disaster aid rules.
