N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-9.17

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 7:7-9.17 - Overwash areas

(a) An overwash area is an area subject to accumulation of sediment, usually sand, that is deposited landward of the beach or dune by the rush of water over the crest of the beach berm, a dune, or a structure. An overwash area may, through stabilization and vegetation, become a dune.

1. The seaward limit of the overwash area is the seaward toe of the former dune, or the landward limit of the beach, in the absence of a dune.

2. The landward limit of the overwash area is the inland limit of sediment transport.

3. Verifiable aerial photography and other appropriate sources may be used to identify the extent of overwash.

(b) Development is prohibited on overwash areas, except for development that has no prudent or feasible alternative in an area other than an overwash area, and that will not cause significant adverse long-term impacts on the natural functioning of the beach and dune system, either individually or in combination with other existing or proposed structures, land disturbances or activities. Examples of acceptable activities are:

1. Creation of dunes or expansion of existing dunes in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:7-10;

2. Demolition and removal of paving and structures;

3. Limited, designated access ways for pedestrians and authorized motor vehicles between public streets and the beach that provide for the minimum feasible interference with the beach and dune system and are so oriented as to provide the minimum feasible threat of breaching or overtopping as a result of storm surge or wave runup;

4. Shore protection structures which meet the coastal engineering rule at 7:7-15.11(g);

5. Linear development which meets the rule on location of linear development (7:7-14.1);

6. Removal of newly deposited overwash fans from public roads and or developed lots; and

7. Construction of street-end beach accessways along the oceanfront, provided they are oriented at an angle against the predominant northeast storm approach, are limited in width to no more than ten feet, and are defined/stabilized with sand fencing. These standards should be included in all beach and dune management plans for oceanfront locations.

(c) A development may be permitted if, by creating a dune with buffer zone or expanding an existing dune landward, the classification of the site is changed so as to significantly diminish the possibility of future overwash. In determining overwash potential, the protective capacity of newly created dunes will be evaluated in terms of the "design dune" goal discussed in 7:7-9.16(c).

(d) A single story, beach/tourism oriented commercial development located within a commercial boardwalk area existing on July 19, 1993, is conditionally acceptable provided that it meets the following conditions:

1. The site is located within an area currently used and zoned for beach related commercial use, and is landward of the boardwalk;

2. The height of the building does not exceed 15 feet measured from either the elevation of the existing ground or the boardwalk (depending on the specific site conditions) to the top of a flat roof or the mid-point of a sloped roof;

3. The facility is open to the general public and supports beach/tourism related activities, that is, retail, amusement and food services. Lodging facilities are excluded; and

4. The facility meets all the requirements of the flood hazard area rule, 7:7-9.25.

(e) Any development determined to be acceptable at (b) through (d) above shall comply with the requirements for impervious cover and vegetative cover that apply to the site under N.J.A.C. 7:7-13.

(f) Rationale: Overwash areas indicate weakness in natural and man-made shore protection. Hazard has been demonstrated, often with extensive property damage. Overwash areas are, therefore, unsuitable locations for further development, and public funds should not be used to rebuild damaged shore protection structures. However, in certain oceanfront communities where an existing municipal boardwalk (including all adjacent resort-oriented commercial establishments) is already densely developed and is the dominant tourism attraction of the community, low intensity, infill development may be permitted. At these specific locations, the gain in public use and enjoyment of the beach, ocean and boardwalk facilities outweighs the limited additional loss in property damages. Elsewhere the return of these areas to a natural state and the formation of dunes is desirable.

Overwash is a natural shoreline movement process associated with storm and rising sea level and is one of the processes by which barrier islands migrate inland under natural conditions. In New Jersey, migration caused by overwash is usually prevented due to shore protection structures, the highly developed nature of barrier islands and post-storm clean-up practices.

A development proposed in an overwash area may, by incorporating a "design dune" and buffer area, whose dimensions would be determined on a case-by-case basis, mitigate the hazard and change the classification of the site so that it is no longer an overwash area.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-9.17

Renumbered from 7:7E-3.17 by 47 N.J.R. 1392(a), effective 7/6/2015

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 361(a), effective 1/16/2018