Sandy Debris Cleanup To Begin In Southern Section Of Forsythe Refuge

by Patricia A. Miller

It's been a year and a half since Superstorm Sandy tore into New Jersey. But remnants of the giant storm are everywhere in the tidal marshes of Ocean County.

Contractors hired by the state to clean up debris in the Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge are finishing up in the Brick Township section and preparing to head to Southern Ocean County, Virginia B. Rettig told the Stafford Township Council at the April 7 meeting.

"As you are all aware of, there is still a lot of debris from Hurricane Sandy," Rettig said. "We still have a lot of work to do on the marshes."

The refuge received a state grant about six months after Sandy hit in October 2012. Debris removal contractors have been slowly working their way south to different sections of the refuge, which runs from Brick to Galloway Township, she said.

Work in Southern Ocean County will begin in the next several weeks. The contractor will have a trailer office at Parkertown-Dock Road in Little Egg Harbor Township.

Storm debris will be deposited alongside Cedar Run Dock Road for pickup, Rettig said.

Although the work in Brick was primarily water-based, the work in Southern Ocean County will be "hands-on," she said.

Mayor John Spodofora said he was glad the work will begin soon.

"I've been back there...and you are right," he said. "There's stuff even up in the trees. It's unbelievable and it just keeps reminding us of how devastating that storm was."