$5 Million Grant Will Restore Tidal Salt Marsh In Manahawkin

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A $5 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will fund tidal salt marsh restoration in Stafford, bolstering greenhouse gas emission mitigation efforts, according to a news release.

The grant, funded through New Jersey’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), is part of an ongoing $30 million second round of funding for local governments and nonprofits to implement projects that mitigate greenhouse gas impacts by creating, restoring, and enhancing coastal wetlands, forests and urban tree canopies.

Stafford's grant will restore 23 acres of tidal salt marsh, bolstering natural defenses against sea level rise and storm surges, enhancing wildlife habitat and contributing to blue carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. The marsh has historically provided critical coastal protection, wildlife habitat, wave attenuation, and water filtration — and served as a natural storm barrier for Beach Haven West and the community’s infrastructure.

“The Stafford Resiliency Program at Popular Point project is a real credit to the partnerships with the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and Township staff working together to make Stafford a more resilient community. The NJDEP funded the Resilient Stafford plan back in 2022, and from that plan, the Township has worked to incorporate capital projects and look for grant opportunities to use the plan to mitigate for future sea level rise and storm events,” said Stafford Township Mayor Robert Henken. “The Resilient Stafford plan has been crucial to planning for the future of the Township. Thank you to NJDEP, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, ACT Engineers and the Township staff that are helping to make Stafford a resilient community into the future.”