By MADDY VITALE
In a continuing effort to protect Ocean City's beaches from coastal storms that chip away at the coastline, the city is moving forward with plans to install another barrier in the areas most vulnerable to erosion.
Geotubes are gigantic sock-like cylinders made of plastic fabric and stuffed with sand. They are topped with dune grass after they are buried.
They have proved to keep back the ocean waters in areas of the north end, specifically Waverly Beach along East Atlantic Boulevard.
Michael Allegretto, aide to Mayor Jay Gillian, said Wednesday that the city hopes to begin the project to install the new geotubes this year.
“The city is definitely moving forward with the geotube project,” Allegretto said. “We are hopeful to have them installed in the fall of 2021 in the area of Fourth to Sixth Streets.”
He noted that the area is one of the most vulnerable to beach erosion. City officials have explained that it is because of the shape of the island.
A geotube at Waverly Beach along East Atlantic Boulevard, shown here in the background after it was exposed by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, was credited with saving Ocean City homes. (Photo courtesy City of Ocean City)
Specifically, a new geotube to be installed in the area of Fourth Street stretching to Fifth and Sixth Streets, would be about 962 feet long, covered in sand and planted with dune grass. Over time, officials said, the geotubes can resemble dunes as they are buried in the sand.
ACT Engineers, the city’s flooding consultant, recently helped the city secure state permits for the geotubes. However, the city still needs federal permitting from the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to build the project.
“Our prior experience with the geotubes in the north end is that they are helpful with large storms and beach erosion,” Allegretto said. “They stop the tidal surge and help protect the rest of the town.”
A bond ordinance approved in 2019 by City Council designated $1 million in funding for the project.
Mayor Jay Gillian has spoken about how well the geotubes work in lessening erosion and protecting the dunes, the beaches and properties.
He credited the geotubes for saving homes in the north end in the area of Waverly Beach and East Atlantic Boulevard during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
