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Highlands council declines support for Army Corps coastal project after referendum showed 86% opposition
Summary
The Highlands Mayor and Council adopted R24-222 to decline a letter of support for the Army Corps' coastal storm risk management project, citing an 86% local referendum rejection and asking federal and state sponsors to return with less intrusive alternatives such as a floodgate design.
The Borough of Highlands Mayor and Council voted to adopt Resolution R24-222, declining to issue a letter of support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' coastal storm risk management project.
Council members said a nonbinding referendum on the project was defeated by a wide margin "it it was voted down by 86% of the electorate," a council speaker said during debate, and that the council owes residents the decision to withhold support. Officials criticized the project concept presented to residents as a tall reinforced-concrete seawall that would separate homeowners from the water.
Councilors urged federal and state sponsors to propose alternative designs that would be more acceptable to the community, citing a New Bedford, Massachusetts, example that uses a floodgate and rockwork to reduce visual and property impacts. The resolution asks sponsors to return with alternatives that preserve access and reduce potential impacts such as eminent-domain takings.
The resolution was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote. Council members indicated they will notify federal and state sponsors of the borough's position and requested follow-up from those agencies on alternative proposals.
What this means: The borough's action is a formal local-level refusal to support the Corps project as presented; it does not bind federal agencies but records local opposition and requests alternative designs.
