$161.5 million in federal funding is being given to New Jersey during 2011 for beach replenishment, flood mitigation and harbor maintenance projects across the state. The funds will come from the Fiscal Year 2011 Continuing Resolution, which was passed by congress in April, and is being received by the Army Corps of Engineers whose funding is typically provided by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee in Energy and Water Development.

For beach replenishment, $7.5 million will go to Monmouth Beach, $7.6 million will go to Long Beach Island, $11.9 million will go to Atlantic City and Ventnor, $10.3 million will go to Cape May and Lower Township and $300,000 will go to the Long-Term Beach Nourishment Study which will evaluate methods to manage New Jersey’s coastal projects on a regional basis.

$73 million will be given to continue deepening the New York and New Jersey Harbor in order to ensure that large cargo ships will be able to pass through the port.

For flood mitigation and water infrastructure projects, $566,000 will go towards operating a flood monitoring and flood response system in the Passaic River Basin, $129,000 will go towards planning flood damage initiatives, $1 million will go to begin flood mitigation construction at the Raritan River Basin and the Green Brook Sub-Basin in Middlesex Borough, $250,000 will go towards preparing for flood mitigation construction at the Raritan River Basin and $350,000 will go to creating a flood reduction plan at Rahway River Basin.

An additional $1 million will go towards the Hudson-Raritan Estuary project, which will help develop a comprehensive ecosystem restoration and management plan for the New York and New Jersey Harbor.

“This federal funding will boost New Jersey’s economy, help prevent flooding in our communities, and protect our beaches,” said U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg in a statement.

Senator Lautenberg fought proposed budget cuts for the Army Corps of Engineers by working in the senate to provide $84 million more than was originally proposed for these projects.