For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Taylor.McFarland@sierraclub.
Public Access & Restoration Is Key for Atlantic Shores Green Acres Diversion
Atlantic City: Atlantic City held the final public hearing for a Green Acres diversion related to Atlantic Shores Project 1 onshore cable route. Atlantic Shores is seeking permanent easements across Green Acres encumbered property owned by the City of Atlantic City to construct the underground export cable corridor to connect to the existing electrical grid. The area proposed to be diverted is approximately 1.8 acres. The affected properties include 1.35 acres of beach and boardwalk between South Texas Ave. and Iowa Ave., 0.19 acres on Bader Field, and 0.26 acres on the Pete Pallitto Field and Boat House Parcel.
“We recognize that open space and green acres land is necessary for the public and a direct benefit to the town. That’s why it’s critically important that Atlantic Shores' proposed diversion will benefit the environment and the community. The NJDEP and Atlantic Shores must ensure the easements will not impact the site's use and that there is no permanent damage to all three impacted sites, including the beach/boardwalk, Bader and Pallito field,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Director of the Sierra Club.
Atlantic Shores’ application includes taking four permanent underground easements, each containing a cable, on 1.35 acres of the Beach/boardwalk between South Texas and Iowa Avenue. Then, two permanent easements for two utility cables for both Bader and Pallito Field. The timeline for the temporary easements will be 12 months; however, the impact and construction of these underground cables should be minimal. HDD drilling for the conduits will occur 90 feet below the beach and 40 feet below the boardwalk and road.
“During the construction phase and beyond, communication between Atlantic Shores, Atlantic City, and impacted residents and business owners is key. It’s important that Atlantic Shores consider construction during off-season/off-peak times, especially for many of the sports-related events at Pallito Field, Bader Field, and summer/beach activities on the boardwalk,” said Ramos-Busot.
Since the total acreage of permanent easements needed across the diverted parcels is 1.8 acres, a minimum of 3.6 acres of replacement land is required. Atlantic Shores has offered 12 times the acreage of replacement land than Green Acres requires. The 46.35 acres of replacement land is along West End Avenue. Atlantic Shores proposes to obtain all permits and approvals needed to construct and dedicate to the City, at its sole cost and expense, public enhancements (e.g., walkway and viewing platform) on the Replacement Land, the design of which will be approved by the City.
“Overall, public access and restoration to these three sites after construction are key, along with an effective, long-term plan to protect the 46 acres along West End Avenue. Atlantic Shores must continue to work with the city and impacted residents to ensure that this process goes smoothly for all parties,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey Director of the Sierra Club. “If these goals are met, this process will be a major example of how developers should work in our state. We hope that Atlantic Shores can be a model for their commitment to the community. The Sierra Club supports responsible offshore wind development, and we believe this Green Acres diversion is an example of such development.”