The berm area bordering the impoundments at Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area will be temporarily closed to the public March 15 through April 15, 2026. A map of the closure area can be found on the <https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdep.nj.gov%2Fnjfw%2Fconserv ation%2Fmanahawkin-wma-wetlands-restoration-project%2F/1/0101019cdd35b5c3-bd aec634-35cc-42e3-af07-3dc41ec3a201-000000/UkvjzmjI03rGNlXXvHlShC-AIC3sTN6q62 auh7y3vL0=448> Manahawkin WMA Wetlands Restoration website.
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., and the New Jersey Waterfowl Stamp Advisory Committee are working to restore hydrology to 70 acres of coastal wetlands at Manahawkin WMA in Stafford Township, Ocean County. The project will replace outdated infrastructure with new water control structures, converting stagnant open water into resilient shallow coastal emergent and forested wetland habitat. This will benefit over 30 waterfowl species and improve storm surge protection, storm water retention, flood abatement, and ground water recharge. A vendor will replace a culvert and water control structure within the berm along the impoundments.
