Over the past decade the Holgate Taxpayers Association has endeavored to vegetate the sand dunes on Long Beach Island’s south end as much as possible, bolstering this natural barricade. As HTA President Rand Pearsall remarked, “We have long recognized the risks associated with a barrier island and that our dune system is the only protection against severe storms.”

Following Superstorm Sandy, some Holgate residents noticed most dunes that withstood the storm-riled ocean waves were heavily…