Looking out over the bay from her Beach Haven condo over the Memorial Day weekend, Karen Pelino was not happy about what she saw looking out at Parker’s Island. Instead of seeing birds and boats, she watched bulldozers and construction equipment “tear the place up.”

“We’re right across the inlet,” she said. “I can see seagulls sitting on top of the mounds of bulldozed sand, probably looking around, wanting to know where their nest or home is.”