North Wildwood and the state Department of Environmental Protection are on the cusp of settling their long-standing legal battle over unauthorized coastal reinforcement projects. Mayor Patrick Rosenello revealed that a proposed settlement has been drafted, signaling an end to the costly litigation that taxpayers have been funding. Under the terms of the agreement, the city will pay $1.7 million to resolve $12.8 million in fines issued by the DEP for unapproved work. North Wildwood has also agreed to dismiss its $21 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against the DEP and make changes to coastal structures, such as reconfiguring a section of bulkhead near Fifth Avenue and removing the Lou Booth Amphitheatre. Additionally, the city will plant vegetation in specific areas and allocate funds for shore protection efforts. While there are no new commitments from the state regarding shore protection projects, eliminating the legal dispute paves the way for joint projects with the DEP, including a seawall extension and the Five Mile Dune project. The settlement was facilitated by Governor Phil Murphy’s intervention, which led to a dredging project that replenished sand along the island. The mayor emphasized the importance of prioritizing shore protection for North Wildwood and expressed optimism about the fair and significant resolution achieved through the settlement.