By Eric Conklin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The last remaining structure of a World War II-era manufacturing plant near a marshy area at the Jersey Shore was torn down last week as part of a $37.5 million effort to preserve over 1,000 acres of wilderness.
The water tower at the former Harbison Walker Magnesite in Lower Township, Cape May County, was brought down March 13.
After the surrounding buildings were demolished, the tower became a unique feature of the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, a state-guarded area that is a habitat for osprey, peregrine falcons, merlins, kestrels, cooper hawks and sharp-shinned hawks.
Crews pulled the tower down, causing it to creak before landing with a ground-shaking thud. The landmark structure will be dismantled and deposed offsite, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection told NJ Advance Media.
The demolition is part of an effort to restore a tidal flow to the marshlands.
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