ATLANTIC CITY--State officials met with a local civic group in Atlantic City Thursday afternoon to discuss a request to lower the dunes.

The New Jersey D.E.P. sat down with city and county officials, along with members of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Committee, which has been leading an effort to reduce the height of the dune line, because they say it blocks the view of the beach and ocean, "...The decision really has been one of the functions and values of the dunes, the protection that they afford and are there opportunities to alter the dune heights in order to restore some views," said acting commissioner Mark Mauriello.

"...We are struggling with the request," added Mauriello.

The Boardwalk Committee claims that the ever-growing dunes are becoming a marketing liability for the city, blocking the view of the very thing that many people come to see. They also claim it's a safety hazard when police can't see what's happening on the beach, "...our (Boardwalk Committee) feeling is that they should be maintained at their original height," said "Pinky" Kravitz, head of the committee.

Although the D.E.P. indicated that they are still not in favor of lowering the dune height, they did say they will keep an open dialogue with the boardwalk committee.

A compromise of sorts, that all parties are interested in, is the construction of observation piers or decks, that would offer ocean views.