A New Jersey assemblyman who has refused to sign an easement allowing a dune project to be built behind his oceanfront house is among seven homeowners being sued by the state.

Assemblyman John McKeon, an Essex County Democrat, is one of the homeowners facing eminent domain actions in Brick Township that were announced by the state Friday.

In the past, McKeon has said he would sign the easement after being assured exactly where it would be built.

In a statement, Assemblyman McKeon says, "My family and I are not looking for one penny nor anything other than to assure that there will be an integrated dune system. Our family home survived because of the meticulous nature by which we maintained the dune for years. Our concern has always been about where the dune is going to be sited and whether we would be permitted to maintain it on a going-forward-basis."

Brick resident Jeffery Koch says that his neighbors want dunes, they just don't want to lose their property rights.

"They just want it done without having to give up the land," he says. "They'd certainly give ... license [to use the land]."

The state also is going after four property owners in Margate and Longport, where dunes are being stalled by resistance from Margate officials and homeowners.

Another 17 cases have been filed on Long Beach Island within the past month.

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.