Report shows water quality problems at Shore: Groups call on State to protect ocean health

American Littoral Society * Bayshore Regional Watershed Council * Environmental Defense Fund * Environment New Jersey * Natural Resources Defense Council * New Jersey Audubon Society * New Jersey Environmental Federation * New Jersey Environmental Lobby * New Jersey Sierra Club * Surfrider Foundation

Belmar, NJ – A coalition of environmental groups today released a report documenting significant water quality problems in New Jersey’s marine environment. The report points to deficiencies in the State’s current management programs and calls for more attention to the overall ecological health of the Shore.

“With beach season upon us, it is important to recognize that all is not well at the Jersey shore,” said Benson Chiles of the Coastal Ocean Coalition. “Most of our beaches are safe for swimming, but that’s not the whole story. Frequent brown tides, bays overrun by jellyfish, and growing dead zones are classic signs, known as biological indicators, that the ocean ecosystem is not healthy. It is time for New Jersey to acknowledge and respond to these indicators through better management practices.”

“Ocean Water Quality in New Jersey: Redirecting the Management Effort” calls on the state of NJ to adopt an “ecosystem approach” to managing coastal and ocean resources. This approach was recommended by both the Pew Ocean Commission and the US Commission on Ocean Policy more than five years ago, and was established as a policy by the state Legislature last year. “As the report points out, an ecosystem-based management approach operates under the premise that the marine ecosystem and the impacts to that system caused by our land use activities do not recognize political boundaries” added Chiles.

“After more than five years of talk, NJ has yet to adopt the recommendations of the ocean commissions,” said Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club Director. “State and Federal laws are not being implemented and the health of the ocean ecosystem is suffering.”

The groups called on the state to monitor and manage coastal waters using biological indicators, to place limits on non-point source pollution, and to control irresponsible development in watersheds.

"From global warming and offshore oil to water supply deficits and coastal pollution, the Jersey Shores faces unprecedented threats,” said David Pringle, Campaign Director for New Jersey Environmental Federation. “This report is a clarion call to the Governor, our legislators, and candidates for public office to not just take notice, but to take action. For starters, Governor Corzine needs to stop stalling and make strong appointments to the Coastal and Ocean Protection Council so that it can begin to fulfill its critical mission."

“The Cooperative Coastal Monitoring program is a recreational bathing beach water quality program. The problem is it has become shorthand for all ocean water quality,” added John Weber of the Surfrider Foundation. “The science and monitoring of water quality has advanced, but the State of NJ still uses criteria similar to what we did 30 years ago.”

Michael Pisauro, Legislative Affairs Director of the New Jersey Environmental Lobby, continued: “In 1973 we recognized that our coasts were in jeopardy and needed protection by passing the Coastal Area Facility Review Act and we were reminded of the problems in 2004 by two national ocean commissions. New Jersey continues to be satisfied with half measures and non-enforcement. We have to stop paying lip service to protecting our natural resources. Otherwise, we will lose not only a vital part of New Jersey, but we will also lose tourism and jobs.”

“Current approaches to protecting coastal and ocean water quality aren’t working as demonstrated by this report,” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society. “While some steps have been taken by the state to fix the problem we need to be more aggressive. The Legislature and other elected officials need to step up with needed authority and financial support.”

Clean Ocean Action was recently invited to review the report, and Dr. Jennifer Samson, their Principal Scientist stated: “This report identifies important management deficiencies and regulatory failures that have negatively impacted ocean water quality in New Jersey for years. We applaud this report, as it reinforces efforts to reduce and eliminate sources of ocean pollution.”

“Every year, NRDC releases an annual beachwater quality report, Testing the Waters, which looks at the health risks and safety of water for beachgoers all over America. The report released by the coalition today zooms in on the state and takes an in-depth look at the other issues specific to New Jersey and what we need to do to improve the health of the entire coastal ecosystem," said Alison Chase, Policy Analyst with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "By addressing these issues and reviving the health of our entire ocean and coastal environment we're investing in the health of all who visit the Jersey Shore."

The report is available online at www.shore11.org.