Garden State EnviroNews 040518
GSENet
GARDEN STATE ENVIRONEWS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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{*} A BIRDING ODYSSEY
{*} ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE PASSES HIGHLANDS BILL
{*} THE SIX MOST ENDANGERED NATURAL AREAS IN THE BAYSHORE
{*} LAVALLETTE DEBATES MEANS OF CURBING BAYFRONT EROSION
{*} CLEANER OCEAN, MORE SPACE BETWEEN HOUSES
{*} COASTAL SEWAGE CONTAMINATION GETS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
{*} OVERFISHING: A THREAT TO MARINE BIODIVERSITY
{*} HOBOKEN BOARD TO DECIDE FATE OF STEVENS PARKING GARAGE
{*} DEVELOPMENT, THY NAME IS REGION
{*} COLLINGSWOOD DEVELOPS ON OWN TERMS
{*} NATURE CONSERVANCY BUYS LAND NEAR MAURICE RIVER
{*} HOSPITALS REPLACE A TYPE OF PLASTIC
{*} WATERSHED INSTITUTE 2ND GRANT CYCLE ANNOUNCEMENT
{*} RIVER EDGE MONSTER RIVER CLEANUP - MAY 22
{*} 8TH ANNUAL BARNEGAT BAY FESTIVAL - JUN 5
{*} WOMEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS NATIONAL FORUM - OCT 21
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THE DODGE $5,000 CHALLENGE GRANT
!! LAST TWO WEEKS !!
To date we have received $4,781.
We need $219 to meet our goal.
>>DEADLINE IS MAY 31, 2004<<
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A BIRDING ODYSSEY
Date: 040517
From: kos...@gsenet.org
By Ivan Kossak, May 17, 2004
Now that I have caught up on some much needed rest, I can reflect
upon the nearly 500-mile journey last Saturday that was Garden State
EnviroNet's first foray into New Jersey Audubon's World Series of
Birding. While it has its competitive aspects, The World Series of
Birding is, first and foremost, a fund-raising activity. This year,
the World Series will raise over $600,000 to be earmarked for
environmental conservation in the Garden State. Many of our readers
and other supporters pledged donations for each bird species that
GSE's team, "The Goshawks," identified (by sight or sound) in the
event's single 24-hour period.
We started at the stroke of midnight in the Great Swamp, listening in
the dark for owls and other night-calling birds. By dawn, we found
ourselves in a plowed farm field in Sussex County, straining to hear
the distant song of a Vesper Sparrow. Many hours and miles later, we
trudged through a sandy beach in Avalon to see the endangered Piping
Plover, sitting within a protective enclosure that will allow the bird
to incubate its eggs free from predation by raccoons, foxes or feral
cats. Finally, exhausted and disheveled, we crossed the finish line at
Cape May Point. Our namesake bird eluded us, but we did find 165 other
species on a day when migratory activity was minimal. This allowed GSE
to raise in excess of $1,200 to support our work keeping New Jersey's
environmental community connected and informed about significant
environmental events and issues. It is only by educating the public
about such environmental issues that positive change can be brought
about to resolve those issues and to conserve the quality of New
Jersey's environment
Our trek allowed the "Goshawks" (Michael Costello, Jonathan Klizas,
Dan Watkins and myself) to see many of the beautiful places in our
state that provide a home to a wide variety of wildlife. For example,
we had the privilege of seeing a young Bald Eagle soar high above the
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge, within sight
of Atlantic City's casinos, is a critical stopover for millions of
migrating shorebirds each spring and fall. The refuge also provides
breeding habitat for dozens of species of shorebirds, herons,
songbirds and other wildlife. The eagle itself is emblematic of how
wildlife can recover given time and some human help. Bald Eagles were
virtually extirpated from New Jersey as a breeding species by the
1970's. Now, over 40 breeding pair call New Jersey home.
Our many stops throughout the state reminded me of how much open
space has been protected, and how much still needs to be protected.
Since my teammate Dan is from Binghamton, NY, he had a chance to see
some of these places for the first time. While listening for the
Louisiana Waterthrush in Tillman Ravine in Sussex County, I asked Dan
what he thought of the place. He remarked how beautiful it was. I felt
a rush of pride in my home state, knowing that we are far more than
the toxic waste dump and collection of highway exits that so many out-
of-staters consider New Jersey to be. I also was concerned about the
fact that hemlock glens like Tillman are vanishing rapidly in New
Jersey due to an infestation of the Woolly Adelgid. The Woolly Adelgid
is an alien invasive insect that lays its eggs on hemlocks. When the
adelgid larvae hatch, they feast on the hemlock needles to such a
degree that they kill the tree. Many environmental organizations that
rely on GSE for communications tools and the ability to reach new
members are working to eliminate the threat to native ecosystems that
alien invasive species represent.
Whether grasslands, forests, marshes or beaches, our team had a
chance to see and hear the many feathered reasons that these places
must be preserved. However, these places are important not just as
homes for birds. They contain many rare plant and animal species, they
provide recreation opportunities for New Jersey's human population,
they filter pollutants out of the air and provide clean drinking water
to the state. They are essential to the quality of life and quality of
health of all of us. So when you think about the "bird people" that
zipped about the state in a manic search for orioles, sandpipers and
hawks, please also think about the quality of our environment and our
life that they worked so hard to help protect. Also, please remember
how important the EnviroNet's work is to New Jersey's environmental
preservation efforts. To those of you who pledged, you have my sincere
thanks, and for those of you who would still like to do so, it is not
too late. Please feel free to send your contributions to Garden State
EnviroNet, 19 Boonton Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005 or by PayPal through
our web site http://www.gsenet.org.
Sincerely,
Ivan Kossak, Executive Director
Garden State EnviroNet, Inc.
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ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE PASSES HIGHLANDS BILL
Date: 040517
From: http://www.nj.com/newsflash/jersey/
SENATORS DELAY VOTE
By Tom Bell, Associated Press, 5/17/04
Trenton - An Assembly committee approved legislation Monday that
would restrict building in the Highlands region, but a Senate panel
delayed action as negotiations continued on a deal to push the measure
through.
The Senate's Environment Committee scheduled a vote on the bill for
Thursday after a dispute over funding equity for the southern part of
the state continued to stall movement.
Sen. Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, has held up the legislation as he
has sought assurances that those who live in and near the Pinelands
preserve would get similar benefits to those in the Highlands. Sweeney
said he met again Monday with members of Gov. James E. McGreevey's
administration in an effort to reach a deal.
"I hope we get there," Sweeney said of Thursday's planned vote. "The
administration is trying to find a compromise so this bill can go
forward."
The senator said he was still seeking guarantees on tax
stabilization, school funding and water issues for farmers in southern
New Jersey before he could vote for the measure.
Micah Rasmussen, a McGreevey spokesman, said the governor was
confident that Sweeney's concerns would be addressed.
"It's a complex bill," Rasmussen said. "We want to provide the
clarification that legislators need."
Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, chairman of the Environment Committee,
said he expected a vote on the bill would occur Thursday as planned.
"There will come a time in the very near future when it's time to
fish or cut bait," Smith said. "At this point, we're just trying to
get the perfect bait, so that everyone feels their concerns were, if
not resolved, at least considered in the crafting of the bill."
Environmentalists and builders have sparred for months over the plan,
which would severely restrict building on thousands of acres in the
Highlands region.
McGreevey has said the area must be protected because it provides
drinking water for about half the state.
The building restrictions would affect large sections of the nearly
1,000-square-mile area, but the toughest regulations would be on
nearly 400,000 acres of land that surrounds reservoirs. About 160,000
acres of land that is suitable for development would be included in
the protections.
Builders say the proposed restrictions on construction would drive
them out of business and send housing prices soaring in the area that
includes portions of Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Morris,
Passaic and Bergen counties.
Assembly W. Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer, a member of that body's
environment committee, said the Highlands plan should be a model for
how other issues are dealt with in New Jersey.
"This is how planning should be done in this state - on a regional
basis," Gusciora said.
Jeff Tittel, president of the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club,
praised the Assembly committee for passing the legislation.
"The Assembly committee did what's right in standing up to the
special interests and standing up for the Highlands," Tittel said.
"Hopefully the Senate committee will do the same on Thursday."
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(c) 2004 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.
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THE SIX MOST ENDANGERED NATURAL AREAS IN THE BAYSHORE
Date: 16 May 2004
From: "sosap2002" {sosa...@comcast.net}
Bayshore Regional Watershed Council, May 16, 2004
The Bayshore Regional Watershed Council (BRWC), an all-volunteer
group made up of local citizens in the Bayshore region, stretching
from South Amboy eastward to the Highlands, is alerting local
residents, business owners, and government officials that they need to
act now to protect what few natural open areas exist before they are
gone forever due to over-development and poor planning.
The BRWC has identified below six environmentally sensitive areas in
the Bayshore region that are most endangered of being lost or severely
degraded due to development activities in the next few years. The
sites listed are in no particular order.
- Luppatacong Creek in Keyport: Kara Homes has submitted plans for a
44 unit multi-family complex of 3 buildings at the corner of Beers
St, and West Front Street with parking on the banks of the creek.
The project so overwhelms the site that a walkway along the creek
will be cantilevered over the water on pilings to fit in the
parking. The project's "Storm Water Management" report indicates
that the infiltration basin requires maintenance multiple times a
year with the expense picked up by local taxpayers.
- Freneau Woods in Aberdeen, near Lake Lefferts: The more than 100
acre undeveloped Freneau Woods is in danger of loss to new compact
housing. The area is located between the intersections of Routes
516 and 79, and Route 34. The landscape consists of wetland and
upland forests with a variety of wildlife habitats that include
vernal pools, steep slopes, rare plants, and scenic vistas of Lake
Lefferts. The site has what may be the most vast, contiguous stands
of ground-pine club moss Lycopodium in the Bayshore region. The
area also has potential historic value as a Revolutionary War era
African American graveyard.
- The Mouth of Many Mind Creek in Atlantic Highlands: This area of
largely un-built waterfront is threatened with dense townhouses,
new commercial development, and expanded parking lots that would be
located right next to Sandy Hook Bay. Looming development would
degrade both sides of the creek and block important public access
to the bay. The site is an important fish spawning area and a
feeding spot for two NJ State endangered species - the Least tern
and the Black skimmer. The site also contains saltwater wetlands,
coastal dunes, and a wide sandy beach.
- The Stone Road meadows in Hazlet Township: This 26-acre abandoned
agriculture field borders Highway 36 and is part of the Flat Creek
watershed area. The meadows are threatened with new commercial
development on an already over-crowded and congested highway. The
area is one of the last large-scale open space areas on Highway 36
between the Garden State Parkway and Sandy Hook. The site provides
ideal nesting habitat for field birds and would provide wonderful
public recreation in an existing highly developed landscape.
- The Ladyslipper tract in Holmdel Township: This approx. 12 acre
site next to Allocco Park along flood prone Waackaack Creek is
threatened with dense new housing. In order for the development to
fit on-site, a new access road off Middle Road would have to be
constructed and a large detention basin in a present
forested/wetland area along the creek would be needed. The uncommon
Pink ladyslipper orchid can be found here within the site's sandy
Pine Barren-like soils.
- The Mouth of Marquis Creek in Old Bridge Township: This site has
been degraded by decades of illegal dumping activities of fill and
solid waste by residents and businesses. In 1994, NJ Audubon
Society identified this site as being heavily used by feeding
herons, ducks, and shorebirds. It is also an important spawning
area for horseshoe crabs and a feeding area for spring migratory
birds, such as the NJ State endangered Red knot. The site has the
potential for much needed public recreation including fishing,
crabbing, birding, and walking. The BRWC realizes that development
will persist as long as landowners are responsible under the
state's inequitable tax system to pay for a majority of local
school and civic services. Nevertheless, the BRWC believes strongly
that we should not lose sight of the need to protect our
environment. Where will the Bayshore region be in twenty years if
we keep building and forget about water quality, open space, and
clean air?
Preferably, the BRWC would like to see open space protected in its
natural state.
To protect these areas, greater public funds need to be committed by
the State of New Jersey to protect natural resources in the Bayshore
region.
Elected and appointed government leaders in the Bayshore region need
to urgently inventory and analyze all remaining natural areas and
actively devise acquisition and protection plans, and utilize Green
Acres financial support as much as possible. Towns also need to work
together to establish or strengthen regional planning that is
watershed based, and to seriously rethink zoning and planning
regulations that cover natural areas, and to create new ordinances
that preserve water quality and open space.
Citizens can help preserve natural areas in their municipalities by
urging their elected officials that growth should occur where
infrastructure already exists, and by monitoring their town's
enforcement of ordinances designed to protect the environment.
It is essential to get this work done before developers arrive with
applications and blueprints that would create still further dense
buildings and sprawl.
The BRWC encourages Bayshore municipal officials and residents to
contact the council if they require assistance or are interested in
information about land preservation. The BRWC meets the second
Thursday of every month at 7:30pm, inside Aberdeen Town Hall on Church
Street.
* * *
Joseph Reynolds, Co-Chairperson
Bayshore Regional Watershed Council
225 E Highland Ave
Atlantic Highlands NJ 07716
T: 732-872-2834
E: sosa...@comcast.net
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LAVALLETTE DEBATES MEANS OF CURBING BAYFRONT EROSION
Date: 040517
From: http://www.app.com/
By Joe Zedalis, Asbury Park Press Toms River Bureau, 5/17/04
Lavallette - The preservationists, the politicians and the engineers
agree that something needs to be done about the bayfront erosion
between New Brunswick and Reese avenues.
Exactly what needs to be done, however, is the subject of stormy
debate.
The Borough Council voted 5 to 1 last week to adopt a $200,000 bond
ordinance for some kind of revetment (protective embankment) at the
bay. The question is, what type of protection?
"I have a problem with supporting bonding issues that put money aside
before there is a plan in place," said Councilwoman Britta F. Wenzel,
who cast the "no" vote.
"I'd just like to see some open discussion," Wenzel said. "I agree
that something needs to be done. I'd just like to hear other
suggestions."
Steven Hafner, a coastal geologist at Richard Stockton College of New
Jersey, Galloway, Atlantic County, studied the Lavallette erosion
problem with Stuart Farrell, a marine geologist, and has suggested
rocks called a riprap groin - a sand-catching glove that would trap
the southerly moving sand and keep it from fouling the channel around
the West Point Island Bridge.
However, Hafner admits that going from a sandy shore to a shore that
goes of gravel and boulders will look more like Maine than New Jersey.
Therein lies the problem. While riprap might be functional, it
certainly isn't nice to look at or walk on.
"Lavallette has the most people-friendly waterfront of any township
on the bay," said Willie DeCamp of Save Barnegat Bay. "We feel any
revetment might be a gradual process of spoiling the natural character
of the area."
Jessica Kubida of Kerr Avenue said revetment would severely limit
people getting into the bay.
"My fear is that it creates a dead zone," Kubida said. "Swans, ducks
and horseshoe crabs won't be able to use that section of the bay. It's
a section that is popular with windsurfers and people who like to
canoe or kayak.
"The mayor says we have this severe erosion problem to create this
huge project that can be alleviated with regular maintenance. If you
have a car, you don't buy a new one every time it needs an oil change.
"I asked the mayor how many times the area around the bridge has been
dredged in the last 10, 20 years. He said twice."
Kubida proposes using vegetation to hold sand in place.
"Go on the Internet. The Tennessee Valley Authority and others say
the best way to stabilize an erosion problem is with vegetatIon."
Mayor Thomas J. Walls said dune grass, flowers and sand have been
tried in the area without success.
"We also tried biodegradeable logs with grass planted on them and
within six months, all we had left were the clamps that held the logs
together."
Derickson W. Bennett, a member of the American Littoral Society,
based at Sandy Hook, said some sort of offshore breakwater - a buffer
to limit the wave energy - might work.
"This is a classic example of competing uses," Bennett said. "Just
throwing in plantings might slow the erosion for a little while, but
given the exposure, that's probably not going to work."
Wenzel mentioned a system of cables with a concrete facing.
"At least that's walkable and people would still have access to the
water," Wenzel said.
Hafner said riprap would trap sand and the borough could then recover
the sand and return it to the north.
Borough Engineer Michael O'Donnell said the rocks would be placed
from the shore line to a depth of three feet in the water.
Hafner said most of the sand transport takes place in shallow water.
Benjamin Keiser, from the Coastal Engineering Department of the state
Department of Environmental Protection, said 50 to 60 tons of rock -
at 25 to 75 pounds per rock - would be placed in the area on top of a
textile fabric that would hold the boulders in place. Keiser said
Lavallette has yet to contact the DEP, however.
"A comparable project was done in Cape May, where the riprap was put
into wire baskets," Keiser said. "There is also a three-foot slope of
stone.
"If designed properly, it works," Keiser said. "The DEP does one or
two riprap projects a year. And as long as a big storm doesn't come
along or people knock the stones out of place, it should secure the
area."
O'Donnell said riprap construction is not extraordinarily expensive.
"The next step is a meeting with the DEP to begin the pre-application
process," O'Donnell said. "A plan would take several months to
complete."
"Riprap rock isn't a sandy beach, but there isn't a sandy beach there
now," Walls said. "We want to dissipate the waves before hitting the
sand. If we do nothing, the whole area eventually would just be bay
again."
And some people don't see anything wrong with that.
* * *
Joe Zedalis: (732) 557-5735 or jo...@app.com
Copyright (c) 1997-2003 IN Jersey.
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CLEANER OCEAN, MORE SPACE BETWEEN HOUSES
Date: 040517
From: http://www.starandwave.com/
Stormwater series: Part II: Brand new stormwater management rules are
complicated, but have two major components: keep junk out of storm
drains and get more water back in the ground. Here is how two shore
communities have been affected almost immediately, by each of these
parts.
By Bill Godfrey, Cape May Star and Wave, May 13, 2004
New stormwater management regulations adopted by the state this year
will change the course of development across the state in ways that
Gov. McGreevey's "Big Map" wasn't able to do, according to one local
attorney.
The new regulations have already had an impact on building density in
Lower Township, said Lower Township Planning Board Solicitor Paul
Baldini, and the City of Cape May is keeping a sharper eye out for
builders, contractors and individuals who contaminate storm drains
with grass clippings, trash or pet waste.
Keeping pollution out of waterways and protecting the state's
drinking water are goals of the new rules, and they go far beyond
leaving grass clippings in the street. Developers must now design
properties so that stormwater runoff is kept at a minimum. Also, all
556 state municipalities will be required by February, 2006 to
implement stormwater management goals to protect local and regional
waterways and provide for continued maintenance of stormwater systems.
The regulations are required under new wording within the federal
Clean Water Act that seeks to remove pollution resulting from rain
sweeping pollutants from farm fields, streets, parking lots, and new
developments into area waterways.
"Under the new regulations, bottom line is, there will be less
intense development on residential properties that remain undeveloped
in Lower Township," said Baldini.
On Feb. 2, 2004 the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
issued two new sets of regulations. Both sets of rules, including
Phase II NJ Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater
Regulation Program Rules, and the second set known as Stormwater
Management Rules, are designed to reduce water pollution associated
with stormwater runoff. The first set is aimed at reducing "non-point"
pollution, like trash and pet waste, that flows through storm drains
directly into local waterways. The second set establishes new design
and performance standards for proposed development in the state, in an
effort to achieve greater recharge of aquifers.
Baldini addressed issues relevant to this second set - the new
building rules - and their effect on both residential and commercial
development of properties in an interview with the Star and Wave May
7.
FOCUS: LOWER TOWNSHIP
PLANNING BOARD APPLYING NEW RULES ALMOST IMMEDIATELY
"The residential properties regulation is in place now and is to be
used by municipalities under the residential site improvement (RSI)
standards," said Baldini. "As for the commercial end, a municipality
has two years to adopt an ordinance which regulates commercial
development consistent with the new regulations."
Baldini said no municipality in the state has yet adopted the
commercial ordinance.
He explained that development of residential properties that disturb
an acre or less of ground are not covered by the RSI, meaning building
on a traditional single family lot would not be subject to the rules.
Anything above 10,000 square feet of disturbed area is subject to the
rules.
"The new standards require a greater recharge of stormwater runoff
onto the property, rather than letting it just run off. In order to
accommodate the greater recharge, you're going to be limited on how
much area you can development - how much impervious surface you can
place on a development," said Baldini.
A development of 10 proposed residential properties may now be
limited to, for instance, eight, in order to meet the more stringent
requirements for greater groundwater recharge on that property.
Figuring out what that number is for that particular lot requires
engineering calculations.
"It's going to change the way developers develop their land, and
create a lot more area of open space between the residences in order
to allow for the recharge," he said.
Baldini recently attended a seminar on the new regulations. He said
the McGreevey administration described the rules as "land regulation
statutes using environmental issues to control land development."
The new rules are already affecting development in Lower Township, he
said. An individual submitted a building application to the planning
board before February, but it wasn't heard until after the new rules
took effect. When Baldini and the engineer reviewed the plan, their
initial calculations indicated the building density was too great to
comply with the new regulations. The developers postponed the
application and retooled their plans. Baldini hasn't seen the new
application, but he expects it to come back with less buildable lots.
Had the application been heard before Feb. 2, it might have been
approved with more lots.
"In Lower Township we've seen the new statute have an impact almost
from the day it was adopted," he said.
Lower Township still has undeveloped tracts of land available and
will see greater impact from the rules, as opposed to Sea Isle City,
which has fewer buildable lots left, he said.
"It's going to make a developer sit down and be conscious of what he
wants and how he is going to protect the environment," he said.
The statute further states that no development is permitted within
300 feet of a Category One river, lake, or stream, or other local body
of water. Baldini said currently, runoff from a property not recharged
into the ground is generally channeled to Category One waterways in
this area.
"Virtually all Cape May County's rivers, stream, oceans, bogs and
bays are all Category One," he said. "Almost any development near a
lake, river or ocean that meets these requirements is going to have a
severe handicap trying to develop that land."
Stormwater runoff that used to flow to Lower Township's low-lying
bogs and marshes will no longer be allowed, said Baldini.
"You have to find some other way," he said. "And you have to keep all
development 300 feet off of that (water)."
The exception to the rule is building on a pre-developed site.
Baldini used as an example an old ten-acre industrial site with three
acres of development. The seven-acre undeveloped portion must comply
with these regulations, although the three acre pre-developed site is
not covered by the new rules, he said. Lower Township will not be
greatly impacted by this rule since there are fewer brownfields or old
industrial sites here than in the rest of the state.
"It gets very complicated," said Baldini.
The McGreevey administration earlier proposed comprehensive,
statewide regulations with the "Big Map," but that plan wasn't well-
received and was scrapped. These new rules attack overdevelopment with
more focused, sectionalized regulations that could originate from a
number of different state governmental departments, Baldini said.
"You're going to see more regulations coming down from different
departments because we no longer have a comprehensive plan to work
with. These departments are going to be free to create regulations
that they feel preserves what needs to be preserved. It comes from the
fact that we don't have a comprehensive Master Plan for the State of
New Jersey," he said.
"The purpose of the statute is to begin to control intensive
development in theses pristine areas," said Baldini.
FOCUS: CAPE MAY
"NON-POINT" POLLUTION CONTROL IN HIGH GEAR
WILL HELP ASSURE BEACHES STAY OPEN
Along with more control over development, the new regulations are
aimed at improving storm drain maintenance and keeping "non-point"
pollution, like cigarette and candy wrappers, out of local waterways.
Pollution left in the street can make its way to the ocean after a
heavy rain and Cape May City officials want to ensure new and tougher
water testing standards don't result in more beach closings this
summer. Cape May officials are crafting their response to the new far-
reaching regulations and their initial efforts include compliance with
public education portions of the rules, and more immediate work like
municipal drain labeling and sizing regulations. For a resort like
Cape May, or any Jersey shore town, keeping their beaches open all
summer long is a top priority.
"We've been following this for quite a while so it hasn't hit us
cold," said Cape May City Public Works Superintendent Robert Smith.
"We're pretty much on our way towards implementing these requirements
and already started the storm drain labeling."
Smith said Cape May might implement tougher standards than are
required by state.
"We're very concerned about our beaches and this is a fishing
resort," said Smith.
The County Cooperative Water Testing Program, which tests area
beaches for pollution has tougher standards this year, said Smith. The
new regulations are aimed at establishing national guidelines for
bathing beaches and the new standards will detect animal and other
waste more easily. If test readings comes back high once, the
municipality gets a warning, Smith said. A second high reading means
beaches will be closed.
As part of the new regulations, the City of Cape May received a Tier
A Municipal Stormwater General Permit April 1. Municipalities are now
required to obtain the permits from the state as the state exerts
greater control over stormwater runoff. The permit authorizes
stormwater runoff to "surface water and groundwater" within the
municipality. The permits establish guidelines for what is allowed to
flow through storm drains and requires municipalities to control
passage of solid or floatable materials through storm systems.
Municipalities will be required to label storm drains and conduct
educational events at least once a year to inform the public as part
of compliance with the permit.
Smith is also updating his department's inlet inventory to ensure all
inlets are numbered and noting where they drain. The city upgraded
maps of all storm drains and storm lines about 18 months ago.
"The plan and public notice (portion of the regulations) we've
started on," said Smith. "The Planning Board is aware of the new
stormwater rules. Most ordinances, like pet waste, are already in
place and are enforced," he said.
The most visible part of the new regulations require municipalities
to enforce ordinances prohibiting the dumping of unauthorized
materials, such as pet and yard waste into storm drains.
"We have a couple people who continue to put pet waste in the storm
drains and when we clean them, we know. They just don't need to put
that in the inlets. We're making progress."
Smith said the city has sent letters to local contractors informing
them of litter, waste disposal, illicit connection and yard waste
ordinances, and their plans to more strictly enforce them.
"We have a good program in place already," said Smith. `We have an
excellent street sweeping and inlet-cleaning program. This is a good
program and a lot of this is based on good housekeeping. We're ahead
of the game as far as storm water maintenance," said Smith.
New street construction in the city was undertaken with the new
design standards in mind and some inlets have been upgraded. The new
design standards require smaller curb openings, reduced to two inches,
and smaller grate openings, as well. This will act as a more efficient
barrier.
"So some things just don't fit (in the storm drains now)," said
Smith. "And the size of the grate openings have been reduced to one
inch to prevent things from getting into them."
* * *
Copyright(c) Cape May Star and Wave. All rights reserved.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
COASTAL SEWAGE CONTAMINATION GETS INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION
Date: 040517
From: http://www.ens-news.com/
Environment News Service, May 17, 2004
Cairns, Australia - Globally, sewage is the largest source of marine
contamination by volume, so to address this issue, the United Nations
Friday launched a new campaign to clean up the seas by ensuring that
people have access to toilets and safe drinking water.
The new campaign was inaugurated in Cairns, by a United Nations
organization and a partnership group working collaboratively - the UN
Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Water Supply and Sanitation
Collaborative Council.
They are calling the new effort "Wastewater Emission Targets - Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene for All," or WET-WASH.
Council Chairman Jan Pronk of The Netherlands said WET-WASH is an
important effort because the campaign links Wastewater Emission
Targets and the UN Millennium Development Goals for water and
sanitation. These links are "vital for poverty alleviation and
sustainable development efforts," said Pronk.
The WET-WASH campaign was launched at the end of the Global H20 -
Hilltops-2-Oceans Partnership Conference in Cairns that took place
from May 11 to 14.
The conference and trade fair took place on the doorstep of the
world's longest reef - The Great Barrier Reef - which is at risk from
poor catchment management, unsustainable fisheries, climate change and
oil exploration.
Policy makers, industry representatives, nongovernmental
organizations, academics and other experts gathered to share
expertise, experience and solutions to the problems of marine
pollution, with a view to developing a multistakeholder program of
work to protect the marine environment from land based activities.
Participants discussed the links between integrated water resources
management and integrated coastal area management.
Sewage from the land flows into the ocean, so the new campaign comes
under the jurisdiction of a UNEP program known as the Global Programme
of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Activities, coordinated by Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, also of The
Netherlands, where the program's office is based at The Hague.
"Achieving this will require alternatives to traditional large scale
investment projects," said Vandeweerd. "We need more innovative
approaches to technology, infrastructure development, financing and
management, including more use of natural sewage filtering systems
like ponds, reed beds and mangrove swamps."
Pollution of coastal waters costs the world some $16 billion annually
due to ill health, disease, and death, UNEP estimates.
In addition, there is an increasing number of dead zones - areas in
the world's oceans and seas that are starved for oxygen UNEP warns
that proliferation of dead zones could be a greater threat to fish
populations than overfishing.
These dead zones are linked to an excess of nutrients, mainly
nitrogen, that originate from agricultural fertilizers, vehicle and
factory emissions and domestic wastes.
Low levels of oxygen in the water make it difficult for fish, oysters
and other marine creatures to survive as well as for important
habitats such as sea grass beds.
In South Asia alone, over 800 million people have no access to basic
sanitation, putting them at high risk from sewage related diseases and
death. The level of untreated domestic wastes being discharged into
the region's coastal waters are likely to be the highest in the world,
increasing the risk of shellfish contamination and the chance of
toxic, algal blooms poisoning fish and wildlife.
Precious habitats, such as South Asia's coral reefs, are likely to be
under increased stress as a result of the high levels of nutrients and
suspended solids linked with the discharges.
The second most vulnerable region is the seas of East Asia. Here,
more than 500 million people are without access to proper sanitation.
In the seas of the North-West Pacific, more than 400 million people
have no access to basic sanitation services.
Still, the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council says
that success stories from Asia, Africa and Latin America have shown
that approaches focused on people and led by communities can employ
innovative sanitation technologies to reduce poverty, improve health
and restore human dignity to the poorest of the poor.
The Hilltops-2-Oceans (H2O) Partnership Initiative, launched at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in September
2002, aims to strengthen national and regional governance frameworks
that protect coastal and marine environments by highlighting the link
between freshwater and marine ecosystems.
The partnership will build multi-stakeholder capacity for integrated
water resource and coastal area management. In addition, the use of
time bound Wastewater Emission Targets as a tool for managing water
from the hilltops to the oceans will be explored.
Next on the agenda is a November conference - Global WASH Forum
2004 - convened by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative
Council and hosted by the Senegal Ministry for the Environment and
Sanitation in Dakar.
With the theme of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All - Building
Coalitions for the Millennium Development Goals conference
participants will include representatives from national governments,
international organizations and community based organisations as well
as the public sector, external support and donor agencies, the private
sector, NGOs, grassroots organisations, academia and the media.
The Global WASH Forum 2004 will take place from November 22 to 26 in
Dakar.
* * *
Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2004. All Rights Reserved.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
OVERFISHING: A THREAT TO MARINE BIODIVERSITY
Date: 040516
From: http://www.un.org/
United Nations Department of Public Information, May 15, 2004
Despite its crucial importance for the survival of humanity, marine
biodiversity is in ever-greater danger, with the depletion of
fisheries among biggest concerns
Fishing is central to the livelihood and food security of 200 million
people, especially in the developing world, while one of five people
on this planet depends on fish as the primary source of protein.
According to UN agencies, aquaculture - the farming and stocking of
aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic
plants - is growing more rapidly than all other animal food producing
sectors. But amid facts and figures about aquaculture's soaring
worldwide production rates, other, more sobering, statistics reveal
that global main marine fish stocks are in jeopardy, increasingly
pressured by overfishing and environmental degradation.
"Overfishing cannot continue," warned Nitin Desai, Secretary General
of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, which took place
in Johannesburg. "The depletion of fisheries poses a major threat to
the food supply of millions of people." The Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation calls for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas
(MPAs), which many experts believe may hold the key to conserving and
boosting fish stocks. Yet, according to the UN Environment Programme's
(UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre, in Cambridge, UK, less
than one per cent of the world's oceans and seas are currently in
MPAs.
The magnitude of the problem, however, is often overlooked, given the
competing claims of deforestation, desertification, energy resource
exploitation and other biodiversity depletion dilemmas. In part, there
is often little focus on the rapid growth of demand for fish and fish
products, both domestically and in export markets, leading to fish
prices increasing faster than prices of meat. As a result, fisheries
investments have become more attractive to both entrepreneurs and
governments, much to the detriment of small-scale fishing and fishing
communities all over the world. In the last decade, in the north
Atlantic region, commercial fish populations of cod, hake, haddock and
flounder have fallen by as much as 95%, prompting calls for urgent
measures. Some are even recommending zero catches to allow for
regeneration of stocks, much to the ire of the fishing industry.
According to a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimate, over
70% of the world's fish species are either fully exploited or
depleted. The dramatic increase of destructive fishing techniques
worldwide destroys marine mammals and entire ecosystems. FAO reports
that illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing worldwide appears to
be increasing as fishermen seek to avoid stricter rules in many places
in response to shrinking catches and declining fish stocks. Few, if
any, developing countries and only a limited number of developed ones
are on track to put into effect by this year the International Plan of
Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Unreported and Unregulated
Fishing. Despite that fact that each region has its Regional Sea
Convention, and some 108 governments and the European Commission have
adopted the UNEP Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land based Activities, oceans are cleared at
twice the rate of forests.
The Johannesburg forum stressed the importance of restoring depleted
fisheries and acknowledged that sustainable fishing requires
partnerships by and between governments, fishermen, communities and
industry. It urged countries to ratify the Convention on the Law of
the Sea and other instruments that promote maritime safety and protect
the environment from marine pollution and environmental damage by
ships. Only a multilateral approach can counterbalance the rate of
depletion of the world's fisheries which has increased more than four
times in the past 40 years.
- - -
For further information:
Mr. Nick Nuttall, Head of Media Services
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 254 20 623084
Mobile 254 (0) 733 632755
Fax 254 2 623692
Email nick.n...@unep.org
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HOBOKEN BOARD TO DECIDE FATE OF STEVENS PARKING GARAGE
Date: 17 May 2004
From: FBW {f...@betterwaterfront.org}
HOBOKEN ZONING BOARD - PUBLIC HEARING
Thursday, May 20 at 7 pm, City Hall
This will be the last chance to voice your opinion regarding the
massive parking garage proposed by Stevens Institute of Technology
across from Sinatra Park. Rather than use this premier waterfront site
for classrooms or other academic facilities, Stevens has proposed a
grim parking structure. In the debate over development of Hoboken's
waterfront, the public has asked for a higher standard in the
architecture and design for new buildings. Stevens Institute, however,
has turned a deaf ear to these concerns.
At the last hearing on April 27, FBW planner David Zimmerman
testified that the extensive request for variances for this project,
in effect, is asking the Board to legislate a change to the Hoboken
Zoning Ordinance. But only the Hoboken City Council, not the Zoning
Board, has the authority to do this. This application requires
variances for permitted use, lot coverage, building height, front
yard, distance between buildings, building length, open space ratio,
facade specifications, number of principal buildings per lot,
conditional requirements for public parking facilities, minimum
setbacks from a residential zoning district and location of garage
entrance. According to Zimmerman, approval of this application would
constitute zoning by variance which is not permitted by New Jersey
Courts.
After the first three hearings on this parking garage, Zoning Board
Chairman Joe Crimmins was forced to step down after it was revealed
that Stevens Institute of Technology had hired his brother George as a
consultant. FBW attorney Michael Garofalo argued unsuccessfully to the
Board that this conflict of interest has fatally tainted the hearings.
- - -
For more information:
Garage hearings tainted due to Stevens hiring brother of Zoning Board
Chair:
http://www.betterwaterfront.com/news/00742004.shtml
Roof garden withers at first hearing for 725-car waterfront garage:
http://www.betterwaterfront.com/news/00732004.shtml
Stevens pushes forward with plans for mega-garage on Hoboken's
waterfront:
http://www.betterwaterfront.com/news/00722003.shtml
Stevens Institute attempts to silence FBW through frivolous defamation
lawsuit:
http://www.betterwaterfront.com/news/00682003.shtml
* * *
Fund for a Better Waterfront
POB 1965
Hoboken NJ 07030
Tel: 201-217-0500
Fax: 201-217-3055
Email: f...@betterwaterfront.com
Web: http://www.betterwaterfront.com/
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DEVELOPMENT, THY NAME IS REGION
Date: 17 May 2004
From: "Steven Sacks-Wilner" {ste...@sacks-wilner.com}
By Tracey L. Regan, Times Staff Writer, May 17, 2004
Trenton - Two decades ago, as he watched the growing congestion along
Route 1, then-Assembly Speaker Alan Karcher proposed what was
considered a radical plan: putting future decisions about major
development along the corridor before a regional council.
Karcher saw the ever-worsening sprawl along Route 1 as "an
abomination" that was undermining the quality of life in all of its
adjoining municipalities, his wife, Peggy, noted recently.
But the plan had no takers, and proponents of stricter planning
controls say the results of that inaction can be seen in the
proliferation of malls and subdivisions across the region's former
potato fields, and in the frayed nerves at rush hour.
Indeed, development in this region has likely taken place at a faster
pace than even Karcher could have anticipated.
Mercer County, at the core of it, will be almost fully developed in
the next 20 years, according to a recent survey by the Trenton-based
Regional Planning Partnership.
Of the county's 146,000 acres, there are only about 33,000 that can
still be developed under current zoning, the planning group found.
That zoning would allow the county to add about 23,000 houses and
apartments, another 120.5 million square feet of commercial space and
about 64,000 more people.
But the group's analysis of building and population trends finds the
county is on track to add another 54,000 people by 2025, putting it
10,000 residents away from the current build-out limit - the maximum
possible or allowable development capacity.
According to the 2000 Census, there were slightly more than 350,000
residents in Mercer County, an increase of about 25,000 people from
the 1990 census. The current zoning here supports just shy of 415,000
people altogether.
Based on that analysis, "The trend tells you that most of the
remaining land will be used up by 2025," said Jim Hess, a policy
analyst for the Regional Planning Partnership, noting that most of
what is left is in Hopewell, Hamilton, West Windsor and Washington
townships.
Planners say that a principal reason land in the county will be
consumed so quickly over the next couple of decades is that many of
the municipalities here have lowered their housing densities in recent
years.
The Regional Planning Partnership contends that the current
commercial zoning will allow the county to add more than 300,000 new
jobs, however, that would not be supported by the small number of
houses proposed.
"One of the things that really jumps out is the imbalance between
nonresidential and residential zoning. Three-quarters of the land is
zoned for residential housing, but most of it is at relatively low
densities," said Hess. "You start wondering that if we're going to be
generating these jobs, where are people going to live?"
But such low-density residential zoning does not support mass
transportation, and Hess foresees many more people traveling here from
surrounding counties to work in the coming years, bringing gridlock
with them.
"So many people in Bucks County (Pa.) and Burlington County are
converging on the Route 1 corridor that you wonder how much longer
employers will look at this area as a favorable place to do business,"
he added.
Many planning groups, such as the Regional Planning Partnership, say
that fast-growing counties like Mercer should consider alternative
"cluster" zoning that would permit them to set aside more open space
while making it easier to build more housing and potentially add more
public transportation.
"Some people equate downzoning with preserving land and stopping
sprawl, but our position is just the opposite," he said, referring to
a change in zoning that allows fewer structures on a given acreage.
"By downzoning, you're spreading out further - and that is sprawl."
Brian Hughes, the Mercer County executive, said the news of impending
build-out "doesn't come as much of a surprise to anyone."
"Our county role is to continue aggressively pursuing open space
purchases," he said, adding, however, that the price per acre is
"escalating," particularly on property that already has sewer lines in
place.
Hughes added that the region must offer more public transportation,
noting, "There is a lot of promise in bus rapid transit," an idea
being explored by the state Department of Transportation that would
call for a dedicated bus lane along Route 1 with stops in townships
along the way.
"Unfortunately, there is still a stereotype here about buses and
other forms of mass transit," he said.
State Sen. Ellen Karcher, D-Marlboro, Alan Karcher's daughter, said
that one of the reasons she ran for office was to take on such
planning issues. She has proposed legislation that would allow
municipalities to slow and rethink growth.
Of her father's plan, she noted, "People didn't want to take him up
on it - there were a lot of egos - and now we're paying the cost."
James Robinson, Alan Karcher's former chief of staff, suggested that
such planning notions have only become fashionable in recent years.
"Back in the '80s, the idea of regional planning was abhorrent - even
for people waiting in traffic day after day," Robinson said. "It was
like surrendering to a foreign power."
* * *
Contact Tracey L. Regan at (609) 777-4465 or tre...@njtimes.com
Copyright 2004 The Times.
# # #
Steven L. Sacks-Wilner, Esq.
489 Dutchtown-Zion Rd
Skillman, NJ 08558-1307
ste...@sacks-wilner.com
Tel. & Voice Mail: 908.359.8884
Fax: 908.359.5550
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
COLLINGSWOOD DEVELOPS ON OWN TERMS
Date: 040517
From: http://www.philly.com/
By Kristen A. Graham
Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer, May. 17, 2004
Collingswood - Developers drooled when this now-hip borough began
eyeing a rebirth of dwellings, parking and stores on an abandoned site
along busy Haddon Avenue.
Then the borough threw them all out on their ears and decided to
build the project itself.
Collingswood will miss out on a large chunk of cash in favor of
putting up development that officials say would not alter the
character that has drawn so many new residents, businesses and
shoppers.
Tentative plans call for the four acres bordered by the PATCO High-
Speed Line and Haddon, Knight and Collings Avenues to contain about 50
residential units, including more than a dozen condominiums; a parking
garage; and nine shops.
A new street would be created. There would be gardens and courtyards,
rooftop terraces, and green space. Housing would be built over shops;
officials envision details such as recessed decks and facades to match
the rest of Haddon Avenue.
The use of existing downtown design elements would be key to the
project.
"Maybe to help fit our downtown pattern of not having a pattern, we
might use different architects for different pieces so it doesn't look
like a mall," Mayor Jim Maley said.
The last unoccupied parcel in downtown Collingswood, which is fast
becoming a regional destination, had been a magnet for developers.
Maley, who invited a number of them into his office to make
presentations, said the designs were not good enough.
"They wanted densities that we were not thrilled with," he said. "We
were in an interesting position of being both property owner and
planning board. As the property owner, we liked the profit, but as the
planning board, we said, 'No way we're going to go for an eight-story
anything.' "
Collingswood has already spent $2 million to acquire most of the
parcel, including a few stores that would have to be torn down, and to
pay for environmental cleanup. Negotiations to buy one more building
are continuing.
This new development would be another step in a formula that some
call risky but that everyone acknowledges has thus far worked wonders
for Collingswood - investing public money in redevelopment.
The cycle began in 1996, when the borough sank $8 million into
renovating a blighted apartment complex, and continued with $1.7
million to renovate an old schoolhouse. The borough also recently
floated $5 million in bonds to spruce up the grand, old Scottish Rite
Auditorium.
People have noticed.
Though the town has a large variety of housing - from rowhouses to
big Victorians - the brisk demand from single professionals, two-
income young couples, and empty nesters looking to downsize but stay
in Collingswood has real estate agents clamoring for more units to
sell.
"The demand right now is through the roof," Maley said. "I could flip
this land for $5 million and walk away with $3 million in profit, but
this fits in town, we like the way it looks, and we can make our money
back."
More than 100 people gathered at a public meeting to hear what
borough officials had to say about the project, to inspect artists'
renderings, and to ask questions.
A few residents have expressed concerns about the town's growth, but
most are enthusiastic about Collingswood's direction, Maley said.
Count longtime resident Jim Bridgeforth among them.
Bridgeforth wants to buy space for the U.S. headquarters of Bobi, a
Finnish mailbox company, in the back section of the development. He is
thinking of a high-tech office and showroom that should draw national
business.
"I think it's going to be a huge success," Bridgeforth said of the
borough's plans. "I'm tickled as a resident that they're taking
ownership. And as a business owner, it just makes more sense."
The next step is contracting with architects and land-use lawyers and
determining price points for the residential units, Maley said.
Work on the project, which would be done in phases, is expected to
start at the end of the summer. Completion could take three years.
Bob and Theresa Giandomenico said they wanted very much to be in the
first wave of condominium owners. They have lived in Collingswood for
46 years, raised two children, and until recently owned Giandomenico
Photography Inc. here.
As newlyweds, they lived in an apartment across from the site, and
returning to Haddon Avenue feels like a good fit to them.
"We love the town, and we love the idea of being on the avenue, near
the shops and restaurants," Theresa Giandomenico said. "This
development will clean up that area and extend the business district
downward."
Bob Giandomenico nodded.
"We are very excited about what's happening here," he said. "Whatever
it is, we're up for it."
* * *
Contact staff writer Kristen Graham at 856-779-3927 or
kgr...@phillynews.com.
Copyright 1996-2004 Knight Ridder. All Rights Reserved.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NATURE CONSERVANCY BUYS LAND NEAR MAURICE RIVER
Date: 040517
From: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/cumberland/
By Johanna Duerr, Staff Writer, (856) 794-5115
Press of Atlantic City, May 17, 2004
Millville - A 300-acre tract of land home to two bald eagle nests, an
old grainery and towering coastal bluffs has become the latest
purchase in the name of conservation along the Maurice River - and the
first as part of a deal involving the preservation of thousands of
acres in New Jersey.
The Nature Conservancy completed the purchase in January for
$900,000, adding the 3.7-mile stretch to its already large expanse of
land along the Maurice River, which is broken up by a few developed
acres.
The public can now enjoy the remains of a grainery, bluffs that tower
50 feet high, two bald eagle nests and an unusually high number of
kingfishers on site.
According to the president of a group that has long been a proponent
of protecting the tract in Millville, the land also has archaeological
significance.
It was the first purchase as part of a larger deal with Better
Materials, a sand-mining company that has agreed to sell or donate
thousands of acres - much of which is environmentally sensitive - in
exchange for the chance to expand its existing operation in the Bevins
Wildlife Management area in Downe Township, Cumberland County.
"It's a huge deal, there's thousands of acres involved," said Curt
Gellerman, who works as a negotiator on the Green Acres staff.
Better Materials will now be allowed to expand its operation by more
than 100 acres in Downe Township, but Jane Galetto, president of
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River, said that it is a far
improvement over the other option. Better Materials had the right to
start a sand-mining operation elsewhere in the preserve, which would
have further fragmented the forest, she said.
"The knee-jerk reaction would be, 'We're not going to give up on
protected space,' but in this situation, more space was protected,"
she said. "So it's really a unique situation, and without people
having an understanding of what the situation was, it could have been
rejected out of hand."
This purchase will make the property the longest piece of undeveloped
land along a Wild and Scenic river in New Jersey, she said.
The Bluffs, as they are locally known, offer an unusual vantage point
in flat southern New Jersey: views along several twists in the river.
"It's a beautiful site," said Jay Laubengeyer, assistant state
director of The Nature Conservancy. "It's one of the nicest vistas in
Cumberland County, in my opinion."
The new 300-acre purchase is in addition to about 2,500 total acres
that the conservancy has purchased along the Maurice River, including
a preserve that almost was turned into an industrial park in Vineland.
The Nature Conservancy now owns most of the western side of the river
between Laurel Lake and Millville, aside from a 20- to 25-acre site
populated with a handful of homes.
The new purchase, which runs between Silver Run Road and the river
north of the Straubmuller farm - which also is preserved - has a long
history of mining, although not in modern times, Laubengeyer said.
On the other side, the state owns some land and the Natural Lands
Trust also has a preserve.
"It's coming together as a nice greenway," said Laubengeyer.
The Nature Conservancy, a private nonprofit group, now owns about
12,000 acres between Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties,
including the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge.
And now, because this site already is used for recreation, the
conservancy is looking to strike a balance between that and
preservation. And there's a chance it will look for partnerships -
such as with the county, municipal government or National Park Service
- if it is too much work for the conservancy to manage alone.
Laubengeyer said its sandy beaches, extensive trails and old dock
give it a lot of potential for public recreation. The conservancy
would take a unique approach on this land by looking for public input
on how to use the site.
He said their first step will be to take a good inventory of the
site's opportunities; they want to map vistas, trails and dangerous
areas, and will work on that throughout the summer and into the fall.
They also want to assess the needs of the bald eagles, he said.
Afterward, they will present their findings in a public forum and ask
for input, Laubengeyer said.
"It's been a focal point of the debate of conservation versus
development in this part of the county for a long time," he said. "We
want to make sure this is a good outcome for the largest segment of
the population as possible."
* * *
To email Johanna Duerr at The Press: JDu...@pressofac.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
HOSPITALS REPLACE A TYPE OF PLASTIC
Date: 17 May 2004
From: "Peter Montague" {Pe...@rachel.org}
By Tom Avril, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer, May 17, 2004
As Jeanette Vergis peered through the window of the intensive-care
unit last year at her newborn son, William, she could see Doylestown
Hospital's nurses were keeping close tabs on the fluids entering his
body through intravenous tubes.
Little did she know that the hospital recently had begun paying close
attention to the tubes themselves.
Three years ago, Doylestown started buying IV tubes, catheters and
other products made from plastics that may be safer for patients and
better for the environment.
The old plastic contains a chemical called DEHP, which can harm the
reproductive systems of male lab animals. There is no proof of this
effect in humans.
Yet Doylestown is one of at least nine area hospitals to take a
precautionary approach, switching to different plastics for some or
all procedures, even though some of the replacement materials cost
more than twice as much.
"Why risk it?" said Glenn Kaplan, head of neonatology for Main Line
Health, which includes Bryn Mawr, Lankenau and Paoli Hospitals and has
switched plastics for some devices.
Patient health may be at stake, and there is also "the medical
liability issue that clouds us in everything we do," he said.
The change at some hospitals was prompted by a July 2002 advisory
from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which recommended that
hospitals consider switching plastics for certain procedures on
premature boys, mothers of male fetuses, and boys in puberty.
In a broader sense, the change is part of growing movement toward
"green" hospitals, highlighted in Philadelphia last month at a health-
care conference called CleanMed. The idea is that in a building
devoted to the delivery of health care, the environment ought to be as
healthy as possible.
At Doylestown, for example, officials have switched to less-toxic
cleaning detergents and have eliminated thermometers and blood-
pressure readers that contain mercury, a toxic metal that can escape
if a device breaks. And by 2006, the hospital will have phased out
fluorescent lights that contain mercury, said director of risk and
safety Pauline Rondeau.
The DEHP-free plastics cost more money, Rondeau said. She said she
did not know how much more, but said some of the increase has since
been recovered through renegotiation with suppliers.
Vergis, whose son was born in August, knew nothing about the plastic
switch at the time. All she knew was that while her baby was born
full-term, he was suffering from respiratory stress, breathing so fast
that he could not eat. He received nutrients and other vital fluids
through tubes inserted into his belly button and his foot.
"I had no idea what they were using," she said of the tubes and bags
holding the fluids. "I just knew...he was getting everything he needed
to survive."
The old kind of plastic is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the same
material used to make white plastic pipes for plumbing. Often simply
called vinyl, the material can be made soft and pliable by adding
plasticizers, or phthalates, such as DEHP, which stands for di(2-
ethylhexyl)phthalate.
First developed for military applications in World War II, vinyl
eventually became the material of choice in many medical applications.
Vinyl IV bags do not break, unlike their glass predecessors, and vinyl
does not kink or stretch, guaranteeing consistent dosage of medicine
and nutrients.
Vinyl manufacturers say they see no lack of demand from medical
device makers. And a representative of companies that make
plasticizers warned against switching to alternatives that are less
tested.
"Our view is, it's taking an extreme precautionary approach to try to
remove something from the market that's very useful," said Marian
Stanley, a senior director at the American Chemistry Council and
manager of the Phthalate Esters Panel.
Though the effect of DEHP on people is unproven, the market for
alternatives is growing. B. Braun, a German medical-device maker whose
North American headquarters is in Bethlehem, Pa., estimates that it
sells more than $200 million of DEHP-free items each year in this
country.
An early leader in the field, B. Braun has been making such items
since the mid-1980s. More recently, health-care giants Abbott
Laboratories and Baxter International also entered the field. (Last
month, Abbott's hospital products unit was spun off as a separate
business, called Hospira Inc.)
A chief area of concern is when vinyl bags and tubes are used to
administer nutrients that are high in fats, which can cause DEHP to
leach into the feeding solution. There is little or no concern with
saline solutions, according to the FDA advisory.
Premature babies are of special concern because they are hooked up to
plastic feeding tubes for weeks at a time, and because in the case of
boys, their reproductive systems are still developing.
Some of the local neonatal intensive-care units that have made full
or partial switches to alternative plastics are the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Hahnemann
University Hospital, and Frankford Hospital. Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia has so far made a switch that a spokeswoman called
"limited." In New Jersey, Virtua Health, which has a neonatal unit in
Voorhees, said it uses alternatives where they are available.
* * *
Contact staff writer Tom Avril at 215-854-2430 or
tav...@phillynews.com.
# # #
Rachel's Environment & Health News
Environmental Research Foundation
POB 160
New Brunswick NJ 08903-0160
T: 732-828-9995
F: 732-791-4603
E: e...@rachel.org
W: http://www.rachel.org
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WATERSHED INSTITUTE 2ND GRANT CYCLE ANNOUNCEMENT
Date: 17 May 2004
From: Laura Alex {la...@thewatershed.org}
FUNDING STRATEGIES TO MAKE A LASTING IMPACT
May 17, 2004
Pennington - Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association (the
Association) today announced the second cycle of The Watershed
Institute Grants program to be administered through The Watershed
Institute. The goal of the program is to fund projects that will
sustain the broader success of organizations and improve the natural
resources within their watersheds. This new grant round builds on the
success of last year. Ross Kushner, Executive Director for the
Pequannock River Coalition, had these words to summarize his
experience with the grant program; "From our first two [grant
supported] mailings we have upped our membership about 50% with more
coming in every day and the largest mailing still to go out! We are
extremely excited about this and very grateful."
Eligible organizations can apply for funding for projects that
encompass organizational development and watershed management. The
grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 with a few opportunities to fund
projects up $20,000.
The Watershed Institute, a program of the Association, received
support from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to create and
distribute grant funds dedicated to helping watershed groups carry out
effective projects. The Dodge Foundation provided the resources "to
create and distribute funds from a small grant program dedicated to
helping watershed groups carry out effective projects."
Proposals for 2004 grants must be received by July 15, and awards
will be announced the last week in August. Eligible groups include
non-profit watershed associations, citizen action groups, and other
community based environmental groups that meet at least quarterly and
have 501(c)(3) tax status. Applicants must be citizen-based and reside
and operate in the state of New Jersey. Government organizations are
not eligible.
Organizations interested in applying for a grant should contact Laura
Alex at the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, 31 Titus Mill
Road, Pennington, NJ 08534, (609) 737-3735 or la...@thewatershed.org
to request an application and guidelines or receive additional
information. The application is also available on The Watershed
Institute's web site, http://www.thewatershedinstitute.org/ .
- - -
Since 1949, The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association has been
a member supported, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting
and preserving the 265-square mile environment drained by the Stony
Brook and Millstone River. We focus on environmental education,
watershed stewardship, and partnering with municipalities, businesses
and residents to achieve thoughtful land use planning and natural
resource conservation.
The Watershed Institute, a program within the Stony Brook-Millstone
Watershed Association, seeks to enhance a vibrant network of citizen-
based watershed organizations throughout New Jersey that are engaged
in protecting precious water resources and natural lands. The
Institute provides tailored advice, workshops and lectures to
watershed organizations as well as acts as a clearinghouse of
information for the New Jersey watershed groups.
* * *
Laura Alex, Program Coordinator
The Watershed Institute
c/o Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
31 Titus Mill Road
Pennington, NJ 08534
la...@thewatershed.org
609.737.3735
609.737.3075 fax
http://www.thewatershedinstitute.org
http://www.thewatershed.org
http://www.giscenter.org
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RIVER EDGE MONSTER RIVER CLEANUP - MAY 22
Date: 17 May 2004
From: "Kathy Urffer" {kat...@hackensackriverkeeper.org}
ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT ONE ALREADY??!!!
Hackensack Riverkeeper and River Edge Environmental Commission River
Clean-up May 22nd, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Once again, the River Edge Environmental Commission will be holding
their annual Spring Hackensack River Clean-up. This year, it will be
held on May 22nd starting at 10:00 AM at the Boat Ramp at Kenneth B.
George Park in River Edge. Directions are to be found below.
Each year, a tremendous amount of debris collects in the northern
section of the river just south of the Oradell Reservoir through the
fall and winter months and has to be removed. Last year's cleanup was
a resounding success, with participation from many local civic,
municipal and volunteer organizations as well as many individual
volunteers.
If you have a small boat, canoe, or kayak you are welcome to bring
it. Regardless, your help will be needed and appreciated. Hackensack
Riverkeeper will have canoes on hand on a first come/first serve basis
for people to take out. Be sure to get there early. We will be mostly
cleaning the main stem of the river by boats, so if you don't have a
boat or are not willing to go out in one of our canoes, this cleanup
may not be for you. There is a little work to be done in the
surrounding park, but most of the cleanup is done from the water.
Lunch, garbage bags, gloves, trash pick-up sticks, and necessary tools
will be provided. We suggest that people wear clothes than can get
muddy and messy and bring a bottle of water to drink. Be prepared with
bug spray or sun-screen if you use them. Looking forward to seeing you
on Saturday!
Directions to Kenneth B. George Park in River Edge:
Route 4 West or East to Kinderkamack Road North Make a right onto
Tenney Avenue, there will be a Chase Manhattan Bank on the corner,
Then a right onto Riverside Avenue You will pass the municipal
swimming pool on your left as you enter the park. We will be at the
left end of the parking lot just past the pool.
For more information contact Kathy Urffer at 201-968-0808, or
kat...@hackensackriverkeeper.org.
Thanks again for all your hard work!
* * *
Kathy Urffer
Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.
231 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-968-0808
201-968-0336 (fax)
http://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org
kat...@hackensackriverkeeper.org
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8TH ANNUAL BARNEGAT BAY FESTIVAL - JUN 5
Date: 17 May 2004
From: Mary Judge {mju...@ocean.edu}
Saturday, June 5, 2004
Berkeley Island County Park
10AM until 4PM
Rain or Shine
FREE ADMISSION
It's time for a celebration! The 8th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival is
sponsored by the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program with support
from our partners, Ocean County College, the Ocean County Board of
Chosen Freeholders, and the Barnegat Bay Watershed and Estuary
Foundation.
We invite you to join us for a day-long celebration of the beauty and
wonderful resources of Barnegat Bay at this breathtaking waterfront
park.
The day will be filled with live musical entertainment. Back by
popular demand, The Incinerators will once again be burnin' you with
the blues. Road Apple will make their first festival appearance to
spread a little of their rock 'n roll.
Festival-goers can enjoy the free scenic cross-bay boat trip that
begins every hour starting at 10:30 (first come, first served).
Others may decide to participate in the guided bus tour led by
resident environmentalist, Jan Larson for a close-up view of the
environmentally sensitive and historically significant Cedar Creek
Watershed (registration required by calling 732.255.0472).
Many non-profit environmental groups from the area will be there to
share information and answer any questions that you may have regarding
the protection of our natural resources.
In addition to learning about the Barnegat Bay Watershed, the
festival includes craft vendors, food vendors, children's activities
and much, much more.
Admission is free and families are encouraged to attend and
participate in the all day hands-on fun!
* * *
Mary Judge
Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program
Ocean County College
College Drive
POB 2001
Toms River, NJ 08754-2001
Ph: (732) 255-0472
Fax: (732) 255-0473
mju...@ocean.edu
http://www.bbep.org
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WOMEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS NATIONAL FORUM - OCT 21
Date: 17 May 2004
From: rwbr...@njcat.org
INVITATION TO ATTEND, EXHIBIT, OR SPONSOR
The SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS will hold the
NATIONAL FORUM at the Westin Hotel in Princeton, NJ.
Thursday, October 21 2004, 8am-5pm
Register Now On-line!
Building for the future - energizing to foster a better environment
will provide an excellent opportunity for dialogue, information and
education leading to environmental solutions, and building networks
amongst the industry professionals that will execute them. New Jersey
SWEP is proud to host this event as our state has been and continues
to be a leader in the environmental and energy world. Topics will
include:
A Better Environment - Leadership, Innovation and Practical Approaches
Building for a Better Environment - Focus on Water Quality
The Future of the Public's Health - Focus on Human Health Effects
Can Energy Become Sustainable? - Focus on Renewable Energy and Green
Buildings
Impact of the Environment on Health Issues
Environmental Regulatory Issues Today and Tomorrow
Title V Compliance: Managing Your Risk
Brownfields/Greenfield's Redevelopment and Reuse
"Green" Remediation
If your company is interested in SPONSORSHIP or EXHIBITOR
opportunities, contact Marianne Leone at marian...@comcast.net for
more information. Deadline to be included in printed invitation (1st
mailing) is June 11th.
Thank you to our first Copper Sponsor: Babst, Callard, Clements, and
Zomnir, P.C.
$100 Early Bird rate for SWEP Members
$125 Early Bird rate for Non-SWEP Members
* deadline for early bird rate is October 1,2004
Please register on-line now:
http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=66854
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Many thanks to our Volunteers:
Tricia Aspinwall, Michele Cooklin, Jerry Cullins, Peter
Montague, Paul Neuman, Scott Olson, Mary Paist, Penny
Pollock-Barnes, Phil Reynolds, Pat Rolston, and to all
you folks out there who contribute in so many ways.
If you have a couple hours a week, and would like to
help out, please email us at: mai...@gsenet.org
George-Therese Dickenson - Editor - dick...@gsenet.org
Ivan Kossak - Executive Director - kos...@gsenet.org
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Back issues of the Garden State EnviroNews are available at
http://www.gsenet.org/library/11gsn/11gsn.php
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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Tel: 973-394-1313 - Fax: 973-394-9513
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