$1.1M for flood projects in Leonardo
The township's efforts to secure funding to help with flood mitigation projects in Leonardo received a large boost. A $1.1 million boost.
U.S. Congress Authorizes $1.1Million Leonardo Drainage Project
MIDDLETOWN, NJ - Thanks to an escalated effort to secure federal funds for flood control projects, Congress has taken the first steps in funding the $1.1 million Leonardo Drainage Improvement Project by authorizing the project in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), announced Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger.
New Jersey drinking water running out
New Jersey officials heard sobering news Tuesday that the state is running out of drinking water, but environmentalists said the bigger problem is the government is not doing anything about it.
Middletown Mayor: Towns can lead fight vs. climate change
Mayor Gerard Scharfenberger hosted the National Conversation on Climate Control at the Middletown Arts Center on Thursday, using the occasion to discuss his Green Initiative for the township.
MC Freeholders approve open space grants
FREEHOLD - The Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved grants totaling $2,301,000 from the 2007 Monmouth County Open Space Trust Fund to acquire, create or improve park facilities in 11 municipalities.
Warming puts local shores at risk
LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - Two years ago, Rutgers University Professor Ken Able made a surprising discovery as he emptied traps used to monitor fish at the university's Marine Field Station.
NJ Coastal & Ocean Protection Council Bill Moves to Governor's Desk
Trenton, NJ (January 7, 2008)- The Assembly today passed A. 4332, which would establish a New Jersey Coastal and Ocean Protection Council to help safeguard the state's valuable and unique coastal and ocean resources. The Senate passed an identical version of this bill - S. 2645 (SCS) - by an overwhelming majority on December 10th and the environmental community now strongly urges Governor Corzine to sign the bill.
N.J. Coastal Heritage Trail Funding Bill Passes Energy Committee
WASHINTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recently approved legislation Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) sponsored to extend funding for the Coastal Heritage Trail in New Jersey until the year 2011.
Going green cuts your tax bill
If you bought a high-efficiency hybrid vehicle or did some environmentally friendly home renovations in the last two years, you could be eligible for thousands of dollars in state and federal tax breaks.
Wayne demolishing flood-prone homes
WAYNE: Demolition of four homes that are prone to flooding is under way in Wayne's Hoffman Grove neighborhood.
NJDOT addresses flooding in Union Beach
Frequent motorists on Route 36 in the Bayshore are no strangers to flooding, but a portion of the highway will be receiving a facelift during the next two years for just that.
News from Keyport
News and information about the Borough of Keyport from local resident Michael Lane
DEP wants counties to handle water quality
The state's environmental agency wants counties to take over water quality management from the many separate agencies now in charge, but local officials say they are hard-pressed to handle the task.
NEW JERSEY WATER TESTS UNDERSTATE POLLUTION
Monmouth County found that DEP methods are unable to measure adverse biological impacts of polluted stormwater runoff, thus underestimating the environmental damage suffered by rivers and streams caused by development.
NJ Legislators consider a sea change in ocean protection
Yesterday, at a special meeting of the Senate Environment Committee held at Monmouth University, the panel voted to release for vote a bill creating a New Jersey Coastal and Ocean Protection Council to address the ills of the ocean off New Jersey's coast and to close gaps in current laws that have detrimental effects on the Atlantic.
Route 516 Demolitions
The 3 houses on the south side of Route 516
between the Quik Check and Lake Lefferts were being demolished, I stopped by the
Aberdeen Building Dept. to ask who was responsible.
County opens new Stone Road bridge
UNION BEACH/KEYPORT – The new Stone Road bridge spanning Chingarora Creek opened today after being closed for construction since October 2006. The bridge
connects Union Beach and Keyport.
Monmouth County Freeholders pass pay-to-play
Sweeping pay-to-play and campaign-fund wheeling reforms were enacted
by the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders on Thursday night, drawing
bipartisan praise and the endorsement of the Citizens' Campaign good government group.
Flood Maps
Here's the link to FEMA's map
service for flood maps
The growing demands on ocean waters incite the call for zoning
The concept of zoning marine waters has been used as a management tool around the world to balance resource protection and human use of marine areas. Causey describes it as a tool to separate incompatible activities, similar to how zoning is used on land.
"Hopefully," he jokes, "we don't end up with bars next to churches."
Garden State could turn into the Peach State
Left unchecked, global warming will transform New Jersey's temperate weather into a hot and humid climate similar to Georgia, according to a report released yesterday.
Brown tide must be studied as ecosystem failure
There is a coastal mayor named Larry Vaughn whose name you probably won't remember, but you will remember his message. He is the fictional character in the movie "Jaws," the one who declares that the movie's tourist-dependent beaches will not be closed on July 4th weekend. We all know what happens next.
DEP: Algae along N.J. appears to be thinning
As a heavy algae bloom appeared to be diminishing Thursday, activists urged Gov. Corzine's administration to take steps to protect coastal water quality and the Shore.
Algae bloom heavy in Sandy Hook and Raritan bays
A heavy bloom of algae is affecting waters and beaches in Raritan and Sandy Hook bays today, and "patches of heavy algae were also observed in the surf to approximately 300 yards offshore from Sandy Hook south to Manasquan Inlet," a state Web site said.
Officials: Improving Shore water quality will take time
Enhancing coastal water quality will require controlling stormwater runoff in the region and overflowing sewer systems in the New York-New Jersey Harbor area, according to officials.
Experts predict active storm season this summer 2007
Experts throughout the state of New Jersey met recently to discuss remaining coastal and environmental issues at the State of the Shore and More 2007 Press Conference held at Sea Gull's Nest, Sandy Hook, on May 21.
Populations of 20 Common Birds Declining
The populations of 20 common American birds -- from the fence-sitting meadowlark to the whippoorwill with its haunting call -- are half what they were 40 years ago, according to an analysis released Thursday.
How to fight a Developer and WIN!
"Growth is too often seen as inevitable, Mr. Etgen said, and he believes local governments have to step up to counter the traditional way of thinking."
High Goals for Reducing Emissions in New Jersey
The New Jersey Legislature passed a bill yesterday that set ambitious goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants, refineries, motor vehicles and other sources that contribute to global warming.
Kara Homes update
Kara Homes Inc. plans to emerge from bankruptcy within the next several months with a new name, a new owner and fewer developments, according to documents filed Thursday with U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
EPA Expands Efforts to Protect Coastal Waters
The U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) unveiled today an expanded New York Bight CoastalMonitoring program to study the ocean and collaborate with state andlocal governments to protect the coastal waters of New York and NewJersey. Using helicopters, ships and cutting edge technologies, theAgency’s scientific assessments will go farther than ever.
Multifaceted approach needed to stem
Microscopic plants and animals such as algae and diatoms, like the recent "brown tide" event in Raritan and Sandy Hook bays and along parts of the ocean last month, are unattractive and smelly — and are symptoms of a greater problem. These occur fairly often during late summer, but what is surprising is that this bloom occurred so early in the season and was so widespread.
Legislation to create
Looking to lock in gains on ocean protection issues, lawmakers and others announced a federal bill that would establish a "Clean Ocean Zone" and publicized an annual Shore campaign to educate citizens about ocean pollution.
DEP RAMPS UP ANTI-IDLING EFFORTS
Citing dangerous diesel exhaust from trucks and buses as a dire public health threat, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson today announced tougher regulations to curb vehicle idling and a statewide education campaign to raise New Jerseyans' awareness that "idling stinks."
Keansburg Moving into the Forefront with Solar Energy Bid
On Tuesday July 10, The Borough of Keansburg went out to bid, seeking proposals from companies for the installation of solar panels on the Keansburg Waterfront Public Library,
Letter to NJDEP regarding Deverlopment in Keyport
The BRWC understands that there is currently an application for a General permit No. 10A – Long Crossing, in front of NJDEP. Under the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7a, the applicant, 75 Manchester LLC, is seeking approval for disturbance of a NJ State open water in order to construct a roadway near freshwater wetlands.
Wind turbine in works for Union Beach
When Frank Wells noticed the abundance of windmills along the California coast during a drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco several years ago, the Union Beach resident figured he'd try to bring some of the West Coast back to his Bayshore town.
US Court Rebukes Administration in Global Warming Case
The Supreme Court ordered the federal government on Monday to take a fresh look at regulating carbon dioxide emissions from cars, a rebuke to Bush administration policy on global warming. In a 5-4 decision, the court said the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from cars.
Monmouth County Planning Board to target storm water
The list of things to do in the coming year for the Monmouth County Planning Board includes chasing down a number of municipalities that have missed a state deadline to be in compliance with a stormwater-management strategy, the board's longtime chairman said Monday.
SOS: Jersey Shore and Ocean Ecosystems Need a Lifeboat
Recently the bi-partisan Joint Ocean Commission released a report card grading the federal and state governments on their efforts to protect ocean and coastal ecosystems. Ten states earned an overall score of A-. Sadly, New Jersey was not among them.
Healthy coastal waters and wetlands play a vital role in New Jersey's economy, environment, and culture. More must be done to earn a passing grade next year.
Oceans Report Card Gives U.S. Government an F for Funding
The failure of Congress and the President to commit sufficient funding to oceans protection in 2006 earned the federal government a grade of F on the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative's U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card, issued today.
Sheridan proposes pay-to-play ordinance in Keyport
KEYPORT - Councilman Joseph Sheridan submitted a pay-to-play ordinance Jan. 23 aimed at reforming the way the borough does business with redevelopment contractors.
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