NJ moves closer to ocean protection with the Coastal and Ocean Protection Council

Last night the Assembly passed A4332, that creates the New Jersey Coastal and Ocean Protection Council.  The Senate passed a similar bill back on December 10^th.  Now the bills are awaiting the signature of the Governor.

In 1973 the New Jersey legislature passed the Coastal Areas Facility Review Act because, “certain portions of the coastal area are now suffering serious adverse environmental effects resulting from existing development activity impacts”  NJSA 13:19-2.   Unfortunately, CAFRA did not meet its promises and in 2003 and 2004 the Pews Ocean Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy both determined that our ocean and coasts are in critical condition.  For example the Pews commission found that:

       ·         more than 60 percent of our coastal rivers and bays are moderately to severely degraded by nutrient runoff.      ·         those species that we rely on commercially and recreational were in jeopardy from numerous causes.New Jersey’s coast is in the same boat as the remainder of the country.  Last summer saw garbage wash up on the shore, brown tides and fish kills.

The Coastal and Ocean Protection Council is the first step to making changes recommended by these Commissions and others. The Council will help DEP and other agencies coordinate their activities along the coast and in our oceans; to help formulate solutions to the problems that are facing this fragile, but important resource.  This Council’s work will not only improve our environment, but help enhance the economic viability of our tourism industry as well as the recreational and commercial fishing industry.  It is through the Council that we may begin to truly reach the goals set forth in 1973 with CAFRA, of stemming the, “continuing and ever-accelerating serious adverse economic, social and aesthetic effects . . . on the delicately balanced environment of that area.”  

Tags: a4332, cafra, coast, coastal and ocean protection council, environment, NJ, Ocean, s2645, shore