Shore11.org feed

Water Pollution Enforcement Put Under the Gun of Christie Moratorium

Site Admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:40:06 -0800

Today DEP held the last informal “stakeholders meeting” on water pollution control enforcement regulations, one of 12 major environmental rules targeted and blocked by Governor Christie’s moratorium and “Red Tape Review” process. In another disturbing scene, DEP regulators were brought under pressure by industry lobbyists to be more “business friendly“. This time the focus was on [...]

Safe Drinking Water Jeopardized by Christie Moratorium

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:41:55 -0800

Stalled Drinking Water Protections Opposed by Superfund Toxic Polluter and NJ Realtors The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held a “informal stakeholders meeting” today to discuss three Safe Drinking Water program regulations frozen by Governor Christie’s Executive Orders. We previously wrote about 1 of these rules, the drinking water standard (Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL)) for the chemical [...]

Oscar Winners Try to Keep Whale Off Sushi Plates

urbananglernyc — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:06:41 -0800

Louie Psihoyos, right, accepted the Oscar for “The Cove” on Sunday, with Ric O’Barry, center, and Fisher Stevens.

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER Read more »

Bears Are Not Terrorists

Site Admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:50:43 -0800

Check out the caption under this Star ledger photo today above a story on an upcoming bear hunt: Terrorizing the neighborhood? The fears and smears of the terrorism label have gone too far (see NY Times editorial: “Are you or have you ever been a lawyer“). The T word has now crept into our wildlife management thinking. Of course, [...]

Oyster Harvest Begins on April 6 and Closes on November 19

Site Admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Oyster Harvest Begins on April 6 and Closes on November 19

Uh Oh! Windmills Make Noise.

Site Admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Uh Oh! Windmills Make Noise.

New Jersey Environmentalists Protest Funding Cuts

Site Admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

New Jersey Environmentalists Protest Funding Cuts

Oil Industry Seeks Clean Air Rollback Under Christie Moratorium

Site Admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:51:26 -0800

Others welcomed the proposal, including Hal Bozarth, executive director of the Chemistry Council of New Jersey. The manufacturing industry in New Jersey is being “strangled to death by regulations,” he said.[Note: Amazingly, Bozarth's brazen comment attacked DEP rules that regulate "vapor intrusion". Bozarth's client Dupont poisoned 450 homes in Pompton Lakes via "vapor intrusion", which [...] Read more »

The Cove wins Best Doc Oscar!!!

urbananglernyc — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:07:45 -0800

Harbor Seals in Sandy Hook Bay this Winter

Joe Reynolds — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:03:17 -0800

Last week, residents of the Sandy Hook Bay region were once again reminded that it is still winter. For a time in February, it seemed as if every few days another epic winter storm would arrive to pound the shore with wind, sleet and snow. The latest storm came in the form of a classic nor'easter that spun around for three days to bury the northern Jersey Shore under roughly a foot of fresh snow. Read more »

Clean Water Held Hostage by Christie Moratorium

Site Admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:12:32 -0800

This is a story about a DEP clean water standard that is frozen and held hostage by the Christie moratorium at the behest and sole benefit of polluters. Enforcement of this standard is needed to protect drinking water supplies and the ecological health of our rivers, lakes, and streams. We recently wrote about a drinking water [...]

Democrats in Legislature Join Christie “Red Tape” Environmental Rollback Juggernaut

Site Admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:59:17 -0800

Why Roll Back NJ Environmental Standards To Federal Minimums? Why handcuff DEP enforcement? And why would Democrats join Governor Christie in doing so? [Update: 4/5/10 - Philly Inquirer story: "Committee ponders limits of state agencies' regulations"] Less than 48 hours after the first “public” (by invite only) meeting of the “Red Tape Review Group” led by the new [...]

Not fin-tastic! Dolphins spotted in filthy Newtown Creek

urbananglernyc — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:45:30 -0800

By Andy Campbell

The Brooklyn Paper

Is Hollywood filming a remake of “Flipper” in the Newtown Creek?

It certainly looks that way now that two dolphins have been sighted in and near the filthy waterway — a natural disaster that has grabbed the attention of local biologists, teachers and even the U.S. Coast Guard! Read more »

Signs of Spring

Site Admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:03:32 -0800

Perhaps the February snowstorms have made me yearn more than usual for spring this year, and thus made me more aware of the signs. About a week ago, I started hearing the birds at sunrise in the woods behind the house. And this morning, when I let the dog out for her morning ritual, I noticed that [...]

Fishermen's Group Plans to Sue State Over Horse Excrement

Site Admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Fishermen's Group Plans to Sue State Over Horse Excrement

Dery Bennett Protected Land, Ocean

Site Admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Dery Bennett Protected Land, Ocean

Critics, Supporters of Oyster Creek Plant Speak Out on State Proposal

Site Admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Critics, Supporters of Oyster Creek Plant Speak Out on State Proposal

Enviro Guy: Quotes From Bob Martin, Acting DEP Commissioner

Site Admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Enviro Guy: Quotes From Bob Martin, Acting DEP Commissioner

Barnegat Bay Study a DEP Priority, Says Agency's New Leader

Site Admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Barnegat Bay Study a DEP Priority, Says Agency's New Leader

DEP Commissioner to Bring New Jersey In Line With Shark Regs

Site Admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:00:00 -0800

DEP Commissioner to Bring New Jersey In Line With Shark Regs

Declining Herring

urbananglernyc — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:28:09 -0800

I thought the scarcity of herring reports this year was odd.

Click here to see why.

2010 Women & Wildlife Awards

urbananglernyc — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:17:16 -0800

Women & Wildlife 2010 is a celebration of New Jersey's women wildlife professionals and the animals that inspire them. Join us to celebrate the achievements of two distinguished women who have dedicated their lives to New Jersey's wildlife.

This year we are pleased to announce the names of two outstanding women being honored with this year's Women and Wildlife Award. We congratulate Annette Scherer and Marie Springer, this year's honorees. Read more »

Christie Rule Freeze Kills Drinking Water Standard for Chemical Found in Rocket Fuel & Military Explosives

Site Admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:11:20 -0800

The First Casualty of the Christie Moratorium is Your Drinking Water Perchlorate found in 1 in 6 DEP sampled NJ water systems – thousands of NJ residents exposed to chemical linked to thyroid damage that can slow brain development in children. The saga over attempts to protect NJ’s drinking water from the chemical perchlorate continue – see [...]

A February Day at The Atlantic City Aquarium

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:54:13 -0800

With heavy snow still covering many parts of the Jersey Shore from a series of wicked winter storms, I tried to gladden my spirits from overlooking a predominantly lifeless landscape by heading down to Atlantic City. No, not to the casinos. Instead, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching up around 50 degrees, it was a beautiful day to go out and check out the Atlantic City Aquarium. Read more »

World's largest solar boat

urbananglernyc — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:19:38 -0800

Forget the sails and the petroleum. The catamaran yacht that Raphael Domjan plans to skipper has 5,382 square feet of solar panels. The boat -- named PlanetSolar -- was unveiled Thursday at the Knierim Yachtbau shipyard in Kiel, Germany...

Click here for more

River Herring in Peril- A Call to action

Paulyfish — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:42:35 -0800

I am in the process of developing a grass roots, volunteer effort and create a "Herring Lift" program along the mid Atlantic region, starting right here in NJ to help preserve what is left of the depleted river herring population. If you or an organization you work with is interested in helping out, please reach out to me ASAP.

The term “River herring” is actually used to describe two anadromous species, The Alewife and Blueback.

Read more »

DEP Creates Sham Process To Cover Legal Defects in Christie Orders

Site Admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:04:55 -0800

In a sham move, months after the fact, DEP just “reopened” the public comment period on the dozen (12) environmental rules blocked by the Christie Moratorium in Executive Order #1. But the sham “comment period” is not a public comment period at all! And it masks a blatantly illegal process overseen by the “Red Tape [...]

On the Eve of Destruction

Site Admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:52:41 -0800

Photo source – story link Read more »

Bob Martin Comes Out

Site Admin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:21:02 -0800

[Update: 3/2/10 - read Martin interview by Todd Bates/Kirk Moore of APP, plus more in depth blog coverage by Bates] We previously criticized DEP Commissioner nominee Bob Martin for failing to make a public statement of his vision for DEP and post his bio on the DEP website, as is traditional practice for incoming Commissioners. That statement [...]

Christie Regulatory Moratorium Blocks Major Environmental Protections

Site Admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:29:33 -0800

DEP Releases Targets – Mask now off the Christie environmental attack. This week, the Christie Administration took a quiet first step that cleared some of the smoke obscuring the impacts of the moratorium and Regulatory Czar created by Executive Oder #1, as well as the implications of the slogan of “common sense principles” mandated by Executive [...]

Something Is Rotten in the City of Paterson, NJ

Site Admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:21:46 -0800

[Update: 3/4/10 - DEP has revised the Paterson study and posted a new Final [...]

Opinion: Do Toxins Cause Autism

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Opinion: Do Toxins Cause Autism

Court Says Delaware River Dredging Can Start

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Court Says Delaware River Dredging Can Start

Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Hearings Focus on Costs of N.J. Sanctioned Cooling Towers

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Hearings Focus on Costs of N.J. Sanctioned Cooling Towers

DEP, DCA Nominees Speak to Mayors

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

DEP, DCA Nominees Speak to Mayors

Jobs, Fish Kills Concerns at Oyster Creek Hearing

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Jobs, Fish Kills Concerns at Oyster Creek Hearing

Rep. Pallone Tells N.J. Fishermen that Fisheries "Science is Broken"

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Rep. Pallone Tells N.J. Fishermen that Fisheries "Science is Broken"

Father of Environmental Justice Movement Speaks at Drew

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:02:31 -0800

Dr. Robert D. Bullard, of Clark Atlanta University, the man known as ”the father of the US environmental justice movement” spoke today at Drew University. Bullard pioneered mapping the relationships between race, income, and pollution. It only took NJ DEP 35 years to apply Dr. Bullard’s mapping methodology in NJ – see: “DEP Discovers Discrimination – Dumps [...]

Opinion: United We Fish, or United We Overfish?

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Opinion: United We Fish, or United We Overfish?

Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Faces Scrutiny at N.J. Hearing About Cooling Towers

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Faces Scrutiny at N.J. Hearing About Cooling Towers

Debate Opens on State Mandate for Oyster Creek Cooling Towers

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Debate Opens on State Mandate for Oyster Creek Cooling Towers

Delaware River Dredging Set to Begin

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Delaware River Dredging Set to Begin

Local Fishermen Head to Washington for Rally

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Local Fishermen Head to Washington for Rally

Court Orders DEP To Release Documents on Industry Lobbying on Science Board

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:50:37 -0800

[Update: Star Ledger story: N.J. DEP must release names of 108 candidates for Science Advisory Board - Prior SL coverage: NJ environmental groups fear science panels will be pro-development] Back in September, we filed a lawsuit against DEP under the NJ Open Public Records Act (OPRA). We were seeking to obtain documents that showed how [...]

“UNITED WE FISH”, OR UNITED WE OVERFISH?

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:34:40 -0800

What exactly are anglers marching for here?

Study: Warming to Bring Stronger Hurricanes

Site Admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Study: Warming to Bring Stronger Hurricanes

Opinion: Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Not Detrimental to Aquatic Life

Site Admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Opinion: Oyster Creek Nuclear Plant Not Detrimental to Aquatic Life

DEP Protecting Polluters, Not People

Site Admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:13:49 -0800

[Update: 3/4/10 - DEP has revised the Paterson study and posted a new Final [...]

Christie’s “Ministry of Truth” Running Away From DEP Transition Report

Site Admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:53:00 -0800

Today’s Bergen Record runs an important story on DEP and Christie Administration plans to weaken the so called chemical “vapor intrusion” requirements: “Don’t change indoor air testing in New Jersey, environmentalists say” Last month, we put out a national alert on this issue. In NJ, we broke the story, and we have written about that issue [...]

Bill Would Dedicate Funds to Island Beach State Park

Site Admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Bill Would Dedicate Funds to Island Beach State Park

Open Space Plan May Cost Cumberland $78,000

Site Admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Open Space Plan May Cost Cumberland $78,000

NJ Subsidizing Oil and Gas Pipelines That Cross State Lands

Site Admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:00:02 -0800

Today’s Assembly Environment Committee hearing on a A2232, a bill to dedicate $150,000 in Island Beach State Park revenues to certain purposes, provided an opportunity to talk about increasing revenues to State Parks simply by collecting money that is owned to the State. Amazingly, existing oil and gas pipeline and electric power-line easements across state lands [...]

Concerns grow about dolphins in Hackensack River

urbananglernyc — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:53:26 -0800

HACKENSACK -- People are raising concerns about a pod of dolphins that are swimming in a northern New Jersey river.

The 8 to 15 mammals were first spotted in the Hackensack River on Wednesday. They've been swimming near Hackensack, Teaneck and Bogota....

Click here for full story

Courtesy of NJ.com

Is This “State of the Art” In Air Pollution Control?

Site Admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:02:17 -0800

The NJ Business and Industry Association is pushing an Op-Ed whining about the costs of air pollution permits at DEP – and using this as a sham “horror story” argument to support Governor Christie’s efforts to rollback NJ’s strict environmental regulations. Kirschner whines: Permits are also far more expensive and difficult to obtain in New Jersey [...]

NJ Transit Will Offer a Shore Hearing on Fare Hikes

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

NJ Transit Will Offer a Shore Hearing on Fare Hikes

Opinion: New Jersey Cannot Afford a Rollback on Environmental Protections

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Opinion: New Jersey Cannot Afford a Rollback on Environmental Protections

West Long Branch's Franklin Lake Refilled After Dredging and Deepening

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

West Long Branch's Franklin Lake Refilled After Dredging and Deepening

Bills Would Ban Smoking on Beaches in New Jersey

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Bills Would Ban Smoking on Beaches in New Jersey

EPA and Newark Mayor Booker Promote Recovery Act Funded Brownfields Redevelopment

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:28:43 -0800

Today I took a trip up to Newark to attend an EPA press conference with Newark Mayor Cory Booker. EPA held the event at City Hall to talk about progress on the first anniversary of the Economic Recovery Act (see EPA press release below). I really should have known from the EPA press advisory that “formal [...]

TOXIC: Garbage Island

urbananglernyc — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:05:42 -0800

Brooklyn, New York (VBS.TV) -- Back in the mid-zeroes, I remember reading a lot of stories about a buildup of trash in the Pacific Ocean so massive that it had formed a floating island of waste the size of Texas. Its colorful nickname was the Great Eastern Garbage Patch, and what was even more mind-boggling than the purported scale was that pretty much the only places you could dig up any substantial info about it were in minor oceanographic and environmental publications. .... Read more »

Too Harsh for the Op-Ed Page

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:55:36 -0800

Below is a proposed Op-Ed I submitted to all the major newspapers in NJ – it was a reply to an Op-Ed they published by NJBIA supporting the Christie environmental rollbacks. There was no interest in running it, so I guess they like to hear from the same voice they publish in their news stories – [...]

Press Release: Assembly Environment Committee to Consider Measures to Preserve Island Beach State Park Revenues, Extend Water Q

Site Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Press Release: Assembly Environment Committee to Consider Measures to Preserve Island Beach State Park Revenues, Extend Water Quality and Wastewater Management Deadlines

N.J. Transit Union Leader Warns of Fare Hikes up to 30%, Service Cuts, Employee Furloughs

Site Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

N.J. Transit Union Leader Warns of Fare Hikes up to 30%, Service Cuts, Employee Furloughs

U.S. Increases Black Sea Bass Quota by 60 Percent

Site Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

U.S. Increases Black Sea Bass Quota by 60 Percent

Stafford Township's Fertilizer Regulations Draw National Interest

Site Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Stafford Township's Fertilizer Regulations Draw National Interest

Shark Fishing Season in Jeopardy

Site Admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Shark Fishing Season in Jeopardy

New Jersey Out of Compliance on Sharks

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

New Jersey Out of Compliance on Sharks

Groups: Oyster Creek Must Safeguard Fish

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Groups: Oyster Creek Must Safeguard Fish

Takanassee Beach Club Relocation Plans at a Standstill

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Takanassee Beach Club Relocation Plans at a Standstill

Recreational Fishermen, Party Boat Captains to Join D.C. Protest

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Recreational Fishermen, Party Boat Captains to Join D.C. Protest

Volunteers Work to Make Margate Causeway Turtle Friendly

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Volunteers Work to Make Margate Causeway Turtle Friendly

Rock Salt Threatens New Jersey Waterways After Onslaught of Snow and Ice

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Rock Salt Threatens New Jersey Waterways After Onslaught of Snow and Ice

What Ever Became of EPA Newark Air Toxics Study?

Site Admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:37:35 -0800

How Does Newark’s Air Quality and Community Health Compare to Paterson? The Bergen Record recently reported on a controversial $740,0000 EPA funded study of toxic air pollutants in Paterson NJ (see Paterson air study raises questions and City’s air may raise cancer risk). Paterson residents were alarmed to learn that according to NJ DEP, Paterson has “toxic [...]

El Niño and The Jersey Shore

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:52:41 -0800

February 7, 2010. It didn't take long for winter to return to the Jersey Shore. It was just a few weeks ago I could almost feel winter lose its grip on Sandy Hook Bay. There was a mild mid-winter thaw and a few days of near record warmth with highs in the 50s. Then just as if someone had turned on a switch. Wham! Winter is back.\ Read more »

Hal Bozarth and Dave Pringle – perfect together!

Site Admin — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:37:11 -0800

Bloggers are often criticized as parasites on the mainstream media (some in the newspaper business even blame the internet for the demise of the industry), so I try to produce original content and generally avoid writing about or criticizing stories that run in the mainstream press. Seeking a wider audience, instead, I try to get the [...]

2009 NWF Photo Contest a slideshow of finalists from our 39th annual contest

urbananglernyc — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:27:50 -0800

Click here for 60 amazing photos!

Christie Environmental Rollbacks Echo Whitman’s Failed Policy

Site Admin — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:58:00 -0800

The past is a remarkable thing. And you know the trite saying about those who fail to learn the lessons of history. Well, a brief look back shows how Governor Christie is duplicating - almost verbatim – the failed environmental policies of Governor Whitman. Ironically, as we document in detail below, Whitman herself conceded that failure in [...]

Questions for EPA Tweets

Site Admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 07:09:42 -0800

[Update: EPA reply below] The Bergen Record reports today that EPA is using twitter and facebook to interact with residents of Pompton Lakes on the Dupont site. (and see this). I don’t want EPA tweets. I want EPA enforcement actions, financial resources, and strict oversight of NJ DEP. So, I thought I’d test that EPA commitment to social [...]

Opinion: An Environmental 'To Do' List for Christie

Site Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Opinion: An Environmental 'To Do' List for Christie

N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Nominee Outlines Plans for Embattled Agency

Site Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Nominee Outlines Plans for Embattled Agency

Opinion: Why do Environmental Regulators Soft-Pedal Truly Disturbing Findings?

Site Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Opinion: Why do Environmental Regulators Soft-Pedal Truly Disturbing Findings?

Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel Gives Christie's Environmental Funding Cuts an Icy Reception

Site Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel Gives Christie's Environmental Funding Cuts an Icy Reception

Those were the days, my friend

Site Admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:40:58 -0800

Those were the days, my friend We thought they’d never end We’d sing and dance forever and a day We’d live the life we choose We’d fight and never lose For we were young and sure to have our way [shmaltzy Russian gypsy song popularized by Mary Hopkins in late 1968] [Update: 2/12/10 - "Upset" my ass. Don't be fooled by [...]

FEMA Says No Free Beach for Towns on Delaware Bay

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

FEMA Says No Free Beach for Towns on Delaware Bay

Group Opposes Waretown Bid for Department of Environmental Protection Exemption

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Group Opposes Waretown Bid for Department of Environmental Protection Exemption

N.J. Legislature Revives Controversial Bill Delaying Water Quality Rules

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

N.J. Legislature Revives Controversial Bill Delaying Water Quality Rules

Dismantle the N.J. DEP? Christie Camp Has Environmentalists Worried

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Dismantle the N.J. DEP? Christie Camp Has Environmentalists Worried Read more »

New Head of NOAA Fisheries Division Named

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

New Head of NOAA Fisheries Division Named

DEP Guts Science on Cumulative Cancer Risks in Paterson NJ

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:33:11 -0800

Today’s Bergen Record reports gross scientific misconduct by political officials in the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) see: Paterson Air Study Raises Questions: But the report fails to include a more alarming assessment of the combined cancer risk of all the airborne chemicals that had been part of an earlier draft of the report — [...]

Christie Abuses Power Again – Declares War on Poor

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:43:26 -0800

[Update #1: excellent coverage by NJNewsroom.com] [Update #2: 2/11/10 - another view: Paul Mulshine is a wingnut] Continuing in the same legal fashion as his arrogant War on the Environment via Executive Order fiat, NJ Governor Christie issued another Executive Order declaring a war on the poor, opening another front in his power hungry radical right wing [...]

Was 2009 the year for renewables in NJ?

Site Admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:00:13 -0800

A lot has happen since I wrote Renewables and Land Use Law in 2008. 2009 may be one of the best years for renewable energy in New Jersey. Several laws were passed 2009-2010 in NJ that help move the acceptance and adoption of renewable energy in NJ. There were two very significant bills. The first modifies [...]

DEP Holds Private Briefing with Mayor Today on Paterson Air Study

Site Admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:19 -0800

[Update #1: the Final Report and Citizens' guide were just posted to DEP website - I update important FINDINGS/DELETIONS] [Update#2 - Mayor's response below - IMPORTANT CORRECTIONS NOTED Having been caught with their pants down, in response to yesterday's leak of a "communications" strategy and "messaging" campaign (see this), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) canceled Wednesday's [...]

Editorial: Don't Ease Rules on Environment

Site Admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Editorial: Don't Ease Rules on Environment

DEP Spinning Paterson Air Pollution Study to Downplay Health Risks

Site Admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:13:06 -0800

The Paterson air toxics study saga is nearly over. For recent context, please see: DEP Suppressing Study That Shows Breathing Air in Paterson is Hazardous to Your Health DEP Finds Unusual Toxic Chemical in Air in Chester EJAC 2009 Report: Strategies for Addressing Cumulative Impacts in Environmental Justice Communities-March 2009 Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello’s July 2009 Response to the [...]

Christie DEP Nominee Bob “I’m No Greenie” Martin Speaks

Site Admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:01:06 -0800

Martin Brags: “I’m No Greenie” – Retired corporate executive has zero environmental experience but supports cost/benefit analysis, “regulatory relief“, and “customer friendly” “culture” change at DEP For the handful of political/media junkies and environmental zealots out there who would rather read the news than party on Superbowl Sunday, the Star Ledger reports today that Christie’s nominee [...]

Send Your Baby To the Hook In 2010

Joe Reynolds — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:33:26 -0800

Choosing quality child care for a youngster is a difficult decision, especially if you want a young person to grow up to appreciate nature and the outdoors. A really good place should be one that is small and warm, where a child will not get lost or become just a number.

Let's face it, the first five years of a child's life are critical for her or his well-being. During these formative years, young children must be loved and nurtured, both in their social and physical environments. If these needs are met, children will grow up eager to explore and learn the natural environment. Read more »

Christie Regulatory Czar Given The Power and Tools To Rollback Environmental and Public Health Protections

Site Admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:54:44 -0800

In his first hour in Office, Governor Christie issued a series of sweeping Executive Orders. Although reported favorably in the press as a benign and policy neutral effort to impose a 90 day “time out” and form a “Red Tape Review Commission” to review State regulations to promote economic development, the Orders are not policy neutral [...]

A Pennsylvania “Green” Idea NJ Should Embrace

Site Admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:16:07 -0800

Discussion about economic competition with our Pennsylvania neighbors invariably devolves into the mindless corporate talking points: NJ must become more business friendly by cutting taxes and environmental regulations in order to compete. (See: “The Dystopia Conservatives Built”: Choosing life, by contrast, means doing what Colorado’s governor and state legislature are doing by temporarily suspending corporate tax [...]

LEMMINGS TO WASHINGTON, LINE FORMS TO THE RIGHT...

Paulyfish — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:39:13 -0800

There is a “United we fish” rally planned for the end of February and this is one fisherman that won’t be going on the trip. I find the entire premise of this event to be very misleading to sporting anglers like myself and the recreational angling community.
As stated by the organizers of this rally, Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the mission is to call out “against the unintended negative impacts of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Read more »

Despite Pompton Lakes Tragedy, DEP Weakened and Now Christie Considering Nixing “Vapor Intrusion” Requirements

Site Admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:22:25 -0800

Over 450 homes in Pompton Lakes NJ were poisoned by toxic chemical vapors from groundwater pollution from the Dupont site (see this and this on cancer cluster). The problem is known as “vapor intrusion” (VI) and it is a huge statewide issue at hundreds of toxic sites and old landfills (for examples: see this on [...]

MORE BAD NEWS FOR STRIPED BASS…

Site Admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:35:16 -0800

Well… I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. Yesterday, the ASMFC Striped Bass Management Board passed a motion by a narrow 8 to 7 margin to create an addendum to increase commercial harvest. Read more »

THE COVE has been nominationed for Best Doc Oscar!!

urbananglernyc — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:30:48 -0800

Film Synopsis

In a sleepy lagoon off the coast of Japan lies a shocking secret that a few desperate men will stop at nothing to keep hidden from the world. In Taiji, Japan, former dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry has come to set things right after a long search for redemption. Read more »

Poll: 79% of NJ Residents Oppose Relaxing Environmental Regulations

Site Admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:32:32 -0800

A Monmouth University/Gannett Poll released today found widespread public support for strong environmental regulations (See the press release and poll results and methodology by clicking here). The results are a strong rebuke of the Christie Administration’s early efforts to impose a freeze on regulations (see also Executive Order #1); scale back NJ’s strict state regulations to [...]

CONSERVATION LOOSES A CHAMPION

Site Admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:30:50 -0800

CCA Mourns Passing of Walter Fondren Visionary conservationist helped change the way marine resources are managed HOUSTON, TX – The conservation community lost one of its true visionaries with the passing of Coastal Conservation Association founder Walter W. Fondren III last week in Houston. A passionate conservationist, avid hunter and skilled fisherman, Fondren was a driving force [...]

Christie DEP Nominee Fails First Test: “No Comment” on Controversial Transition Report

Site Admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:31:17 -0800

[2/7/10 - See Update below] In his first test of leadership, independence, courage, and integrity, Bob Martin failed. Who the hell is Bob Martin, what did he fail, and why is that important? Good questions. Let’s take them one at a time. Bob Martin is Governor Christie’s nominee to be Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). [...]

"Clean Coal" Plant in NJ Fuels Pols' Ire

Site Admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

"Clean Coal" Plant in NJ Fuels Pols' Ire

Old Story of Pollution; New Urgency This Time

Site Admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Old Story of Pollution; New Urgency This Time

Environmental Toxins and Learning Disorders

Site Admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Environmental Toxins and Learning Disorders

N.J. Gov. Christie's Team Has Harsh Words About State's Environmental Department

Site Admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

N.J. Gov. Christie's Team Has Harsh Words About State's Environmental Department Read more »

NJ Fishermen Facing Potential Shutdown of Shark Fishing

Site Admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

NJ Fishermen Facing Potential Shutdown of Shark Fishing

Solar Power Industry in NJ Enjoys Sunny Days

Site Admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Solar Power Industry in NJ Enjoys Sunny Days

“Our town, and our way of life, and we are going to fight for it”

Site Admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:22:30 -0800

This is a wonderful story that I am glad is beginning to get the larger attention it deserves. It is a story that weaves history, local political activism, and people who care about their community. This place is special to me. When our kids were young, we built a new home in Hopewell. Because we sold [...]

Christie’s Message on Environment: “Do Less With Less”

Site Admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:27:16 -0800

[1/30/10 Update #1 below] [Update #2 - 1/31/10 Bergen Record follows my lead with a good story, but crappy headline: NJ Gov. Christie's transition team has harsh words about state's environmental department [Update #3 - 2/6/10: DEP rules under review, agency's fate uncertain - Slammed By Transition Report By TODD B. BATES • ENVIRONMENTAL WRITER • February [...]

New Jersey Fishermen to Protest in D.C.

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

New Jersey Fishermen to Protest in D.C.

Editorial: Gas Tax Hike is Best Solution for NJ's Transportation Problems

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Editorial: Gas Tax Hike is Best Solution for NJ's Transportation Problems

N.J. Preserved 332 Acres of Hiking, Natural, Agricultural Lands in Past Year

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

N.J. Preserved 332 Acres of Hiking, Natural, Agricultural Lands in Past Year

Decision to Slash Sea Scallop Quota Reversed

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Decision to Slash Sea Scallop Quota Reversed

Getting Urban Kids Into Nature

Joe Reynolds — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:49:55 -0800

As a boy growing up in the Barnegat Bay watershed region, I knew my local environment. I could tell you the best trees to climb, the best creeks to swim, seine, or catch a fish, the best trails to hike or ride a bike, and the best forests and fields to explore, wander, or just back lay back and dream. I knew my woods, water, and local fields. Read more »

Christie Environmental Policy Founded on Lies and Falsehoods

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:11:26 -0800

“A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing” ~~~ Oscar Wilde A review of Governor Christie’s Environmental Protection Transition Report reveals that his environmental policy is based on lies, exaggerations, and unsupported and/or flawed premises. Like a doctor misdiagnosing a disease, the cure is sure to do more harm than [...]

Officials Say Pompton Lakes Residents Can Choose Own Contractors

Site Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Officials Say Pompton Lakes Residents Can Choose Own Contractors

Linden Officials Approve $2.5M Deal for PurGen Coal-Fueled Power Plant

Site Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Linden Officials Approve $2.5M Deal for PurGen Coal-Fueled Power Plant

Judge Clears the Way for Delaware River Dredging

Site Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Judge Clears the Way for Delaware River Dredging

N.J. Environmental Groups Urge Gov. Christie to Expand Use of Renewable Energy

Site Admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

N.J. Environmental Groups Urge Gov. Christie to Expand Use of Renewable Energy

Dirty Dupont Deals Done Dirt Cheap: Democracy For Sale in Linden, NJ

Site Admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:49:03 -0800

Tonight, the Linden City Council voted to approve a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Dupont. The deal is designed to promote development of a new $5 billion 750 megawatt coal power plant at Dupont’s toxic waste site in Tremley Point on the Arthur Kill, known as “PurGen” (George Orwell couldn’t have thought up a better [...]

Editorial: Reschedule EPA Hearing

Site Admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:00:00 -0800

Editorial: Reschedule EPA Hearing Read more »

Dupont & DEP Hammered Again in Pompton Lakes – EPA Takes Charge

Site Admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:18:46 -0800

[Update 1/28/10]: minor victory for CCPL – see point #1 below. Bergen Record: Officials say Pompton Lakes residents can use own contractors Another packed hearing of hundreds of residents was held last night in Pompton Lakes NJ (see this for December hearing coverage on cancer cluster findings). For today’s Bergen Record coverage: Pompton Lakes cancer study [...] Read more »

Christie’s Authoritarian Shock Doctrine for NJ’s Environment

Site Admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:09:18 -0800

It was hard to miss the symbolism of the cannons and national guard troops at last week’s Inaugural for Governor Chris Christie. At a time when the US is at war in 4 countries across the globe and 11,000 US troops dispatched to Haiti are being criticized for militarizing a humanitarian rescue mission, it was a [...]

Shark Under the Verrazano Bridge in January???

urbananglernyc — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:03:35 -0800

January 19th under the Verrazano Bridge. Moving slow (maybe sick, surely lost) about 200 yards from shore. You can see a bit of the tail fin and almost make out a body shape.

By popular demand, a zoomed in view. No digital enhancement. That could very well be a ten foot shark, possibly a great white or tiger by the fin profile. Surely not a mammal.

Zoomed in a little m ore and then it was just gone. I waited about 10 minutes. Nothing.

I am not sure of anything. I know what I saw (and you see) and then did not see anymore. I do know what it looks like, though. No doubt. Read more »

Gov. Christie Needs to Keep Promise to Kill LNG

Joe Reynolds — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:06:37 -0800

As Chris Christie takes the oath of office to become New Jersey's 55th Governor, he now becomes front and center in the spotlight on all issues regarding the Garden State. One feature of New Jersey that I hope he will take very seriously is the Jersey Shore environment.

(We need to always fight to keep the Jersey Shore an exceptional place) Read more »

DEP Invokes Nixon’s Watergate Argument to Conceal Private Meetings

Site Admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:55:20 -0800

In an astonishing move, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection has asserted the same legal arguments made by Richard Nixon in his attempt to cover up the infamous Watergate tapes to deny a petition seeking transparency, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). PEER filed a petition to promote transparency at DEP by requiring that [...]

Christie off on the “Right” Foot – Executive Orders Attack Environmental Protections

Site Admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:35:29 -0800

[Update: 1/26/10: APP: Christie freezes state's nutrient and phosphorus standards for now] On his first full day in office, Governor Christie, as threatened, issued Executive Orders that, among other things, establish a moratorium on implementation of certain environmental rules under the pretext of stimulating the economy and forming a “red tape review” commission. We warned of exactly [...]

Christie Inaugural – Republicans Invade Trenton

Site Admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:18:28 -0800

Read more »

The Ludicrous Logic of “Cost-Benefit Bob Martin”

Site Admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:03:49 -0800

Sometimes the words and logic of politicians are so flawed and reveal such fact free and warped thinking, that I am taken aback – you could say it “shocks the conscience“. That sure occurred at the Wednesday January 13, 2010 press conference announcing Governor elect Christie’s nomination for DEP Commissioner, where nominee Bob Martin was shown [...]

FORAGE FISH 101

Paulyfish — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:25:19 -0800

Menhaden with mouth in feeding mode. Read more »

Today DEP Appoints New Science Board Stacked with NJ’s Largest Polluting Industry Representatives

Site Admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:09:33 -0800

According to leaked documents obtained by NJ PEER, in his last official act, today outgoing NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Mark Mauriello will announce appointments to the controversial Science Advisory Board (SAB) (appointments listed below). Former DEP Commissioner and current EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson created the SAB in response to Jackson’s controversial industry dominated Permit [...]

Burden Is On Christie’s DEP Nominee to Show Senate He’s Qualified

Site Admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:06:01 -0800

If confirmed, Martin would be the first DEP Commissioner with absolutely no academic, professional, or employment experience related to protecting the environment or public health. Martin’s privatization and finance experience could make the Corzine “assset monetization” sale of the Turnpike seem like a picnic. Incoming NJ Governor Chris Christie named Bob Martin as his nominee for [...]

DEP Suppressing Study That Shows Breathing Air in Paterson is Hazardous to Your Health

Site Admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:59:21 -0800

[Update: 1/14/10 Bergen Record coverage: City's Air May Raise Cancer Risk] In 2004, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) embarked on a study of urban air quality in Paterson, NJ. The City of Paterson was selected by DEP because it fits the classic textbook definition of an environmental injustice community. The DEP study compared the dirty air [...]

Christie Back-pedaling on “Commitment” to Oyster Creek Nuke Cooling Towers To Protect Barnegat Bay

Site Admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:03:50 -0800

Stealing a classic line from “Cool Hand Luke” (one of my favorite movies): what we’ve got here is failure to communicate. The situation is created by slimy politics by Governor elect Christie and enabled by cowardice and/or duplicity by the NJ Environmental Federation (NJEF). The policy issue at hand is whether DEP will require cooling towers to [...]

DEP Finds Unusual Toxic Chemical in Air in Chester

Site Admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 07:24:20 -0800

No man is an Iland intire of it selfe; every man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; …. any mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. ~~~~ John Donne (quoted in Hemingway) Most [...]

According to DEP: Real Estate Values Trump Public Right to Know About Risks From Nearby Toxic Sites

Site Admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:54:59 -0800

I thought I’d seen it all in Trenton, but, again, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just set a new low. I really shouldn’t be surprised – after all, nobody at DEP got fired for failing to tell parents – for over 14 weeks – that their toddlers were being poisoned by toxic mercury [...]

The Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park

Joe Reynolds — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:17:11 -0800

New Year's Day 2010 in Asbury Park. The high air temperature was mild reaching up into the mid 40s, but the Atlantic Ocean was bitter cold near the shore with temperatures at best in the upper 30s. Yet, for over a hundred people in Asbury Park, receiving an electrifying jolt from jumping into icy water was a perfect way to ring in 2010.

(The rush begins as who will be the first polar bear into the ocean) Read more »

How Do These People Sleep At Night?

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:03:38 -0800

I write about John Spinello, a member of Governor elect Christie’s Environmental Transition Team and a rumored candidate for NJ DEP Commissioner. On November 25, 2009 when Christie’s Team was announced, I wrote: I worked with John Spinello while he was at DEP (before he went to EPA with Christie Whitman) – he is highly competent, [...]

Brrrrr, Winter Birds Blow in Along the Jersey Shore

Joe Reynolds — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:01:58 -0800

As if to ring in the winter season, there was still about 15 inches of snow on the ground from the first snowstorm of the season. There was also a frigid wind blowing from the north and the air was bitterly cold. The windchill was 15°F and Sandy Hook Bay had that arctic appearance of water about to ice over.

Read more »

OBAMA’S “OCEAN POLICY TASK FORCE”

Site Admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:27:37 -0800

Is it a good thing for anglers? Back in June the Obama Administration called together an “Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force” to develop recommendations for a national ocean policy that ensures “the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources” and a framework for “coastal and marine spatial [...]

NJ declares wind and solar energy as inherently beneficial

Site Admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 07:48:32 -0800

Last month, the Governor finally signed legislation that decrees that wind turbines and solar panels are inherently beneficial under New Jersey’s land use laws. This is a step forward for wind energy in New Jersey. Up to now, in most cases if a person or business wanted to install a wind turbine in New Jersey they [...]

Worst Place in Jersey – What Meets Your “Dark Satanic Mill” standard?

Site Admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:03:04 -0800

And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England’s pleasant pastures seen? And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark Satanic mills? Bring me my bow of burning gold: Bring me my arrows of desire: Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold! Bring [...] Read more »

DEP Releases Global Warming Report Under Cover of Christmas

Site Admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:47:37 -0800

I had not planned to post anything other than landscape photographs until after the Holidays, but unfortunately DEP forced my hand. I just got the email – DEP finally released the long overdue Report mandated by the 2007 Global Warming Response Act (for an analysis of the GWRA, see this Star Ledger Op-Ed: “No Teeth in [...]

Glacier National Park

Site Admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:39:54 -0800

Read more »

“Letter to Santa Christie” is A Dangerous Betrayal

Site Admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:49:29 -0800

We all are familiar with the continuing public corruption scandals in NJ – perhaps not so familiar with far larger and more damaging private corporate corruption on Wall Street. To be honest, in this post-modern age of skepticism (some say cynicism) and low expectations (some would say disillusion), perhaps all that is no big surprise and [...]

EPA Proposed Global Warming Rule Would Protect Polluters by Locking in Loopholes

Site Admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:35:11 -0800

EPA recently proposed a new rule, known in beltway policy wonk circles as the “Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule” (Proposed Rule (PDF) purportedly to regulate major green house gas polluters, like coal power plants, refineries, and cement manufacturing. The EPA proposal is opposed by industry, supported by national environmental groups, and has won media praise. But instead of [...]

A Gathering of Northern Gannets Along Sandy Hook

Joe Reynolds — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 06:34:25 -0800

Like a switch was thrown, winter temperatures had finally arrived to the northern Jersey Shore. Despite a clear and sunny sky, cold weather really showed up towards the end of the week.

(An adult Northern Gannet flying over the Atlantic Ocean, near Sandy Hook) Read more »

EPA Releases “First Ever” National Lake Study – NJ Lakes Far Worse Off

Site Admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:51:25 -0800

In an attempt to generate a focus on the poor and declining ecological health of NJ’s lakes and the failure of DEP to use existing regulatory tools to protect and restore lake water quality, back in September, we wrote: Our Lakes are Dying – Ten Years After Critical EPA Audit, DEP Fails to Act. We [...]

Dupont & DEP Hammered by Angry Residents for Failure to Cleanup Toxic Nightmare Linked to Cancer Cluster

Site Admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:44:43 -0800

[Update: some cynical bastard in DHSS is trying hard to make it APPEAR that they are listening, but we are not fooled. Right click on this document "Vapor Intrusion Health Consultation" scroll down and click on "document properties" and note that the expanded area of investigation was in a document that was created 6 hours [...]

COMMENTS ON BLUEFIN ABUNDANCE

Site Admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:46:15 -0800

Reel-Time readers… I received the below response from a lifelong tuna fisherman. I thought they were particularly relevant to the CITES discussion taking place here and on other forums. The sender wishes to remain anonymous, but it’s certainly worth a read. “The plain fact is that the population is not healthy. A healthy population supports a spring [...]

Sarlo Shills for Banks and Builders (again)

Site Admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:21:59 -0800

We have an economic emergency in the housing sector – homeowners desperately need a moratorium on foreclosure; middle class people need affordable housing and access to credit; renters need relief; and the poor and homeless need basic public housing. But, instead of protecting homeowners and people, Senator Sarlo again shills for the economic interests of [...]

New Obama EPA Regional Administrator Plants a Flag in NJ

Site Admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:59:02 -0800

Enck’s high profile visit provides an early pushback to Christie’s campaign statements regarding EPA oversight. [Update #2 - click for NJN News coverage - starts at minute 17. RA Enck is asked key questions about NJ LSP program & Christie moratorium Courier/Home News Tribune: South Plainfield gets $30 million to clean up former industrial site [Update #1 below] [...]

As Millions Drink Dirty Water, No Change and No Accountability in Lisa Jackson’s EPA

Site Admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:40:50 -0800

“The same people who told us to ignore Safe Drinking Water Act violations are still running the divisions,” said one mid-level E.P.A. official. “There’s no accountability, and so nothing’s going to change.” New York Times December 7, 2009 [Update below] Charles Duhigg of The New York Times wrote another killer clean water story today: Millions in U.S. [...]

A Winter Beach Takes Shape Along the Shore

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:26:59 -0800

Even though for most folks winter does not officially begin until December 21st, something else connected to winter weather occurred last Tuesday. The first day of December marked the beginning of what many weather folks call "Meteorological Winter." This is another kind of winter that is not related to astronomical winter, which is based on the position of the Earth in its orbit around the sun. Meteorological winter, on the other hand, is based on the three month period of December, January, and February. Read more »

DEP Discovers Discrimination – Dumps Environmental Justice Issue in Christie’s Lap

Site Admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:33:38 -0800

DEP’s own data confirm longstanding claims made by environmental justice advocates. [Update below] On Wednesday December 2, 2009, something remarkable and historic happened in Trenton, NJ at the meeting of the NJ Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Although it surprised not a single environmental justice advocate in the room (no one even mumbled a Claude Raines [...]

25 Years After Bhopal Chemical Disaster: NJ’s “Fatal Fifteen” Shows it Can Happen Here

Site Admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:11:42 -0800

Last Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal India chemical disaster, where more than 4,000 people were immediately killed by accidental release of a toxic gas (methyl isocyanate) from a Union Carbide chemical plant. Perhaps 10,000 more people died within 3 days, while thousands more were poisoned and suffered greatly. The Bhopal disaster was not [...]

Lame Duck LSP bill shines light on flaws in privatization

Site Admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:58:57 -0800

Warning: this is a long and rambling complex post, so you may want to hit the delete button right now. What it boils down to is this: Would you promise not to sue your doctor based only on his/her certification that he/she did a good job? Of course not. Would a town promise not to sue [...]

FOR BLUEFIN TUNA, WE NEED STRONG LEADERSHIP

Site Admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:47:23 -0800

It’s time for the US to have some balls and fully support a trade ban Bluefin are screwed. I hate to be blunt, but that’s the case with these fish, plain and simple. The eastern stock has declined by almost 75% since the 60s, and the “western stock”, has plunged by 83%. And it’s undoubtedly because [...]

Jim Hansen Takes on NRDC and Bank of America

Site Admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:34:27 -0800

“Cap and trade with offsets would guarantee that we pass climate tipping points, locking in climate disasters for our children. Cap and trade benefits only Wall Street and polluters, sacrificing humanity and nature for their profits.” Dr. Jim Hansen Will the media and policy makers finally wake up and pay attention after the world’s leading global [...]

Mid Atlantic Regional Council on the Oceans

bensonchiles — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:50:25 -0800

Stakeholders from the five states involved in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Oceans (MARCO) will meet next week in New York to discuss priority concerns for the ocean.

MARCO has identified four major areas of focus--habitat protection, water quality, renewable offshore energy, and climate change. These topics are critical to the future of the Mid-Atlantic marine environment and the organizers of this effort deserve praise for their efforts. Read more »

A Redback Visits The Backyard On Thanksgiving

Joe Reynolds — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:51:03 -0800

It was Thanksgiving "Gobble" day. The beginning of winter was less than a month away, but you couldn't tell that by the weather. It was balmy!

With high temperatures into the upper 50s to lower 60s, it was difficult to believe that it was the last Thursday in November. Average high temperatures for the end of November are normally into the upper 40s to lower 50s. Yet, a warm wind from the south was pushing temperatures up about 10 degrees warmer than usual. No complaints from me, but the weather seemed all wrong for this late in the season. Read more »

Beyond Talk – Global Day of Action for Climate Justice

Site Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:44:14 -0800

If you can make it into Manhattan tomorrow, turn out to this event at noon, at 16th and 5th Avenue NOVEMBER 30th – Global Day of Action for Climate Justice Countdown to N30: Actions for Climate Justice are Just 3 Days Away! The goal of our participation in the MCJ is to send a warning shot [...]

Passing The Straight Face Test

Site Admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:40:49 -0800

Senator Van Drew (D-Cape May) recently introduced legislation S3012 to promote wind power by easing current DEP coastal set back rules: This bill allows construction of wind dependent energy facilities within 500 feet of the mean high water line of tidal waters pursuant to the “Coastal Area Facility Review Act,”(CAFRA) provided all other requirements of law, [...]

New Jersey’s Steeples – Reaching Toward The Divine?

Site Admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:24:30 -0800

[Source: Wikipedia] Steeple (architecture) A steeple, in architecture, is a tall tower on a building, often topped by a spire. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religious structure. They may be stand-alone structures, or incorporated into the entrance or center of the building. Architectural Steeples generally serve [...]

NJ’s Oyster Creek Poster Child for “Zombie Nuke Plants”

Site Admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:44:35 -0800

In a critically important article aptly titled “Zombie Nuke Plants“, The Nation magazine – spurred by recent radioactive leaks from the Three Mile Island plant – is focusing national attention and catalyzing a debate on the risks from aging nuclear power plants. And NJ’s own Oyster Creek is the poster child for the problem: Oyster Creek Generating [...]

Token “environmentalist” appointed to Christie Transition Team

Site Admin — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:44:10 -0800

[12/5/09 update: Mixed reviews for Christie environmental group Yesterday, we were disappointed but not surprised by the NJ Environmental Federation’s press remarks. NJEF joined the chemical industry, NJ Builders Association, and business groups in supporting Governor elect Chris Christie’s controversial proposed moratorium on state regulations and state mandates. Dave Pringle of NJEF seems to fail to [...]

Environmental Federation Joins Chemical Industry, Builders, & Business Groups in Support of Christie Rule Moratorium

Site Admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:21:17 -0800

It is no secret that the NJ Environmental Federation (NJEF) endorsement of Chris Christie prompted harsh criticism by environmentalists. It is also no secret that, during the campaign Christie sent some extremely disturbing signals about his environmental policy. Since the election, Christie’ two most concrete acts of concern are an early betrayal of his promise to require [...]

The Case For Government Regulation

Site Admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:37:47 -0800

Last night, I watched (and strongly recommend) C-SPAN’s tape of former NY Governor Eliot Spitzer’s address at Harvard, “On Government and the Market Economy” (Spitzer’s suggested title, which I like better than CSPAN’s, was: “From Ayn Rand to Ken Feinberg: How Quickly the Paradigm Shifts“). Spitzer spoke about 3 things: 1) parameters and principles to justify government [...]

“A Law Without Enforcement Has Little Meaning”

Site Admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:03 -0800

“A law without enforcement has little meaning.” Although I strongly agree with them, those words are not mine, but ironically come from a property rights radical and ardent opponent of the NJ Highlands Act named Debra Post. But Post does not spout the irrelevant ramblings of a radical right wing disgruntled landowner – she was published today [...]

Christie Governing: “By Invitation Only”

Site Admin — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:09:17 -0800

We have been closely following and writing in depth about the Christie transition process, particularly the threats to the environment posed by a planned moratorium on regulations (see this post and this and this and this) But a well crafted quote can often better portray what’s going on than thousands of words of analysis – especially [...]

Checking the Foundations

Site Admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:16:06 -0800

My mother’s father was named Charles Peacox (seated on left above – location and date of this WWI photo are unknown). Growing up, my mom always told me that character skipped a generation, and that I was just like her father. I never knew what that meant, but as a kid, I was always vaguely [...] Read more »

Wild Waves Slam the Jersey Shore

Joe Reynolds — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:02:30 -0800

Night fell last Tuesday and I could sense this was going to be a terrible storm. Local commercial fishermen were securing their traps and boats extra tight that night, while many recreational boaters were quietly hauling their boats ashore. Everyone was preparing to ride out another autumn nor'easter, the third storm in less than a month after two back-to-back nor'easters pounded beaches in October. Read more »

Another Emergency Declaration Along the Shore

Site Admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:54:45 -0800

[11/17/09 update - photo's below] In light of another coastal storm damage state of emergency declared by Governor Corzine in the wake of the most recent nor’easter, we repost what we issued on September 25, 2006: But first, here are warnings from DEP’s Coastal Assessment Report to the federal government – warnings that have been long ignored: Many [...]

Live Earth – A Retrospective

Site Admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:54:41 -0800

“Partnerships with organizations like members of Waterkeeper Alliance allow us to leverage the abilities of these public interest organizations with the abilities of government and individuals. I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship as we work together to protect New Jersey’s environment for future generations.” Jon Corzine Fall 2007 Waterkeeper Magazine www.waterkeeper.org Readers of [...]

Christie Transition Team seeks “horror stories” to push environmental rollbacks

Site Admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:25:04 -0800

[Update: 11/15/09 - the drumbeat continues, unanswered by environmentalists. Does this steamroller have enough momentum yet? "Several Morris County Republicans talked about an opportunity to be part of making changes in the state, such as streamlining environmental regulations to spur development and working on government efficiency issues." See: Daily Record story] Here we go again. The Republican-business community [...]

One Heck of a Nor Eastah

Paulyfish — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:21:58 -0800

I couldn't resist taking a ride this evening at High tide to take a look at the beach. I started in Spring Lake and worked my way north thru Belmar. Ocean ave in Spring lake was a real mess. It looked more like it does during a snow storm, except it was all sand. Sand piled up along the roadway and then covering the road itself. Read more »

Green House gas emissions continue to rise – NJ’s control efforts a sham

Site Admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:41:41 -0800

A new national report by Environment America Too-Much-Pollution-Report-11.12.09.pdf shows that US emissions of green house gas continue to rise. The study analyzed only carbon dioxide emissions, a key global warming pollutant, for the periods 1990-2004 and 2004-2007. This Report calls into question whether current efforts to reduce emissions are serious – because they clearly are [...]

Christie Transition Team – MIA on the Environment

Site Admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:12:02 -0800

[Update: 11/15/09 - please disregard any inference of bias or conflict of interest on the part of John Weingart, he just announced he is stepping down as Highlands Council Chair] We have been following developments in the Christie administration, in hopes of promoting environmental interests and holding the administration accountable to its campaign pledges and environmental [...]

BILL INTRODUCED TO REPEAL NY SALTWATER LICENSE

Site Admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:53:09 -0800

Sen. Foley (D-Brookhaven) has introduced S6250, a bill that would repeal NY’s new salt water fishing license and replace it with something that is disingenuously being called a “free” angler registration. (Here’s a link to the legislation if you’d like to take a look yourself: http://open.nysenate.gov/openleg/api/html/bill/S6250). Of course nothing in government is really free. If [...]

Sandy Hook is a Weird & Creepy Park

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:29:19 -0800

It was a mid-autumn weekend along the Jersey Shore. The coast had an easygoing look of early November. Autumn leaf colors were past peak, more trees were leafless, and water temperatures in Sandy Hook Bay were in the 50s and even in the upper 40s within some shallow areas - chilly enough to finally put away the bathing suits and water-shoes. Read more »

A Halloween Visit to Sandy Hook Lighthouse

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:28:16 -0800

For many fans of the Halloween holiday, last Saturday was spent in masks and colorful costumes at parades, parties, or going door to door seeking out tricks or treats. Yet, for me, I had my own ritual to appreciate. Read more »

Over The Brink of Irrelevance

Site Admin — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:33:22 -0800

In the midst of the Clinton era’s “third way” political accommodation, in 1995 award winning journalist Mark Dowie wrote a tragically prescient book “Losing Ground – American Environmentalism at the Close of the Twentieth Century”. It was a devastatingly honest and critical analysis of the ineffectiveness of national environmental groups. It was written as a warning [...]

Did Christie Quick Pitch – Or Balk?

Site Admin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:23:26 -0800

This year’s superb World Series saw at least 3 episodes of the “quick pitch” (none ruled a balk, and each one perceptively detected by Tim McCarver, a former catcher and the best announcer in baseball). For those non fans out there, a quick pitch is just like its name implies. The pitcher throws before the batter [...]

Christie Proposes Moratorium on Regulations – Signals Major Threat To Environment

Site Admin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:42:28 -0800

(with 2 updates below) I knew we were in for a battle over environmental regulations, but this is ridiculous (see: “Cutting Onerous Regulations“) Just hours after the polls closed, Governor elect Chris Christie told the New York Times that he would impose a moratorium on new regulations: “Governor-elect Christopher J. Christie of New Jersey, basking in [...]

“Cutting Onerous Regulations”

Site Admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:11:59 -0800

[Update 11/5/09: lede of today’s NY Times story: Governor-elect Christopher J. Christie of New Jersey, … said Wednesday that he would move quickly to suspend new regulations on business I just listened to Governor Elect Chris Christie’s victory speech, where he pledged to “turn Trenton upside down” and, among other things, focus on “cutting onerous regulations“. As I [...]

STRIPED BASS ROLLOVER PROPOSAL DEFEATED!

Site Admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:19:27 -0800

ASFMC Denies Increase in Commercial Striped Bass Harvest Anglers rally to defeat proposal for commercial sector to kill more fish Coastal Conservation Association commends the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) for denying a proposal to increase the commercial harvest of striped bass at its meeting this week in Newport, Rhode Island. The proposal would have allowed [...]

Pigs in Linden, NJ

Site Admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:45:46 -0800

Beasts of England, beasts of Ireland, Beasts of every land and clime, Hearken to my joyful tidings Of the golden future time. ~~~~ George Orwell This is a metaphorical and yet literal story about pigs – we’ll let the reader discern metaphor from fact – noun from verb. Pigs were the “state of the art” in garbage disposal in 1930. [...]

A Fracking Shame

Site Admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:21:48 -0800

Twenty five (25) years ago, as a graduate student at Cornell, my master’s thesis topic was titled: “Local Land Use Controls to Protect Groundwater Resources“. I applied that topic in Big Flats, NY, a portion of NY State’s southern tier border with Pennsylvania. (full disclosure: thesis never completed or approved, due to events beyond my [...]

Dupont Playing Inside Games at EPA

Site Admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:56:25 -0800

Not surprisingly, Dupont is pressuring EPA scientist who are developing federal drinking water standards for PFOA. Dupont specifically targets the work of NJ DEP in setting a low 0.04 ppb guidance value as it proceeds to develop a State drinking water standard (MCL). Dupont also appears to threaten to renege on their commitment and meet their legal [...]

NJ’s Open Space in Jeopardy

Site Admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:07:59 -0700

On November 3rd we all get a choice on whether we will preserve NJ or not. On November 3rd we get to vote in favor of preserving open spaces, farmland and historic sites. We get to vote yes to ballot question #1. I have a guest post on the Green Jersey blog on why we all [...]

Happy Hallo-Weenie – From Dirty Coal

Site Admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:19:46 -0700

Why are national “environmental groups” supporting new coal power plants and so called “clean coal technology”? I refer to Senate testimony yesterday by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in support of the so called “clean coal technology” incentives in the Kerry Senate global warming bill: Here’s the testimony of NRDC: “If we decide [...]

EPA School Air Toxics Data Misleading

Site Admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:16:22 -0700

EPA today released interim air toxics monitoring results at two NJ schools participating in a new national program that is monitoring air quality around 63 schools in 22 states.The new EPA program was a response to major investigative reports by the Houston Chronicle (”In Harm’s Way”) and USA Today (”Toxic Air and America’s Schools”) [...] Read more »

Blimey! Watching Wild Dolphins Near Cape May

Joe Reynolds — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:23:11 -0700

It was the day after the departure of mid-October’s twin nor’easters, which flooded many coastal roads and bridges, roiled the surf, and eroded the coastline of the Jersey Shore. Although the pair of wicked storms were long gone, their earlier impacts could still be seen along much of the coast from discarded roadway flooded signs, narrower beaches, and fallen tree limbs. Read more »

If There Is a God, Thank Her for Chris Hedges

Site Admin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:35:04 -0700

Chris Hedges is a writer – his books and columns probe decadence, war, fascism, and cynicism and devastate the moral conscience. He writes a weekly column that appears on Monday’s at Truthdig.com Below is today’s superb column (printed in its entirety without permission, but I doubt he’ll sue me for it). Thank [...]

A New Green Deal for the People of Linden

Site Admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:08:41 -0700

The people of Linden gained a major victory last week in City Council’s rejection of a proposed redevelopment deal for the toxic Dupont site along the Arthur Kill. The deal called for construction of a $5 billion coal power plant known as “PurGen”. Community activists and environmental groups formed a coalition – “Stop Purgen“- that mobilized [...]

It’s A Beautiful Day – Don’t Let It Slip Away

Site Admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:33:57 -0700

It’s A Beautiful Day – Don’t Let It Slip Away

DEP Denies Access To Former Corzine Aide Lobbying Records

Site Admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:27:40 -0700

In another in a series of efforts to mask political intervention and frustrate public oversight and accountability, yesterday DEP denied an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request. This follows a recent OPRA lawsuit filed to force DEP to disclose similar records (see Star Ledger: N.J. environment group claims DEP denial of records request violated state law The OPRA request sought [...]

Republicans Want to Eliminate DEP

Site Admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:34:20 -0700

According to the Press of Atlantic City today, Republican challengers in the Assembly 1st District (Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic) want to eliminate the DEP. Let me repeat that – political candidates for the NJ Assembly want to eliminate DEP. Republican candidates Mike Donohue and John McCann are on the outside looking in, and they do not like what they see. They say the [...]

A Pair of Nor’easters Swamps the Jersey Shore

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:32:02 -0700

The cold temperatures, rain, drizzle, and gale force winds arrived late Thursday evening. Once it began, it did not stop until late Sunday evening. For more than 72 hours, a pair of nor’easters, the first of the season, pounded the Jersey Shore with occasional heavy downpours and winds gusting to 35 mph. Read more »

Daggett is No White Hat on The Environment

Site Admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:03:20 -0700

The business community’s news outlet NJBIZ, is running a story today on Chris Daggett’s environmental credentials. In the course of doing so, they predictably stress a business perspective and repeat certain myths about DEP and the economy. In our view, this puts Daggett in a negative light and provides an opportunity for me to rehash a critique of Daggett’s role as Chair of former DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson’s controversial “Permit Efficiency [...]

NJ’s Endangered and Non-game Species Conservation Act

Site Admin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:19:11 -0700

Recently, a builders association petitioned New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to remove the northern pine snake from the threatened species list under NJ Threatened and Non-game Species Conservation Act. Hopefully, in the future, I will look at the actual merits of the petition, but I wanted to take this chance to explain NJ’s endangered [...]

DEP Will Delist Threatened Cooper’s Hawk to Promote Development

Site Admin — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:57:02 -0700

At the recent NJ Business and Industry Association panel discussion, DEP Commissioner Mauriello made a commitment that DEP would soon propose rules to delist the Cooper’s hawk as a State threatened species. The move would not only eliminate protections for the hawk, but allow development of untold acres of currently protected forested breeding, nesting, and foraging habitat. Maurillo’s announcement was made in response (and clearly appeared to be a concession) to [...]

How to Blow The Moment on Clean Water

Site Admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:35:02 -0700

In the wake of an outstanding major NY Times series expose of Clean Water Act failures, Congress began oversight hearings today (see House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure backgrounder) These hearings provide clean water advocates a golden moment to talk about failures of EPA enforcement and to propose strong reforms to set a high bar for the Obama EPA and Democratic [...]

Who is He Working For? Door Revolves at DEP

Site Admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:12:18 -0700

Apologies for the poor quality of the photo, but it was the only one I had of Adam Zellner, a political player in NJ democratic party circles, and most recently Governor Jon Corzine’s policy advisor (for the story on Zellner, see: ‘Jersey guy’ is Gov. Corzine’s new policy counsel According to the Governor’s Office: Adam Zellner was appointed policy director in January 2008. He came to the [...]

“This is Not A Trail”

Site Admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:42:36 -0700

“I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence:two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken“ The boulders, trails, trees and sky of Sourland Mountain Preserve, East Amwell, NJ Read more »

New Toxic Daycare Exposes Loopholes in Corzine Reforms

Site Admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:21:26 -0700

Symbolically illustrating the importance of the issue, the very first piece of legislation Governor Jon Corzine signed in the year 2007, was the so called “Kiddie Kollege” law (P.L. 2007, Chapter 1.). To much fanfare, in a January 11, 2007 press release, Corzine proclaimed: GOVERNOR CORZINE SIGNS LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AT SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS TRENTON - [...]

Another Toxic Day Care Center Shocks Parents – media duped again

Site Admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:58:33 -0700

Imagine the anguish of being told your child was exposed to cancer causing industrial chemicals while at daycare. Our kids went to daycare, so I understand a parent’s concerns and fears – but our worst health fear for our kids was contraction of pink eye. Yet, almost 3 years to the day after the tragic Kiddie Kollege episode where 60 toddlers [...]

Young Sanderlings found along the Jersey Shore

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:59:13 -0700

The feel of autumn started a few weekends ago for me. After a dreary day of rain and wind, the following morning dawned with sun and turned into a glorious early autumn day. With the sun shining brightly, a gentle breeze out of the north, and a late morning low tide, I was eager to get out and explore the sea beach of Sandy Hook. Read more »

The Wind Does Not Justify The Means

Site Admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:41:38 -0700

DEP Commissioner Complains About Political Pressure from the “Front Office” I support wind power, but will not sit idly by and watch as wind lobbyists dictate DEP policy and permit decisions. And we are not fooled by cynical PR stunts by the Governor to create a false appearance of reform – see Corzine Executive Oder #148. We have been writing a lot about undue and improper political pressure on DEP (for example, see: [...]

Dupont Faces Class Action Lawsuit on Toxic PFOA Pollution – US District Court Rules in Favor of Plant Neighbors

Site Admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:30:56 -0700

[Update: 10/11/09] This is pathetic. Corporate giant Dupont, operating one of the largest chemical plants in the world, pollutes its home town water supply. Neighbors launch a class action lawsuit and win a huge early decision. And all the local paper can do is muster a tiny box story?Seems to be a news blackout in the rest of NJ. No wonder things are [...]

More Clean Water Rollbacks on the Horizon at DEP

Site Admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:24:56 -0700

We wrote about yesterday’s NJ Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) panel discussion here. Among many other problems illustrated by this event, I was especially disturbed by DEP Commissioner Mauriello’s remarks about the new Science Advisory Board (SAB), the DEP’s proposed rollback of phosphorus standards, and implementation of major federal Clean Water Act cleanup requirements know as the “Total Maximum Daily [...]

STRIPED BASS ROLLOVERS… ANOTHER BAD IDEA…

Site Admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:14:24 -0700

Addendum II will comprise yet another small but real drain on striped bass Today is 10/8… It’s 5:00PM and I’m on a train home from the Striped Bass Advisory Panel (AP) meeting. I have to mention that I’ve been awake since 3:00AM and I’m running purely on caffeine at the moment so please excuse the likely [...]

STRIPED BASS ROLLOVERS… ANOTHER BAD IDEA…

Site Admin — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:12:13 -0700

Business Leaders Grill DEP Commissioner and Key Legislators

Site Admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:26:16 -0700

[Update: There were about 30 empty seats in the back and there weren't many builder types at the NJBIA event. Chris Christie had a NJ Builders Assc. event the same day. I wonder what Christie promised the Builders? Were those empty seats builders? Or did the entire corporate crowd just migrate from the NJBIA breakfast [...]

This Is Why We Need Transparency at DEP

Site Admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:21:12 -0700

Last week, we got a tip, and managed to catch chemical industry lobbyists red handed as they signed in to meet with DEP Commissioner Mauriello. That really pissed Mauriello off, so we just got another tip that to prevent future embarrassing leaks, DEP just stopped the longstanding practice of distributing the Commissioner’s daily schedule to his Management Team and senior staff. Well, we suggest Mauriello should stop hunkering down like [...]

Christie’s Environmental Agenda Would Be A Disaster for New Jersey

Site Admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:25:22 -0700

I just read the NJEF press release endorsing Republican Chris Christie for Governor. Needless to say, I was surprised. Based on Christie’s prior controversial proposals to slash DEP budgets even further and remove natural resource programs from DEP, I had assumed that Christie was not realistically seeking environmental group endorsements. So to get a little understanding, I just went to the Christie website, watched the 1 1/2 minute Christie video, and read [...]

Sandy Hook National Park: Much Work Still To Do

Joe Reynolds — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:46:38 -0700

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools.

~ John Muir

Did you have an opportunity last week to watch at least some of Ken Burns’ PBS documentary series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea? After seeing what I saw, I am filled with a sense of awe and wonder. The series made me want to go out and visit all 58 national parks! I wish, as John Muir advised to all who would listen, to “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” Read more »

Chris Daggett Already Won – by Putting Policy back in Politics

Site Admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:35:54 -0700

[Update 4 - validating my point, chalk this up to Daggett's leadership: Gov. Corzine would consider gasoline tax increase for transportation projects [Update 3 - 10/11/09: NY Times echoes my point: Independent Candidate Stirs Up the Governor’s Race in New Jersey "Mr. Daggett’s dry talk of substance has filled an enormous vacuum." [Update 2 - 10/10/09: Star-Ledger endorses [...]

'EnCap reform' bill seeks greater redevelopment oversight

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

'EnCap reform' bill seeks greater redevelopment oversight

Ahearn: Get ready to vote green again

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Ahearn: Get ready to vote green again

Toxic loophole

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Toxic loophole

Troubled tech recycler has political ties

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Troubled tech recycler has political ties

Carteret companies agree to $3 million HazMat funding

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Carteret companies agree to $3 million HazMat funding

$14.4M in stimulus funds for N.J. energy efficiency

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

$14.4M in stimulus funds for N.J. energy efficiency

Get the Cows Out of the Stream

Site Admin — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:11:29 -0700

Alexauken Creek, West Amwell, NJ – healthy Category One stream buffer The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides enhanced regulatory protections for “exceptional” waters of the State, known as “Category One” or “C1″ streams. No disturbance of soils or vegetation is allowed by “major development” within a 300 foot wide vegetated stream buffer (on each side). Wide vegetated buffers protect water quality, provide plant and wildlife habitat, and reduce flooding [...]

Minor issues found after nuclear plant shutdown, NRC says

Site Admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Minor issues found after nuclear plant shutdown, NRC says

New Jersey DEP clear to raze Kiddie Kollege

Site Admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

New Jersey DEP clear to raze Kiddie Kollege

"The Cove" a Powerful Real World Thriller

urbananglernyc — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:46:29 -0700

Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - Critics are calling "The Cove" the year's best spy thriller.

It's not a big budget Hollywood movie... it's a documentary about dolphins trapped and brutally killed in a cove near the Japanese fishing village of Taiji, and the heroes who risk everything to tell the story and save them. Read more »

Popular oyster program nearly out of money

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Popular oyster program nearly out of money

Author to discuss environmental links to breast cancer

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Author to discuss environmental links to breast cancer

Weakfish lead agenda at public hearings

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Weakfish lead agenda at public hearings

Shell-planting program to preserve Delaware Bay oysters nears spending cap

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Shell-planting program to preserve Delaware Bay oysters nears spending cap

Clean your new house naturally, expert says

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Clean your new house naturally, expert says

Riverkeeper will honor Willner, Healy

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Riverkeeper will honor Willner, Healy

Grant reinforces 'green' culture

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Grant reinforces 'green' culture

Ocean County towns share recycling profits

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Ocean County towns share recycling profits

New Jersey farms eligible for disaster assistance

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

New Jersey farms eligible for disaster assistance

$9.8 million voted for beach renewal

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

$9.8 million voted for beach renewal

Feds set aside $4.8 million for LBI beach replenishment

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Feds set aside $4.8 million for LBI beach replenishment

Mystery object still in water off Surf City

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Mystery object still in water off Surf City

A new use for clam shells

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:00:00 -0700

A new use for clam shells

Cleaning up the Bay One Creek at a Time

Joe Reynolds — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:16:45 -0700

Autumn arrived on September 22, and with it comes a series of annual fall community cleanups of beaches, streets, woods, and waterways. Soon after the crowds of summer people have diminished, many local people put on old clothes, boots, and gloves to devote an hour or two of time to collect trash. Without this important seasonal chore, it would be nearly impossible for our society to protect the marine environment from human garbage that piled up all summer long. Read more »

Chemical Industry Lobbyists Met With DEP Commissioner Today

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:33:13 -0700

I got a tip and was able to catch lobbyists for the chemical industry in the act. They met privately today with DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello. The meeting was to discuss, among other things, appointments to a controversial new DEP Science Advisory Board (SAB). It is precisely these kind of off the record private lobbying meetings between DEP and regulated industry and developers that illustrate the need for more transparency at DEP. We [...]

House-approved bill would benefit projects from Barnegat to Cape May

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

House-approved bill would benefit projects from Barnegat to Cape May

U.S. bans sea bass fishing in its waters

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

U.S. bans sea bass fishing in its waters

Tinton Falls recycling company's lawsuit against Brick is dropped

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Tinton Falls recycling company's lawsuit against Brick is dropped

Climate change bill draws Capitol Hill rally

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Climate change bill draws Capitol Hill rally

Mercury thermometer exchange planned

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Mercury thermometer exchange planned

City Council backs open space funding

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

City Council backs open space funding

Group pushes rail plan in town

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Group pushes rail plan in town

N.J. utility CEO fights for climate bill

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

N.J. utility CEO fights for climate bill

Let there be light: New high energy bulbs being installed.

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Let there be light: New high energy bulbs being installed.

Trash transfer station opponents say town officials too complacent

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Trash transfer station opponents say town officials too complacent

Shamong voters OK solar panels

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Shamong voters OK solar panels

U.S. bans black sea bass fishing in its waters

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

U.S. bans black sea bass fishing in its waters

Local chefs show what's to be gained by rebuilding American fish stocks

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:00:00 -0700

Local chefs show what's to be gained by rebuilding American fish stocks

Dupont: Doubt (And Intimidation) Are Their Product

Site Admin — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:12:04 -0700

Dupont Lawyers Target DEP Scientists – While Paid Dupont Consultants “Manufacture Doubt” We have been writing about behind the scenes efforts of politically powerful polluters to exert improper influence on DEP scientists. We have called this the War on Science. Today we focus on the ugly tactics of Dupont. But, first we put Dupont’s moves in context, and then [...]

Jackson council honors Sierra Club for help in tree fight