News Archives

6/15/04 - Routine Change to NJ Coastal Management Program Approved

Federal regulations require states with approved coastal management programs to submit changes to their coastal management program to the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) so that they can determine if the program remains approvable after the changes.In compliance with these regulations, on April 20, 2004 the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection submitted to OCRM a request for concurrence with the Department's determination that the incorporation of: (1) the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act and rules for non-assumable waters; (2) the Department's dredging technical manual dated October 1997; and (3) certain rulemaking actions amending the Coastal Permit Program rules and the Coastal Zone Management rules, constitutes a routine program change of the New Jersey Coastal Management Program. By letter of May 28, 2004, OCRM concurred with the Department's determination except for two sections of the Coastal Permit Program rules.Notice of OCRM's findings will be published in the July 6, 2004 New Jersey Register. Effective the date of publication in the New Jersey Register, the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act and rules; the Department's dredging technical manual; and the rulemaking actions amending the Coastal Permit Program rules and the Coastal Zone Management rules approved by OCRM will be enforceable policies of New Jersey's Coastal Management Program. Accordingly, they will be applicable to Federal Consistency reviews under the auspices of the New Jersey Coastal Management Program. Federal Consistency will not apply to those rules which OCRM did not approve.

View a Copy of the New Jersey Register Notice (Pdf Format)

back to top

6/15/04 - Governor McGreevey's letter to the U.S. Commission on Ocean PolicyOn April 20, 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy released its Preliminary Report, thereby opening a public comment period, which ended on June 4, 2004. Governor McGreevey responded to the Preliminary Report by letter of June 4, 2004. The Commission is currently reviewing comments received from governors and interested stakeholders. Once it has considered all comments, the Commission will prepare and submit a Final Report to the President and Congress with recommendations on a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy.

Governor McGreevey's Letter (Pdf Format)
U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
Pew Oceans Commission

back to top

4/29/04 - Coastal Management Program Evaluation (updated 6/15/04)The NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management is evaluating the New Jersey Coastal Management Program pursuant to section 312 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended, and regulations at 15 CFR part 923, subpart L.

The CZMA requires continuing review of the performance of states with respect to coastal program implementation. The review evaluates the extent to which a state has met the national objectives of the CZMA, adhered to its Coastal Management Program document approved by the Secretary of Commerce, and adhered to the terms of financial assistance awards funded under the CZMA.The evaluation included a site visit the week of May 10-14, 2004, consideration of public comments, and consultations with interested Federal, State, and local agencies and members of the public. NOAA is expected to release a draft report in late July.

back to top

4/20/05 - Acting Governor Richard J. Codey Announces New Jersey's Coast 2005 Plan

On April 20, 2005, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey announced New Jersey's Coast 2005, a comprehensive plan to protect the integrity and economic viability of New Jersey's valuable coastal resources.

View a Copy of New Jersey's Coast 2005 (Pdf Format)

back to top

4/13/05 - Blue Ribbon Panel on Development of Wind Turbine Facilities in Coastal Waters

On December 23, 2004, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed Executive Order #12, creating a Blue Ribbon Panel on Development of Wind Turbine Facilities in Coastal Waters. The Panel is charged with researching the feasibility of offshore wind turbine facilities as an alternate energy source for New Jersey. The Panel will be holding four public meetings.

The webpage for the panel is www.njwindpanel.org.

Schedule of Upcoming Events

back to top

The Coastal Management Office will officially launch the New Jersey Clean Marina Program at a kick-off workshop on March 31, 2005. This free Workshop is being held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Atlantic City, NJ from 12 PM to 4:45 PM. The New Jersey Clean Marina Program is a voluntary program that provides information, guidance, and technical assistance to marina owners, local governments, and recreational boaters regarding best management practices to protect water quality and coastal resources.

The official New Jersey Clean Marina Program website is www.njcleanmarina.org.

Informational Brochure (Pdf Format)
Registration Form (Pdf Format)

back to top