COMMISSIONER MARTIN LEADS THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS
IN EIGHTH BARNEGAT BAY BLITZ
 CLEANUP ENHANCES PUBLIC STEWARDSHIP OF UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCE

(17/P58) TRENTON – Thousands of volunteers, many of them students, are joining Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin and department staff today for the eighth Barnegat Bay Blitz, a watershed-wide cleanup that draws attention to stewardship of the ecologically fragile bay.

This event allows residents to directly participate in Governor Christie’s comprehensive restoration plan for the bay and enhances public awareness of this natural resource. The bay’s 660-square-mile watershed spans all or parts of 37 municipalities in Ocean and Monmouth counties.

“The Barnegat Bay Blitz is a tradition that unites people of all ages and backgrounds in a common goal – protecting Barnegat Bay,” Commissioner Martin said. “Key to long-term enhancement of the bay and its natural resources is the fostering of stewardship in people who live in its watershed and the many who visit this region for fun and recreation. Our hope is that those who are unable to take part in the cleanups are inspired by them – and especially by the enthusiasm shown by our youth – to care for and treasure this unique resource.”

A study by the University of Delaware for the nonprofit Barnegat Bay Partnership estimates that the watershed and activities related to its natural resources contribute more than $4 billion to the state’s economy each year and directly or indirectly support more than 60,000 jobs.

The first Barnegat Bay Blitz was held in October 2011. It has grown significantly over the years. To date, more than 27,000 participants have removed nearly 4,200 cubic yards of trash and recyclables from the watershed.

Following ceremonies at the Ocean County Parks and Recreation offices in Toms River, teams fanned out throughout the watershed to clean up wetlands, stream banks, stormwater discharge points, schools, trails, docks, areas around bulkheads and the waters of the bay itself. Each team is led by a captain, typically a DEP employee.

Long, shallow and narrow, Barnegat Bay is susceptible to the impacts of stormwater runoff and accumulations of trash and debris along its shorelines and in its wetlands. Removal of trash is important to prevent these materials degrading the bay’s ecological and scenic values.

Stormwater carries other pollutants such as common lawn fertilizers, automotive fluids and silt that degrade wildlife habitat and water quality in the bay and its tributaries. Trash collected today is being turned over to local public works departments for proper disposal.

Other accomplishments under the Governor’s comprehensive plan include:

• Tens of millions of dollars made available to local governments for stormwater infrastructure upgrades;
• Ten major research projects, including studies of water quality, biological health, assessments of fish and blue crab populations, and ways to reduce stinging sea nettles;
• Preservation of 7,600 acres of open space in the watershed at the state and local levels under the Christie Administration and a commitment to preserve 30,000 acres over the next several decades;
• Green-boater sweeps to educate boaters about the need to protect ecologically sensitive areas, such as shellfish growing areas, shorebird nesting habitats and aquatic vegetation;
• The nation’s toughest law regarding restrictions on lawn fertilizers that cause runoff that degrades water quality across the state;
• A commitment by Exelon Corp. to decommission the Oyster Creek nuclear reactor in Lacey Township by the end of 2019.

Blitz sponsors include New Jersey Clean Communities, the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, the Barnegat Bay Partnership, Wawa, Waste Management, TowBoat US, the U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Natural Gas, Ocean Spray, Suez-United Water, Ocean County government, PS&S, Firestone, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, ReClam the Bay, Save Barnegat Bay, AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors, Boating Education and Rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more information on the Barnegat Bay Blitz, visit:
www.nj.gov/dep/barnegatbay/bbblitz.htm

For more information on the Governor’s comprehensive action plan, visit: www.nj.gov/dep/barnegatbay/

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