DEP GRANTS $643,000
FOR 7 PROJECTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN ATLANTIC COASTAL
WATERSHED
Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Bob Shinn today awarded $643,330 in grants
for seven projects to improve water quality in the coastal
watershed counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean and Monmouth.
At a ceremony in Dover Township at Riverfront
Landing Park on the Toms River, Shinn said, "While coastal
waters along the beaches and bays are much cleaner due to
cooperative efforts to reduce pollution from wastewater
treatment plants and other "point" sources, we are now targeting
the many nonpoint sources, such as runoff from roads and
agriculture, litter and pet waste, fertilizers and pesticides,
that require public participation and local partnerships
to effectively manage and improve water quality in our streams,
ponds and lakes."
The projects receiving grants to address
nonpoint source pollution include actions to revegetate
along waterways, reduce stormwater runoff and pollution
from boats and assess wetlands for restoration. All of the
projects are designed to address specific water body impairments
in the Atlantic Coastal Region and recognized action items
identified by watershed partners. The projects also include
public outreach activities on ways to reduce pollution.
Funding for the grants is authorized by the federal Clean
Water Act.
The seven projects receiving grants are
listed below.
Dover Township will receive $190,000
to develop and implement a multi-phased plan designed to
coordinate nonpoint source pollution strategies throughout
the Long Swamp Creek watershed that drains into the Toms
River and eventually into Barnegat Bay. Part of the grant
will also be used to create an educational program about
the watershed.
The Marine Trades Association of
New Jersey will receive $65,601 to reduce nonpoint
source pollution from the state's marinas through the implementation
of best management practices for both marina operations
and boat owners. Examples of these practices will be demonstrated
at an existing marina in Barnegat Bay to show the public
and other marinas more environmentally friendly ways to
maintain boat hulls, repair engines and control oil spills,
among other activities.
Fairleigh Dickinson University will
receive a grant of $156,249 to undertake an effort
to establish seagrass beds at eight locations in Barnegat
Bay to help control shoreline erosion, stabilize bottom
sediments, provide additional habitat for marine life and
uptake excessive nutrients for clearer water.
Bradley Beach Borough (Monmouth)
was granted $40,000, on behalf of the Sylvan Lake
Commission, to create containment areas that will reduce
sediment and debris entering Sylvan Lake in runoff from
Route 71 and surrounding communities. This action will help
the commission provide a freshwater fishery and also will
help to eliminate beach closings in Bradley Beach and Avon-by-the-Sea.
The Middletown Township Environmental
Commission (Monmouth) secured $34,000 to assess
the wetlands at the mouth of McClees Creek and determine
if a restoration project is needed. The creek flows into
the Navesink River.
The City of Linwood (Atlantic) will
receive $100,000 to restore Mary Jane Pond and retrofit
the storm water drainage system to remove sediment. Restoration
will include some dredging and bank stabilization, as well
as tree and shrub plantings along the banks for further
rehabilitation.
The Association of New Jersey Environmental
Commissions will receive $57, 480 to conduct
a riparian restoration project at the headwaters of the
Dennis Creek Branch (Cape May). Historically, this area
has been used for agricultural purposes and the headwater
area stream buffers had been removed. The project also will
serve to educate the public about the importance of stream
restoration.
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