April 11, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Barnegat Bay - Little Egg Harbor (all shellfish), effective 4/12/13
Full Re-Opening of of Waters to Shellfish Harvest, effective Moday 4/15/2013 (includes the waters of Raritan Bay)

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue that the coastal waters of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of certain shellfish, as specified below, in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby:

1.  Returns the following waters to their prior classification and opens them to all shellfishing effective at sunrise (6:24am) on April 12, 2013:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay. 

2.  Returns all waters of the State of New Jersey to their prior classification and opens them to all shellfishing effective at sunrise (6:10am) on April 15, 2013. 

Current shellfish classification maps of New Jersey’s coastal waters can be found here.

Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order .

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Monmouth County collected after Hurricane Sandy

April 4, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Barnegat Bay - Waretown (all shellfish) and Little Egg Harbor (oysters only)

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay described below are now safe for the harvesting of certain shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby:

1. Returns the following waters to their prior classification for shellfishing:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of a line crossing the bay starting at the mouth of the Oyster Creek (-74°10’13.06W 39°48’40.00N) to a point on Island Beach State Park (-74°05’48.66W 39°48’40.00N) to a line crossing the bay starting at the end of Tuscarora Ave (74°11'29.69"W / 39°46'01.68"N) to a point at Barnegat Inlet (lighthouse) (74°06'16.51"W / 39°45'52.60"N).  See the map.

2. Returns the following waters to their prior classification and reopens them for oyster harvesting only:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of a line crossing the bay starting at the southern point  of the mouth of Thompsons Creek (74°18'40.42"W / 39°35'46.02"N) to a point on Long Beach Island at the end of 5th St in Beach Haven (74°14'29.70"W / 39°34'04.70"N) to Little Egg Harbor Inlet .  See the map.

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including maps).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

March 28, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Barnegat Bay - Barnegat Light to Beach Haven

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay described below are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of a line crossing the bay starting at the end of Tuscarora Ave (74°11'29.69"W / 39°46'01.68"N) to a point at Barnegat Inlet (lighthouse) (74°06'16.51"W / 39°45'52.60"N) to a line crossing the bay starting at the southern point of the mouth of Thompsons Creek (74°18'40.42"W / 39°35'46.02"N) to a point on Long Beach Island at the end of 5th St in Beach Haven (74°14'29.70"W / 39°34'04.70"N) (see map).

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

January 29, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Central Barnegat Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay described below are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of the Route 37 bridge to a line crossing the bay starting at the mouth of the Oyster Creek (-74°10’13.06W 39°48’40.00N) to a point on Island Beach State Park (-74°05’48.66W 39°48’40.00N) (see map).

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

December 21, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Northern Barnegat Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay north of Route 37 Bridge are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (7:15 A.M.) on December 21, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

December 14, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Sandy Hook Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of Sandy Hook Bay are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (7:12 A.M.) on December 15, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Middlesex and Monmouth Counties collected after Hurricane Sandy

December 7, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Navesink River and Shrewsbury River

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (7:06 A.M.) on December 8, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Middlesex and Monmouth Counties collected after Hurricane Sandy

November 14, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Atlantic & Cape May Counties

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of Atlantic and Cape May Counties are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (6:42 A.M.) on November 15, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Atlantic County collected after Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Cape May County collected after Hurricane Sandy

November 14, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Prohibited waters of the Atlantic Ocean for the harvest of surf clams under the Bait Program

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department hereby reopens prohibited waters in the Atlantic Ocean for the harvest of surf claims under the Bait Program, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12-9.4.  Harvesters must possess a currently valid Surf Clam Bait Permit No. 2a issued by the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring.  Surf clams harvested under this permit are for bait only, and not for human consumption.

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order .

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View BMWM's permit program

November 11, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Delaware Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish which may have been subjected to pollution or other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potential degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined through monitoring of water quality and shellfish tissue that the Delaware Bay of New Jersey is now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq.  The prohibition is now lifted on the waters listed below and they are returned to their prior classification, effective sunrise on November 12, 2012.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial re-opening include:

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area) .

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Delaware Bay collected after Hurricane Sandy

October 26, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Precautionary Closure of Shellfish Beds Statewide due to anticipated heavy rainfall from Hurricane Sandy

Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin today issued an Administrative Order temporarily closing state waters to shellfish harvesting effective sunrise Monday as a precaution due to expected heavy rainfall from Hurricane Sandy.

The precautionary closure affects more than 720,000 acres of commercial shellfish beds in the state’s ocean waters and estuaries as well as all recreational harvesting. Bivalves in these beds such as clams, oysters and mussels are filter feeders that can accumulate harmful bacteria carried into waterways. 

The DEP will continue to monitor the storm’s track and will make further determinations as necessary. The harvest ban applies only to shellfish such as clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, etc. and does not apply to crustaceans, such as crabs. If the storm doesn’t hit as predicted, the administrative order will be immediately revoked.

The DEP works with the New Jersey Department of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that shellfish are safely harvested in state waters. The DEP monitors, classifies and enforces shellfish regulations in 425,830 acres of estuarine beds and 295,857 acres of ocean beds.

The New Jersey Department of Health Food Safety Program regularly inspects shellfish processing plants to ensure they follow regulations that outline health and safety precautions. Shellfish samples are regularly collected from harvest areas, certified shellfish dealers and retailers for bacteriological examination.

The program oversees a certification program which requires all wholesale shellfish dealers to handle, process, and ship shellfish under sanitary conditions and maintain records verifying that the shellfish were obtained from approved areas.

To see the Administrative Order (in PDF format) please, click here.

December 8, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

RE-OPENING OF SHELLFISH BEDS
Beach Haven, Ocean County (Barnegat Bay)

Public Notice of Re-opening of Shellfish Beds

On November 4, 2011 the Department issued an emergency closure of 94.5 acres of seasonally approved waters to shellfish harvest, pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., to assure that the public health was not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may have been subject to degraded water quality from the dewatering of dredge spoils in the vicinity of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club (permit #1503-07-0006.1) Beach Haven, Ocean County. 

The Department has determined that the 94.5 acres of waters in question are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq., and I therefore revoke the prohibition, returning these waters to their prior classification of Seasonally Approved effective immediately. Specifically the areas involved with this re-opening include:

All New Jersey state waters contained within an area originating from a point of land at the end of Amber St, Beach Haven (74º14'47.96"W, 39º33'52.05"N) heading west to the northern most point of land of the upper Mordecai Island (74º14'56.70"W, 39º33'52.40"N), then following the western shoreline of upper Mordecai Island in a southerly direction, then crossing a channel from a point of land at 74º15'4.71"W, 39º33'39.21"N to a point of land at 74º15'6.78"W, 39º33'35.34"N and following the western shoreline of lower Mordecai Island in a southerly direction to a point of land on lower Mordecai Island (74º15'15.34"W, 39º33'19.74"N), and then crossing the Intercoastal Waterway to a point of land near the western end of Leeward Ave., Beach Haven (74º15'20.80"W, 39º33'16.42"N) then following the shoreline of Long Beach Island back to the original point of land at the end of Amber St., Beach Haven (74º14'47.96"W, 39º33'52.05"N).

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice and map (in PDF format) please, click here.

November 22, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters - Tuckerton Cove, Ocean County

Public Notice of Re-opening of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may have been subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from a broken forcemain inside the Ocean County Utilities Authority, OCUA, pump station in Ocean County, the Department  condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Seasonally Approved in the State of New Jersey.  Specifically the areas involved with this re-opening include:

The waters of Tuckerton Cove between  a location on Gaunt Point  situated on the eastern bank of Tuckerton Cove at the terminus of S. Green St. with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 35.9 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 19 minutes 53.1 seconds W., and then bearing 229 degrees T  for 0.45 nautical miles to a point on the western bank with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 18.7 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 20 minutes 19.2 seconds W., then in a northern direction  for 0.20 nautical miles along the western shoreline to a point with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 28.8 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 20 minutes 19.3 seconds W., then bearing  050 degrees T for 0.34 nautical miles to a point on the eastern bank with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 41.7 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 19 minutes 58.8 seconds W.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through bacteriophage tissue analysis that the waters set forth of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12et seq., the prohibition is revoked, returning these waters to their prior classification of Seasonally Approved, effective immediately.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice and map (in PDF format) please, click here.

November 15, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Closure of Shellfish Waters - Tuckerton Cove, Ocean County

Public Notice of the Suspension of Harvest from Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from a broken forcemain inside the Ocean County Utilities Authority, OCUA, pump station in Ocean County. The Department hereby condemns and prohibits the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Seasonally Approved waters of the Little Egg Harbor area, specifically:

The waters of Tuckerton Cove between  a location on Gaunt Point  situated on the eastern bank of Tuckerton Cove at the terminus of S. Green St. with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 35.9 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 19 minutes 53.1 seconds W., and then bearing 229 degrees T  for 0.45 nautical miles to a point on the western bank with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 18.7 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 20 minutes 19.2 seconds W., then in a northern direction  for 0.20 nautical miles along the western shoreline to a point with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 28.8 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 20 minutes 19.3 seconds W., then bearing  050 degrees T for 0.34 nautical miles to a point on the eastern bank with coordinates of latitude 39 degrees 34 minutes 41.7 seconds N., and longitude 74 degrees 19 minutes 58.8 seconds W.

This prohibition shall take effect immediately and continue until further notice.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice and map (in PDF format) please, click here.

November 4, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Closure of Shellfish Waters - Beach Haven Area, Ocean County

Public Notice of the Suspension of Harvest from Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B and 58:24-1 et seq., and at N.J.A.C. 7:12-1.5(a) and (b), and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality due to dredge spoils resulting from the maintenance dredging in the vicinity of the Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club, Permit #1503-07-0006.1, the Department hereby suspends harvest of all shellfish, from State waters previously classified as Seasonally Approved, located in the Barnegat Bay, specifically as described below:

All New Jersey state waters contained within an area originating from a point of land at the end of Amber St, Beach Haven (74º14'47.96"W, 39º33'52.05"N) heading west to the northern most point of land of the upper Mordecai Island (74º14'56.70"W, 39º33'52.40"N), then following the western shoreline of upper Mordecai Island in a southerly direction, then crossing a channel from a point of land at 74º15'4.71"W, 39º33'39.21"N to a point of land at 74º15'6.78"W, 39º33'35.34"N and following the western shoreline of lower Mordecai Island in a southerly direction to a point of land on lower Mordecai Island (74º15'15.34"W, 39º33'19.74"N), and then crossing the Intercoastal Waterway to a point of land near the western end of Leeward Ave., Beach Haven (74º15'20.80"W, 39º33'16.42"N) then following the shoreline of Long Beach Island back to the original point of land at the end of Amber St., Beach Haven (74º14'47.96"W, 39º33'52.05"N).

This prohibition shall take effect immediately and continue until further notice.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice and map (in PDF format) please, click here.

October 4, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Public Notice of Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from exceptional rainfall conditions from Hurricane Irene and the resulting impact on the waters of the State of New Jersey, the Department condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted in the State of New Jersey.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that specific Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted waters of the Delaware Bay of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq., the prohibition is now revoked on the waters listed below; they are returned to their prior classification, effective immediately.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial re-opening include:

All of the New Jersey state waters of the Delaware Bay starting from Ben Davis Point at Latitude 39 degrees 17 minutes 36.564 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 17 minutes 21.552 seconds W,  southwest bound through sampling stations 3800F at  Latitude 39 degrees 17 minutes 0.42 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 18 minutes 4.68 seconds W, and station 3800 at  Latitude 39 degrees 15 minutes 30.42 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 19 minutes 52.716 seconds W, to a point on the New Jersey/Delaware state boundary line at Latitude 39 degrees 15 minutes 10.158 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 20 minutes 17.038 seconds W, then following the New Jersey/Delaware boundary line northwest bound to a point at Latitude 39 degrees 27 minutes 3.65 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 33 minutes 9.05 seconds W, then northeast bound to the southern dome at the Salem Nuclear Power Plant, then following the shoreline to the point of origin and terminating.

This re-opening means that all New Jersey waters are now back to their prior classification following the closure because of degraded water quality resulting from exceptional rainfall conditions from Hurricane Irene.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.
To see the most recent test results in the Delaware Bay, click here.

For more information on the closures and re-opening due to Hurricane Irene, click here.

September 29, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Public Notice of Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from exceptional rainfall conditions from Hurricane Irene and the resulting impact on the waters of the State of New Jersey, the Department  condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted in the State of New Jersey.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that specific Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted waters of a portion of the Delaware Bay of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq., the prohibition is now revoked on the waters listed below; they are returned to their prior classification, effective immediately.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial re-opening include:

All of the New Jersey waters of the Delaware Bay south of a line from Ben Davis Point at Latitude 39 degrees 17 minutes 36.564 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 17 minutes 21.552 seconds W,  southwest bound through sampling stations 3800F at  Latitude 39 degrees 17 minutes 0.42 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 18 minutes 4.68 seconds W, and station 3800 at  Latitude 39 degrees 15 minutes 30.42 seconds N, Longitude -75 degrees 19 minutes 52.716 seconds W to a point on the state boundary line at Latitude 39 degrees 15 minutes 10.158 seconds N, Longitude 75 degrees 20 minutes 17.038 seconds W.

This re-opening applies ONLY to the shellfish waters specified above.  This re-opening does not include the New Jersey Delaware Bay shellfish waters north of the line specified above, which will continue to be closed until FURTHER NOTICE.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.
To see the most recent test results in the Delaware Bay, click here.

For more information on the closures and re-opening due to Hurricane Irene, click here.

September 23, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Agreement Between NJDEP and Naval Weapons Station Earle

The Department of Environmental Protection has agreed to allow the NY/NJ Baykeeper to set up an oyster research project in contaminated waters in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary in a security zone under the protection of U.S. Navy security personnel.

The oyster project would be set up in the waters of Naval Weapons Station Earle, at its pier in Leonardo (Monmouth County), a plan that has the approval of the Navy and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.

September 8, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Public Notice of Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from exceptional rainfall conditions from Hurricane Irene and the resulting impact on the waters of the State of New Jersey, the Department  condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted in the State of New Jersey.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that specific Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted waters of the Delaware Bay of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq., the prohibition is now revoked on the waters listed below; they are returned to their prior classification, effective immediately.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial re-opening include:

All of the New Jersey waters of the Delaware Bay south of a line from Beadon Point through the Cross Ledge lighthouse at Latitude 39.1627089, Longitude -75.236464, to the state boundary line.

This re-opening applies ONLY to the shellfish waters specified above.  This re-opening does not include the New Jersey Delaware Bay shellfish waters north of the line specified above, which will continue to be closed until FURTHER NOTICE.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.

For more information on the closures and re-opening due to Hurricane Irene, click here.

September 7, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Public Notice of Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from exceptional rainfall conditions from Hurricane Irene and the resulting impact on the waters of the State of New Jersey, the Department  condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted in the State of New Jersey.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that specific Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted waters of the coastal areas of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq., the prohibition is now revoked on the waters listed below; they are returned to their prior classification, effective immediately.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial re-opening include:

All of the waters north of and including the Metedeconk River through the Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays.

This re-opening applies ONLY to the shellfish waters specified above.  This re-opening does not include the shellfish waters of the Delaware Bay, which will continue to be closed until FURTHER NOTICE.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.

For more information on the closures and re-opening due to Hurricane Irene, click here.

September 6, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Public Notice of Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from exceptional rainfall conditions from Hurricane Irene and the resulting impact on the waters of the State of New Jersey, the Department  condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted in the State of New Jersey.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that specific Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted waters of the coastal areas of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq., the prohibition is now revoked on the waters listed below; they are returned to their prior classification.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial revocation include:

All of the coastal back bay waters south of the Metedeconk River to Cape May Point as well as all of the ocean waters of the State of New Jersey.  

This revocation applies ONLY to the shellfish waters specified above.  All other Approved, Seasonally Approved and Special Restricted waters of the State of New Jersey will continue to be closed until FURTHER NOTICE. Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.

For more information on the closures and re-opening due to Hurricane Irene, click here.

August 26, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Closure of Shellfish Beds Statewide due to Hurricane Irene

Public Notice of the Closure of Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health According to the National Weather Service Center, Hurricane Irene is on it path toward the northeast and will pass the State of New Jersey early Sunday morning (August 28, 2011). Forecast models predict precipitation between 6 - 12 inches, hurricane force winds and storm surges up to 9 feet above high tide along the coast. This predicted precipitation, high winds and storm surge will likely result in significant flooding, power outages, sewage bypasses and sanitary sewer overflows resulting in degraded water quality. Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous, the Department hereby condemns and prohibits the harvesting of all shellfish from the following waters:

All waters of the State of New Jersey

This prohibition shall take effect immediately after sunset (7:36 pm) on Saturday, August 27, 2011 and continue until FURTHER NOTICE.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice (in PDF format) please, click here.

For more information on the closures and re-opening due to Hurricane Irene, click here.

August 16, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Revocation of Closure of Shellfish Waters - Lakes Bay Area, Atlantic County
August 16, 2011

Public Notice of Revocation of Condemnation of Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from a release of sewage from a broken sewer line into the waters of Lakes Bay and Shelter Island Bay in Atlantic County,  the Department condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved waters of the Lakes Bay area, specifically:

All the Approved waters of Lakes Bay North of the Margate Bridge, (Rt. 662).

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that the waters described above are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish, the prohibition is now revoked, returning these waters to their prior classification effective on August 16, 2011.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice and map (in PDF format) please, click here.

July 28, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Closure of Shellfish Waters - Lakes Bay Area, Atlantic County
July 28, 2011

Public Notice of the Suspension of Harvest from Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not imperiled by the consumption of shellfish that may be subject to pollution or to any other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health because of degraded water quality resulting from a release of sewage from a broken sewer line into the waters of Lakes Bay and Shelter Island Bay in Atlantic County. The Department hereby condemns and prohibits the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved waters of the Lakes Bay area, specifically:

All the Approved waters of Lakes Bay North of the Margate Bridge, (Rt. 662).

This prohibition shall take effect immediately and continue until FURTHER NOTICE.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

To see the official Notice and map (in PDF format) please, click here.

January 10, 2011

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Shellfish Growing Water Classification
Adoption of Amendments to N.J.A.C. 7:12
Adoption date: January 3, 2011

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) has adopted amendments to the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12 that reclassify shellfish waters based on water quality surveys conducted by the Department's Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring, modify the provisions regarding immediate temporary suspensions of harvest to provide that temporary restrictions may be imposed short of suspension, and to include the annually updated Vibrio parahaemolyticus (a pathogen that infects oysters and can cause illness when the oysters are consumed) management plan as a basis for suspending or restricting shellfish harvest. The amendments also specifically include restoration of shellfish beds among activities for which special scientific collection permits may be issued to collect shellfish from other than Approved waters, and require the Shellfish Resource Recovery Steering Committee to review applications for scientific collection permits and make a recommendation to the Commissioner. The reclassifications result in a total upgrade of approximately 1,381 acres of shellfish waters and a total downgrade of approximately 293 acres of shellfish waters, resulting in a net upgrade of approximately 1,088 acres of shellfish waters (see below table). The notice of proposal was published in the New Jersey Register on December 21, 2009, at 41 N.J.R. 4598(a). The comment period closed on February 19, 2010. The adopted amendments were published in the New Jersey Register on January 3, 2011. See the NJDEP Rule and Regulations page for the latest official copy.

Summary of Classification Changes:

*Classification of waters are made in accordance with the methods and criteria as described in the National Shellfish Sanitation Program “Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish”.

NJDEP Rules and Regulations Notice of Rule Adoptions
View the adoption amendment document (pdf)
View the full version of the proposed amendments (pdf)
View the map of the classification changes in Sunset Lake (pdf)