SOS: Jersey Shore and Ocean Ecosystems Need a Lifeboat

By Benson Chiles

Recently the bi-partisan Joint Ocean Commission released a report card grading the federal and state governments on their efforts to protect ocean and coastal ecosystems. Ten states earned an overall score of A-. Sadly, New Jersey was not among them.

Healthy coastal waters and wetlands play a vital role in New Jersey's economy, environment, and culture. More must be done to earn a passing grade next year.

Every year sewage runoff causes dozens of beach closings and leads to shell-fishing restrictions in almost all tidal rivers and many bays, millions of pounds of trash litter beaches, and thousands of acres of coastal habitat are paved over.

A number of the state's highly prized fish have not fully recovered from excessive fishing pressure, and ten marine species, including winter flounder, carry consumption warnings because of toxic contamination. If that were not enough, the state's infrastructure and economy is at growing risk from hurricanes and floods, caused partly by unwise development.

Nevertheless, with leadership from Governor Corzine and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), New Jersey can hold the line on the shore's degradation.

There is no shortage of solutions. Two recent bi-partisan national ocean commissions offered hundreds of recommendations of ways to protect our marine environment. The Coastal Ocean Coalition, a group of nine environmental organizations, offered New Jersey specific recommendations in "Ocean Protection in New Jersey: A Blueprint for State Level Action."

One of the most important recommendations made by ocean experts is that coastal and ocean ecosystems must be protected and restored comprehensively, not in a piece-meal way. This concept is known as "ecosystem based management."

An ecosystem approach represents lessons learned in coastal protection programs around the country. It takes into account the interaction of land, water and natural resources.

Instead of having multiple single mission programs to regulate individual aspects of coastal land use and water pollution, it considers how laws and policies can tackle the cumulative impacts of different pollution sources. For example, instead of separate permits for storm drains, sewage treatment plants and developments in a particular coastal watershed, the state could develop an approach that looks at all of these factors together. Since the water quality at the receiving end of that watershed is affected by all of those activities, it makes sense to consider their cumulative impacts. The ten coastal states that earned the A- are embracing this approach.

In a recent assessment, the DEP itself found that it needed “revised or enhanced management policies” to better protect the Delaware Bay, upland forests, critical wildlife habitats and the ocean “from the cumulative or secondary impacts of growth and development.” It also admitted that its 26 year old Coastal Management Program’s policies are essentially the same as when enacted in 1980. It’s time for some changes.

We urge the Corzine Administration and the Legislature take proactive steps now. One measure they can take is to pull together scientists and experts from within the State and elsewhere to create a Coastal and Ocean Protection Council to advise the DEP on how to implement and strengthen an ecosystem based management policy. As a start, the Council could work with DEP to implement a pilot program for one coastal watershed.

This relatively cost-neutral effort would send a strong signal that New Jersey is ready to comprehensive manage and protect its coastal and ocean resources. If New Jersey takes action soon, it stands a good chance of making the grade next January.

Benson Chiles

Director, Coastal Ocean Coalition

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

732-291-2163