New Jersey Ratings Indicator Type Info Status Beach Access 8   4  Water Quality 7   5  Beach Erosion 8   -  Erosion Response -  4   Beach Fill 7   -  Shoreline Structures 8   2  Beach Ecology 5   -  Surfing Areas 3   5  Website 8   -  Explain this chart

New Jersey 

Summary

New Jersey's Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program is a comprehensive water quality testing program that has indicated generally good ocean water quality, although there was a criminal medical waste dumping event that caused 117 closing days at ocean beaches in Cape May County in August 2008. In 2008, Hancock Avenue Beach in Seaside Heights had improved water quality following stormwater system improvements. At Beachwood West Beach in Ocean County, storm drains are vacuumed out at the beginning of each beach season in an effort to improve beachwater quality. Comprehensive online beach access information is now available. Also see here. Although there is adequate information on shoreline structures and policies exist to restrict their use, a substantial portion of the New Jersey shoreline is armored. Beach fill projects should consider impacts to beach ecology as well as surfing and other coastal recreation activities.

Indicators

(+) On June 4, 2009, Mid-Atlantic Governors signed an interstate agreement committing to improve the health of the Atlantic Ocean. Governors from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia are creating a structure for the States to work together on: development of offshore renewable energy; increased protection of the most unique and sensitive offshore habitats; improved energy security and independence in the region; climate change and sea level rise; and, increased federal support for water quality infrastructure improvements. The agreement will create a Governors Mid-Atlantic Council on Oceans to continue advocacy for and leveraging of greater state influence on the management of offshore ocean areas and to direct federal and interstate actions and resources.
(+) In November 2006 NJDEP proposed new beach access rules that would repeal the existing Public access to the waterfront rule and replace it with a new Public trust rights rule. The proposed new rule strengthens the Department's existing public access requirements and sets forth specific requirements for Shore Protection Program and Green Acres funding. More info
(+) New Jersey's Coast 2005 initiative, announced in April 2005, is a comprehensive plan to protect the integrity and economic viability of New Jersey's valuable coastal resources. Under the initiative, the state will strengthen standards and regulations that protect the coastal ecosystem, enhance public access opportunities, expand protection for coastal wildlife and wildlife habitats, and support tourist, seafood and maritime industries.
(+) New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection opened a new laboratory for the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring in May 2006. The facility will use advanced methods to identify pollution in marine waters.
(+) Shoreline structure locations have been mapped and are available online.
(+) Recognizing the "increasing demand for our State's beach and the dynamic nature of the public trust doctrine," the New Jersey Supreme Court found that the public must be given both access to and use of privately owned dry sand areas. In a subsequent ruling in July 2005 the Supreme Court affirmed an Appeals Court ruling requiring private beach owners to allow reasonably priced public beach access.
(+) The Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program includes aerial surveys to determine if there are any illegal discharges or any visible water quality problems. There are 187 water quality testing locations at recreational beaches along the State's 127 miles of oceanfront.
(+)The NJBPN's 20-year report contains each volume calculation & shoreline position for 100 sites for every year from 1986 through 2006.
(+) New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $3.6 million in grants to fund 11 projects designed to reduce stormwater and restore water quality throughout New Jersey in April 2005.
(+) The Coastal Resources Toolkit on the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve Web site consists of a set of New Jersey-specific resources to assist planners, regulators and municipal officials with land zoning decisions. The subjects include Urban Sprawl, Wastewater Management, Coastal Hazards, Stormwater Management, Severe Storms, Conservation Easements and Land Trusts, and Public Access.

(0) At least 124 beach fill projects have been carried out through 2001, at a cost of $650 million. In 2001, annual state and federal appropriations for beach fill were both about $25 million.
(0) New Jersey accounts for just 3 percent of the U.S. coastline but is by far the biggest recipient of beach protection dollars, with $180 million in federal spending over the last eight years. Out of 93 miles of developed shoreline, New Jersey has beach-widening projects in place along 51 miles.

(-) On January 24, 2008, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa Jackson (now head of USEPA) rescinded an Administrative Order that she issued on January 2, 2007 that protected streams by mandating a 300-foot buffer. The DEP reversal makes it much easier for developers to reduce the buffer to 150 feet, requiring just a local government "equivalence" finding.
(-) On March 5, 2007, Governor Jon Corzine issued an extension of the Department of Environmental Protection water quality management planning rules. This was the second deferral of these rules under Corzine who, on June 19, 2006, had extended the decision deadline until January 31, 2007. A table identifying locations of proposed new provisions and comparing the existing water quality management planning rule with proposed major changes was finally published in the May 21, 2007 New Jersey Register.
(-) 43% of New Jersey’s developed shoreline is armored.
(-) At least 392 groins and jetties are located along New Jersey’s open ocean coastline.
(-) Some beach fill projects threaten surfing, diving, and fishing areas.
(-) Over the past decade, the State Department of Environmental Protection has approved 95% of the development applications it has received in its coastal review zone. During that same period, the Army Corps of Engineers has denied only six of the nearly 3,000 applications it received for dock construction and modifications.

Victories

• Recycling Bins Along Boardwalk in Atlantic City The South Jersey Chapter pushed to have recycling bins placed on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, a heavily visited stretch of coast. Previously only trash bins were provided so recyclables were disposed in the landfill.
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• Public Hearings required for Beach Fill Projects in NJ. Beachfill projects in NJ have had some disastrous and unintended consequences. Residents and beach users had no forum to bring up or discuss the potential pitfalls of beachfill. Through hearings, letter writing, and legislative contact, chapter members pushed for this common sense legislation. The new law will now require a public hearing to take place before any beach replenishment project goes forward. More info.
• Ocean Protection Law in NJ. A new law in NJ will require the Department of Environmental Protection to move towards a policy of ecosystem based management. It also establishes the Ocean Protection Council and charges the Council with studying, coordinating, and developing plans for ecosystem based management in NJ. Surfrider Foundation worked with the The Coastal Ocean Coalition of NJ to pass this legislation.
• The Jersey Shore chapter mobilized 50 people on a cold, windy Saturday to complete a coastal mapping project on Long Beach Island. The information was gathered to influence a beach fill project planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• After a 30-year ban on the sport, the Jersey Shore Chapter was successful in bringing surfing back as a recreational sport and economic vehicle to the city of Asbury Park.
• Opened 7 beaches to surfing in New Jersey Work by Jersey Shore chapter activists helped convince the Long Beach Township Commission to approve designating seven areas along its beach for surfers only during the summer season. In Ocean City, the South Jersey Chapter convinced the city to increase the number of summer surfing beaches from two to three.
• The chapter is working to get agreements on beach replenishment plans in Elberon and on Long Beach Island that consider recreational uses including surfing.
• The South Jersey chapter alerted officials to a dangerous situation regarding an outfall pipe at 30th street (a designated surfing beach) in Avalon. With the help and permission of the Mayor, the chapter installed an eight-foot-high post on the end of the structure with reflectors.