OCEAN WATCH - WEEK 1

OCEAN WATCH

Welcome to Ocean Watch; a weekly recap of federal and regional actions that impact the coastal and marine water quality and ecosystems of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean. Clean Ocean Action will aggregate and analyze these actions, and signify the impact and threat level to the Mid-Atlantic using color coding – Red is a high level threat, orange is intermediate, yellow is a caution, and green would be a positive action.

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Watch – Week 1

It has been a busy week for the Trump Administration. While many of these actions have taken place in Washington DC, and don’t affect the mid-Atlantic directly, the direction of national energy, climate, and regulatory policy will have implications and impacts for the mid-Atlantic region. Uncertainty and a lack of transparency have come to define the first week of the Trump Administration’s actions on the environment. Yet, what may look like purposeful actions to undermine environmental protections may turn out to just be continued evidence of a chaotic transition (or perhaps evidence of both). Regardless, this is not comforting news for those who value clean water and air.

A quick rundown for the week:

EPA Subjected to Political Review, Regulatory Freeze, Grants and Contracts Freeze, Gag Order, and Climate Cleansing – THREAT LEVEL ORANGE

Several actions from the Trump Administration have targeted EPA, ordering the agency to:

o   have all scientific findings and research reviewed by political staff prior to publication,

o   halt the issuance of any pending regulatory actions

o   been placed under a de facto gag order, silencing the ability of the agency to transmit information to the public.

o   had their ability to disburse grants, contracts, and funding frozen pending review, before the majority of funding was once again allowed to flow within 24 hours,

o   take down their climate change webpage, before walking back that directive in the same 24 hours.

·         Specifics Below:

§  Political Review: On Tuesday, the head of communications for the Trump administration's EPA transition team, stated that scientific findings would be reviewed by the administration on a case-by-case basis. However, current regulations prevent anyone from impeding the timely release of scientific findings by EPA’s research and development scientists. We will continue to monitor the effects of this policy… http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-trump-epa-studies-20170125-story.html

§  Regulatory Freeze: as part of Executive Order 1, signed on January 20, the Trump Administration delayed for 60 days the implementation of all regulatory actions currently pending in all Agencies (with few exceptions). At EPA, at least 30 regulations met these criteria including air quality management actions, renewable fuel standards, and removal of PCBs from lighting fixtures in public schools. Furthermore, important decisions from EPA on designating, approving, and funding contaminated site cleanup along the Hudson, Passaic, and Hackensack Rivers hang in this cloud of uncertainty created by the regulatory action freeze. http://thehill.com/regulation/316049-trump-delays-dozens-of-epa-regs. To find contaminated sites near you, use this very helpful website: http://www.toxicsites.us/ . New Jersey is number one in the country with 113 Superfund Sites. NY is number four with 86.

§  The Gag:  The Trump Administration has also imposed a comprehensive gag order on employees of the EPA. According to the leaked memo, “no press releases,” “no blog messages”, and “no new content can be placed on any website” until further notice.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/24/epa-department-agriculture-social-media-gag-order-trump

§  The Funding Freeze: EPA grants are used to support private, state, and municipal level environmental testing, remediation, research, and education projects. On the 24 (Tuesday), the Trump administration ordered over 3 billion grant funding to be frozen, throwing into uncertainty which programs and actions would be impacted, with the potential to disrupt core operations ranging from toxic cleanups to water quality testing, according to records and interviews conducted by ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-administration-imposes-freeze-on-epa-grants-and-contracts.  By Thursday, reports surfaced that the freeze had been lifted on the majority of funding, however the lack of communication and uncertainty regarding the status of funding has left many federal and state employees unsettled.. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/01/26/allaying-concerns-epa-lifts-temporary-freeze-grants-states/97103198/ .

§  EPA Climate Webpage: On Wednesday, January 2, it was reported that the Trump Administration had instructed EPA to remove the climate change page from its website. The page includes links to scientific research, emissions data from individual industrial facilities, and the multi-agency Climate Change Indicators report, which describes trends related to the causes and effects of climate change. According to one EPA staffer, “If the website goes dark, years of work we have done on climate change will disappear." It was also reported that EPA staffers were scrambling to save data and working to convince the administration to reverse their decision, at least partly. http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN15906G. Updates to this initial reporting began to come out later that day, stating that the EPA's Office of General Counsel was now "walking through pages on the site" to see what was legally removable, and what legally needed to remain. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/trump-administration-backtracks-on-plan-to-take-down-epa-climate-web-page/ . In the meantime, the page remains up.

Climate Change Related Actions – THREAT LEVEL ORANGE

With the appointment of fossil fuel industry insiders to key positions, and an aggressive emphasis on the extraction of fossil fuels, Trump’s first week in office has been bad news for a climate that is already nearing an irreversible tipping point. Actions at the national level impact our region’s coastal communities and marine environment.  It is imperative for the ocean that fossil fuel extraction, production, and use be immediately reduced and phased out. With this in mind, we will review several climate and air quality related actions that have the potential to cause ocean acidification, sea level rise, and direct water quality impacts in our region:

§  Trump Energy Plan – one of the first actions of the Trump Administration was to take down the White House webpage on climate change and in its place, post the “America First Energy Plan”. The plan calls for the elimination of environmental regulations such as the Clean Power Plan (which would also reduce particulate emissions) and the “Waters of the US rule” which protects headwaters, tributaries, vernal ponds, and isolated wetlands, as well as emphasizes the expansion of shale oil and gas development and coal mining.

·         Not only does Trump’s energy plan spell disaster from a climate perspective (sea level rise, ocean acidification), but an increased emphasis on fossil fuel development would also accelerate the development of pipeline, liquefaction, and other industrial infrastructure across the state which would have direct construction and operation impacts to air, water, and ecosystems.

·         This is also alarming news for the continental shelf, as it appears that Trump is moving towards reversing the section 12(a) OCSLA protections that the Obama Administration implemented prior to leaving office, as well as the potential for rewriting the OCS lease plan to include the Mid-Atlantic region in drilling exploration and leasing in the future. New Jersey officials have long opposed drilling in the Atlantic because any spills could put New Jersey’s estimated $700 billion in coastal properties at risk as well as its $45 billion Shore-based tourism industry and the state’s commercial fishing industry, which generates $8 billion annually and supports about 50,000 jobs.

o   http://www.track-trump.com/

§  Nominations - Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt continues to go through the nomination process for confirmation as head of EPA, as does Rex Tillerson, Former CEO of Exxon Mobile, as nominee for Secretary of State. Both of these choices are clear wins for the fossil fuel lobby. Both men have strong oil and gas industry ties. Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt is an avowed climate change denier with close ties to the oil and gas industry who has sued the EPA over a dozen times to block air, water, and climate regulations. In the past six years, he filed more than a dozen lawsuits against the E.P.A., in many cases acting in concert with the very industries that the regulations were aimed at. Meanwhile, a super pac close to Pruitt, called Liberty 2.0, was collecting large contributions from these same industries; Murray Energy, the country’s largest coal company, for instance, gave fifty thousand dollars in August. http://oklahomawatch.org/2016/12/08/nearly-half-of-donations-to-pruitt-pac-came-from-energy-sector/  Tillerson was CEO of one of the largest fossil fuel corporations in the world, which funded and spread climate denial science. The CEO of Exxon-Mobil taking over the State Department (and hence the international dimensions of U.S. climate change policy) would be a clear victory for oil and gas interests. Stay tuned for the eventual appointment of the Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 (which encompasses the NY and NJ region).

§  Keystone XL and the Dakota Access Pipeline – President Trump signed executive orders 6 through 10, a set of orders that seek to revive and streamline the permitting process for two high profile fossil fuel pipeline projects; the Keystone XL and the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Keystone XL pipeline would largely pump oil from Canadian tar sands ― a source that is highly energy and water intensive to extract and considered one of the dirtiest fossil fuels ― to refineries on the Gulf coast of Texas. Keystone XL would carry 830,000 barrels of tar sand oil. In 2015, the Obama administration halted the project by denying permits. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/24/us/politics/keystone-dakota-pipeline-trump.html?_r=0

Stay Tuned for Next Week – THREAT LEVEL YELLOW

o   Congress readies to wipe out newly passed environmental regulations: Reuters is reporting that Congressional republicans are ready and raring to use the Congressional Review Act (which requires simple majority votes) to stop recently passed regulations from taking effect. On the chopping block include EPA’s efforts to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations on public lands, coal ash management regulations, and stream protection rules for coal mining, among other recently implemented regulatory actions. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-congress-regulation-idUSKBN1592AT

o   More appointments on the way: It is being reported that FERC Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur will be President Donald Trump’s preferred choice to replace current chairman Norman Bay as the head of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC regulates interstate electricity generation and transmission and natural gas pipelines. The consensus among industry is that LaFleur, a former utility executive, will be friendlier to energy industry needs than Bay, who previously led FERC’s enforcement office, and has led some of the agency’s recent investigations into market manipulation by energy giants. https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-trumps-reported-ferc-chair-pick-could-push-a-more-fossil-fuel-friendly?utm_source=Daily&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=GTMDaily   

The Health of the Ocean

Take a deep breath. Now take another deep breath. The oxygen you inhaled for your second breath came from the ocean. The ocean is a gift to all of us as it provides 70% of the world’s oxygen according to National Geographic. Specifically, phytoplankton, tiny organisms found at the water’s surface, are responsible for producing much of the air we breathe. As you can see, the health of the ocean directly affects us and, unfortunately, the ocean is under the weather.

Our planet is warming, with 2015 officially the hottest year ever recorded. A warming planet leads to a warming ocean, which leads to many harmful and life threatening affects. These affects include, coral bleaching or ‘whitening’ of coral, rising ocean temperatures, and ocean acidification. The ocean has already lost around 40% of its coral reefs. Coral reefs are vitally important for the ocean ecosystem, supporting a quarter of all marine life. Loss of coral reefs affects the ocean’s food chain and the food supply for many nations who depend on the fishing industry. 

Researchers have also found that the ocean is absorbing over 90% of heat energy generated by manmade greenhouse gas emissions.  This accelerates the warming of the waters and warm water holds less oxygen.

As more carbon dioxide is spewed into the atmosphere, the ocean is becoming more acidic. The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is being absorbed by the ocean and converted into carbonic acid, creating a highly acidic ocean. This increase in acidity is threatening the ocean, especially shellfish. Studies have shown that the shells of tiny snails are dissolving because of the amount of acid in the water.

Although the future may look grim and the issues seem too manage, we can and must be a part of the solution. Our everyday actions greatly impact our planet and the ocean. From the food we eat to the amount we drive. It is important to share information about solutions with family, friends, co-workers, on social media, and as far and wide as you can. If you are already using reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils, take it to the next level - drive less, eat less meat, get involved in your local community and with politics.

When Mother Nature is sick, it is our duty to nurse her back to health. As Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action, once said, “What’s not to love about the ocean? It’s resilient. If you give the ocean a chance to heal, it can come back. That’s a powerful message for all of us.’’

Consequences for Lifting the Oil Export Ban

As we approach the end of what is on track to be the hottest year on record and as world leaders just agreed to an historic climate plan, Congress voted to lift the four decade old ban on crude oil exports. The decision now lies on President Obama, who has threatened to veto the bill. Lifting the ban would only add more fuel to the fires that are burning out West, create a more acidic ocean, and squander our natural resources for future generations. The only winners from this deal are Big Oil, who would see massive profits, while our coast will be in greater risk from offshore drilling.

By lifting the ban, it is estimated an additional 22 million metric tons of global warming pollution will be emitted each year. An extra 7,600 more wells would have to be drilled, yielding 3.3 million more barrels of oil a day. More oil could mean more pipelines, more offshore exporting facilities, more greenhouse gases, and an even stronger push to open the Atlantic to offshore drilling.

It is hypocritical for the United States to agree to urgently address climate change, while simultaneously approving policies that will accelerate the warming of the planet. Clean Ocean Action is urged lawmakers to keep the ban in place. 

NJDEP Proposes Consolidation and Amendment of Rules Governing Coastal Development

The June 2 New Jersey Register contained a notice from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) that the agency has proposed to consolidate the existing Coastal Permit Program Rules and Coastal Zone Management rules into one chapter and to make other changes on how development in coastal areas will be permitted in the future.

The proposed rules contain several components that appear to be beneficial for water quality, and also some troubling provisions.  For example, the definition of “dredged material” is modified so that it makes clear that it is not a solid waste under the Solid Waste rules.  This will enable increased beneficial use of dredged materials for beach protection, marsh creation, capping of contaminated soils or sediments, and other projects, as long as the material meets certain criteria.  On the other hand, provisions which will allow “permit by certification” for bulkhead reconstruction and recreational dock and pier construction in lagoons will streamline the process for homeowners and businesses, but eliminates much of the oversight on these types of projects, and fails to encourage natural living shorelines as alternatives.

COA is concerned that the proposed rule changes, which represent the first major overhaul of the coastal rules following Sandy, do not go far enough to address the threats that future climate change and sea level rise pose to our coastal areas – in fact, the phrases “climate change” and “sea level rise” are not mentioned even once in the over 1,000-page document released by the NJDEP.  The proposed rules also include provisions that encourage coastal development, including provisions that enable marina construction and expansion in certain areas of shellfish habitat and the construction of restaurants (non-water dependent uses) in certain new or existing marinas, which can cause increased litter in the marine environment.

A final public hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 9 at 11:00am at the Coastal Education Center of the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, located at 130 Great Bay Boulevard in Tuckerton.  Written comments may be submitted either electronically or via regular mail by August 1, 2014.  Visit www.nj.gov/dep/rules for the full proposal and information on how to submit comments.

What's Next, One Year After Sandy

Waves of Action Program Culminates with Distinguished Speakers,

Panel Discussions, and Sea Level Rise Survey Results

Full house at McLoone's Pier House in Long Branch

On Saturday, Clean Ocean Action (COA) held a conference with concerned citizens more than one year after Superstorm Sandy at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, New Jersey.

A celebration of the culmination of Waves of Action “For The Shore,” the year-long Sandy response program, the conference highlighted the extraordinary success of Waves of Action volunteers and project leaders, released results of a summer-long survey on sea level rise and accountability, and included panel discussions with distinguished speakers.  Panelists and speakers discussed, ‘What Do Communities Need Now and How Can Volunteers Help?’ and ‘What Resources are Available for Resiliency and Environmental Stewardship?’

One hundred and seventy three citizens were surveyed during the Clean Ocean Action Shore Tips (C.O.A.S.T.) campaign this past summer to garner public opinion about sea level rise and climate change, the impacts from Superstorm Sandy and what citizens believe elected officials and the general public should do in response to sea level rise and climate change.  The results are clear; the majority of the public believe that sea level rise exists and that a broad array of both citizen action and government action are needed to reduce the impacts.  Sea level rise survey and report by Macailagh McCue, 2013 C.O.A.S.T. Intern, 2014 Masters Candidate, James Madison University.

“Over the course of the past summer, COA’s sea level rise survey of the people of the Jersey Shore led to one inescapable conclusion – nearly everyone agrees the climate is changing, the sea is rising and that it’s up to us to make changes in our lives, communities and laws,” said Clean Ocean Action Coastal Policy Attorney Sean Dixon.

“New Jersey Recovery Fund grantees have been doing amazing work throughout the state of NJ to promote a recovery process that is transparent, sustainable, creative and equitable. They are currently serving as watchdogs, healers, educators and leaders to better prepare NJ for future disasters. I look forward to sharing more information about their work with conference participants,” stated Emilio DeLia, New Jersey Recovery Fund Project Manager.

“As the founder and editor of Jersey Shore Hurricane News, I not only report the daily news, but I'm also at the helm of a community of people primarily in Ocean and Monmouth counties. The platform is a community resource and has been intimately involved in the post-Sandy recovery. Accordingly, with the long-term recovery still in its early stages, our communities will continually require a strong communications coalition,” explained Founder of Jersey Shore Hurricane News Justin Auciello.

“Nature is tremendously resilient if given the chance and volunteers can make a big impact,” stated Save Barnegat Bay Executive Director Britta Wenzel.

“The challenge for homeowners that want to rebuild in a more sustainable manner is a lack of resources to support that decision. Many residents are struggling just to rebuild what they had, and often the additive cost of building a more resilient home is prohibitive. Government programs and flood insurance payments should provide additional resources to assist homeowners and businesses build a more sustainable shore community,” said Sea Bright Volunteer Coordinator Frank Lawrence.

"The need was unprecedented, as was the response. But we may just be looking at the tip of an iceberg in future years, an iceberg quickly melting into higher sea levels as it rushes our way," stated NJ Reporter for NBC New York Brian Thompson.

“As time goes on, Superstorm Sandy won’t be given as much media attention, which is why it is important that groups like Clean Ocean Action continue to advocate for what needs to be done in the future.  It is important to restore the shore, but it is most important to think long-term and prevent future damage,” explained US Representative Frank Pallone, New Jersey, 6^th District.

"Clean Ocean Action's comprehensive response to Hurricane Sandy, sea level rise, and extreme weather is impressive.  COA has been front and center engaging shore lovers at the grassroots, businesses, and elected officials to be proactive about our resiliency in the midst of climate change," said Lauren Townsend, NJ Director of US Strong. “Congratulations to COA's board, staff, and activists for accomplishing so much throughout 2013's Waves of Action, and thank you for your counsel and partnership advocating for national action, and the creation of a federal extreme weather relief and protection fund," added Townsend.

“Waves of Action ‘For the Shore’ was Clean Ocean Action coalition’s response to Superstorm Sandy. It has been a remarkable year of challenges and achievements, and there are thousands of stories of tenacity, compassion, resiliency and hope.  We believe the program must now evolve to help move toward restoration—minding the rules of Mother Nature and encouraging environmental stewardship.  Indeed, it’s not really a choice, it’s a mandate,” said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.

Through Waves of Action “For The Shore,” almost 14,000 volunteers have helped to improve and protect the marine environment through 281 projects, with more than 125 different organizations, in over 70 towns in New York and New Jersey.  For more information, visit www.ForTheShore.org.

The Waves of Action Conference was sponsored by Whole Earth Center of Princeton, Montecalvo Recovery Facility, New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio, Barefoot Wine and Bubbly.

The Waves of Action program was sponsored by Aveda, Bloomberg, Dave Matthews Band, Provident Bank Foundation, LUSH Cosmetics, Rebuild Recover, Mickey Hart Band, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, All-State Foundation, Spinach for Rip & Joe Schiavone Foundation, Eileen Fisher, Inc., The Harriet Greenfield Foundation.

Superstorm Sandy-Inspired Education: First 'Virtual Teach-In' on Climate Issues a Success

Photo Credit: Basil Henning

For the November Wave of Action, COA compiled educational materials from national and international sources that creatively and clearly present complex climate issues.  Materials were sorted by topic and age with resources available for K-12.  Topics included Climate Change, Global Warming, Sea Level Rise, Your Carbon Footprint, Greenhouse Gases, and the Science Behind Hurricanes and Superstorm Sandy.

Over 87 educators throughout New York and New Jersey, and even Australia, who represented 77 schools, 6 groups, 1 Cub Scout Troop, and 3 homeschoolers, signed up to bring the resources into their classrooms.

“I envision that in the future these 5th graders could find themselves in a meaningful conversation where they can contribute their ideas in their second language to help the environment.  We stressed in class that these issues were not isolated to New Jersey or to the United States, but rather a global issue that demands we work together internationally,” explained Knollwood School Spanish Teacher Basil Henning.

“Thank you for the abundance of educational information that you provided for my students. I was happy to participate and I believe my students gained tremendous insight into the conditions that set these storms into motion and the devastation that they can cause to the communities that they impact,” stated Woodlynne Public School Science Teacher Renae Vannais.

Climate change education is important every day of the year, especially now in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. Many voices around the world are making the connection between the Typhoon and climate change. In fact, the UN Conference on Climate Change is currently meeting in Poland.

Please visit ForTheShore.org to access COA's resources and lesson plans on climate change any day of the year. 

Join us in celebrating the culmination of Waves of Action For The Shore, Clean Ocean Action’s year-long Sandy response program, on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30AM-12:00PM at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, NJ.  Almost 14,000 volunteers (and counting) have helped to improve and protect the marine environment through 281 projects, with more than 100 different organizations, in over 70 towns in New York and New Jersey.  For more information and to reserve your seat at this breakfast event, click here.

Superstorm Sandy Inspired Education: First Virtual 'Teach-In' on Climate Issues November 13-15

Coalition Calling For Teachers to Educate Students on Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, Severe Weather, and Solutions

Clean Ocean Action is inviting teachers, instructors, and educators to participate in a program to bring climate issues into the classroom for three days in November as a part of Waves of Action For The Shore.  The Waves of Action initiative was created after Superstorm Sandy to help coastal communities recover. 

For the November Waves focus, Clean Ocean Action compiled educational materials from national and international sources that creatively and clearly present complex scientific issues.  These resources include videos, activity booklets, and pre-written interactive lesson plans.  Materials are sorted by topic and age groups with resources available for all grades from K-12.  Teachers will also be asked for feedback and input about their experience to help COA gain insights on how to improve climate education initiatives.

“We believe there is something inspiring, cathartic, and exciting about collectively taking part in shared education activities,” said Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director. “They bring people together for a common goal; here in the NY/NJ region, education about the impacts from Superstorm Sandy and climate threats are essential to improving our future resiliency and environmental stewardship,” she added.

Registered teachers will be given online resources on the following topics to be presented to their classes any time from Wednesday, November 13^th through Friday, November 15^th:

• Superstorm Sandy: What Do We Know?
• Climate Change/Global Warming
• Sea Level Rise: Cause and Effect
• Climate Change Water Impacts: Droughts, Floods, & Ocean Acidification
• Energy Use, Your Carbon Footprint, & Solutions

“We are asking teachers, scout leaders, school club advisors, and other educators from across New Jersey and New York to take part in the first ‘Virtual Teach-In’ and educate their students during November 13-15,” said Catie Tobin Clean Ocean Action Ocean Advocacy and Education Fellow. “This is a great opportunity for educational leaders in the community to expand understanding of climate issues in an interactive way,” Tobin explained.

To receive information educators are being asked to register on the Waves of Action website, www.ForTheShore.org.  Once registered, they will be sent links to the online educational activities. Teachers will also be asked for feedback and input about the Virtual Teach-In and invited to suggest ideas and activities.  

Four Steps to Get Wise on Sea Level Rise Today

1. Visit NJFloodMapper.org to see flood hazards and the impacts of sea level rise in your community.

2. If you haven’t already, fill out Clean Ocean Action’s sea level rise survey.  COA will begin compiling the survey data on Friday, November 1.  This week is your last chance to add your voice to COA’s survey!

The survey will help gauge public perception on what should be done to prevent sea level-related devastation and who is responsible for resiliency and responsible recovery. The survey will also help measure public understanding of sea level rise.

3. Check out COA’s plan for November Waves of Action: bringing sea level rise into the classroom:

For November’s Waves of Action theme, COA is bringing sea level rise and climate change into the classroom. Currently compiling resources for teachers to utilize, COA is working to create lesson plans based on scientific articles, videos, and websites to help educate our future leaders about the reality of climate change and sea level rise. Educators will be able to register online to receive targeted lesson plans and pledge to teach those lessons on November 13-15 as a part of Waves of Action. For more information, please visit www.ForTheShore.org.

4. Reserve your seat for Clean Ocean Action’s Waves of Action Conference and Awards Breakfast in December. The results of the sea level rise survey will be presented at the Conference on Saturday, December 7.

Help Turn the Tide on Sea Level Rise with COA

Next week Clean Ocean Action will host two “Pizza Parties with a Purpose”.

The purpose? – To discuss seal level rise and how it is impacting the Jersey Shore and your community.

Seal level rise is posing a greater threat to the Jersey Shore than ever before. Our homes, local businesses, and marine life are all more vulnerable than they were a hundred years ago. Super-storm Sandy devastated our communities and forever changed our landscape. Though the storm was extreme, scientists have made it clear that we need to prepare for ongoing sea level rise, storm surges, and more frequent and severe storms in the future. We need to take action now to address these impacts.

So where do you come in?

These pizza parties will allow you to learn about how sea level rise is impacting New Jersey and the world. Furthermore, you will learn what you can do to help educate and motivate people to reduce the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. Come enjoy a night of free pizza and meet COA staff and other volunteers. They will discuss how you can become more involved with Clean Ocean Action, and help turn the tide on sea level rise!

Come to one of the following events to find out more:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Ocean County Vocational Technical School: Toms River Center
1299 Old Freehold Road
Toms River, NJ 08753

Thursday, June 27, 2013 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Monmouth Beach Cultural Center
128 Ocean Ave, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750

To RSVP, please contact Macailagh McCue, COAST Coordinator at coast@cleanoceanaction.org

Attention all county and town planners, 

managers, and engineers...

NOAA and Monmouth County Cool Cities Partnership are hosting:

Climate Adaptation Training for

Coastal Communities

Monmouth University April 23-25, 2013

400 Cedar Ave. W. Long Branch, NJ 07764

McGill Hall – Rooms 107-109

9:00 am – 4:30 pm

To register: Email your name, town, position in that town and your phone number and email address to: mjsavoia@comcast.net   

This interactive three-day training course provides individuals with a climate adaptation toolkit to identify and address planning priorities in the contest of community priorities. Course modules are taught by NOAA’S Coastal Services Center training staff and local partners. CEU credits available.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

ü  Recognize the changes and variability in climate and climate’s influence on coastal communities,

ü  Understand key elements to consider for a vulnerability assessment,

ü  Evaluate the strengths and weakness of adaptation strategies through various methods, and

ü  Identify opportunities to leverage a range of governance mechanisms to integrate adaptation strategies into their existing efforts.

For more information please contact:

Maria Savoia

mjsavoia@comcast.net

Monmouth County Cool Cities Partnership

Gwen Shaughnessy

NOAA coastal Services Center

Gwen.shaughnessy@noaa.gov

www.csc.noaa.gov

Additional useful tools:  http://njfloodmapper.org/  to map and visusalize sea level change, FEMA zones, and Sandy storm surge in NJ. 

http://www.prepareyourcommunitynj.org/ This online assessment process is a tool to assist communities to reduce vulnerability and increase preparedness by linking planning, mitigation, and adaption.  This tool identifies how through preparedness your community can gain valuable points through FEMA's Community Rating System and Sustainable Jersey. 

NJ Bill to Reduce Plastic Bag Pollution and Support Barnegat Bay Passes Committee

NJ Bill to Reduce Plastic Bag Pollution and Support Barnegat Bay Passes Committee

Photo Credit: http://www.seaturtle.org/imagelib/?photo=4364

(Trenton, New Jersey) – Clean Ocean Action testified before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee  in general support of Senate Bill 812, the “Carryout Bag Reduction and Recycling Act,” a bill that would provide financial incentives to reduce the number of paper and plastic carryout bags distributed by stores.  The bill proposes that the funds generated would be directed to help improve water quality in Barnegat Bay and passed in Committee today.  However, COA urged that in the short term, a substantial portion of the proceeds go toward removing massive debris fields in the marine environment caused by Sandy.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, Chairman of the Committee, would require the operator of every convenience store, drugstore, supermarket or retail establishment that provides carryout bags to its customers to implement a $0.05 fee for every carryout bag distributed beginning January 1, 2014.   Additional incentives encourage customers to bring reusable bags.

Twice each year, Clean Ocean Action holds state-wide Beach Sweeps where volunteers from across New Jersey gather at over 70 locations from Cape May to Essex County, recording and tallying data of the amount of debris collected.  According to Clean Ocean Action’s Beach Sweeps report for 2011, 8,245 plastic shopping bags were collected in just two days (by 7,575 volunteers).

Testifying on behalf of COA, Zach McCue, Citizen Action Coordinator said, “While plastic bags may not be the number one item collected during beach sweeps, they still contribute significantly to the unnecessary amount of waste on our shores.  This bill takes action to reduce needless pollution while starting a much needed dialogue on the public’s usage of single use disposable plastic.”

Reducing the use of single use bags with financial incentives will dramatically reduce the consumption of plastic bags, as well as provide resources for reducing pollution. Many business leaders in NJ are already encouraging people to bring their own bags.  A statewide reduction of plastic bag use is necessary to ensure this law is fair and effective.

“According to Beach Sweep data, we have noticed an apparent decline in smoking related debris with the increase of smoking bans in public places,” stated Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Education Coordinator.  “We are hoping to see a similar result with a plastic bag reduction law.  In addition, the purchase of cigarettes includes fees which help fund programs to improve public health.  Similarly, this Bag Reduction law will direct the funds generated by this environmental threat to help improve water quality,” added Danch. 

Clean Ocean Action supports, S812, in general with initial recommendations and may have further suggestions.  For the first 5 years, allowing a substantial portion of the revenues generated by the bill should be used to help municipalities fund the clean-up of marine debris caused by Hurricane Sandy, including communities of the Barnegat Bay.  Much of the debris, including displaced boats, cars, and refrigerators, are hazardous to habitats and wildlife and contain toxins. The price of cleaning shorelines and waterways may cost millions of dollars and funds from S812 could help defray those costs.

Following the initial 5 years, funds should then be directed solely to the Barnegat Bay to improve water quality.  After 10 years from passage, the bill should require a reassessment of funding structures to consider future needs to improve water quality.  Clean Ocean Action is also concerned with the enforceability of the bill, and asked the Committee to put measures in place to assure that the NJDEP will enforce the provisions and produce the reports that are stipulated in the bill.

“We are encouraged that NJ may join the growing efforts in the US and around the world to reduce this harmful, and avoidable source of pollution, waste, and litter, as well as fund important work to improve water quality,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of COA.

NJ Sea Level Rise Symposium

Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook during last October's
King Tide, which is a preview of what average high tide
levels may likely be by 2030-2050.

Please join us for a “Symposium on Sea Level Rise in New Jersey: Causes, Effects and a Call to Action” hosted by the Monmouth County Cool Cities Partnership in cooperation with the Monmouth County Environmental Council, Brookdale Community College, American Littoral Society, Clean Ocean Action and New Jersey Environmental Federation. It is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Brookdale Community College in Middletown.

Climate experts will present on sea level rise in New Jersey, as well as its causes and the urgent need for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists cite the increasingly levels of these gases from human activities in the atmosphere, as the cause of the rising and warming seas, increased storm surges, and more frequent flooding. The symposium will provide resources and discuss what communities can do to reduce the impact of rising seas and to protect our coast. Presentations and discussion include:

• Impacts of Sea-level Rise (SLR) in Coastal Monmouth County - Prof. Norbert Psuty, Rutgers University 
• Causes of SLR & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction -Prof. Patrick Hossay, Stockton College 
• Community Adaptations to SLR - Prof. Jon Miller, Stevens Institute 
• Mitigating SLR through Conservation of Estuarine Habitat - William Shadel, American Littoral Society 
• Interactive Online SLR & Flooding Mapping Website - Lisa Auermuller, Jacques Cousteau NERR 
• Introduction to Sustainable Jersey’s Climate Adaptation Point-scoring Actions and Resources for Communities -Randall Solomon, Co-director, Sustainable Jersey 
• A Taped Interview with Congressman Rush Holt 
• “Take Action for Weathering Change” Statement & Funding Sources - MCCCP

Registration is required by September 15. The cost is $15 which includes lunch. To register and for more information, click here.

Happy World Oceans Day!

 

Here's three ways to celebrate the sea on World Oceans Day: 

 

Step 1. Sign up for Clean Ocean Action's Tour for the Shore here. 

To help raise public awareness and participation for the Clean Ocean Zone, join us on the road, at sea or on land from Cape May, New Jersey to Montauk, New York. Departing on August 10th, 2012, take back in our 15-day adventure!  Over the course of the tour, rallies, and campaign and media events will be held to garner support from elected officials and citizens.

Step 2. Be the solution to ocean pollution; donate to Clean Ocean Action!  Supporters who give $25 or more will be eligible to win a Clean Ocean Action tote bag and other beachy prizes!

Step 3. Go for a walk on the beach and bring a bag to collect some litter! 

 

King Tide Photo Contests in New Jersey and New York on October 27

On Thursday October 27, 2011, a king tide, an extra high tide, will impact the coastal region of New York and New Jersey.  King tides happen twice a year when the Earth, moon, and sun align, maximizing the gravitational forces that produce tides.  The name “king tides” is more common in the Pacific where these tides can be formidable creating big surf and strong rip currents.

Environmental planners in our region, concerned about sea level rise, are requesting photos of the event in the Hudson River Estuary region and in Barnegat Bay as a preview of what average high tide levels will likely be 20 - 30 years from now.  Photos will help raise awareness of sea level rise predictions and provide valuable information to coastal policymakers.

For comparison with the king tide, photos are requested during a normal high tide, such as on Oct 19^th or 20^th and then midday on October 27^th during the king tide at the same location.  The time of high tides can be determined by looking at the following websites and choosing the gage site closest to your chosen location:    

New York sites and New Jersey sites

Two photos of the exact same location in the Hudson River Estuary or Barnegat Bay region are needed and can be submitted to the National Estuary Program hosting the contest.  Submit your 2 photos, along with the time, date, photographer name, geographic location (GPS coordinates if possible), orientation of photo (direction facing when taking it) and a caption or any other relevant information about the site to either the Hudson Estuary Program or the Barnegat Bay Partnership.

For Hudson River Estuary photos:

-          Email them to habitat@harborestuary.org by November 4^th

For Barnegat Bay photos:

-          Upload them to the Flickr™ group page

-          Or email them to Karen Walzer at the partnership at kwalzer@ocean.edu

The Barnegat Bay Program is offering a prize!  All photos submitted will automatically be entered into a contest, with the grand prize a pontoon boat tour of the bay, guided by a professional naturalist, for the winning photographer and 10 to 15 guests in spring 2012.  Two runners-up will each receive a Barnegat Bay Partnership gift bag.

Additional information can be found at the Barnegat Bay Partnership website or for the Hudson Estuary Program instructions or here.

Its Getting Hot and the Ocean is Rising

Rutgers University recently held a conference to inform people on climate change and predicted sea level rise for the 21ist century on the global scale and for the New Jersey shore.  The presentations and news stories covering the event are now posted here.  Sean, our Coastal Policy attorney, spoke on the policy panel.  Many local high schools students were there.

A lot of the discussion was familiar - both global temperatures and sea levels are rising.  Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses that absorb heat are making the earth warmer.  Global temperature increased by 1-1.5° F over the last century and is predicted to rise even more over the next 100 years. 

Temperature changes can alter the climate by shifting weather patterns (rainfall, number of storms, heat waves, etc.) and other processes.  Some areas will get hotter, other areas on the planet will be potentially cooler and rainier, and these changes can vary greatly from one year to the next.  These changes will impact food crops and production, human health (heat waves, spread of disease), the health of forests, wildlife, and marine life, air and water quality, and coastal communities.  For example in New York City, the number of heat waves will increase – the high heat days will be even greater if we continue to have high greenhouse gas emission - impacting people’s health, especially the elderly.

Increased temperatures will cause melting of glaciers and polar ice caps as well the expansion of seawater which contributes to rising sea levels.  Sea level has been rising globally.  The amount of rise that happens each year has increased recently.  Global sea levels are projected to rise by 2.4 feet by 2100.

In New Jersey, some low lying coastal areas experience regular flooding already and much of the coast will be even more vulnerable in the future due to rising seas.  In addition to the global sea level rise, our coast is slowly sinking as well both regionally and locally – which explains why the sea level is predicted to be higher along our coast.  Sea level is predicted to rise by about 1 foot by 2050 and by 3 feet by 2100 in New Jersey.  This will intensify beach erosion, marshland loss, and coastal flooding during high tides and storms.

We need to be prepared for these predicted changes going forward and use this knowledge to inform our state’s and coastal town’s policies and regulations and the public.  Although progress is beginning, more efforts are clearly necessary.