Atlantic Highlands and Margate Achieve Blue Star Win for Water Quality!

On July 27th and August 5th, COA awarded the Borough of Atlantic Highlands and Margate City, respectively, with their Municipal Blue Star Certificates at a ceremony at Town Hall to recognize their efforts to improve water quality.

Both join fellow Blue Star Municipalities, Wall Township, Long Beach Township, Galloway Township, and Howell Township. Since the program was launched in September of 2014, COA has worked with over 20 towns while they obtain Blue Star Certification.

The Municipal Blue Star program combines the visionary Sustainable Jersey Program with Clean Ocean Action’s focus on water quality protection. The Program encourages communities to promote healthy waters, resilient communities, and environmentally sound practices. To achieve Blue Star Award status, a municipality must target “Blue Star” actions for 50% of their total Sustainable Jersey points.

In addition to Sustainable Jersey projects, towns are required to choose one of COA’s additional actions. Both towns completed the Climate Adaptation: Flooding Risk Action, which is designed to identify a community’s vulnerability to flooding impacts (both coastal and inland) along with ways to improve a community’s overall resiliency.

As a town impacted by Superstorm Sandy, it is essential to take action to mitigate their vulnerability. With the completion of the Climate Adaptation: Flooding Risk Action, Atlantic Highlands and Margate are taking an important step in planning for their future.