ACTION ALERT: 100,000 VOICES NEEDED TO SAVE THE WHALES

Sign the Petition telling the White House to reject seismic airgun

surveys for oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean! 

http://goo.gl/8yvqa 

  

Photo Credit: NOAA

Friends of Marine Life: Immediate Action is needed to keep the ocean wild and industry free! The federal government is considering allowing "seismic surveys" in the Atlantic Ocean - airgun blasts designed to pinpoint offshore oil and gas deposits deep in the seafloor.  From death to deafness, these shockwaves threaten fish and fisheries, whales and dolphins, and the entire marine ecosystem.

  

Ted Danson, ocean advocate and actor, recently said it best in a blog post calling for a nation-wide voice in opposition to this proposal:

"In the ocean you find a symphony of sound, from the clicking of snapping shrimp to the long mournful wails of whales, and zips of dolphins. Now imagine this oceanic soundscape shattered by dynamite-like blasts, every 10 seconds for days and even weeks on end. Blasts so loud they can literally deafen marine mammals that need to listen to live, possibly injuring or killing these animals by the tens of thousands. This grisly scenario may soon become a reality in an area of the Atlantic Ocean twice the size of California, where the Department of the Interior is currently reviewing a proposal to test the seafloor with seismic airguns, all in the speculative pursuit of more offshore oil and gas."

Recently, a cohort of Congressmen and Senators urged President Obama to reject these surveys and protect the Atlantic Ocean from oil and gas activities. Read more here.

Please Act Now Take These Two Steps: 

Step One: Sound the alarm! Share this with your family, neighbors, and communities; every voice counts.  Ramp up the volume for the ocean! See how many signatures you can get. Send to 10, 20, 30, or more of your friends.  

Step Two: Join One Hundred Thousand of your fellow ocean heroes by signing this petition, urging the President to protect the mammals, fish, ecologies, and economies of the Atlantic Ocean:  http://goo.gl/8yvqa

Spring Into Waves of Action For The Shore

Citizens Called to Participate in 28th Annual
COA Beach Sweeps

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Clean Ocean Action (COA) invites citizens and organizations to participate in 
the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps on Saturday, April 27 at over 60 sites along the Jersey 
Shore. A complete list of cleanup locations and times can be found at www.ForTheShore.org.
This year’s event is in combination with the fifth Wave of Action, a program that is responding to the impacts of Superstorm Sandy and helping to improve and protect the marine environment through monthly volunteer actions.

“Clean Ocean Action is excited to integrate the 28th Annual Spring Beach Sweeps as part of the Waves of Action, a year-long initiative to recover and restore the NY/NJ coastline after the devastation of Sandy,” commented Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Program Manager. “Sandy hit the Jersey Shore hard and littered our beaches with a huge amount of debris,” added Danch.

The Beach Sweeps is much more than picking up trash, it’s about collecting data to help reduce sources of pollution. Volunteers are instructed to record the quantity and types of debris found. The information collected at the Sweeps is analyzed and published into annual reports.These reports helps identify pollution problems, aid legislators in enacting laws to protect our marine environment, and inform local and international efforts to combat marine pollution. COA will release the 2012 Annual Beach Sweep report mid-April, just in time for the spring Beach Sweeps. All reports are available on-line at www.CleanOceanAction.org.

“The Beach Sweeps is a 28 year tradition which provides citizens with a way to give back to the coast and to gather much needed information so we can reduce litter sources,” said Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director.

COA encourages participation from volunteers of all ages individually or from businesses, 
families, and organizations. Volunteer are requested to pre-register by using the online sign-up form at www.ForTheShore.org. Volunteers should bring gloves, dress for the weather, apply sunscreen, and wear closed-toed, hard-soled shoes. Click here for a complete list of sites. 

Thank you to the generous businesses that partner with Clean Ocean Action to sponsor and 
support the Beach Sweeps. Statewide Sponsors include Atlantic City Electric, Aveda, Comcast Cares, and Shoprite Wakefern. South Jersey Sponsors include South Jersey Industries and TD Bank. Monmouth County Sponsors include BD, Brook 35 & West, The Grove, TD Bank, and United Teletech Financial. 

Individual Site Sponsors include Adventure Aquarium - Ocean City 59th Street Pavilion, Brookdale Community College - Middletown Bayshore Waterfront Park, Enterprise Rent A Car -Sandy Hook, Montecalvo Recovery Facility - Sandy Hook, New Jersey Natural Gas - Belmar 1st Avenue, Paul V. Fernicola & Associates - Loch Arbour/Allenhurst, Surfrider Foundation, Jersey Shore Chapter - Asbury Park North Beach, Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter - In Memory of Tommy Kraemer – Avalon. Additional generous in-kind support provided by Montecalvo Recovery Facility, Rotary Club International District 7510, and Shoprite Wakefern.

Beach Sweeps participants also have the option to collect donations for volunteer efforts and 
raise funds for COA's ocean protection work. Those who raise $100 receive Clean Ocean 
Action's popular ChicoBag made from recycled plastic bottles. Teams and individuals can join 
the effort at http://www.crowdrise.com/BeachSweeps.

Celebrate Earth Day with COA and Aveda

COA has been chosen as an Aveda partner in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Eastern Pennsylvania for their Earth Month 2013 campaign. During Earth Month, funds are raised independently by thousands of Aveda salons, spas and institutes as they participate in exciting events that include fashion shows, cut-a-thons, Walks for Water, product raffles, and much more. What began as a day of awareness in 1999 became $26 million raised for the Earth, $20 million of which was raised for clean water projects. Aveda will also partner with Global Greengrants Fund to provide grants for community-based water projects in more than 40 countries.


For more information on the events below to benefit COA and “soon to be added” events call COA’s office at 732-872-0111. Join us! Find an Earth Month event near you!

All April:  Earth Month Raffle with A New Beginning Salon, Bethel, CT
All April:  Bicycle Raffle with Aveda 5th Avenue, Aveda Grand Central, and Aveda Roosevelt Field Mall Experience Centers - Thanks to Second Life Bikes, Asbury Park, NJ
4-1 through 4-5-2013: California Pizza Kitchen, Westbury, NY with Aveda Experience Center- Roosevelt Fields Mall
4-6-2013:   9am-6pm Earth Month Kick-off Day, Ted & Company, Staten Island, NY
4-8-2013:  12pm-8pm Earth Month Kick-off Party, Shine Salon, Ridgefield, CT
4-15-2013: California Pizza Kitchen with Aveda Bridgewater Experience Center, Bridgewater, NJ
4-16-2013:  10am-4pm, Cut-a-thon, New Attitude Salon, Easton, PA
4-17-2013:  1pm-6pm, Cut-a-thon, T & Co., Bethlehem, PA
4-21-2013:  10am-4pm, Cut-a-thon, Evolve Salon and Spa, Center Valley, PA
4-21-2013:  10am-1pm, Beach Cleanup with Shine Salon in Sherwood Isle in Westport, CT
4-21-2013:  10am-4pm, Cut-a-thon, Evolve Salon & Spa, Center Valley, PA
4-22-2013:  10am-4pm, Cut-a-thon, Essentials Salon & Spa, Warrington, PA
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Spa Adriana, Huntington, NY
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Arame Salon, Port Jefferson, NY
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Natural Look Salon & Spa, Elmhurst, NY
4-22-2013:  12-8pm, GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Grand Central Station – Aveda Store and Liz Russell Salon
4-22-2013:  12-8pm, GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Columbus Circle - Aveda Store and Parlor Salon, NY, NY
4-22-2013:  11am-9pm, GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Scott J Salon Spas, 242 East 86th Street, NY, NY4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Natural Look Salon & Spa, Elmhurst, N
4-22-2013:  12pm-8pm, GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Flatiron/5th Avenue Aveda Store and Asanda Salon and Spa, New York, NY

4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, In the Village Salon, Woolwich, NJ

4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, The Look at Gladstone, Gladstone, NJ
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Hair Works Urban Oasis, Clifton, NJ
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Imago Beauty Group at the Basilico, Jersey City, NJ
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Pure Energy Hair Studio, Nutley, NJ
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Visage Salon and Spa, Oradell, NJ
4-22-2013:  12pm-4:00pm, GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Portfolio, A Salon, Boalsburg, PA
4-22-2013:  GLOBAL Cut-a-thon, Aveda Institute New York, NY
4-22-2013:  Earth Day and GLOBAL Cut-a-thons for Clean Water – Help us be recognized by the Guinness Book of Records and find a participating Aveda salon listed above or at www.aveda.com.
4-24-2013:  6:30pm-8:30pm, An Evening at the Parlor Style Lab, Parlor Salon, New York, NY.
4-27-2013:  9am-12:30pm, Beach Sweeps with Aveda team at Atlantic City and Sandy Hook, NJ
4-29-2013:  10am-12:30pm, Staten Island Beach Cleanup with A Secret Garden Salon and Spa, Staten Island, NY
4-30-2013:  11:30-12:30, Walk-for-Water with Ted & Company, Staten Island, NY
4-30-2013:  Earth Month Fashion Show at Le Souk, New York, NY
5-4-2013: 
5-6-2013:   11am-1pm, Coney Island Beach Sweep with Parlor in Brooklyn Salon in Coney Island, NY


Many thanks to our salon partners who participate in Earth Month! Visit these generous salons and spas and thank them for their dedication to clean water!

A Albert Aveda Salon, Chelton, CT 
A New Beginning Salon, Bethel, CT
Arame Salon & Spa, Port Jefferson, NY
Asanda Aveda Spa Lounge, New York, NY
Aveda Advanced Academy, NY, NY
Aveda 5th Avenue Experience Center, New York, NY
Aveda Grand Central Experience Center, New York, NY
Aveda Roosevelt Field Mall, Garden City, NY
Belliard's Spa and Salon, Cherry Hill, NJ
Bliss, An Eco-Friendly Salon, Pottstown, PA
Core Salon and Spa, Randolph, NJ
Eclipse - Hair, Body, Nails, Tarrytown, NY
Essentials at Valley Square, Warrington, PA
Essentials Salon and Spa, Doylestown, A
Evolve Salon and Spa, Center Valley, PA
Franklyn Studio, Camp Hill, PA
Fringe, Maplewood, NJ
Hair Cult, Hoboken, NJ
Hair Works Urban Oasis, Clifton, NJ
Imago Beauty Group at the Basilico, Jersey City, NJ
In the Village Salon, Woolwich, NJ
International Salon and Spa, Sparta, NJ
Jean Madeline - Aveda Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Liquid Salon, East Brunswick, NJ
Liz Russell Salon, New York, NY
The Look at Gladstone, Gladstone, NJ
Natural Look Salon & Spa, Elmhurst, NY
New Attitude Salon, Easton, PA
Parlor Avenue B, New York, NY
Parlor Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY
Parlor Hair Studio, Montclair, NJ
Portfolio, A Salon, Boalsburg, PA
Pure Energy Hair Studio, Nutley, NJ
Rizzieri Aveda School, Voorhees, NJ
Salon Above, New York, NY
Salon Platinum, Mechanicsburg, PA
The Sapphire, Moosic, PA
Scott J Salons, New York, NY
Shine Salon, Ridgefield, CT
Spa Adriana, Huntingdon, NY
Studio 35 Salon, Newtown, PA
T & Co., Bethlehem, PA
Talkin’ Heads, South Amboy, NJ
Ted & Company, Staten Island, NY
Tousled, Jersey City, NJ
Visage Salon and Spa, Oradell, NJ



About Aveda

Founded in 1978, Aveda™ creates high performance, botanically based products for beauty professionals and consumers — while continuously striving to conduct business in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Headquartered in Blaine, Minnesota, Aveda manufactures innovative plant-based hair care, skin care, makeup and lifestyle products, available for retail in Aveda Experience Centers and more than 7,000 professional hair salons and spas in more than 30 countries, as well as at www.aveda.com.

Calling All Volunteers: Clean Ups on March 23

Calling All Volunteers!

Help Make a Difference in
Coastal Communities After Sandy

Join Clean Ocean Action and over 20 other organizations, businesses and municipalities on Saturday, March 23rd for the Fourth
Wave of Action "For the Shore."

There are still projects in need of volunteers for March 23!

Projects in New Jersey:

Monmouth County

Sandy Hook
Little Silver

West Long Branch

Deal

Asbury Park

Loch Arbour 

Long Branch

Ocean County

Toms River

Brick

LBI

Atlantic County

Brigantine

Cape May County

Cape May

Projects in New York:

Staten Island

Water Monitoring and Barnegat Bay

NJ Water Monitoring Council Meeting Focuses on Barnegat Bay

Barnegat Bay, photo credit: NY Times Richard Perry

In early February, COA participated in a NJ Water Monitoring Council meeting that was hosted by the Barnegat Bay Partnership.  The goal of the NJ Water Monitoring Council was “to promote and facilitate the coordination, collaboration and communication of scientifically sound, ambient water quality and quantity information to support effective environmental management.”  About 100 people attended. 

DEP highlighted the Governor’s 10 point plan for the Bay which included developing nutrient loading targets to direct restoration efforts and to conduct more research to fill gaps in data.  DEP has been monitoring the Bay more intensively from the summer of 2011 and will continue to do so through the summer of 2013.

The northern part of the Bay has the highest loadings of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediments – which are linked to the intense development in this region.  The Toms River, which drains the largest basin of the watershed, is the largest source of nutrient loadings. 

Nitrogen pollution comes from land disturbance, increased erosion, fertilizer use, burning fossil fuels and its fallout from the air, and increased hardened surfaces such as pavement and roofs that prevent rain, and nitrogen from getting absorbed into the land and plants.   Coastal waters may become even more susceptible to nutrient pollution as coastal waters warm in response to climate change.

Too many nutrients in the Bay has resulted in the excessive growth of harmful algae blooms, such as brown tide, and macroalgae which can lower dissolved oxygen levels in localized areas and degrade seafloor habitats.     Both of these can contribute to the loss of sea grass that has been documented in Bay.  The composition of the microalgal community, and associated food quality for other sea life, may also be affected by nutrient levels.

Although some shellfish can thrive under high microalgae levels, shellfish are negatively impacted by brown tide blooms, decreased food quality, and excessive macro algae such as sea lettuce.  Young clams are also very sensitive to certain types of chemical pollution, such as oil and gas from cars and boats. 

As part of the 10 Point Plan, nutrient water quality standards were adopted for marine waters.  DEP now needs to evaluate the Bay under these standards.  DEP will be taking a comprehensive approach to looking at the nutrient loading problems in Barnegat Bay, including the impacts of Superstorm Sandy.  For example, sand and debris associated with the storm surge and breeches have covered seagrass beds and wetlands areas.  Localized contamination may also have occurred from fuel tanks, cars, fertilizer and other household chemicals. The official determination of whether the Bay fails to meet the state nutrient water quality standard is important for requiring action to be taken to reduce nutrient loadings.

In light of Superstorm Sandy, the need for understanding the sources of the bay’s problems and action to reduce these impacts is more important than ever.  Implementation of the Barnegat Bay Partnership’s strategic plan is critical and can serve as a guide for recovery efforts.  The Special Area Management Plan that was part of the Governor’s 10 Point Plan should be made a priority and be part of the recovery process.  In addition, more enforcement of and stronger stormwater regulations are still needed.  Greater awareness and efforts by the public to decrease the use of fossil fuels and to reduce rain and fertilizer runoff as well as soil loss and erosion would be beneficial to the Bay.

What Debris is in Your Local Waterway?

Here is a very helpful update from DEP and DOT on Waterway Debris Removal:

Debris in marsh areas in Brick, NJ

• The State of New Jersey has awarded three contracts to companies who will remove Sandy-related, FEMA-eligible debris from waters of the State  in the 11 Debris Management Zones.  The duration of the contract is one year.  The goal of this cleanup effort is to be 75% complete by June 1st  but cleanup will likely continue throughout the boating season and into the Fall.

• The areas where debris has been identified was  determined by reconnaissance conducted by State personnel as well as reports from FEMA, municipalities, counties and residents.  Additional reconnaissance will be conducted by the contractors to further identify debris and sand deposits. 

• The areas where the contractors will be operating are within the waters of the State of New Jersey.  This includes (without limitation): bays, tidal rivers,  and those tidal waterways affected by the storm surge.  As part of the cleanup effort, debris monitors will be assigned to  each debris removal contractor.  In addition, a project manager will be identified for the entire project.  The project manager will be responsible for scheduling, invoicing, data management, oversight of the contractors, etc. 

• The materials that will be removed through this effort must be FEMA eligible.  The best source of information on FEMA eligibility is this FEMA guidance document.

• In addition to the contractors that have been hired, the State Department of Transportation is surveying State navigation channels.  This activity has already begun.  NJDOT will be using side scan sonar to identify debris areas including new shoals.

How You Can Help

Your help in this effort is needed.  If you know of areas where waterway debris is located, please send a photograph of the site along with latitude and longitude or your best location information (e.g., closest intersection) so we can direct our contractors to the site.  Please send these photos to communications@cleanoceanaction.org.  Also if you are aware of any debris washing into the OCEAN during the storm, including cars, boats, structural debris, trees, household contents, as well as items washing up onto beaches, please let us know. 

For additional information on Waterway Debris removal click here.

Sponsor Waves of Action!

Would your business like to support Clean Ocean Action’s important Super-storm Sandy relief efforts?  

Learn how you can help revitalize our communities and rebuild them sustainably in the future. 

View ways your business can be recognized for contributing to Sandy relief efforts

Your support would help continue relief efforts in communities like New Dorp, Staten Island.

Waves of Action ‘For the Shore’ started in the aftermath of Sandy – a long-term program developed to connect volunteers to immediate needs of different communities affected by the storm.  Clean Ocean Action’s network of organizations, businesses, citizens, and municipalities along the Jersey Shore and the Shore of Long Island has identified and implement projects that are needed within coastal communities.

Waves of Action will continue each month throughout 2013. The projects will change as the needs of the communities’ change, as they move from recovery to rebuilding and restoration.

Additional donations to support Waves of Action can be made here or can be mailed to Clean Ocean Action at 18 Hartshorne Drive, Suite 2, Highlands, NJ 07732.

More photos from our January 19^th Waves of Action can be found here.

For more information, contact Emily at Clean Ocean Action
via e-mail: events@cleanoceanaction.org.

View sponsorship opportunities here

Calling All Volunteers for January 19!

Calling All Volunteers! Help COA Make a Difference in Our Coastal Communities After Sandy Join Clean Ocean Action Saturday, January 19th for the Second Wave of Action "For the Shore." There are still projects in need of volunteers for this Saturday! Projects in New Jersey: Highlands Sea Bright Neptune Long Branch Manahawkin Ocean Gate Cape May Bayonne Projects in New York: Jones Beach Staten Island

To Help the Jersey Shore’s Comeback, Clean Ocean Action Launches 2013 Year of “Waves of Action” For The Shore

To Help the Jersey Shore’s Comeback, Clean Ocean Action Launches 2013 Year of “Waves of Action” For The Shore 

Year-Long Volunteer Recovery Action Plan Released Today 

Clean Ocean Action (COA) held a teleconference today to announce the 2013 “Waves of Action” program, which will respond to the impacts of Superstorm Sandy and help improve and protect the marine environment.  COA is engaging its network of organizations, businesses, citizens, and municipalities to help coastal communities throughout New Jersey and New York in need over the long term with volunteer action.   

Learn More at www.ForTheShore.org!

“Recovery will be a very long and challenging road,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action.  “It is essential to rebuild better with environmental stewardship and resiliency and provide resources and support to keep the momentum going,” Zipf added. 

Future Waves of Action days in 2013 will progress with the needs of communities and will keep the momentum going for continued improvement of the shore through debris clean ups, sustainable development plans, and projects to improve water quality.  

“Even though it has been over two months since the Hurricane, there are still very real needs in many communities, and we will work to meet those needs for as long as it takes,” said Zach McCue, Clean Ocean Action Citizen Action Coordinator. 


“Rebuilding Sea Bright will take a sustained effort for a couple of years. Partnering with Clean Ocean Action for regular volunteer days provides additional resources that will be very important to the long term recovery of the town,” added Frank Lawrence, Sea Bright Volunteer Coordinator, who participated in the teleconference on Thursday. 

Waves of Action For The Shore: Month-to-Month
January 19 – Clean-Up, Clean-Out 
February 23– Helping Hands at Home 
March 23 – Bringing Back our Ecosystems 
April 27 – 28th Annual Beach Sweeps
May 18 - Back to the Beach  
June 22, July 20, August 17 - Healthy Habitats, Water Conservation and Energy Efficiency 
September 21 – Education for the Future and Long-Term Recovery 
October 19 – Fall Beach Sweeps
November 13-15 – Education for the Future 
December 7 – Waves of Action Conference and Awards 

The Wave of Action on Saturday, January 19, is in unison with Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, which has become a national weekend centered on service.   

“Many of our projects from December are registered again in January, since Waves of Action is the only clean-up effort that some parks and beaches have been able to have since Sandy.  That said, there are also many new locations where people can help,” said Tavia Danch, Clean Ocean Action Education Coordinator.   

A number of organizations and municipalities have been involved in not only the planning of, but are also participating in, Clean Ocean Action’s Wave of Action on January 19.  These groups include: President’s Inaugural Committee, National Park Service, Bayshore Waterfront Park Affiliation, Monmouth County Park System, HOPE worldwide, Borough of Sea Bright, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Wall High School Environmental Club, AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors, Red Bank Friends of Maple Cove, United Methodist Committee of Relief, Alliance for a Living Ocean, Beach Haven West Community Association, Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter, Borough of Ocean Gate and Natural Resource Protective Association. 

Over 1,200 people have already signed up to help to clean out homes, neighborhoods, parks, beaches, and waterways at 27 locations throughout New York and New Jersey, including Atlantic City, Long Beach Island, Sea Bright, Asbury Park, Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Staten Island and Jones Beach, New York.
   
“Before Hurricane Sandy, many of the people interested in cleaning up New Jersey's beaches were environmentalists,” noted Lindsey Van Zile, Toms River South High School Senior and Waves of Action Project Leader.  “Now, with the help of Waves of Action program, we can all come together and create solutions to major environmental problems and even help those in need,” she added.  


For more information about the Waves of Action program, visit www.fortheshore.org or contact Clean Ocean Action at (732) 872-0111.

Fulfill Your Green Resolution: Join Clean Ocean Action Today!

Happy 2013!

We are thrilled to welcome the New Year!

There are many ways to become involved and this year – we hope you become a member of Clean Ocean Action – join as a Concerned Citizen or Concerned Business and ensure a bluer and greener 2013.  We are offering a special incentive in 2013 – join and receive a reusable tote bag by ChicoBag (made from recycled plastic bottles) as our gift to you.  As a Concerned Citizen or Business, you will also receive invitations to member-only events, the monthly newsletter and timely updates on ocean pollution issues throughout the year. 

Make a donation and join Clean Ocean Action today!

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.

Volunteers needed for December 8th Projects!

While projects have been listed in numerous locations throughout New York and New Jersey, some locations are in need of more volunteers!  

If you haven't already done so, please sign up to volunteer at the following locations!

Lavallette House Clean Up - Ocean County, NJ

• Looking for a Team of up to 6 Volunteers to help cut sheet rock and gut kitchen on first floor home
• Meet-up: 101A Vance Ave Lavallette, NJ 08735
•  9 am – 1 pm 
• Notes: Volunteers should wear protective gear/masks/heavy boots/heavy gloves.
• Click HERE to sign up for this project

Stella Maris Retreat Center Clean Up - Long Branch, NJ

• 15 Volunteers Needed to clean the retreat center's waterfront property
• Affiliation: WATERSPIRIT
• Meet-up: Stella Maris Retreat Center – 981 Ocean Avenue Elberon NJ
• 10 am -1 pm
• Notes: Please bring Gloves, plastic bags, heavy boots
• This project is kid-friendly!!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Long Beach Community Clean Up - Long Beach, NY

• 40 Volunteers Needed to help clean out homes and tear down sheet rock.  This is for people who cannot complete the necessary work themselves
• Meet-Up: Waldbaum’s Plaza 85 East Park Avenue, Long Beach, NY 11561
• 9 am – 4 pm
• Note: Boots, work gear, a few simple tools would be great!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Beach Haven West Neighborhood Clean-Up - Ocean County, NJ

• Up to 25 Volunteers Needed to help homes in the Beach Haven West Community clean out first floors and debris from front and back yards
• 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
• Meet-up: 1199 Mill Creek Road, Beach Haven West – Parking lot of Community Center
• **This project is kid friendly!!
• Note: Heavy gloves, boots
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Bayshore Waterfront Park Beach Clean Up

• Up to 50 Volunteers Needed to clean waterfront beaches on the Bayshore
• Affiliation: Bayshore Waterfront Park Affiliation
• Meet-up: Port Monmouth Bayshore Waterfront Park 719 Port Monmouth Road  Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
• 9 am – 12 pm
• Notes: Bring gloves
• This project is kid-friendly!!
• Click here to register for this Project

Coney Island Beach Clean Up - New York

• Up to 100 Volunteers Needed for a beach clean up of the historic beaches in Coney Island
• Meet-up: West 8th Street and Boardwalk, Brooklyn, New York 11224
• 10 am – 1 pm
• Notes: Bring work gloves, work boots, lunch, water
• Click here to sign up for this Project

Trail Cleanup at Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center- Hampton Bays, NY

• 15 more Volunteers Needed to help clean trails!
• 10 am – 2 pm
• 228 West Montauk Highway Hampton Bays, NY 11946
• Note: Bring gloves!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Gardner’s Basin Community Clean-up - Atlantic City 

• Up to 25 more Volunteers Needed for a beach clean up in a badly hit section of Atlantic City
• Meet-Up: Gardner’s Basin, 800 North New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
• Affiliation: Surfrider Foundation, South Jersey Chapter
• 12 pm – 3 pm
• Note: Please dress for the weather and bring gloves to protect your hands!
• This project is kid-friendly!!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Manahassett Creek Clean Up - Long Branch, NJ

• 15 Volunteers Needed to remove debris from Manhassett Creek
• Meet-up: Manahassett Creek at 108 Atlantic Ave., North Long Branch, NJ 07740
• 8 am – 4 pm
• Notes: Please bring work gloves, work boots, plywood, garbage bags, lunch
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Union Beach Marsh and Beach Clean Up

• 9 am – 12 pm
• 20 Volunteers Needed
• Affiliation: Burners Without Borders
• Meet-up: Union Beach Borough Hall
• Project Description:  Clean up the beach and marsh land areas in Union Beach from storm debris
• Notes: Bring gloves, contractor bags, warm clothing, snacks and water. Parking is limited, please car pool!
• This project is kid-friendly!!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project

Atlantic City Boardwalk & Beach Clean-Up

• Up to 100 Volunteers Needed for a beach clean up 
• Meet-Up: Public Access Point near the Rainforest Cafe - Missouri Avenue & Colombia Place
• 10 am – 2 pm
• Note: Volunteers will need to bring work gloves, wear work boots, and bring a lunch, if desired!
• This project is kid-friendly!!
• Click HERE to sign up for this Project