Pallone Celebrates Veto of Proposed LNG Project Off of the New Jersey Coast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2015


LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s veto of a proposed plan to build an offshore liquefied natural gas port 24 miles off the coast of Long Branch, New Jersey. Pallone has consistently fought against the proposed Liberty Natural Gas (LNG) Port Ambrose terminal, which poses a threat to New Jersey's ocean and coastline, crucial economic engines for the state.

“The rejection of this project draws a line in the sand that instead of focusing on industrial uses of the ocean, our country and the State of New Jersey should be encouraging the use of renewable energy resources,” said Congressman Pallone. “Such a forward-looking energy policy will protect our oceans and coasts, create renewable energy jobs here at home, and move us away from importing polluting fossil fuels from other countries. I thank Cindy Zipf and Clean Ocean Action for their years of advocacy and steadfast opposition to this project. I believe Governor Christie should also formally file his opposition to this dangerous proposal.”

Last week, Pallone submitted a statement at a public hearing on the Final Environmental Impact Statement in opposition to the project and called for its rejection. The statement is available HERE.

In October, Congressman Pallone, sent a letter to Governor Christie urging him to veto the proposal. Governor Christie vetoed a similar proposed project in 2011, and in the letter Congressman Pallone asked the Governor to remain consistent in his opposition. The letter is available HERE.

New Jersey’s Request to Temporarily Halt Rutgers-Led Seismic Survey is Denied

July 8, 2014

www.CleanOceanAction.org
www.StopRutgersOceanBlasting.org



On Tuesday, the U.S. District Court in Trenton denied the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s application to temporarily stop a seismic survey off the Jersey Shore. The seismic activities, which will send loud blasts of noise into the marine environmental every five seconds for 24 hours a day for 30 consecutive days, can proceed for the time being. These blasts have been demonstrated to cause serious harm to a variety of marine life, include whales, dolphins, turtles and fish.


Upon learning of the Court’s decision, Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf stated, “This is an unfortunate development. Rutgers is now free to blast away, putting marine life and fishermen’s livelihoods at risk. We will most definitely be on the lookout in the coming weeks for strange behavior and/or the death of marine life off our coast. And we hope the legal fight is not over.”

DEP could seek to overturn this decision by filing an emergent appeal with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. DEP may also have a second shot at a temporary injunction before the District Court, but COA has not yet received word of whether DEP’s request was granted for a hearing on relief that would stop the blasting during the litigation.

While the Court’s decision has not yet been posted online, COA has learned that the Court based its decision on the public process pertaining to an Environmental Impact Statement prepared years ago for marine seismic research around the globe. “DEP was asking to review an authorization issued one week ago, not an environmental study finalized three years ago,” stated Andrew Provence, counsel for Clean Ocean Action, “That programmatic EIS preceded any concrete plans by Rutgers to blast our waters every five-seconds for a month.”

For now, the Rutgers-led study can proceed to do just that, without reprieve to the marine life and the commercial and recreational interest in and around the 230-square mile survey area.

Feds DENY New Jersey’s Right to Review Rutgers Ocean Blasting off Coast; Use Technicality to Thwart State’s Concerns

For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2014

Seismic Ship Heads North toward New Jersey - Emergency Meeting on LBI on Wednesday, July 2nd at 5pm

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has denied New Jersey’s request to review the Rutgers University led seismic study off Barnegat Inlet for agreement with state regulations. Under the Coastal Zone Management Act, the study could be stopped if the state’s consistency review found foreseeable impacts on state resources. Although the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) submitted strong comments for its right to this review, which detailed threats to coastal resources and the economy, NOAA’s denial argued the “timeliness” of the request and ignored the state’s concerns. NOAA’s response appears baseless given that the NJDEP contacted NOAA on several occasions while evaluating the proposal and was clearly concerned with the potential for harm to coastal resources.

"It is a lame technicality; we were all blindsided by this proposal and the state acted quickly once they were altered to the study. We trust Governor Christie and the NJDEP will use all legal and state means available to stop this study," said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. "The clock is ticking and this study must not go forward—especially now."

Captain Kevin Wark, from the commercial vessel Dana Christine, said, "No one has given us assurances that this testing isn't going to hurt commercial fishing; there have been no hearings or studies that tell us that this won't be harmful. I also find it hard to understand why there's no accountability about the possibility of damage to marine mammals when the commercial fishing industry is held to such high standards with regard to the health and safety of marine mammals.”

In its correspondence with NOAA, the NJDEP stated, “Based on previous studies examining seismic surveys and fisheries disturbances, it is reasonably foreseeable that the proposed surveys will have an impact from fisheries distribution, movement, migration and spawning perspectives that will lead to direct and indirect negative consequences to NJ’s fishing industries.”

Clean Ocean Action has been tracking the Marcus G. Langseth, the vessel that will be conducting the seismic blasting, by checking its location twice a day on the website marinetraffic.com. Until around Midnight on June 23rd, it was docked in Charleston, SC. Now it is on the move and heading north.

The study will be conducted off Barnegat Light to examine 60 million-year-old sediments for historical sea level changes; however, despite Rutgers’ claims, the study is being conducted during peak migration and/or breeding of whales, dolphins, turtles, fish, and shellfish. Divers are also at risk.

“The study would send seismic blasts of up to 250 decibels into the water every 5 seconds, 24 hours a day for 30 days, interfering with marine animal communication and movement. By way of comparison, impairment of human hearing begins after 30 seconds of exposure at 115 decibels. Marine animals are much more sensitive to sound than people are,” said Cassandra Ornell, Staff Scientist at Clean Ocean Action.

The imminent blasting of the ocean has commercial and recreational fishing leaders, divers, elected officials, marine mammal protectors and citizens who care about the health of New Jersey marine life very concerned. Governor Christie has been invited to attend an emergency town hall meeting at 5pm on Wednesday July 2nd at the Barnegat Light Fire Company on Long Beach Island.

Marine life at risk includes:

- 26 marine mammal species, including 6 endangered whale species and other whales, dolphins, and seals, may be located in or moving through the study area. Seismic blasting can interfere with marine mammal movement, breathing, communication, and feeding, and can even cause hearing damage.

- Nine of the 16 most important offshore commercial fisheries are at their peaks in the summer months. Seismic blasts can cause fish and squid to scatter and impact catch rates.

- New Jersey offshore waters are host to five threatened or endangered sea turtle species. Sea turtles exposed to much lower sound levels than proposed in this study have shown significant behavioral impacts.

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Clean Ocean Action is a non-profit, broad-based coalition of 135 conservation, environmental, fishing, boating, diving, student, surfing, women’s, business, service, and community groups, with a mission to improve the degraded water quality of the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast. COA has a decades-long history of science- and law-based advocacy for a clean, industry-free Atlantic Ocean.

Say NO to seismic blasting off our coast! Kill the study, not the whales!

by Linda Baum

On June 5th the NJ Senate Environment Committee voted unanimously to adopt SR-72, a resolution urging rejection of seismic blasting plans off the New Jersey coast. That show of opposition sends a clear message as to where New Jerseyans stand on this issue, but it is mainly a moral victory that alone won’t halt the blasting. More action is needed.

The 220-decibel sound blasts -- every five seconds for a month -- could begin in just a few weeks as the ship readies and the federal permit is processed. The permit would grant a virtual exemption for “the taking” of marine life – harm and death on a massive scale during peak migration and spawning times.

Last year hundreds of dolphins succumbed to a virus, so their local numbers are already down. And now this:
https://archive.org/details/OceanBlastingSounds20140523

Sound travels much faster in water than in air, and the intensity of the blasts means they will travel further, increasing their harmful impact.

Whales and dolphins have already been spotted migrating north up the coast, heading straight for the planned blasting zone. The mammals are present in large numbers earlier this year due to warmer waters. In fact, NOAA recently issued an advisory to fisherman and boaters regarding the presence of the marine mammals.

The so-called scientific study is being led by Rutgers University. We are told the purpose is to examine old rocks to learn more about climate change. At least that’s how they're selling it.

But why do we need more information about climate change, especially if it comes with such a devastating price tag? Failure to address climate change on a state and national level has nothing to do with a lack of evidence, which is already clear, measurable and everywhere.

(Congressman Pallone at 5/23 press conference)

A strong point made by the coastal fishermen’s association is that the marine industry and the coastal economy are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy, and a full recovery is a long way off despite what we are reading in the papers. Let’s not deal another blow to their livelihoods.

And what about the potential impact on tourism? What will happen to that revenue source if there is another fish-kill washing up on our shores this summer?

There is no good reason for seismic blasting and no right time. It will only lead to a push for oil and gas drilling off the coast, another really bad idea. Do we want to risk another Deepwater Horizon?

Please get involved and help spread the word. Share on facebook and twitter #saveNJmarinelife and sign the petition at www.StopRutgersOceanBlasting.org.

Call Senator Booker at 973-639-8700, Senator Menendez at 973-645-3030 and Rutgers President Barchi at 848-932-7454.

For more information, visit www.cleanoceanaction.org.

Thank you for taking action. And many thanks to Congressman Frank Pallone, who has been a vocal opponent of seismic blasting and a leader on this issue.

A recent article:
http://ind.gmnews.com/news/2014-06-05/Front_Page/Stakeholders_campaign_to_prevent_seismic_test.html

Pallone Renews Call to Crack Down on Dumping of Medical Waste

Joins with Clean Ocean Action and Sierra Club to Address Syringes Found on Jersey Shore Beaches

Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. joined with representatives from Clean Ocean Action and the Sierra Club today at Pier Village in Long Branch to announce that he has reintroduced his bill, the Medical Waste Management Act of 2013, in response to reports last week that syringes had washed up on the beaches of Island State Beach Park. Pallone’s legislation cracks down on ocean polluters with tough regulations on how to dispose of medical waste.

The Medical Waste Management Act calls for a tracking system that will hold medical waste generators accountable and gives greater authority to take swift action investigating and prosecuting those that improperly dispose of medical waste. The bill would lay out regulations to allow for smooth compliance for hospitals, health clinics, home source users and other medical waste generators. The legislation also establishes a syringe disposal program to educate the public about acceptable methods for individual syringe disposal.

“The medical waste found on New Jersey’s shores last week was fortunately limited enough that staff could respond quickly to remove it, but next time we may not be so lucky. We must ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep our lakes, rivers and shores clean and safe.” Pallone said. “Medical waste poses a significant health risk to our beachgoers, pollutes our pristine waterways and threatens the tourism industry in our coastal communities. Medical waste dumping is a critical problem that needs a nationwide solution. My legislation will ensure consistency and clarity within the law so we can put an end to interstate dumping."

In the summer of 1988, hundreds of beach-going days were lost due to medical waste dumping on the Jersey Shore. It was estimated that the New Jersey tourism industry lost $1 billion that summer. Medical waste continues to be a problem nationwide, from our coastal communities to any place where waste generators choose to illegally dump.

"Last week's incident on medical waste reminds us we have to do more to control and prevent this from happening. That is why we support and need Congressman Pallone's legislation to require stronger controls on medical waste. There should not be more needles on a beach than at an HMO. A day at the beach should not mean a trip to the doctor's office. This hurts tourism as well as the environment along our coast and that is why we need this legislation," said Jeff Tittel, Director, NJ Sierra Club.

“Garbage wash-ups are a scourge of the Jersey shore, and while garbage wash-ups occur far less frequently than in the past, dangerous medical wastes such as syringes are still far too common. Congressman Pallone’s bill establishes important, reasonable regulations to educate consumers and better manage and control the disposal of syringes. It should be easier to find a needle in the haystack than to find a needle on our beaches,” said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director, Clean Ocean Action.

Fighting to protect the Jersey Shore, Congressman Pallone reintroduced the BEACH Act this year, his legislation that requires tough new water quality testing and public notification standards so beachgoers are better informed about the safety of their beaches. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, he has also fought against oil drilling in the Atlantic and seismic air gun testing, which he believes is the first step to drilling. He has helped to secure millions of dollars on beach replenishment to restore our beaches after the historic damage from Superstorm Sandy.

Provisions in the Medical Waste Management Act include:

• Outlining specific requirements for generators, transporters and disposers of medical waste, including registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and appropriate compliance with labeling, packaging and storage requirements of the waste;
• Providing civil and criminal enforcement authority necessary to prevent medical waste dumping on our beaches;
• Granting the EPA the authority to investigate these crimes and provides them the necessary resources to take swift action.
• Providing grants for state and local governments, non-profit organizations and private entities to increase access to disposal methods;
• Requiring an annual report to Congress on the state of medical waste management;
• Authorizing the EPA to approve state medical waste programs that are at least as rigorous as federal requirements to ensure national consistency and set minimum standards.

Pallone Fights for Post Sandy Beach Protections

During Visit to Belmar, Pallone Announces Bill Containing Stronger Safety Standards for Beaches

Long Branch, NJ—In Belmar, New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that he has reintroduced his legislation to reauthorize the BEACH Act, which requires tough new water quality testing and public notification standards so beachgoers are better informed about the safety of their beaches.

“Stormwater runoff is one of the primary contributors of water pollution, and now more than ever improved water quality and beach protections have become increasingly important to the Jersey Shore. Both from a public health standpoint and for the vitality of New Jersey’s booming tourism industry, stricter standards and better testing methods are needed to give beachgoers the piece of mind that the beaches they visit are clean,” said Pallone. “After Sandy, many of our hard hit coastal towns are strapped for cash and facing new challenges in water safety. Ensuring clean and safe beaches in New Jersey and nationwide is a necessary and wise investment by the federal government. I worked with Senator Lautenberg on this issue for years, and I’m proud to continue fighting for our beaches and working to get the BEACH Act signed into law.”

The BEACH Act of 2013 will provide funding for water monitoring and notification programs and will require faster public notification of unhealthy conditions at America’s beaches. It will also require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop methods for rapid testing of beach water.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) 2013 Testing the Waters report, beach closings totaled 20,120 in 2012, exceeding 20,000 for the 8th time in the past nine years. More than 80 percent of closings and advisories were issued because bacteria levels in beachwater exceeded public health standards, indicating the potential presence of human or animal waste in the water. NRDC’s report confirms that serious water pollution persists at many U.S. shores, and the primary known cause of this pollution is massive stormwater runoff and sewage.

In addition to protecting the environment, the BEACH Act makes sure beachgoers continue to come to the Shore. According to state officials, tourism directly supports 318,500 jobs and generated $34.7 billion in total economic activity last year, proving there’s a lot at stake for New Jersey’s beaches.

Pallone partnered with Senator Frank Lautenberg in writing the original BEACH Act in 2000 to fight for cleaner, healthier beaches, a cause the two worked on together for years. The original law required every coastal state to adopt water quality standards and established monitoring and notification programs to keep beachgoers safe. President Obama’s budget proposal for 2014 eliminates BEACH Act grants.

“I’m extremely disappointed in the President’s proposal to eliminate these important grants for water quality monitoring. It is critical that we invest in testing our waters to ensure swimmers are safe, and it is wrong to burden state budgets,” added Pallone.

Pallone was joined in Belmar today by Mayor Matt Doherty and representatives from Clean Ocean Action, NY/NJ Baykeeper and the Surfrider Foundation.