Bayshore Watershed Council: Help Needed to Install Osprey Platforms Sunday, March 29

Greetings all,

The Bayshore Watershed Council is seeking volunteers to help repair and install new osprey platforms in the Borough of Union Beach on Sunday, March 29, 2015. We will meet at 9am in the gravel parking lot at the western end of Front Street.

Date: Sunday, March 29, 2015
Time: 9:00am
Meeting Location: Gravel parking at the western end of Front Street in Union Beach, NJ

We need at least 10 to 15 volunteers to help carry nesting platforms, carry tools, dig holes, or take pictures and video. Please bring knee boots, hip or chest waders to wear and a pair of work gloves. Please bring a post-hole digger, shovels, and rope.

Heavy rain or snow will cancel.

If you would like to help, please RSVP at the bayshorewatershed@comcast.net or just show up.

Ospreys are returning and in need of nesting platforms. Nesting platforms are critical for attracting Ospreys into new areas to spread out the distribution so they're not all concentrated in one part of the state.

These majestic raptors with their distinctive stick-built nests on nesting platforms depend on a healthy and abundant food supply. Since their diet consists primarily of fish, Osprey activities in the Bayshore region provide a good indication of water quality and the general health of Raritan Bay & Sandy Hook Bay.

So far, the Bayshore Watershed Council has had great luck with installing Osprey platforms. Nearly all platforms have been active and have produced young. New sites will hopefully provide Ospreys the best chance for successfully raising young downstream from NY City.

Pallone Announces Funding for Repairs to Sandy Hook Bay Marina

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the Sandy Hook Bay Marina in Highlands, New Jersey will receive $692,890 in federal funds for repairs to an older section of the marina that was damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding is being provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program. This allocation to the Sandy Hook Bay Marina is a portion of more than $16 million in BIG grants for boating infrastructure projects across the country.

“As we head into the summer season, we must ensure that our waters and our maritime facilities are safe for boaters to enjoy,” said Congressman Pallone. “And as we continue to rebuild from Superstorm Sandy, we have a unique opportunity to improve our public infrastructure so it is stronger and can withstand future storms. I am grateful that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the importance of these ongoing efforts in New Jersey.”

This grant provides $692,890 in federal funding to the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Office of Maritime Resources to make repairs to the Sandy Hook Bay Marina that was damaged as a result of Superstorm Sandy. The funding announced today will be used to rebuild and restore 15 transient slips using design standards that have been proven to withstand severe storms.

Pallone Announces $12.3 Million for Beach Replenishment in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012


Washington DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced Wednesday that $12.3 million will be awarded to fund beach replenishment in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach thanks to a request Congressman Pallone submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This funding will allow the Army Corps to begin replenishing the beaches in these towns in Fall 2012.

“This funding is vitally important for the Shore and I commend the Army Corps of Engineers for responding to my funding request for these projects,” said Pallone. “Beach replenishment projects make it possible for millions of people to enjoy the Jersey shore every summer, and come hurricane season, provide a protective barrier to beachfront communities.”

Last month the Army Corps of Engineers completed a contract that replenished a portion of the beach in Monmouth Beach that went forward due to funding secured by Pallone in 2011. The $12.3 million secured by Pallone in 2012 will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the rest of Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright. Significant erosion has occurred in these areas over the last few years which can put homes and businesses in jeopardy when a storm hits the coast.

The money was approved as part of the fiscal year 2012 appropriations legislation passed in late December that funds the government through the end of the year. Pallone worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to request that funding be allocated to this project. The Army Corps of Engineers will begin the beach replenishment project later this year.

In addition to this beach replenishment project, Pallone also secured funding for a number of other projects in the 6th Congressional district. The South River Flood Control Project received $125,000, which will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to continue with the Preconstruction, Engineering and Design phase. The Shark River Inlet maintenance dredging project received $495,000, which will enable the Corps to dredge the river's inlet this year. The Sandy Hook Bay at Leonardo project will receive $127,710 for future maintenance dredging.

Pallone Announces Monmouth Beach Replenishment Scheduled to Begin

Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. Monday announced the contract for Monmouth Beach replenishment has been awarded to Weeks Marine in the amount of $12,913,250. Work on beach replenishment is expected to begin by November.

"The wind and flooding during Hurricane Irene proved how important beach replenishment is to the communities that receive it,” said Pallone. “Beach replenishment protected the shore during the storm and as a result of storm damage this project is all the more necessary.”

Work on this project is possible due to Pallone’s requests for funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In May, Pallone announced $7.5 million for beach replenishment in Monmouth Beach. This $7.5 million is in addition to roughly $2.5 million that had been banked for this project through funding secured by Pallone in previous years. The last allocation of $7.5 million allowed the Army Corps to move forward with awarding a contract.

“Now the work can begin. This project will make a significant impact in the community,” Pallone added.

Tight budget constraints and an aversion to targeted funding for all projects nationwide were obstacles that Pallone overcame in fighting for New Jersey funds. The money was approved as part of the fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution that funded the government through the end of the year and was approved in April. This is the largest funding allocation to this project in recent years.

In addition to this beach replenishment project, the Army Corps of Engineers in May approved funding for three additional projects. The South River Flood Control Project was allocated $250,000, which will allow the Corps to continue with the Preconstruction, Engineering and Design phase. The Shark River maintenance dredging project was allocated $496,650 for maintenance dredging, which will enable the Corps to dredge the river's inlet this year. Also, $207,000 was allocated for the Raritan and Sandy Hook Bay, Highlands project, which will enable the Corps to complete the feasibility study.