Pallone, Menendez, Booker Criticize NOAA Approval of Seismic Testing off Jersey Shore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ) made the following statement on today’s announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that it will be issuing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Rutgers University, the Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory and the National Science Foundation from June through August of this year. The IHA will allow for the injury or disturbance of marine mammals during a seismic survey conducted by Rutgers University less than 16 miles off the coast of Long Beach Island, New Jersey. An IHA was also approved last year despite Congressman Pallone’s opposition but the project did not move forward due to mechanical issues.

“It was a bad idea for NOAA to allow for seismic testing off the Jersey Shore last year, and it’s a bad idea this year. Seismic blasting is extremely hazardous to marine mammals and can disrupt migration patterns and fish spawning. As the New Jersey coastal economy continues to rebound from the effects of Superstorm Sandy, our fisheries cannot afford to take a hit this summer. We will continue to fight at every opportunity for the environmental and economic well-being of the Jersey Shore.”

Last month, Pallone and Senators Menendez and Booker wrote to NOAA in opposition to the seismic testing application.

Pallone Fights Back Against Efforts to Expand Seismic Testing and Offshore Drilling Into Atlantic Ocean

Interior Department Official Reports that Environmental Report on Seismic Testing in the Atlantic Will Be Finalized Without Complete Marine Mammal Impact Guidelines

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) continued his push against oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic at a hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

At the hearing Pallone questioned Deputy Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Walter Cruickshank and expressed his concern regarding the inevitable environmental and economic costs of expanding oil and gas exploration into the Atlantic Ocean.

Pallone continued his opposition to seismic testing in the Atlantic and requested that BOEM not finalize its Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) before the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration completes guidelines on the impact of sound on marine life, such as endangered whales. Deputy Director Cruickshank responded negatively and said that the Bureau intends to move forward with finalizing their PEIS without waiting for this important new scientific guidance.

Pallone also focused on the cost that drilling would have on jobs in New Jersey. “In New Jersey, the tourism sector, which is anchored to our clean beaches and ocean, generated $34.7 billion in 2012 alone—that is 7.0 percent of the entire state economy,” said Pallone. “Tourism sustained more than 500,000 jobs or 10 percent of total employment in the state. Commercial fishing supports more than 43,000 jobs and recreational fishing supports almost another 10,000 jobs. What assurances can you offer me and my constituents that oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic will not put these jobs and my state’s economy at risk?”

The Deputy Director stated that the Department of Interior has made no decisions about whether to move forward with drilling in the Atlantic. He conceded that implementing the recommendations of the National Commission on the B. P. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling by Congress would improve drilling safety. However, Pallone noted that House Republican leadership has refused to implement the Commission’s recommendations

Pallone also questioned Dr. Donald Boesch, a member of the Commission, about their recommendation that Congress give NOAA a formal consultative role during Interior’s development of offshore drilling plans. Dr. Boesch agreed that NOAA should be involved as the agency responsible for monitoring and researching marine mammals. Pallone called on Congress to enact this reform.

Pallone Announces Start of Asbury Park to Avon Beach Replenishment Project

Long Branch, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that work will begin this Saturday, January 4, 2014, on the $18.3 million beach replenishment project from Asbury Park to Avon-by-the-Sea. The federally funded Army Corps of Engineers project will restore beaches in Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Bradley Beach, and Avon-By-The-Sea to better than pre-Sandy conditions and was made possible by the Sandy aid package passed by Congress. The contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, will use over one million cubic yards of sand for the project.

“I’m pleased that this important project, which will help to protect homes and businesses from future flooding, as well as repair the destruction caused by Sandy, is underway,” said Pallone. “Our beaches are a fundamental part of life on the Shore, both for residents to enjoy and as drivers of tourism and our local economy. I have fought for this and other beach replenishment funding for years because I know how important it is to protect some of our most fragile coastal infrastructure.”

The beach replenishment from Asbury Park to Avon is part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ larger effort that covers a majority of the beaches from Sea Bright to Manasquan, which is the largest beach nourishment project ever undertaken by the Army Corps and the world’s biggest beach-fill project, in terms of sand volume. Once completed, the greater protective barrier between the coastal communities and the ocean will reduce the risk of flooding and storm related damages.

The Army Corps of Engineers is completing the beach replenishment work from Sea Bright to Manasquan under five contracts. The Army Corps recently completed the first replenishment contract in Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach. Construction in Long Branch and the section from Belmar to Manasquan began in November and is currently ongoing. The section of the coast from Elberon to Loch Arbour will move forward under a separate contract in autumn of 2014. Sand has not previously been placed along this section of the coast.

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.