Terry D. Garcia
Assistant Secretary of Dept of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA
14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, RM 5804, HCHB
Washington, DC 20230

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Dear Terry D. Garcia,

I am writing to ask you to strongly support the appointment of Patrick H. Augustine to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's New York obligatory seat.

Mr. Augustine is well known for his expertise in fishery management Issues; having served as Chairman for Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) Joint Industry Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panels. Further, he actively participates on several other species management boards. Mr. Augustine serves as permanent Council member on the New York South Shore Estuary Reserve Council, and has been appointed by New York Secretary of State to serve on the Long Island Sound Coastal Advisory Commission. He is presently the Governors Appointee to ASMFC from NY.

We at Jersey Coast Anglers Association, on behalf of our 65 member clubs, strongly support Mr. Augustine's appointment to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Thank you for your consideration.

Dear Mr. Secretary,

I am writing to ask you to strongly support the re-appointment of Robert "Dusty" Rhodes to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's New York obligatory seat.

Mr. Rhodes has performed his duties as the Vice-Chairman of the Council with a passion for conservation and a fairness to all within the region. He has been a tireless campaigner for stock status reviews to be based on reality, which proved necessary during the recent discussions on the summer flounder and bluefish quotas.

Mr. Rhodes continues to remain dedicated and inexhaustible in his pursuit for workable solutions to difficult fisheries management problems. His zeal to do the right thing for the fish without favoring any of the user groups is well known. His demonstrated courage to stand for what is right makes it imperative that he be re-appointed.

We at Jersey Coast Anglers Association, on behalf of our 65 member clubs, strongly support Mr. . Rhodes re-appointment to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Thank you for your consideration.

You will note that there are no ISFMP management board meetings scheduled for Wednesday afternoon during the 1999 Spring Meeting. I strongly encourage all commissioners and our guests to use their time to participate in the meetings scheduled for that time. If it appears that an additional management board meeting is required, we may have to revise the schedule to use this time slot.

A block of rooms is being held at the Royal Pavillion Resort, 125 Salter Path, Pine Knoll Shores (P.O. Box 790), Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Rooms are $75.00 plus tax for double occupancy. Please call 1-800 533-3700 or 1-252 726-5188 to make your reservations by April 24, 1999. When calling the hotel, please identify yourself as being with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to obtain our contract rate.

8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m, Atlantic Menhaden Mgt Board
10:00 a.m. - Noon Winter Flounder Mgt Board
10:00 a.m. -Noon Management and Science Committee Regulatory Discards Subcommittee
1:00 p.m, - 5:00 p.m. Joint ASMFC Atlantic Herring Section/NEFMC Herring Committee
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Management and Science Committee
3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Legislative Committee
5:30 p,m. - 8:00 p.m. Sport Fish Restoration Committee
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Awards Committee

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Tautog Management Board
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. South Atlantic State-Federal Fisheries Management Board
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Management and Science Committee (continued)
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m, Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program

Coordinating Council

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Law Enforcement Committee
3:00 p.m. - 5-00 p.m. Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass

Management Board

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Legislators and Governors' Appointees
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Law Enforcement Committee (continued)
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board (continued)
10:00 a.m. - Noon Shark Policy Workshop
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Habitat Committee
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Advisory Committee
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Administrative Oversight Committee
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Horseshoe Crab Management Board

8:00 a.m. - Noon ISFMP Policy Board
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Executive Committee/Business Meeting

Twelve years ago I would have assumed that the sewage treatment plants that pumped treated sewage into the ocean were a solution to the problem. We had taken the ineffective septic systems off line and developed state of the art sewage treatment plants that took the pollution out of the bay. After all, the bay is significantly cleaner. What I didn't realize is that this process has had a significant impact on the water levels in the streams that feed the bay and the bay itself. For instance, Ocean County is pumping 54,000,000 gallons of treated water directly to the ocean per year. Previously, this water would have gone back into the groundwater and the aquifer. We have no idea how much of our current water problems are related to the dropping water levels in the aquifer. Have we compounded toxic pollutants by not dispersing them in a larger aquifer? I have always been skeptical of the "dilution is the solution to pollution" theory but we need to take another look at that idea, especially as it relates to the aquifers. Another problem directly attributable to lower water levels is the saltwater intrusion being reported along our coast and elsewhere in the country. Saltwater intrusion may not seem like a big deal until you realize it may make previously drinkable water undrinkable. Cape May is already spending millions of dollars on a desalinization plan.

Twelve years ago, I would have also assumed that water falling on green lawns or cultivated field heads directly back into the aquifer. To my surprise, I found out that much of this land is as impermeable as asphalt. Heavy equipment and human use has so compacted some of our ground that there is no seepage, just runoff. This runoff causes flooding problems, stream and river bank degradation. In addition, it bypasses the natural cleansing provided by the aquifer's filters. If storm drains are accessible, this water ends up in the sewage treatment plants. If not, it runs directly into the bay with whatever pollutants it collects along its way.

So, what do we do? First, that all new sewage plant construction must take advantage of new technology that allows treated water to be recharged into the aquifer. If the Disney Corporation can do this at Disney World, surely New Jersey can take steps in that direction. There are pilot projects going on around the country that can provide different models for meeting these goals. We need to do the research and put a plan into action. Second, we need to change our landscaping, agricultural and building practices to allow water to filter into the ground rather than creating more runoff. With the way we treat the ground, constantly packing it down, we may as well just pave over all of Ocean County. There is equipment available to aerate the soil at various levels to diminish the impact of constant use. There are building practices that leave smaller footprints of compaction around a building site. We need a major attitude change about our obsession with green lawns. Gardens, trees and other more natural landscaping are far superior in protecting our water supply.

Jersey Coast Anglers Association
1201 Highway 37 East
Toms River NJ 08753
732-506-6565

Tidelands Resource Council
C/o Jo Ann Cubberley NJDEP
Tidelands Management Program
9 Ewing Street
Trenton NJ 08625

March 30, 1999

RE: JPB Inc., Application # 98-0177-T, Microfilm records # 66-212
Block 277, Lot 25, Township of Wall

Dear Council Members,

JPB has filed with the Bureau of Tidelands an application for a tidelands conveyance regarding the above named property under application # 98-0177-T.

The property on block 277, lot 25 contains a great deal of New Jersey State property.

We request that the Tidelands Resource Council deny a Tidelands conveyance to this site. This property is the property of the people of the State of New Jersey and should be returned to the people. Never has there been a greater need for protection of the State’s environment. This is State property and should remain as such.

Fishermen have used this site and the adjacent brook for fishing for many years. Herring, striped bass, large mouth bass, pickerel and hickory shad are among the many fish found in Wreck Pond Brook. The Blue Back herring and the Alewife herring have spawned in the Wreck Pond Brook for many, many years. Development on this site would be detrimental to this breeding habitat. As evidenced in the National Marine Fisheries Service Report on the Anadromous Herring Run, the Wreck Pond Brook which runs adjacent to the above mentioned property is the spawning ground for both the Alewife and the Blueback Herring. This fish habitat must be protected.

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association has been active in protecting the environment, clean water and wildlife habitat. It is crucial that the Wreck Pond Brook and the Wreck Pond Brook Greenway be protected from development. This application for a tidelands conveyance should be denied. The fill that currently exists on the State tidelands claim demonstrates the severe injustice already served upon this land. Do not reward the applicant for filling state owned property by conveying a tidelands claim.

The Jersey Coast Anglers Association requests that the State of New Jersey retain its claim on Block 277, Lot 25 in the Township of Wall and deny application 98-0177-T.

We request that the State maintain its tideland claim and preserve and protect the adjacent state owned lands and waters for public use and wildlife conservation.

We request that the State of New Jersey deny any permits for development on Block 277, Lot 25.

It is in the public interest for the State of New Jersey to preserve our environment by protecting and maintaining its claim to this land trust.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

Mark Taylor President
Jersey Coast Anglers Association

CC:

Governor Christine Whitman, State of New Jersey;
Commissioner Robert C. Shinn, Jr., NJDEP;
Richard Kropp, Director of Land Use, NJDEP;
Kurt Kalb, Board of Coastal Regulation;
Senator Robert Torricelli;
Senator Joseph Palaia;
Congressman Chris Smith;
Senator Donald DiFrancesco;
Assemblyman Steve Corodemus;
Assemblyman Tom Smith;
Assemblyman James Holzapfel;
Assemblyman David Wolfe

RESOLUTION SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF THE STATE OF NEW JEREY TIDELANDS CLAIM ON AND ADJACENT TO BLOCK 277, LOT 25 IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WALL, MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Whereas, the Wreck Pond Brook and it’s tributaries are important components in the ecosystem of southern Monmouth County, and

Whereas, the Wreck Pond Brook supports an abundance of fish, waterfowl and mammals, and

Whereas, the Wreck Pond Brook is a vital link in controlling pollution and facilitating drainage and flood control, and

Whereas, the Wreck Pond Brook and the site known as Jimmy Byrnes Sea Girt Inn have been used by the public for many years for passive recreation, canoeing, fishing and birding, and

Whereas, a tidelands conveyance would deny the public use of this State owned land, and

Whereas, a tidelands conveyance and subsequent development of this site would be detrimental to the Wreck Pond Brook and the Wreck Pond Brook Watershed.

Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the Jersey Coast Anglers Association that the State of New Jersey retain it’s Tidelands Claim and deny application # 98-0177-T. It is also in the best interest for the State of New Jersey to deny any application for development permits on and adjacent to this site. It is in the public interest to keep this site as open space for public use and wildlife conservation.

It is in the best interest of the Wreck Pond Watershed to restore this land to it’s wetland state for flood control, pollution control and wildlife conservation.

In her eight years as a marine extension agent based out of Ocean County, Dr. Bochenek has continuously provided JCAA with expert advise and assistance on marine recreational fisheries issues and policies and youth fishing programs as well as other marine related topics. She was the first recipient of the JCAA Youth Education Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACT: Marla Trollan
April 8, 1999
(302) 674-2331 (ext. 32)

Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish, Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog fisheries

The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) opened the six-week comment period yesterday on the proposed rules affecting eight Mid-Atlantic fisheries including summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, mackerel, squid, butterfish, Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 12 to the Fishery Management Plan (IMP) for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Amendment 8 to the IMP for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish fisheries; and Amendment 12 to the IMP for the Atlantic Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog fisheries.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) announced today that it has established a new toll-free public access phone number. By dialing 877-44-MAFMC (446-2362), industry representatives and public can have a direct link to council staff for Information on council activities, meeting dates, and management plans free of charge.

The toll-free number was implemented to encourage the public to contact the council. "This gives the public a no-cost opportunity to have a voice in the fishery management decision-making process," said Executive Director Dan Furlong.

For information on specific species call council staff at the following extensions:

Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, tilefish: Tom Hoff - ext. 15

Squid, mackerel, butterfish, dogfish: Richard Seagraves - ext. 14

Bluefish: Jose Montanez - ext. 12

Summer Rounder, scup, black sea bass: Chris Moore or Valerie Whalon - ext. 11

For more information about the new number contact Marla Trollan, Public Affairs Specialist - ext. 32, or Joanna Davis, Executive Assistant - ext. 18.

NMFS Regional Administrator Rejects Council Request for Interim Action on Spiny Dogfish

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) was informed by an April 6, 1 999 letter from Jon Rittgers, Acting Regional Administrator, that its request for interim measures for the spiny dogfish fishery for the May I -October 3 quota period was denied.

Update on Menhaden Protection Bill S722 /A1827

We are still waiting for the Menhaden Bill to be posted for a vote by the Senate. It is up to the Senate President to post this bill so you need to continue to write, call and fax his office. We would like this bill in place for the upcoming season. Any further delay in the Senate will make it difficult to get this bill through the Assembly in a timely manner. I have included the Menhaden Fact Sheet developed by Len Fantasia below. You can see how much menhaden we will save by eliminating the reduction fishery. In the seven years listed, the reduction boats have averaged 72% of NJ's harvest of menhaden. In order to protect the resource and the bait industry, we need to eliminate the reduction boats. The Menhaden Bill would accomplish this. The organizations working on this bill are continuing to contact legislators. Now it is up to you to do your part.

THIRD ANNUAL BARNEGAT BAY FESTIVAL

CONTACT: HEIDI D’ASCOLI (732) 506-5313

Pamphlets for the events will be available at County libraries and by calling (732) 929-2000. For additional information, call the Barnegat Bay Estuary Program office at (732) 506-5313. The Barnegat Bay Estuary Program is part of the National Estuary Program, funded by Congress to protect and restore the health of the estuaries while supporting economic and recreational activities.

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