FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2003

Contact: Amy Cradic
(609) 984-1795

DEP Issues Summons to Hunter for Illegally Claiming Bear Killed on Side of Road

(03/185) TRENTON — Concluding an investigation, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that Steven Meyer of Highland Lakes was issued a summons by the Division of Fish and Wildlife for illegally claiming a bear that was killed by a motor vehicle Tuesday, December 9, 2003 on Route 23, West Milford Township.

As Mr. Meyer admitted to DEP conservation officers, at approximately 5:45 a.m. on the morning of December 9, he saw a bear on Rt. 23 and then proceeded to drag the dead bear off the road and onto a snow bank. Mr. Meyer then said that he contacted his wife and asked her to drive to the location and wait by the bear so that he could return home and retrieve his hunting permit. When asked what happened to the bear, Mr. Meyer's wife told pedestrians and the West Milford Police that the bear had been killed by her husband and she was waiting for his return to retrieve it.

At approximately 7:25 a.m., Mr. Meyer returned with his bear permit and illegally took possession of the road-killed bear. Mr. Meyer later contacted the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region Law Enforcement Office, indicating that he had hunted and recovered a bear late in the day and would not be able to check it in until Wednesday.

On Wednesday, December 10, Mr. Meyer took the road-killed bear to the check station at Wawayanda State Park, and checked the bear using his permit.

As a result of conflicting stories regarding the bear killed on Route 23, DEP conservation officers initiated an investigation with the assistance of West Milford Police. The bear was recovered by the DEP from Mr. Meyer and was examined by a state pathologist on December 19 and 22. Tests and physical observations of the head and skin indicated damage and injuries consistent with an animal that had been struck by a motor vehicle.

During the bear hunt, when a bear was brought to a mandatory check station, DEP biologists examined the animal to ensure that it was killed with a legal weapon, which included the use of a muzzle loader or a shotgun firing a rifled slug but not buck shot. The bear checked by Mr. Meyer had a chest wound that appeared to have been made by a muzzle loader.

When Mr. Meyer was re-interviewed by conservation officers as part of the investigation, he admitted that before he brought the bear to the check station, he shot it with a muzzle loader. Mr. Meyers was issued a summons for taking a bear by other than a legal means, which is only allowed in a hunt established under the New Jersey game code. If he pleads guilty, he is subject to a $100 penalty under the law.

The West Milford Police received the first report of a dead bear on Route 23 at approximately 5:00 a.m. in the morning of December 9. The bear weighed approximately 55-to-65 pounds.

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Related Link

• NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com

DEP Commissioner Calls Paterson Enforcement and Environmental Compliance Effort a Success

(03/184) PATERSON – With wide-spread cooperation from area businesses, the local chamber of commerce and citizen groups, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today joined city of Paterson Mayor Jose Torres to announce the success of the Paterson enforcement effort that included inspections at more than 1,000 facilities, offered nearly 100 voluntary compliance assistance visits and uncovered 159 major environmental violations.

“Once again, our concentrated enforcement and compliance effort in one of New Jersey’s largest cities has proven beneficial to area residents by curtailing potentially dangerous environmental violations occurring near their homes,” said Commissioner Campbell. “Many of Paterson’s businesses are now more environmentally informed, with some already addressing violations found. Simply put: the city is a safer, healthier place to live.”

“I am very gratified by the partnership we established with the DEP and the Chamber in this effort. Together, we are committed to protecting Paterson’s residents from environmental crimes impacting their quality of life. The recent inspections in our city will help ensure this protection,” said city of Paterson Mayor Torres.

“Many area businesses welcomed the department’s environmental compliance assistance because they want to do the right thing and also are concerned about the health and safety of local residents,” said Paterson Chamber of Commerce President Jamie Dykes.

Identifying a high number of regulated businesses located in close proximity to residential neighborhoods in the city of Paterson, Passaic County, the DEP launched a two-phase compliance and enforcement effort in the city in September 2003. The initial stage of the compliance and enforcement effort focused on community outreach and on providing assistance to the city’s known and potentially regulated individuals, businesses and government operations.

Working with the New Jersey’s Department of Commerce, the Paterson Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2, a total of 98 compliance assistance visits were conducted and more than 425 facilities received assistance materials or participated in informational sessions. A total of six compliance assistance programs were held: one Paterson Chamber of Commerce session, two dry cleaner sessions, one auto body session, one general compliance assistance session, and one minority-business outreach session.

“This is an excellent example of how we can improve compliance through both compliance assistance and enforcement,” said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. “The Paterson community, with its many industrial facilities, will benefit tremendously from this concentrated effort to make sure these facilities are doing what they should to protect people’s health and the environment.”

The second phase of the enforcement effort, which was conducted with assistance from the Passaic County Health Department, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission and the EPA, involved a large-scale inspection of more than 1,000 sites throughout the city. Of the 1,028 sites visited, a total of 1,357 inspections were conducted, resulting in the citation of 159 major violations and 252 minor violations. In addition, DEP issued more than 230 compliance certificates to cooperative businesses where no violations occurred. In total, the DEP and its partners mobilized more than 145 inspectors to ensure city-wide compliance with laws addressing water quality, solid and hazardous waste, air pollution and illegal land use activities.

The violations ranged from unregistered underground storage tanks and failure to install air monitoring and emissions equipment, to illegal treatment and storage of hazardous wastes and unpermitted stormwater discharge activities.

Major hazardous waste violations were uncovered as a result of the Paterson effort.

On Monday, December 8, DEP hazardous waste and air pollution inspectors found more than 140 55-gallon drums of various chemicals, including used oils, mineral spirits, dyes, caustics, and unknown substances from previous dye operations at the former Zenith Dye and Finishing Corporation located at 46 East 24th Street and 2nd Avenue. The building posed a potentially dangerous condition to the neighboring industries and homes because of inadequate sprinkler systems, outdated fire extinguishers, leaking drums of oils and other chemicals, as well as the unpermitted use of the building by a kindling cutting and packing operation.

DEP inspectors notified the Paterson City Fire Prevention Bureau and Hazmat Teams, and immediately issued a Notice of Violation to the “alleged” responsible party, the Greater Community Bank of Totowa, and its associate bank, the Bergen Commercial Bank. The NOV was for failing to determine if solid waste in the 55-gallon drums, powders and other opened containers was hazardous. It ordered the responsible party to remove all spill materials from the leaking drums inside and outside the building and to secure the building to ensure that the materials do not pose a hazard to human health or the environment. Local, county, and state officials were previously unaware of the condition of the building before the Paterson effort. Despite the bank’s claim that it is not responsible for the drums, the company has agreed to take appropriate corrective actions.

On Thursday, December 11, DEP inspector’s from the Water Enforcement Team and hazardous waste accompanied by two New Jersey State Park Rangers inspected the furniture operator Empire Industries, Inc., formerly known as Empire Marble Corporation, located at 195 River Street in Paterson. Approximately 100-to-200 55-gallon drums, and a few 250-gallon totes, were found onsite. The drums were found in various conditions, were not protected from the elements and many were found in direct contact with the ground. Prior to March of 2000, Empire manufactured synthetic marble, under the company name of Empire Marble Company. Their synthetic marble products were manufactured from such raw materials as limestone, aluminum hydrate (a filler), and various polyester & polyurethane resins, and therefore posed a potential hazardous waste risk. The DEP issued a NOV requiring the site owner to determine if the “solid waste” on the property was hazardous and a second NOV for failure to maintain or operate the facility to minimize possibilities of fire, explosion, or releases of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents. DEP has confirmed that Empire has contacted a disposal service to properly remove all of the material being stored in their rear yard.

In addition to hazardous waste violations, several area bodegas were issued stop-sale orders for illegal, imported pesticides, which are highly toxic and pose serious health threats to children if used in the home. These pesticides are commonly known as Tres Pasitos and Chinese Chalk.

In a separate incident, an ongoing investigation is being conducted at a dye and chemical company where a truck leaving the facility was believed to be leaking hydrochloric acid vapor. The facility also is under investigation for possible groundwater violations and illegal discharges to Passaic Valley sewerage.

Approximately 180 referrals have been made by DEP inspectors as a result of the enforcement effort, and follow-up investigations will be conducted at sites where additional violations may exist.

As part of ongoing outreach efforts in Paterson, DEP is planning a community availability session in the New Year working with the city and other community organizations. During the community availability session, community members and businesses will be able to get more information on DEP’s environmental protection regulations and small business assistance programs. Community members interested in participating in DEP outreach activities can contact Jeremee Johnson at 609-777-0319.

• NJDEP Compliance & Enforcement
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement
• Compliance & Enforcement’s Paterson City Sweep
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/paterson/paterson.html
• City of Paterson Division of Health
  http://www.patcity.com/health.asp
• Passaic County Department of Health
  http://www.pcdh.org
• Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission
  http://www.pvsc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2003

Contact: Elaine Makatura
609-292-2994

NEW JERSEY BEACHES GET NEEDED BOOST
State and federal funding total more than $60 million

(03/178) TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced $34.5 million in state funding to protect the Jersey shore from erosion and severe coastal damage during major storms. U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg today announced $30.5 million in federal funding to assist in shore protection and enhancement projects.

"Protecting our natural resources, especially our beaches, is integral to New Jersey's recreational opportunities," said Governor James E. McGreevey. "Clearly, the shore is one of our greatest assets — culturally, economically and environmentally — and we will continue to take any step necessary to protect it."

"Thanks to the leadership of Senators Lautenberg and Corzine, we have $30.5 million more to help safeguard our coasts from erosion and our homes and businesses from flooding," he added.

"I have worked hard for many years bringing federal dollars into the state to repair and replenish New Jersey's beaches. This year Senator Corzine and I secured more than $30.5 million for beaches up and down the shore, including Raritan Bay, Barnegat Inlet, Sandy Hook and the Shrewsbury, Manasquan, and Shark Rivers," said Senator Frank Lautenberg. "It is good to learn that all our hard work has paid off. Millions of people from all across the country enjoy our beautiful beaches each year, and I intend to continue to fight hard to secure additional federal investment to ensure they are in the best possible condition; clean, safe and ready for use."

"Healthy beaches can better withstand the effects of a punishing storm and provide a stronger buffer between the pounding surf and homes, businesses and infrastructure along our coastline," said Commissioner Campbell. "This funding reflects our ongoing commitment to protect our precious coastal resources and support communities along our shore."

A portion of the state funding will be directed to coastal municipalities to aid shore stabilization projects, such as beach fills, bulkhead replacements and jetty construction that provide a critical defense against severe erosion and flooding.

DEP funded research conducted by the Richard Stockton Coastal Research Center to record the effects of major beach restoration projects undertaken by federal, state, and local partners. Stockton recently completed a 15-year study which also reviewed beach changes from 1986 through the fall of 2002. The research shows beach restoration projects, when completed and maintained can successfully stabilize short-term erosion and highlighted the importance of beach replenishment projects and New Jersey's shore economy and tourism. The study states that 22 percent of the 31 billion dollars spent on tourism related recreational activities is generated from direct beach or waterfront activities.

"Our data provides independent verification that large-scale beach restoration projects add environmental, economic and recreational value to New Jersey's coastal municipalities and individual property owners," said Dr. Stewart Farrell, director of the Pomona-based research center.

"New Jersey's 127 miles of white sand beaches are an integral component of our overall tourism economy," said Nancy Byrne, executive director of the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism. "As the state's most famous attraction, visitors and residents alike flock to the Jersey Shore, generating revenues for boardwalk amusements, restaurants, hotels and countless retail businesses that depend on a healthy beach environment."

Shore protection projects are funded through either a federal-state-local cost share or a state-local cost share, depending on the project. Design and real estate acquisition costs are the responsibility of the local sponsor.

State-owned shore protection structures are designed, constructed and maintained through the DEP Bureau of Coastal Engineering. The Bureau of Coastal Engineering, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provides beach nourishment and re-nourishment projects for the purpose of restoring New Jersey's beaches along our coastline.

DEP surveyed the New Jersey shoreline immediately after the recent nor'easter pummeled much of the Atlantic coast and found moderate-to-severe erosion in Ocean County, minor-to-moderate erosion in Monmouth County, and no significant erosion in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

Below is a listing of projects.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Coastal Programs
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/coast/coast.html
• NJDEP NJ Beach Information
  http://www.njbeaches.org
• NJ Travel & Tourism
  http://www.nj.gov/travel/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2003

Contact: Amy Cradic
(609) 984-1795

Updated Bear Hunt Information

(03/183) TRENTON — As of 4:00 p.m. today, 13 bear were taken statewide, bringing the total number to 253.

Since the mandatory check stations operate until 9:00 p.m., a final daily count of bear taken for Friday will be released Saturday at 3:00 p.m. via teleconference call (see below).

NOTE TO PRESS:

On both Saturday and Sunday, a teleconference call will be held at 3:00 p.m. to provide updated bear hunt information. To participate, please call the DEP Press Office for the required call-in number. You can obtain this number at 609-984-1795 on Friday, or 609-439-7048 on Saturday/Sunday.

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Related Link

• NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2003

Contact: Amy Cradic
(609) 984-1795

Updated Information on Thursday's Bear Hunt:

Weekend Information to be Provided Via Teleconference Call

(03/182) TRENTON — A total of 19 bear were taken statewide on Thursday, December 11 – the fourth day of the bear hunt, bringing the total number to 240.

Of the 240, 151 bear were female and 89 male. A total of 175 bear were taken in Sussex County, 30 in Warren County, 17 in Morris County, 17 in Passaic County and one in Bergen County. A total of 32 of the 240 bear taken were among the bear tagged by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife within the past year. Of the 240 bear taken, 11 were previously identified as nuisance bear, 6 were taken in previously identified problem areas where bear/human conflicts occurred. Three bear taken during the hunt had been previously relocated out of an urban area.

NOTE TO PRESS: The DEP press office will issue today's – Friday's – current-day bear hunt information at approximately 5:00 p.m.

WEEKEND INFORMATION:

On both Saturday and Sunday, a teleconference call will be held at 3:00 p.m. to provide updated bear hunt information. To participate, please call the DEP Press Office for the required call-in number. You can obtain this number at 609-984-1795 on Friday, or 609-439-7048 on Saturday/Sunday.

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Related Link

• NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2003

Contact: Peter Boger
(609) 984-1795

FLOODING UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF STORMWATER INITIATIVES
Dam Overflow Also Demonstrates Need for Dam Repair Funding

(03/180) TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today reminded residents of the importance of new stormwater regulations that will soon be in place as a means of reducing flooding and minimizing the harmful effects of pollution in stormwater runoff.

“Governor McGreevey’s smart growth initiatives aim to alleviate many of the problems caused by overdevelopment and sprawl paving over our critical watershed lands,” said Commissioner Campbell. “By building smarter and controlling stormwater we can protect our drinking water and aquifers while reducing the frequency of flooding such as occurred today.”

With almost two inches of rain falling in some portions of New Jersey during the last 24 hours, the combined rain and melting snow have created flooding problems across the state, such as minor flooding on Assunpink Creek in Trenton.

DEP’s proposed stormwater rules, which should be adopted by early next year, will help reduce flooding incidents by requiring new development designs to recharge rainfall into groundwater. Recharging underground aquifers not only bolsters drinking water supplies and mitigates the effects of droughts, but also reduces the amount of rainwater that quickly runs off during storms, leading to flooding such as New Jersey experienced today.

The stormwater rules would also protect the quality of New Jersey’s drinking water by limiting the amount of pollution carried by flooding and normal stormwater into our lakes and streams. The rules require municipalities to implement common sense programs, such as measures to cover the salt and sand piles used for road maintenance during snowy weather so that they do not unnecessarily erode and wash into our drinking water.

“Few people realize the overwhelming impact of everyday litter and materials running off into our stormwater systems,” Campbell said. “Through these innovative stormwater programs, we can better manage ordinary things – such as lawn products, pet waste, and the trash from our garbage cans – and help create a cleaner, safer water future for New Jersey.”

DEP has proposed two sets of rules related to stormwater. The first set of proposals will update the state’s Stormwater Management Rules, which have not been updated since their original adoption in 1983. The rules stress new performance standards for ground water recharge, including both water quality and quantity controls, and require maintaining 100 percent of the average annual groundwater recharge statewide.

Consistent with Governor McGreevey’s Smart Growth initiative, these rules further promote redevelopment in New Jersey’s urban and older suburban areas by waiving the 100 percent recharge requirement in these areas. The rules also promote Smart Growth through the use of low impact site development techniques for stormwater management systems designed to maintain natural vegetation and drainage.

In addition to the recharge standards, the regulations also stress water quality controls. Statewide, these rules require the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for new development in order to reduce pollution runoff levels by up to 80 percent.

The second set of stormwater control proposals will require municipalities, highway systems and major public complexes to develop control plans for stormwater runoff resulting from both existing and new development. DEP will provide support to municipalities in preparing these new water protection rules and initiatives.

Municipalities will be required to take common sense steps to reduce non-point source pollution, such as limiting unnecessary pesticide and fertilizer treatments of lawns, properly disposing of yard and pet waste, retrofitting of storm sewer grates and better managing of municipal maintenance yards.

The Commissioner also noted that the last day’s rainfall had contributed to the overflow flooding at the Wadsworth Dam in Gloucester County. While the dam itself does not appear to have been damaged, it is one of the state’s High Hazard Dams that had been particularly mentioned in debates leading up to the passage of Ballot Question No. 3 during the November election.

“Flooding at a High Hazard Dam underscores the urgent need for the source of funding provided by Ballot Question No. 3 for public and private dam repairs to protect communities from possibly significant harm,” said Campbell.

The state classifies a dam as “High Hazard” if the failure of the dam may result in probable loss of life and/or extensive property damage.

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Related Link

• NJDEP Division of Water Quality
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/dwq/
• NJDEP Dam Safety
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/damsafety/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2003

Contact: Amy Cradic
(609) 984-1795

Updated Information on Wednesday's Bear Hunt

(03/179) TRENTON — A total of 39 bears were taken statewide on Wednesday, December 10 – the third day of the bear hunt, bringing the total number to 221.

Of the 221, 144 bear were female and 77 male. A total of 168 bear were taken in Sussex County, 22 in Warren County, 14 in Morris County, 16 in Passaic County and one in Bergen County. A total of 30 of the 221 bears taken were among the bears tagged by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife within the past year. Of the 221 bear taken, nine were previously identified as nuisance bears, 6 were taken in previously identified problem areas where bear/human conflicts occurred. Three bear taken during the hunt had been previously relocated out of an urban area.

Thirteen bears were taken from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

NOTE TO PRESS: The DEP press office will issue current-day bear hunt information at approximately 5:00 p.m.

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Related Link

• NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2003

Contact: Elaine Makatura
609-292-2994

SHELLFISH BEDS REOPEN

(03/177) TRENTON — Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley Campbell today announced the reopening of the Barnegat Bay for shellfish harvesting after closing the area seven weeks ago. The waters were closed due to a ruptured wastewater line beneath the bay.

The line was repaired on November 7, and subsequent sample monitoring results show that these waters are now safe for harvesting.

A copy of the Notice of Revocation is presented below.

REVOCATION OF SHELLFISH BED CLOSURE

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
LAND USE MANAGEMENT

Public Notice of Revocation of Condemnation of Shellfish Beds

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection appearing at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et. seq. and because of degraded water quality resulting from the release of sewage from a broken main into the waters of Barnegat Bay in Ocean County, the Department condemned and prohibited the harvesting of all shellfish from those State waters previously classified as Approved and Seasonally Approved in the Barnegat Bay area, specifically:

All waters of Barnegat Bay south of the Mathis Bridge (Route 37) to a line from the northernmost point of land on the mainland located at the northeastern extent of Laurel Boulevard in Lacey Township bearing 105 degrees T to the cupola on Island Beach State Park.

As provided for in the aforementioned prohibition, having determined through sample monitoring that the waters described above are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish, I revoke the prohibition on these waters and return them to their prior classification effective December 11, 2003.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com
• "Broken Wastewater Pipe Closes Shellfish Beds in Barnegat Bay" (NJDEP News Release)
  https://njdepwptest.net/newsrel/03_0158

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2003

Contact: Amy Cradic
(609) 984-1795

Information for Tuesday's Bear Hunt:
Updated Information for Today's Bear Hunt to be Provided Via Teleconference Call

(03/176) TRENTON — A total of 66 bear were taken statewide on Tuesday, December 9 – the second day of the bear hunt, bringing the total number to 182.

Of the 182, 120 bear were female and 62 male. A total of 137 bear were taken in Sussex County, 19 in Warren County, 11 in Morris County, 14 in Passaic County and one in Bergen County. A total of 25 of the 182 bears taken were among the approximately 290 bear tagged by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife within the past year. The updated number of nuisance bears taken is still being calculated, and will be released upon availability.

NOTE TO PRESS: Due to the volume of press calls being received regarding the bear hunt, the DEP press office will hold a teleconference call at 4:00 p.m. today to provide updated bear hunt information. Please contact the press office to receive a call-in number.

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Related Link

• NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com