FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/27/03

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

DEP Extends Green Acre's Funding Application Deadline for Local Governments

(03/23) TRENTON – Reinforcing Governor McGreevey's goal to create and upgrade 200 local parks over the next three years, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today extended the Green Acre's application deadline for local governments to April 1 from March 1, 2003.

"We've extended the Green Acres funding application deadline to give county and municipal governments across the state more time to take advantage of the new open space and park development initiatives proposed by Governor McGreevey in his State of the State Address," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "Under the Governor's direction, we will be allocating greater funding for land acquisition and park development in more populated communities."

As part of the Green Acre's program, recreation development funding provides for playground equipment, boardwalks, tennis and basketball courts, ballfields, landscaping, lighting, parking and other amenities in hundreds of community parks. Additionally, past park development funding has provided for waterfront developments in Camden, Bayonne, Jersey City and several other communities across the state. Land acquisition projects have included the purchase of natural areas, waterfront properties, stream corridors, and land for future outdoor recreational facilities.

Green Acre's applications will be accepted through April 1, 2003. For more information, local government officials can call their Green Acres project manager or visit Green Acres on the web at www.state.nj.us/dep/greenacres.

The Green Acres Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey's growing recreational and conservation needs. To date, Green Acres has protected more than 513,174 acres of open space and provided funding to develop hundreds of parks, bringing the state-wide system of preserved open space and farmland to more than 1.2 million acres.

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Related Links

• Green Acres Program
  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/greenacres

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/27/03

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

DEP and U.S. Humane Society Sign Agreement to Research Use of Immunocontraceptives on Black Bears

New Panel Examines State's Bear Population Estimates

(03/22) TRENTON – Today, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell announced that New Jersey will work in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to study the use of PZP, an immunocontraceptive, as a non-lethal approach to manage the state's black bear population.

"In addition to traditional wildlife management measures, non-lethal methods need to be developed and considered as potential tools to manage New Jersey's wildlife populations," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "The rebounded black bear population in New Jersey remains a true success story. Our responsibility now is to ensure adequate habitat for black bears and safe, livable communities in and around that shared domain."

The pilot project will start with a study on black bears in captivity prior to treating animals in the wild. As part of its Memorandum of Agreement with the DEP, the HSUS will provide and administer the PZP and state wildlife biologists will participate in the examination and monitoring of the bears. If the PZP shows significant evidence that it is safe and effective in captive bears, the HSUS will acquire necessary FDA approval before proceeding, in partnership with the DEP, with tests on the state's wild black bear population.

In addition to the immunocontraceptive study, a new independent black bear panel is conducting a month-long review of New Jersey's bear population estimates. The panel may also examine management tools and potential population control measures to recommend to the state based upon their population review.

"In our series of public meetings on the bear population, numerous citizens raised concern about the adequacy and soundness of our population estimates," Commissioner Campbell added. "This independent review panel will ensure that we have thoughtful deliberation of both the data and any management options that are considered."

Members of the independent bear panel include: Louis Berchielli, biologist, New York Department of Environmental Conservation; Dante DiPirro, Counselor and Legal Policy Advisor to the Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; George Howard, New Jersey Fish and Game Council; Dr. Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute – Minnesota; Dr. Allen Rutberg, biologist, Tufts University; Harry Spiker, Biologist, Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Lynda Smith, Bear Citizen Group.

Three, independent statistical experts, Dr. Michael Conroy of the University of Georgia, Dr. Gary White of Colorado State University and Dr. Edwin Green of Rutgers University, are also assisting the black bear panel in their review of DEP research and population data.

In addition, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation will host the 17th Eastern Black Bear Workshop from March 2-5 at the Wyndham Gardens Hotel and Conference Center in Mount Olive, Morris County. The semi-annual workshop brings together scientific researchers and managers from the state, federal, provincial and university communities who are responsible for black bear management. This year's workshop is entitled "Black Bears in the Backyard." Information about the workshop can be found at www.njfishandwildlife.com.

Daytime events are not open to the general public. However, the public is encouraged to attend and participate in evening educational programs.

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Related Links

• New Jersey Division Fish and Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/26/03

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

New Jersey and Delaware Join Forces to Protect Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab:
Joint Plea Made to Federal Commission to Establish Coast-Wide Harvest Quota

(03/21) Trenton— In response to an increasing decline in the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population, the states of New Jersey and Delaware today announced a joint Horseshoe Crab Management Plan that will reduce by half each state's annual harvest quota and prohibit all harvesting activities during the horseshoe crabs' prime spawning season from May 1 through June 7.

"The Delaware Bay is a shared resource and drastic measures are called for on both sides of the waterway to address the alarming decline of the horseshoe crab population and wildlife that depends on horseshoe crab eggs as a primary food source," said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "Aggressive actions like the harvest moratorium will help ensure maximum protection for these declining and threatened populations."

In the past three years, the concentration of horseshoe crab eggs on important shorebird feeding beaches in New Jersey has declined in some places by almost 50 percent. In 2002, on 4 of 5 beaches in Delaware, the egg availability has declined between 35 percent to over 93 percent. Consequently, the seasonal weight gains for Red Knots, a state endangered shorebird species most dependent on eggs available on the beach surface, have declined dramatically from 1997 to 2002 impacting their ability to fuel for their trek to the Arctic nesting grounds. The number of Red Knots reaching weights sufficient to make the trek to the Arctic has declined from 33,741 in 1998 to 5,376 in 2002.

As part of the joint Horseshoe Crab Management Plan, New Jersey and Delaware are initiating:

• A moratorium on all (including bycatch, personal use, hand-harvest from beaches/back-bays and dredging) horseshoe crab harvests from May 1 to June 7 to maximize egg resources available to migrating shorebirds;

• A cap on total horseshoe crab harvests for both Delaware and New Jersey at 150,000 crabs per state (a 50 percent reduction) to increase the likelihood of long-term sustainability;

• Mandatory use of bait-saving devices in whelk pots using horseshoe crabs for bait to limit the demand for horseshoe crabs;

• Limited access on specific areas of important bird-feeding beaches during specific times between May 1 to June 7 to allow the shorebirds to feed without disruption; and

• Reduced research coordinated by the states to limit disturbance of feeding shorebirds.

"Delaware and New Jersey are cooperatively proposing a coherent conservation program to protect both horseshoe crabs and shorebirds," said John A. Hughes, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. "I hope that all of the other Atlantic States will take their own measures to support this."

In addition to the New Jersey and Delaware agreement, both states are requesting that the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Horseshoe Crab Management Board consider capping other Atlantic coast states' 2003 horseshoe crab bait harvest quotas at the 2001 levels, as well as investigate coast-wide measures to reduce crab mortality caused by the biomedical use of horseshoe crabs.

The blood of Horseshoe crabs is used to produce lysate, which is a substance used in biomedical testing. Current reports indicate that in addition to the estimated 5 to 15 percent mortality caused by the biomedical industry during the crab bleeding process, another 10 to 15 percent of bled crabs are destroyed in the process of collecting, handling and shipping. The amount of crabs taken for the bleeding process on a coast-wide basis has increased from approximately 130,000 in 1989 to 300,000 today.

New Jersey and Delaware will be working with the biomedical industry to further protect horseshoe crab and shorebird populations.

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Related Links

• Bureau of Marine Fisheries
  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/marfhome.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/25/03
03/17

Contact: Peter Boger
(609) 633-1496

MCGREEVEY ADMINISTRATION TAKES ACTION ON "FIX IT FIRST"
Expedites Review of Much Needed Improvements to County Bridges

(03/17) Sayreville— New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell and Department of Transportation (DOT) Acting Commissioner Jack Lettiere today announced a new inter-departmental initiative under Governor James E. McGreevey's "Fix It First" policy that will eliminate regulatory impediments preventing much needed transportation improvements.

"For too long, these vital improvement projects have languished in bureaucratic red tape, with commuters and counties suffering as a result," said DEP Commissioner Campbell. "DEP takes the Governor's charge to "fix it first" seriously and has reorganized our structure as a result to streamline permit reviews and to coordinate with DOT on every stage of project review."

"Fix It First" and the new initiative follow one of the guiding principles of Governor McGreevey 's anti-sprawl plan – to stop subsidizing sprawl – by prioritizing funding and permit reviews to focus on existing infrastructure. Departmental action on infrastructure will also be prioritized for areas identified as appropriate for growth – "green light" areas – on DEP's new regulatory map, when the map is adopted. It will be proposed later this spring.

By expediting the review of the various permits needed for county bridge projects funded by the Local Bridge Bond Act of 1999, DEP and DOT's initiative will enable previously authorized funds for projects worth $23 million to now move forward.

"This agreement demonstrates that the DOT and DEP have heard Governor McGreevey's call to cut through red tape and get critical transportation projects moving," said Lettiere. "This is another step toward realizing the promise of the Governor's 'Smart Growth' initiative."

As part of the new initiative, DEP has created a dedicated Transportation Unit in its Land Use Management program working solely on shepherding DOT projects through the review process. DEP's Historic Preservation Office also has a Transportation Unit that is focused on identifying historic preservation issues in the early stages of transportation improvement projects. These units will help coordinate communication with permittees in pre-application meetings and expedite the permit process. At the same time, having dedicated transportation units better ensures that projects adhere to strict regulatory protections for the environment.

At the event, also attended by Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, the commissioners highlighted two recent accomplishments in advancing DEP review of bridge projects identified by DOT.

A project to widen the Bordentown Avenue bridge at the intersection of Ernston Road in Sayreville Borough had been delayed for months while historic preservation questions were considered. DEP and DOT recently agreed on a resolution to this issue, allowing plans to replace the existing structure to move forward.

"The Bordentown and Ernston Road project, which will solve a long-standing problem for the people of Sayreville and the surrounding area, is a prime example of how the concept of 'Fix it First' and intergovernmental cooperation can work," said Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee. "It is my hope that this project will serve as a model for how, by working together, government can tackle the multitude of transportation projects we face around the state. "

In Brick Township, DEP recently completed permit approvals that will allow improvements to begin on the Mantoloking Road drawbridge over Barnegat Bay. The drawbridge will be replaced with a separate, higher structure adjacent to the existing structure that will not have to be opened as frequently to accommodate boat traffic.

DOT has identified 14 other county bridge projects for which DEP will expedite its regulatory reviews. These projects are listed on the attachment.

Bridge Projects Identified for DEP Expedited Review

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Related Links

• NJ Department of Transportations (DOT)
  http://www.nj.gov/transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/24/03
03/15

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

DEP Fines Construction Corporation for Violating Water Pollution Control Laws:
Illegal Stormwater Runoff from Residential Development Impacts Local Wetlands

(03/15) Trenton— New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced that Kaplan and Sons Construction Corporation, which is responsible for the La Mer residential development in Middlesex County, is being fined $208,500 for illegal stormwater discharges and for failure to prevent severe soil erosion runoff from impacting local wetlands.

“Kaplan’s failure to incorporate environmental safeguards into his company’s development practices is illegal, irresponsible, and dismissive of the public’s right to a healthy environment,” said DEP Commissioner Campbell. “We will no longer tolerate a situation that has languished far too long and resulted in ongoing damage to protected wetlands.”

The La Mer residential development is being constructed in phases along natural bluffs on Ernston Road in Sayreville, adjacent to Cheesequake State Park. As part of the site development, Kaplan Construction clear cut property along the bluffs and did not provide for proper stormwater control measures, which has resulted in serious soil erosion that is draining into wetlands and nearby Cheesequake Creek. The DEP has made repeated attempts, beginning with the issuance of a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Kaplan Construction in August 2000, to seek stormwater control compliance and alleviate the severe erosion occurrences.

On December 12, 2002, DEP inspected the La Mer development project and issued NOVs for failure to provide both temporary and permanent stabilization measures at two stormwater retention basins, and for failure to maintain temporary erosion controls to mitigate soil runoff and resulting siltation impacting area wetlands.

During a follow-up inspection on January 22, 2003, the DEP found that the stabilization of the basins was insufficient. Hay mulch was applied to two of the three basin embankments, but not the basin bottoms. Additional areas of soil disturbance also were discovered at the site, and there is a significant lack of erosion and sedimentation controls that are required under the site’s DEP permit.

Kaplan Construction is required by its DEP site permit to submit an Annual Report and Certification one year after receiving authorization for a project. For the phase of development impacting the bluff area, Kaplan failed to submit reports required by June 13, 2001 and June 13, 2002.

The DEP’s penalty assessment of $208,500 is based on violations of the New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act, including failure to properly maintain soil erosion and sedimentation controls. The penalty assessment includes a $35,000 fine for Kaplan’s failure to obtain proper permits for clearing and grading activities, and a $3,500 fine for failure to submit annual reports and certifications.

A copy of the DEP's Administrative Order and Notice of Civil Administrative Penalty Assessment issued to Kaplan and Sons Construction Corporation, Inc. is available upon request.

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Related Links

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/18/03
03/14

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

DEP Obtains Court Order to Cease Operations at Local Gas Station:
Owner Fails to Address Environmental and Safety Concerns

(03/14) Trenton— The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that the Superior Court of New Jersey on February 13 granted a temporary restraining order requiring AB Trading Enterprises to immediately shut down their gasoline service station in Wayne Township, Passaic County, for significant underground storage tank violations.

"We asked the court to take immediate precautionary action and shut down the service station to protect residents and to help us ensure that its operations pose no environmental or public health threat," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "AB Trading Enterprises' continued failure to heed DEP directives could result in greater harm to the state's groundwater and soil, and compromise public safety."

Before resuming operations, AB Trading must fulfill the following court mandates: determine whether or not its underground storage tanks are coated and/or lined; verify that all tanks and lines are protected against corrosion; submit a schedule with dates to address all environmental issues, including surface spills and groundwater and contaminated soil issues; verify that all overfill equipment is in working order; and test the integrity of all tank system lines.

A second court date to review AB Trading's progress in addressing the court mandates is set for Friday, February 21 in State Superior Court, Passaic County.

The DEP first issued AB Trading Enterprise a Notice of Violation (NOV) on December 4, 2002 that imposed a delivery ban on all four underground storage tanks and a cease use directive for the two regular unleaded grade underground storage tanks at AB Trading's Wayne Township service station.

On December 10, 2002, the DEP received test results taken from four tanks at the service station that revealed that three of the four tanks at the site and all product piping failed to meet the DEP's corrosion protection criteria. During an on-site follow-up inspection on December 17, DEP learned that AB Trading Enterprises ignored the delivery ban and cease use directive and the service station remained in full operation.

Information from the gas station's onsite Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) control panel revealed that, at minimum, the service station accepted deliveries of gasoline on December 5,7, 8, 10, 11, 14, and 15.

During the December 17, 2002 inspection, the ATG, which can be used to monitor tank product levels and perform leak detection tests, also revealed gasoline tank overfills at the service station on October 26, November 19, 20 and 27, December 2, 8 and 15, 2002.

Responding to AB Trading's disregard of the delivery and operations ban, Deputy Attorney General Anna Lascurain, the lawyer handling this matter in court, said, "Restraints were necessary in this case. This business operated in a way that demonstrated a total disregard of human health and the environment."

The DEP inspection of the facility was initiated by a citizen's complaint alleging that "contaminated" gasoline was purchased at the AB Trading Service Station and that their vehicle was damaged. Responding to the complaint, DEP enforcement officers inspected the service station and detected the presence of volatile organic vapors and gasoline odors in two ground water monitoring wells, indicating that there had been a discharge of hazardous substances to the soil and/or ground water. The inspection also revealed the presence of approximately 1.5 inches of gasoline in a submerged sump located at the regular unleaded grade tanks, indicating a possible ongoing discharge of petroleum products into the environment.

On behalf of the DEP, the Office of the Attorney General filed the Verified Complaint and Order to Show Cause With Temporary Restraints in Superior Court. In addition to the cease use and delivery ban and remedial actions, the Complaint seeks an order awarding the DEP its costs and fees in taking this action and maximum statutory penalties (not to exceed $50,000 per day) pursuant to the Underground Storage Tank Act and the Spill Compensation and Control Act.

The Spill Compensation and Control Act prohibits the discharge of a hazardous substance except in compliance with a state or federal permit. The Underground Storage Tank Act specifically addresses the substantial threat to the environment and the public health, safety and welfare posed by the discharge of petroleum products and other hazardous substances from underground storage tanks.

Leakage of hazardous substances is among the most common causes of ground water pollution in New Jersey.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Site Remediation Program
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp
• NJDEP SRP: Underground Storage Tanks
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/bust

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/18/03
03/13

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

NJ DEP Issues Update on Coastal Storm Damage and Beach Erosion
Commissioner Campbell Pledges Emergency Support for Shore Communities

(03/13) Trenton— New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today announced that support and emergency beach restoration funding are available for shore communities severely affected by the recent storm.

"While preliminary reports indicate that the storm's impact along New Jersey's coast was not as destructive as feared, a number of shore communities did suffer damage," said DEP Commissioner Campbell. "Our coastal inspectors are working with local communities to assess beach erosion and flood damage, and will assist those areas in need of emergency support."

Areas from Long Beach Island south along the New Jersey coast experienced the most severe beach erosion.

Coastal communities along Long Beach Island, Ocean County, lost approximately 5-to-6 feet of vertical beach.

Atlantic County beaches – Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate and Longport – lost an average of four feet of sand vertically.

In Cape May County, Ocean City experienced a 6-to-8 foot vertical cut in the beach and Stone Harbor lost approximately 2-to-3 feet of vertical sand along the entire beach. Stone Harbor also lost approximately 13,000 feet of sand fence that appears to have been washed away.

In addition, approximately two-thirds of the sand placed along Stone Harbor beaches as part of a state and federal beach replenishment project has been carried offshore. While the sand has been temporarily displaced, the DEP anticipates that a portion of the offshore sands will migrate back as a result of normal currents over the next several weeks. The replenishment sands provided a critical defense against more significant coastal damages during the course of the storm.

"This storm has provided powerful evidence of the effectiveness of the DEP shore protection program and demonstrated the importance of Governor McGreevey's commitment to ensuring that these programs are fully funded," Commissioner Campbell added.

The DEP will be conducting follow-up inspections to determine the full impact of the storm's damage.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Coastal Programs
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/landuse/coast/coast.html
• NJ Ocean Beach Information
  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/beaches

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/13/03
03/12

Contact: Amy Cradic,
609-984-1795

Private Landowner Damages Area of Palisades Interstate Park:
NJ DEP and Park Commission File Complaint in State Superior Court

(03/12) Trenton— In response to a flagrant destruction of public parkland, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) filed a complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey against property owner Andrew Krieger and his employee David Rodriguez for bulldozing an acre of land in Palisades Interstate Park, Bergen County.

"The citizens of New Jersey have been deprived of and will continue to be deprived of the use and enjoyment of natural resources that were destroyed as a result of Mr. Krieger's recklessness," said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "This was a reprehensible act that shows a total lack of respect for public property and of the law."

Damages to approximately one acre of park property included the destruction of trees and other vegetation, the excavation of approximately one mile of trails, the destruction of an old stone wall and the disturbance of two small, intermittent streams located within Palisades Interstate Park, which is owned by the State of New Jersey and leased long-term for park use to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.

Prior to bulldozing the land, Andrew Krieger, who owns property adjacent to Palisades Interstate Park, met with representatives of the PIPC and the DEP Green Acres Program in February 2002 to discuss a potential land exchange proposal. After being advised of the necessary procedures needed for a land trade, Krieger notified the Commission and the DEP that he no longer desired to pursue an exchange.

Several months later between March and May 2002, despite withdrawing his proposal to exchange land and without any notice to the State of New Jersey or the PIPC, Krieger proceeded to illegally clear an acre of the park adjacent to his residence. In addition to destroying public property, construction materials were illegally stored on state property and nearby Bergen County park property.

"In my 20 years of public land management I have never seen a case as severe as this, where an adjacent property owner took such a deliberate and willful action in damaging public park property," said PIPC Superintendent James Hall. "The Palisades Interstate Park Commission considers pursing any and all legal remedies for this kind of deliberate damage imperative to the management and care of land under their trust on behalf of the public."

With the assistance of the state Attorney General's Office, the DEP and the PIPC are seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Andrew Krieger and his employees on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey, as well as statutory penalties and other appropriate relief.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Green Acres
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres
• Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC)
  http://www.pipc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/10/03
03/11

Contact: Fred Mumford
609-984-1795

DEP Working with Nuclear Regulatory Commission and PSEG Nuclear
to Investigate Leak at Salem I Plant

(03/11) Trenton— State Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell today said that the state is working with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and PSEG Nuclear to investigate a leak of radioactive water around a spent fuel pool building on site at the Salem I nuclear power plant. The leak was identified when elevated levels of tritium were discovered in ground water and reported last week by the NRC, which regulates the nuclear power industry.

“A month ago, I asked the NRC chairman to intervene personally to ensure that this problem would be promptly and fully investigated. Since then, our radiation experts have been providing advice and conducting our own sampling to help investigate and solve this problem, recognizing that any possible leak of radioactive material into the environment must be prevented and stopped,” said Commissioner Campbell. “Results of ground water tests analyzed by us today show that tritium levels in ground water believed to have leaked from the spent fuel pool building are at similar levels found and reported by PSEG Nuclear to the Department last week.”

DEP routinely takes about 1,200 environmental samples each year at the PSEG facility to monitor air, soil, ground and surface water and biota. Previously, there have not been any radiation levels found above background, or what occurs naturally in the environment, at this facility during monitoring in the past year. Salem I began operating in 1977.

“PSEG Nuclear advised us of the problem as soon as it was discovered and there is no immediate threat to public health and safety,” Campbell said. “We continue to have concerns about contamination of our water resources from this leak and we will work closely with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and PSEG Nuclear to take every appropriate step to safeguard New Jersey’s public health and environment.”

Two on-site wells have shown elevated levels of tritium. PSEG Nuclear tests of the on-site well with the highest result showed 69,000 picocuries per liter of tritium, exceeding the 20,000 picocurie per liter state Ground Water Quality Standard. DEP tests at the same well found 51,000 picocuries per liter of tritium. Additional monitor wells have been sampled by DEP and PSEG Nuclear separately and the results of these ground water tests are being analyzed.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Radiation Protection Programs
  http://www.nj.gov/dep/rpp
• US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
  http://www.nrc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2/5/03
03/9

Contact: Al Ivany
609-984-1795

DEP OUTLINES 2003 TROUT STOCKING PLAN

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife will present its recommended 2003 trout stocking plan to the Fish and Game Council at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 15, at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Warren County.

DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell will attend the meeting and be available to discuss the trout plan as well as Governor McGreevey's recent budget address. He will also answer questions relating to the future of the status of the Lebanon State Fish Laboratory.

Agenda topics include the discussion of trout hatchery production numbers and changes to individual trout stocking allotments, as well as ongoing renovations to the Hackettstown Hatchery and the status of warmwater fish production.

The plan calls for 575,000 – 600,000 trout to be released during the spring t rout-stocking season. The number of trout stocked in 2003 will be similar to past years including a fall stocking.

The Pequest facility is located on Rt. 46, nine miles west of Hackettstown in Oxford, Warren County.

A copy of the spring allocation schedule will be made available upon council approval and can be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope to the: NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries, P.O. Box 400, Trenton, NJ 08625-0400, Attn: Spring Allocation Schedule.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com
• Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Resource Education Center
  http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/pequest.htm