Bill Text: NJ SR73 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opposes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sand mining project at Manasquan Bridge near Axel Carson Artificial Reef.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-06-05 - Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading [SR73 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SR73-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator BOB SMITH
District 17 (Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Opposes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sand mining project at Manasquan Ridge near Axel Carson Artificial Reef.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution opposing the United States Army Corps of Engineers' sand mining project at the Manasquan Ridge near the Axel Carson Artificial Reef, New Jersey.
Whereas, The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has plans to conduct a storm damage reduction project off the coast of Ocean County, New Jersey; and
Whereas, A portion of the plan calls for the USACE to conduct sand mining operations at the Manasquan Ridge near the Axel Carlson Artificial Reef; and
Whereas, The USACE plan indicates that these areas, designated as "borrow areas," could be used in the future for additional sand mining, so as to replenish material lost in other areas due to erosion and future storm damage; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), in accordance with existing regulation, has identified both of these areas as "Prime Fishing Areas"; and
Whereas, The proposed sand mining operations at the Manasquan Ridge near the Axel Carlson Artificial Reef will negatively impact fishing areas just beginning to recover from the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, while the marine life populations continue to suffer from sea level rise, marine acidification, and pollution; and
Whereas, Storm protection measures, including sand mining, are necessary to protect the State of New Jersey from future damage, but the current proposal unnecessarily places diverse fishing grounds at risk; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House strongly opposes any sand mining operations at the Manasquan Ridge near the Axel Carlson Artificial Reef, off the coast of Ocean County, New Jersey, and respectfully urgers the United States Army Corps of Engineers to cancel all plans and reject all future proposals related to sand mining operations at this or any nearby site.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and every member of Congress elected from the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses opposition to United States Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE sand mining project at the Manasquan Ridge near the Axel Carson Artificial Reef. The USACE has plans to conduct a storm damage reduction project off the coast of Ocean County, New Jersey. A portion of the plan calls for the USACE to conduct sand mining operations at the Manasquan Ridge near the Axel Carlson Artificial Reef. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, in accordance with existing regulation, has identified both of these areas as "Prime Fishing Areas." These proposed sand mining operations will negatively impact fishing areas just beginning to recover from the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, while the marine life populations continue to suffer from sea level rise, marine acidification, and pollution. Storm protection measures, including sand mining, are necessary to protect the State from future damage, but the current proposal unnecessarily places important fishing grounds at significant risk.
