Gov. Christie Takes Action to Protect Barnegat Bay

Governor Christie unveiled a plan of action to protect the short and long term ecological health of the Barnegat Bay. The plan includes the closing of the Oyster Creek Generating Station by Dec. 31, 2019.

"Barnegat Bay is one of my top environmental priorities,'' said Governor Christie. "After years of inaction and the Bay's declining ecological health, we finally have a comprehensive plan that will prevent further degradation of the Bay and begin the restoration of this incredible New Jersey resource. The changes won't happen overnight, but the long-term environmental future of Barnegat Bay is now much stronger.''

The current cooling system at the nuclear plan sucks the water from the bay into the plant and then discharges it, threatening the fish population for decades. The system has caused an ongoing dispute between the state and Exelon Corp, the owner and operator of the plant, over investing in cooling towers.

The cost of the cooling towers was estimated in 2006 to cost between $705 million to $801 million. Although environmentalist say the job can be done for $200 million, Exelon determined that the cost to build the two towers is more than the plant is worth.

According to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin, Christie's plan of action is based on an investigation put forth by scientists, environmentalists, elected officials, recreational fishermen, and area residents with intentions of pinpointing specific causes of the deterioration of the bay.

"The goal is to restore, protect and enhance Barnegat Bay, which has been suffering,'' said Commissioner Martin. "We are dealing with problems that have been long in the making, so we have sought solid, long-term solutions that will restore the environmental health of this tremendous resource.''

The Comprehensive Barnegat Bay Plan includes the following policy provisions:

1. Reducing Nutrient Pollution from Fertilizer: Standards for nitrogen content in fertilizer will be restricted and limits will be put on application rates and dates.
2. Requiring Post-Construction Soil Restoration: Post-construction restoration will be required to minimize soil compaction which will ten reduce runoff of nutrients into the Bay.
3. Acquiring Land in the Watershed: Money to purchase priority sensitive lands in the Barnegat Bay Watershed will be provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Acres and other funds.
4. Establishing a Special Area Management Plan: A management plan will be developed in conjunction with the Barnegat Bay Partnership.
5. Adopting More Rigorous Water Quality Standards: Criteria for all coastal waters will be adopted and the feasibility of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limit will be determined.
6. Educating the Public: An education plan for residents and visitors to the Bay will be developed to inform them of preventative measures they can take to help improve the health of the Bay.
7. Producing More Comprehensive Research: Continue to research the Barnegat Bay, including an evaluation of how modifying wastewater treatment plant discharges could improve the Bay's circulation and recharge groundwater; establishment of the baseline conditions of the Bay; and development of a hydrology model for the Bay.
8. Reducing Water Craft Impacts: Boats will be restricted from certain shallow areas to reduce watercraft impacts.

The Barnegat Bay is 75 square miles and stretches across 33 municipalities in Ocean County and four towns in Monmouth County.

It is an environmentally sensitive estuarine system consisting of aquatic vegetation, shellfish beds, finfish habitats, waterfowl nesting grounds, and vistas. In 1995, the Barnegat Bay was designated as an "estuary of national significance" by the National Estuary Program.