By Senior Correspondent Desirée Taylor
NJ Today
Sandy-battered Barnegat Bay is a little cleaner thanks to an army of volunteers who participated in an event called Barnegat Bay Blitz. The event drew volunteers from all 37 towns in the bay watershed. The commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martin, was on hand to thank volunteers and give a progress report about the ongoing cleanup work in the bay.
“It’s been six months since the storm hit us. The first phase of recovery is done … now is phase two … the long term rebuilding process,” said Commissioner Martin.
Cleanup is a big part of the rebuilding process. Contractors have been on the job for months and they’ve pulled out everything, including the kitchen sink. “We have contractors pulling out pieces of buildings and homes out of the water, pulling out docks and boats and trees. Within the past three weeks contractors have removed three full homes in tact out of Barnegat Bay,” said Martin.
Even before Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc on the Jersey Shore, Barnegat Bay’s fragile ecosystem was declining. One sign is the excessive amount of algae in the water. This is caused by nutrients from fertilizer that has been running into the bay for decades.
The Christie administration has taken steps to address this problem by implementing one of the toughest laws in the nation aimed at reducing pollution from lawn fertilizer. It’s part of Christie’s 10-point plan to help protect and restore the bay. Some environmentalists say this plan is a good start, but they want more aggressive action.
Meanwhile, contractors will continue working through the summer to help clear debris in time for the upcoming boating season.