September 2014 
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We are the Storm We've Been Waiting for - March with us

Between the historic droughts, floods, and storms, one thing is increasingly clear: the time for talk is over. This September, world leaders are coming to New York City for a landmark Climate Summit at the United Nations -- and we'll be meeting them in the streets to demand real action. Join us at Columbus Circle, NYC on Sunday, September 21st, 11:30am for the People's Climate March - the largest mobilization demanding climate action in history. 


 

 Click here to add your name if you can join us! 

 

Click here to watch NY/NJ Baykeeper Executive Director, Debbie Mans explain why this Climate March is so important to her. Once you RSVP to the march, let your friends and family know why they should be there too. A reduced ferry rate is available from the Highlands terminal.Click here for details. 
Click here for more route details and transportation.

Together we can change history. Wear your navy blue in support of #SwimmableWater. 
Aw Shucks Oyster Update

Baykeeper and team have been working to install a 1/4 acre research project in the waters of NWS Earle. Three different support structures set with oysters will be tested to determine which will best support oysters as they grow in the dynamic waters of the Raritan Bay. Structures were filled with oyster spat Baykeeper's Aquaculture Facility. 


 
A similar research project was implemented in Keyport Harbor in 2009, but was removed after only 10 months when NJDEP banned oyster research, education, and restoration in "contaminated" waters. If you think this sounds as ridiculous as we do, sign our petition here


 
The Earle research plots will be monitored next spring, summer and fall for survivorship, growth, and biodiversity. The structure(s) with the highest survival and growth will be used to begin populating the 10.7 acres Baykeeper is permitted for.  This project is the first substantial oyster project in the Raritan Bay since the Keyport reef was forcibly removed in 2010. Learn more here

 
dirtSay it Ain't So! Contaminated Soil Along...a River?!

As you all may be aware, Soil Safe, a soil recycling company, has been seeking approval for what would amount to a massive new landfill directly adjacent and on wetlands next to the Rahway River in Carteret. The company says its work is necessary because of historic contamination on the site, but it doesn't explain how or why its necessary that they cap the contamination with over 25 feet of new, petroleum contaminated soil.

 

Until recently, the NJDEP considered the site to have been appropriately remediated by its prior owner, American Cyanamid. Now that the site has been purchased by a developer who wants to lease the site to Soil Safe, the Department has withdrawn its no further action letter. Ultimately, the project was approved despite staff concerns.

 

Unfortunately, not one New Jersey elected official has stepped in to demand a closer look at this project, but New York State and City elected officials have been fighting hard. The New York City Council advised NJDEP to halt the project and answer some of the more troubling questions. Among them, what will happen if the pile of contaminated dirt falls into the river if there is a large storm?The NY Attorney General's Office requested full public disclosure of information on the site.   

 

Because the NJDEP keeps pushing this project forward, Baykeeper has challenged Soil Safe's Waterfront Development, Air and recycling permits in the New Jersey Appellate Division. We expect the litigation to develop over the winter.

wateKeep Medical Waste out of our Waterways

Throughout the summer of 2014, Bill Shultz, of our Raritan Riverkeeper program collected dozens of used needles off of Bayshore beaches. We believe that washed up medical waste is likely the result of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). When it rains heavily, combined sewer systems become stressed, resulting in storm water PLUS untreated raw sewage being discharged into our waterways through an outfall pipe. We've launched an outreach campaign that stresses the importance of properly disposing medical waste. To learn more, click here. 

 

In This Issue

From the Baykeeper

It's hard to believe that another summer is over!  We had a blast getting out on the water with folks this summer, including expanding our free Thursday evening paddles in Keyport throughout June and July.  We had a full boat on our Bridges and Boats Staten Island Ecocruise, where guests learned about local lighthouses, abandoned ships and Revolutionary War sites from Tom Hoffman of the National Park Service.


If you are regretting not joining us this summer you still have one more chance to get out on the water.  Baykeeper is partnering with the City of Woodbridge for National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27, where we will be offering free kayak tours of the Ernie Oros Preserve at the headwaters of the Woodbridge River.  Please join us! 


 

Debbie Mans

 eventsEvents

 

Matawan Creek Kayak Paddle

Sat. Sept 14, 4-6pm

Meet at Brown's Point Mariina in Keyport. Call Heather at 732-888-9870 ext 1 to register.  


VOLUNTEERS WANTED:

 

Pulaski Park Cleanup, Passaic

Weds. Sept 17, 10am-12pm

Meet at the north entrance to the park at the intersection of 4th St and Monroe St. in Passaic. 

 

Maple and Broad St. Keyport Cleanup

Sat. Sept. 20, 10:00am-12:00pm 

 

Compton Creek, Middletown Cleanup

Sun.Sept. 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm. Meet near the corner of Broadway and Church streets in Port Monmouth

 

Woodbridge National Public Lands Day

Sat. Sept 27, 9:00am - 12:00pm. Volunteers needed for cleanups and trail restoration. Email Niven Raghib to register. Afterwards, join us from 11-3pm for free festival events and 

kayaking with the Baykeeper at the Ernie Oros Wildlife Preserve - Omar Ave. (between Rahway Ave. and Blair Rd, Avenel, NJ Click here for more details! 

 

Oyster Volunteer Days

 

We had such a successful volunteer summer season at Soundview! Our next volunteer date will be during the week of October 6th. Email Allison for more information!

For more event details visit our event calendar

Newark DIG (Doing Infrastructure Green) is now on Facebook! Check us out here
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Protecting, preserving, and restoring the Hudson-Raritan Estuary since 1989.
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