American Littoral Society Says NO to Atlantic Ocean Fossil Fuel Exploration and Seismic Testing12/4/2018  Helen Henderson, Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Manager for the American Littoral Society, speaks in opposition to ocean seismic testing and oil exploration, during a gathering on the Asbury Park, NJ boardwalk. (Photo courtesy of Clean Ocean Action) December 4, 2018 – [Asbury Park, NJ] – On Tuesday the American Littoral Society, along with Congressman Frank Pallone, local officials, and other environmentalists, gathered on the Asbury Park boardwalk to oppose federal plans for seismic testing and oil exploration off the Atlantic Coast.
The following is the statement delivered at that event by Helen Henderson, the Littoral Society's Ocean Planning Manager for the Mid-Atlantic. The American Littoral Society has fought to protect New Jersey’s coast since 1961. Today, we are here to reiterate this commitment – loud and clear – this time in opposition to the federal government’s most recent reckless decision to allow seismic testing off the Atlantic coastline, which will harm marine mammals and other wildlife. The Society is greatly concerned about the impacts of climate change on our ocean and coast. We lived through Sandy and have felt these impacts first-hand. We should not be exploring for new fossil fuel development off the Atlantic Coast.
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 A bill to ban shark fin possession and trade in New Jersey unanimously passed a key Senate Committee on Monday, Nov. 26, with the support of the American Littoral Society.
We believe enacting A3945/S2044 will prevent anyone in New Jersey from contributing to a fishing practice that is decimating shark populations. We ask that our NJ members and supporters urge their state legislators to turn this bill into law. "The Littoral Society and numerous other organizations are deeply concerned with the decline of shark populations, which are crucial to the health of the ocean," said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society. "We have been working for years to ban the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins in order to help shark populations recover.  Communities in New Jersey and all along the East Coast are searching for ways to protect themselves from the impacts of climate change. Many roadways are impassable at high tide; oceanfront beaches are washed away by rough storms; and marshes are being engulfed by rising waters.
Now, more than ever, we need a strategic plan and set of tools to prepare for and react to coastal threats - including policies that reduce our vulnerability to the impacts of sea level rise, more frequent and powerful storm and rain events, and storm surge. Ensuring our coastal communities are prepared and resilient requires a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local governments and residents of our communities and coastal stakeholders. As New Jersey continues to face the harsh climate realities, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced a new commitment to developing a New Jersey Coastal Resilience Plan during a coastal resilience summit at Monmouth University, an event that brought more than 150 coastal experts and stakeholders together to help inform the plan. We applaud them for their dedication to protecting the New Jersey coastline and communities.  Jenna Valente, Ocean Policy Manager and Healthy Oceans Coordinator for the American Littoral Society, is bringing a Sea Change to podcasting.
The Sea Change Podcast kicks off today, Thursday, Oct. 18, on the American Shoreline Podcast Network, which also hosts shows such as The Next Shoreline and The Beach Shack Trailer. The Sea Change Podcast will offer insight into the powerful world of coastal non-governmental organizations and coastal advocacy. Jenna is a coastal advocate and a conservationist who has worked for the American Littoral Society as the Ocean Policy Manager and Healthy Oceans Coalition Coordinator for three years. Prior to her role with the Society previously worked for the Chesapeake Research Consortium at the Chesapeake Bay Program, where she was a member of the communications staff and focused on building the brand of the program and ensuring the health of the Chesapeake Bay.  Coastal communities support regional ocean planning, ban balloon releases, and oppose offshore oil and gas activities The City of Asbury Park became the sixth New Jersey municipality to be recognized as a Champion of the Coast by the American Littoral Society. The recognition follows Asbury Park's September 26 adoption of an ordinance banning intentional balloon releases, marking the third action in a series required by the Society to achieve Champion of the Coast status.
The Littoral Society, a coastal conservation nonprofit organization, developed the Champions of the Coast initiative early this year and is seeing rapid growth in participation from communities seeking to ensure a clean and healthy ocean and coastline into the future. "As a shore community we have a significant responsibility to provide leadership that will protect our coastal economy and a healthy ocean," said Asbury Park Mayor John Moor. "These collective Champion of the Coast actions help us fulfill that responsibility."  Work is underway on the permanent living shoreline at the Slade Dale Nature Sanctuary in Point Pleasant, NJ.
Phase one of the living shoreline project began with American Littoral Society contractor, Atlantic Dock and Bulkhead, installing wooden pilings that will serve as the foundation for the structure designed to eliminate erosion and restore lost land. "We're excited to be taking the next step in our work in this area," said Capt. Al Modjeski, Habitat Restoration Director for the Littoral Society. "This is a great opportunity to show how living shorelines can provide a low-cost, natural solution to a long-term problem."  On October 20th the American Littoral Society is hosting Oh, Oysters! A Celebration of Re-Oystering New Jersey’s Waters to raise funds for coastal conservation and bring awareness to the plight of the once prolific Eastern Oyster.
The event will include a reception prior to a screening of "The Oyster Farmers" film,,as well as a panel discussion with the featured farmers, Society staff, and other experts. What: Oh, Oysters! A Celebration of Re-Oystering New Jersey's Waters When: Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Where: House of Independents, 572 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park, NJ 07712 Why: To raise funds for coastal conservation and bring awareness to the plight of the once prolific Eastern Oyster  Communities in New Jersey and all along the East Coast are searching for ways to protect themselves from the impacts of climate change. Many roadways are impassable at high tide; oceanfront beaches are washed away by rough storms; and marshes are being engulfed by rising waters.
Now, more than ever, we need a strategic plan and set of tools to prepare for and react to coastal threats - including policies that reduce our vulnerability to the impacts of sea level rise, more frequent and powerful storm and rain events, and storm surge. Ensuring our coastal communities are prepared and resilient requires a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local governments and residents of our communities and coastal stakeholders. As New Jersey continues to face the harsh climate realities, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced a new commitment to developing a New Jersey Coastal Resilience Plan during a coastal resilience summit at Monmouth University, an event that brought more than 150 coastal experts and stakeholders together to help inform the plan. We applaud them for their dedication to protecting the New Jersey coastline and communities.  The New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed, with modification, the approval of a Green Acres land swap in I/M/O Seaside Heights Borough Public Beach. Litwin & Provence LLC and Eastern Environmental Law Center represented the American Littoral Society and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, who appealed the June 2016 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and NJ State House Commission (SHC) Green Acres disposal approval. The approval allowed for the unprecedented transfer of 1.37 acres of municipally-owned beach to a private developer in exchange for a wooden carousel built in the 1890s, a smaller “boardwalk facing” land (but not beach front), and a 67-acre wetland parcel in Toms River. Following the swap, the private developer built a private amusement pier on the beachfront parcel. Monday’s decision modified the challenged approval, but ultimately affirmed the disposal of the public beach.
 Editor’s Note: In June 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 13840 Ocean Policy To Advance the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States. This executive order formally revokes Executive Order 13547 Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes, issued in July 2010 by former U.S. President Barack Obama. MEAM interviewed Sarah Winter Whelan, director of the American Littoral Society's Ocean Policy Program and Healthy Oceans Coalition, about what these changes mean for ocean planning in the U.S., including existing regional ocean plans.
MEAM: This new ocean policy will likely lead to big changes in how the U.S. federal government participates in regional ocean planning. What are your thoughts on what this means for the existing Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional ocean plans? |
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