At the winter shows many of you asked about storm debris and the effect it will have on boating this year. Some areas like Staten Island and the bay behind Mantolooking and Seaside are especially concerning. While infrastructure like roads, bridges, buildings and utilities are restored, boating is seen as a luxury and will remain low on the list of priorities unless we do something. The channels need to be cleared and sonar needs to be used to find some of the larger houses, sheds and other debris that has high relief off of the bottom and could damage our boats. Much work is underway to clean up the waterways of storm debris and shoaling. There have been some recent events and important meetings recently the Marine Trades Association of News Jersey has attended and provided updates on.
The MTA/NJ participated in a meeting at the DEP in which a detailed update was provided on the work that is underway. The following is an overview of the information provided at the meeting: The State of New Jersey has awarded three contracts to companies who will remove Sandy-related, FEMA-eligible debris from waters of the State in the 11 Debris Management Zones. The area where debris has been identified was determined by reconnaissance conducted by State personnel as well as reports from FEMA, municipalities, counties and residents. Additional reconnaissance will be conducted by the contractors to further identify debris and sand deposits. The MTA/NJ has also provided information to the DEP and DOT to assist in this effort.
Waterway Debris Removal has already begun and the areas where the contractors are operating are within the waters of the State of New Jersey. This includes (without limitation): bays, tidal rivers, and those tidal waterways affected by the storm, including marina basins. The materials that are being removed through this effort must be FEMA eligible. The best source of information on FEMA eligibility is this FEMA guidance document. In addition to the contractors that have been hired, the DOT Office of Maritime Resources is surveying State navigation channels. This work has already begun. DOT is using side scan sonar to identify debris areas including new shoals.
Last week, Executive Director Melissa Danko met with members of the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Rebuilding including Amy Cradic, Senior Policy Adviser for the Governor. The meeting went well and many critical issues were discussed including the immediate need for financial assistance for businesses for recovery, the need to restore I BOAT NJ funding, the status of the waterways and the need to communicate that the waterways will be open and accessible this season.
Melissa stated, “As everyone knows, many boaters are becoming increasingly concerned about the waterways and are unaware of some of the efforts that are underway. The MTA/NJ is already seeing the negative impacts of these fears and is working hard to address these concerns. In addition to meeting with the Governor’s staff, the MTA/NJ has also been meeting with legislators and state officials urging them to promote all of the work that is being done to clear the waterways and to also ensure that it is completed in time for the boating season.” She added, “There is a critical need for the Administration to communicate information to the public and to promote boating on the waterways this season.”
To help spread the word about the work that is being done, a boater update was drafted and distributed to attendees at the New Jersey Boat Sale and Expo. The State of New Jersey has listed a resource page online at www.state.nj.us/dep/special/hurricane-sandy/wwdebris.htm
Please provide as much information as possible including location of debris, latitude and longitude. Please also indicate if the debris and/or shoaling is mild, moderate or severe. Please email this information to info@mtanj.org ASAP.
Email or call the Governor’s office at 609-292-6000. Urge him to support your business.Let him know that that boating is important to the economy. Tell him it is vital that the State communicate to the public all of the work that is being done to clear the waterways of storm debris, and that it must be done in time to start the new fishing and boating season. Let the Governor know how you feel.
