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Long Branch, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent a letter today to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Regional Administrator, Alan Steinberg, calling on the EPA to conduct an intensive monitoring and testing regimen in the Raritan Bay to track water quality, in order to investigate the cause of recent menhaden kills in that area. (THE TEXT OF THE LETTER FOLLOWS)
On Tuesday, September 11th at least 150,000 to 250,000 menhaden washed up on the western end of the Raritan Bay. The Monmouth County Health Department believes that stirred sediment from heavy rains, high water temperatures, and already low oxygen levels contributed to this fish kill. This week's fish kill is the largest this summer and follows several previous kills that occurred earlier this season.
Menhaden is a bait fish commonly known as bunker. They swim in large schools, some reportedly up to 40 miles long. Because menhaden swim in such large schools they need to be in oxygen rich waters to prevent suffocation.
"The recent menhaden kills raise serious questions about the water quality in the Raritan Bay and its tributaries," Pallone wrote in his letter to Administrator Steinberg. "I am requesting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the chair of the Policy Committee of the New York –New Jersey Estuary Program (HEP), require a more active role in monitoring the Raritan Bay.
"As you know, the goal of the HEP is to 'establish and maintain a healthy and productive ecosystem,'" Pallone continued in his letter. "Thus, specifically, the EPA should ensure that the HEP, through its extensive partnerships, implements an intensive monitoring and testing regimen in order to track water quality and help get to the bottom of these menhaden kills."
"As evidenced this summer, the bays and ocean are under siege and current monitoring programs are failing," said Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action. "We must reinvigorate long-standing programs that were established to ensure improvements to the coast and ocean. We commend Mr. Pallone's leadership."
"There is problem in Raritan Bay and we do not understand its causes. We need the EPA and HEP to get to the bottom of the issue so we can take steps to protect the bay," said Tim Dillingham, executive director of the American Littoral Society.
In the letter, Pallone also asked the EPA to take action to resolve other issues that occurred along the Jersey shore during the summer months, including algae blooms, the biggest garbage wash-up in ten years, and a sewage leak.
"Our coastal environment has been steadily improving over the last 15 years, thanks to the collective efforts of many federal, state and local agencies," Pallone concluded in his letter. "We must continue to work together to ensure that New Jersey has the best possible water quality."
September 14, 2007
The Honorable Alan Steinberg
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
290 Broadway
New York, New York 10007-1866
Dear Regional Administrator Steinberg:
I am writing in response to the recent reports of multiple fish kills along the Raritan Bay and its tributaries in New Jersey. On Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at least 150,000 to 250,000 menhaden washed up on the western end of Raritan Bay. This marks the largest fish kill this summer and follows several previous kills from earlier this season.
Menhaden is a bait fish commonly known as bunker. They swim in large schools, some reportedly up to 40 miles long. Because menhaden swim in such large schools they need to be in oxygen rich waters to prevent suffocation. The Monmouth County Health Department has stated that stirred sediment from heavy rains, high water temperatures, and already low oxygen levels contributed to this fish kill.
The recent menhaden kills raise serious questions about the water quality in the Raritan Bay and its tributaries. I am requesting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the chair of the Policy Committee of the New York –New Jersey Estuary Program (HEP), require a more active role in monitoring the Raritan Bay. As you know, the goal of the HEP is to “establish and maintain a healthy and productive ecosystem.” Thus, specifically, the EPA should ensure that the HEP, through its extensive partnerships, implements an intensive monitoring and testing regimen in order to track water quality and help get to the bottom of these menhaden kills.
It would be inappropriate to take a "business as usual" attitude toward these kills. During this summer season, the New Jersey shore has seen multiple fish kills, algae blooms, the biggest garbage wash-up in ten years, and a sewage leak that led to beach advisories and the closure of beaches. The EPA must take action in order to pinpoint these problems and help resolve the issues.
Our coastal environment has been steadily improving over the last 15 years, thanks to the collective efforts of many federal, state and local agencies. We must continue to work together to ensure that New Jersey has the best possible water quality.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to continuing our work together.
Sincerely,
________________________
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
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