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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., issued the following statement today following the announcement of an environmental infrastructure loan to the Borough of Oceanport by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust. The loan, more than $22 million, will go towards the construction of new stormwater management facilities and improvements to the existing infrastructure at Monmouth Park.
“I would like to thank the environmental community, the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection for working together on a remediation plan for Monmouth Park. This is a very good day for clean water and a great example of how government, the private sector, and community groups can work together to solve problems and achieve common goals.
“Over the years many of my constituents have raised concerns about pollution from horse manure , that originates at Monmouth Park, then runs off into the Shrewsbury River and then to surrounding waterways. Many residents were unable to use local waterways for recreation, such as Branchport Creek, due to the high level of fecal matter stemming from the racetrack.
“Congressman Pallone has worked with the NJSEA and Monmouth Park to develop a comprehensive wastewater management plan. Today’s announcement of an environmental infrastructure loan to construct new stormwater management facilities and improvements to the existing infrastructure is a great step toward mitigating pollution at the Branchport Creek watershed.
“The loan to the Borough of Oceanport in the amount of $22,217,800 is funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust.
“I am very hopeful that the proposed remediation plan will finally solve the problem and contain contaminated runoff from entering Branchport Creek. This will have long lasting effects for surrounding communities allowing families to use the waterways for recreational activities.
“Again, I’d like to thank our former DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson for starting this process, as well as our current DEP Commissioner Mark Maureillo, NJ Sports Authority President Dennis Robinson, the Borough of Oceanport, and the environmental community for finishing the job.”
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