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Monmouth County Environmental Newsletter:
April 2017
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County Learns about Hydroponics
The Monmouth County Environmental Council
hosted its Spring Roundtable: "Farm to Table: Hydroponic Growing"
on March 29. Over 100 attendees learned the basics of hydroponics and how
it is helping farmers locally. A video showcasing Monmouth County hydroponic farms, as well as an Eco-Tips brochure, debuted at the event and can
be viewed online.
Speakers from the Kula Urban Farm Project,
Thompson Family Farm, and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County
participated. The Kula Urban Farm
provides job training and education opportunities on the west side of Asbury
Park. It grows vegetables and
micro-greens for Interfaith Neighbor’s Kula Café, and also sells to local restaurants
and businesses. Thompson Family Farm in
Wall Twp. sells leafy greens to local businesses and at Farmers’ Markets
throughout the year from its hydroponics operation. Bill Sciarappa, head of the Rutgers Cooperative
Extension of Monmouth County, introduces hydroponics to students and the harvests are used in campus cafeterias. John Ciufo, Director of the County's Division of Economic Development, reviewed the County's Grown in Monmouth Initiatives, which you can learn more about here.
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A Busy Earth Day in Monmouth County!
April 22 is Earth Day and several local groups are hosting ways to participate in Monmouth County. Clean Ocean Action will host their biannual Beach Sweeps beginning at 9 a.m. in various locations. The Monmouth County Park System (MCPS) will host events from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Go to MCPS website for details on where to learn about different coastal or forest wildlife; celebrate wildlife through children's crafts; see live snakes, amphibians, or reptiles; or attend a guided nature walk.
The Ocean Twp. Environmental Commission will host their 7th annual Green-Fest at the Ocean Twp. Public Library from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring tables on beekeeping, biking safety, a community garden tour and other topics. The American Littoral Society will host an Earth Day Art Show & Sale. On April 23, the Manasquan Environmental Committee will host an electric car show from 12-3 p.m. at South Street Plaza.
Festivities continue April 23-29, which is designated as New Jersey Earth Week and National Environmental Education Week. The NJDEP administers the Earth Day-New Jersey website: www.earthdayNJ.org. This site features an environmental events calendar throughout the State from April to May. Visitors can also view a history of Earth Day, find environmental education resources, or submit an event for calendar listing.
High Water-Mark Initiative GIS Story Map Launched
 The County's Division of Planning, along with its project partners including the Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management, the FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute, and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, recently released a GIS Story Map, raising public awareness about the resiliency and risk mitigation efforts taking place throughout Monmouth County.
The High Water Mark (HWM) Initiative, a
component of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), aims to increase
local communities' awareness of flood risk and encourage risk mitigation
actions. The County coordinated the HWM Initiative effort while Monmouth
University surveyed flood locations for municipal participants
free of charge. Participating towns identified locations for signs at public and private locations to focus
attention on the effects of flood waters in their town, resulting from storms
such as Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy. The HWM Initiative ensures the public remains diligent about taking
long-term actions to protect themselves, their property and communities. It brings an added bonus of lowering flood insurance premiums for homeowners.
See the link below to view the Story Map and pictures of flood destruction, flood water scenarios and effects.
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 Monmouth County hosted a public kick-off meeting for the Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) for Naval Weapons Station Earle on March 28 at the Thompson Park Visitor Center. The kick-off provided an opportunity for interested citizens to learn about the focus of the study and to provide comments. Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry gave opening remarks, noting that the Naval Station is a "significant economic driver in Monmouth County as well an essential piece of our nation's homeland security". Captain Jay Steingold, Commanding Officer of NWS Earle, spoke of the Navy's desire to continue to operate in Monmouth County and the need for the County and Navy to plan together to ensure a continuing relationship.
Monmouth County was awarded a federal Joint-Land Use Study Grant from the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment. The project looks to create compatible development measures; keeping the base operational, while considering the surrounding public's health, safety, and welfare. One unique aspect of the study is climate adaptation planning to benefit both NWS Earle and the surrounding communities to improve resiliency to sea level rise and coastal storms. The study is scheduled to conclude in December 2017. Read the full press release on the award of the JLUS grant.
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A Shark River Bacterial Pollution Source is Eliminated
As the result of a successful partnership between state and local government agencies, the NJDOT, NJDEP, Monmouth County Health Department and Neptune City found and repaired a significant source of bacterial contamination in the Shark River. Partners located the source of sewage leaking into a storm water pipe, which discharged into the River. This degradation to water quality contributed to the closure of shellfish beds in the Shark River in late 2016. The sewer lines have been repaired and while there are still other sources of bacterial contamination to the Shark River, it is hoped that the elimination of this source will improve water quality.
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Volunteers Needed for Echo Lake Park Cleanup
On Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., there will be a Cleanup at Echo Lake Park, organized by WMA12 AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Alexis Bowman and sponsored by New Jersey Clean Communities. Volunteers should bring gloves and wear clothes that can get wet and/or dirty, and meet at the Park on Maxim Southard Rd., Howell at 10 a.m. Contact Alexis with questions at 732-431-7460 x7466.
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About This Newsletter
The purpose of the newsletter is to inform Monmouth County citizens on the health of their environment and list environmental outreach events. The newsletter is produced by the Monmouth County Division of Planning Section of Environmental & Sustainability Planning in coordination with the Monmouth County Environmental Council. The County of Monmouth and the Board of Chosen Freeholders do not necessarily share the viewpoints of any environmental group mentioned in this newsletter.
If you have questions, comments, or wish to have an event listed in the newsletter, please contact: Kyle Clonan Kyle.Clonan@co.monmouth.nj.us
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