Monmouth County Environmental Newsletter: July Edition

Monmouth County, New Jersey sent this bulletin at 07/01/2019 03:17 PM EDT
Common Milkweed Dorbrook

Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, in bloom at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck. Source: Amber Mallm.

Monmouth County Seal 2018

Monmouth County Environmental Newsletter:  July 2019

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Roundtable

Roundtable Offers Guidelines for Tick & Mosquito Protection

On June 5, in preparation for the summer season, the Monmouth County Environmental Council (MCEC) hosted a roundtable titled Ticks and Mosquitoes in Monmouth County: Resources to Help You Protect Your Family and Pets. The MCEC brought together a panel of speakers to address the threat of ticks and mosquitoes. Attendees heard from Christopher Merkel, Public Health Coordinator of the Monmouth County Division of Health, Dr. Deborah Breitstein, Veterinarian and Co-Owner of Animal Healthcare of Marlboro, Dina Fonseca Ph.D., Rutgers Center for Vector Biology and Victoria Thompson, Superintendent of the Monmouth County Mosquito Control Division.

Attendees received an overview on which types of ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent in Monmouth County, the diseases they spread, a history of vector-borne diseases and surveillance and control efforts led by the County. Each speaker emphasized the best defense against vector-borne diseases is to avoid being bitten. Guests were advised to wear protective clothing like long sleeves, pants and tall socks when in tick habitats, use EPA-recommended insect repellents like Picaridin, DEET >25%, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, to replace any missing or damaged window screens and to maintain yards to discourage tick and mosquito habitat. To protect pets from mosquitoes, ticks and fleas, apply topical repellents appropriate for your pet, check pets for ticks and remove any ticks as soon as possible. Attendees were advised if someone in your family is showing flu-like symptoms, immediately seek medical attention. Similarly if your pet is lethargic, has loss of appetite, vomiting, or shows other signs of sickness, see your veterinarian.

The MCEC also debuted its new Eco-Tips Brochure: Dealing with Ticks and Mosquitoes. The guide outlines which types of ticks and mosquitoes are common in the County, the diseases they can spread, steps one can take to avoid tick and mosquito bites and County resources. To view this Eco-Tips brochure and others, click here.

Upcoming Environmental & Outdoor Events in Monmouth County:

Some activities may require registration and/or fees

 

Division of Planning and NWS Earle Partnership Recognized

Sustainable Raritan Awards

The Monmouth County Division of Planning was recently awarded the Rutgers Sustainable Raritan River 2019 Government Innovation Award for its partnership with Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWS Earle). The partnership consists of multiple efforts including the 2017 Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), a Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program grant , and the Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay Coastal Resilience Planning Study.

The Monmouth County JLUS for NWS Earle sought to create land use strategies for compatible development alternatives that could help keep the base operational while protecting the environmental sustainability of the surrounding municipalities. The JLUS was the first of its kind in the nation to focus on climate adaptation planning. Completion of the JLUS led to $2,065,070.59 in federal REPI funding, which will allow the permanent preservation of farmland and open spaces around Earle to protect the station’s mission, improve water quality, protect water supply, enhance habitat restoration and improve both resiliency and stormwater management. The ongoing Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay Coastal Resilience Planning Study seeks to to identify 10-12 projects to improve resilience  at the NWS Earle waterfront and in the surrounding communities. Once the Technical Advisory Committee completes the site selection process, the consultant team from Michael Baker International will prepare concept plans, list necessary permits and potential funding sources. 

The Rutgers Sustainable Raritan River Initiative began in 2009 to assemble concerned environmental professionals, businesses and governments to craft an agenda that met the standards of the U.S. Clean Water Act to restore and preserve New Jersey’s Raritan River, its tributaries and its bay. The Initiative partners with other Rutgers schools, centers and programs to ensure the best contributions from sciences, planning and policy. Each year at their annual conference, they recognize outstanding achievements to revitalize the region, restore and protect resources and promote the watershed as a great place to live, work or raise a family. 

NJ Board of Public Utilities Releases 2019 Draft Energy Master Plan

In June, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) released the 2019 Draft New Jersey Energy Master Plan. The Plan is designed to achieve Governor Murphy’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050 and the Global Warming Response Act’s goal to reduce State greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below the 2006 level by 2050. The plan focuses on meeting the goals through 100% carbon-neutral electricity production and through electrification of the building and transportation sectors, the two highest carbon emission producing sectors in the State.

To reach these goals, the plan identifies seven main strategies. Strategy one focuses on reducing energy consumption and emissions in the transportation sector. Strategy two promotes the development of renewable energy. Strategy three aims to maximize energy efficiency, conservation and to reduce peak demand. Strategy four plans to reduce energy use and emissions from the building sector. Strategy five seeks to modernize the grid and utility infrastructure. Strategy six supports community energy planning and action in low and moderate income environmental justice communities. Strategy seven focuses on expanding the clean energy innovation economy. Read the Draft EMP.

The Final 2019 EMP will include the findings of the Integrated Energy Plan, currently being developed, as well as other studies and specific dates and metrics. NJBPU is hosting multiple stakeholder meetings to gather comments.  Attend a stakeholder session on July 17 in Trenton, August 8 in Newark and September 12 in Camden, or submit a comment by using the subject line “2019 Draft Energy Master Plan” here.  Comments are due by September 16.

2017 Agricultural Census County Profile

Perretti Mama and Baby Harriet Honigfeld

Horses at Perretti Farms, Upper Freehold. Source: Harriet Honigfeld

The 2017 Agricultural Census identified 838 farms in Monmouth County, which shows a 2% increase since 2012 and reported 39,198 acres in farming, which demonstrates a 1% increase since 2012.  Roughly 39% of all Monmouth County farms are preserved. Monmouth County is a leading seller of horses, ponies, mules, burros and donkeys.  The County is ranked first when compared to  the 19 counties producing in the State and is ranked 13th when compared to the 2,970 counties producing across the U.S. The County is also ranked second in the State in sales of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture and sod. Overall, Monmouth County is ranked eighth in the State for market value of products sold and contributes 7% to total State agriculture sales. View the County Profile  here or access all of the 2017 Census documents here.

Monmouth County & NJDEP Commence Summer Beach Monitoring

Seven Presidents Park -Monmouth County Park System

Seven Presidents Ocean Front Park is monitored by the CCMP. Source Monmouth County Park System

Each summer the NJDEP, Monmouth County Department of Health and other health agencies partner to form the Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) to monitor potential enterococcus bacteria at bathing beaches. Every week, 46 stations are monitored for enterococcus bacteria. A sample that exceeds 104 parts per 100 ml of water triggers an advisory and requires a second sample.  If a second sample results in greater than 104, the CCMP will close the beach until a sample deems the water as safe. The CCMP also offers data on rip currents, surf forecasts and clinging jellyfish sightings along the shore. View sampling results and stay up to date on beach advisories and closings by visiting the CCMP website.