U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN-08)—chairman of the powerful House Committee that oversees federal support for local flood control and ecosystem restoration projects—was in NJ today to meet with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-04) and local leaders who are working to mitigate the flood and pollution problems associated with Wreck Pond.
"This is an extraordinary meeting, it’s not everyday that the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee travels all the way from Washington to hear from us and eye-ball a site that desperately needs federal assistance and remediation," said Smith, who invited Oberstar, the Chairman of the House of Representative’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to tour the Monmouth County Watershed and adjacent coastal area.
“Wreck Pond on a clear day is a picture perfect postcard however, just below the surface lies dangerous concentrations of high levels of fecal coliform as well as other nasty contaminants. The good news is that with money and best available science Wreck Pond can be reclaimed, made pure and pristine once again,” said Smith.
Smith and Oberstar were briefed by a host of environmental and engineering experts including Army Corps Commander and District Engineer for the New York District, Colonel Aniello Tortora; Ben Keiser from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Spring Lake Mayor Jennifer Naughton, Assemblyman Steve Corodemus and council member Mark Clemensen from neighboring Sea Girt. Environmental activists Cindy Zipf from Clean Ocean Action and the Director of the Wreck Pond Watershed Association Nancy McClearie-Haydunk also participated.
“When it rains, the poison goes onto the beaches, when it floods the poison pours into the basements and first floors of nearby homes,” said Smith. “In the past three years it is estimated that over 80% of all beach closings in the state of New Jersey have stemmed from pollution, such as fecal bacteria, spilling out from Wreck Pond.”
“I have known Chairman Oberstar for 27 years, I am grateful he is here today and I know that his hands-on approach and passion about environmental protection will help us find a durable solution,” said Smith.
In 2005, Congress authorized the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance study to assess the extent of the problem at Wreck Pond, confirms local sponsor and determine the overall project cost. The reconnaissance phase is the first step in federal aid for any Corps project.
Studies already completed identify dredging, as part of the long-term engineering construction efforts needed to reach a permanent solution in the Wreck Pond Watershed. Recent estimates put the cost at around $15 million.
