The Jersey Shore Partnership News
Fall 2011
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Welcome to the first edition of the Jersey Shore Partnership News! We will publish our Newsletter twice a year to keep you informed of Partnership activities and related news. We are grateful for your support and look forward to building our relationship with you through the newsletter and invitations to Partnership events during the year.

SUMMER CELEBRATION DRAWS RECORD ATTENDANCE
The 15th Annual Summer Celebration was held at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook on June 6, 2011 with 500+ guests enjoying the festive foods prepared by more than 25 chefs and seafood donated by New Jersey fisheries. The event celebrates the start of summer at the Jersey Shore and serves as a reminder of the importance of year-round stewardship of our fragile coastline. Proceeds support the Foundation’s educational activities and the Partnership’s advocacy efforts.

We were proud to honor Dr. Frank Vozos, Executive Director, Monmouth Medical Center, with the Tom Gagliano Leadership Award. Dennis Bone, President, Verizon New Jersey, accepted the Outstanding Partnership Award for Verizon’s commitment to the environment and community service. The Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore were recognized with the Educational Partnership Award. The Seafood Industry Award was presented to Daniel Cohen, Fishermen’s Energy, for his contributions to the commercial fishing industry.

CHAMBER of COMMERCE HONORS PARTNERSHIP
The Eastern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce will honor the Partnership with its Spinnaker Award on November16 at Branches, West Long Branch. The annual award recognizes a not-for-profit organization that provides quality and consistent programs and/or services to the community. The Partnership is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Tom Gagliano, founder of the Partnership and Foundation Chair, will accept the award on behalf of the Partnership. Tickets are $100. E-mail mwalshjspf@gmail.com if you would like to join us.
 

LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH CRITICAL TO BEACH PRESERVATION
The 1991 Halloween and subsequent winter storms ravaged New Jersey’s beaches and coastal flood waters, destroyed roadways, main arteries and businesses. That year the Jersey Shore Partnership was established to advocate for beach replenishment funding. In 1992, the Legislature approved the Shore Protection Fund. The $25 million dedicated Fund has attracted federal funding through the Corps of Engineers which contributes up to 65% of most replenishment projects, significantly reducing state, county and municipal contributions. New Jersey is second only to Florida in federal beach replenishment funding.
Each year, the legislators consider the Fund during the budget process. The Partnership communicates year-round with Legislators to ensure that the Fund is there to help restore eroded beaches.

ANNUAL COA FALL BEACH SWEEPS SET FOR OCTOBER 22nd
As stewards of our beaches we have an opportunity to volunteer our support at the Clean Ocean Action Fall Beach Sweeps scheduled for October 22nd from 9:00 am -12:30 pm (rain or shine). Over 65 sites are listed on the COA website: www.cleanoceanaction.org Groups of 10 or more are asked to pre-register through the COA website. Volunteers should bring gloves to wear.

IN THE NEWS….
Stevens Institute of Technology has been awarded $700,000 to develop offshore wind technologies. The US Dept. of Energy grant is part of $43 million to be awarded over the next five years for 41 projects across 20 states. Barnegat Bay cleanup is on its way.

Ocean County approved $9.1 million to refurbish eight storm water detention basins. The project will eliminate nitrogen that seeps into the Bay from lawn fertilizers and air pollution which causes proliferation of algae and jellyfish to flourish.

Replenishment Projects Fall/Winter 2011: Cape May City; Strathmere/Sea Isle; Monmouth Beach; Long Beach Township/Brant Beach; Atlantic City/Ventnor.

POINTS OF INTEREST
•One of 11 people in NJ and adjoining states live within 50 miles of the Jersey Shore.
•New Jersey’s coastline is 130 miles long extending from Middlesex County to Cape May.
•The NJ coast is major recreational outlet for nearly 9 million residents and more than 91 million people that live within a 4-hour drive of the shore.
•Jersey Shore tourism economy is 1/2 total state tourism revenue of $38 billion.