When Will NJ DEP Lift Its Ban on Oyster Research and Restoration in Raritan Bay?

The Asbury Park Press recently ran this great article about oysters' potential to protect the Bayshore by serving as buffers for storm surge.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013311160068

We hate to dampen anyone's enthusiasm but due to an NJ Department of Environmental Protection ban on oyster research and restoration, the only oyster research and restoration that can take place in the Raritan Bay in New Jersey is our project at Naval Weapons Station Earle. 

Since 2006 Baykeeper has been conducting oyster restoration research in the NY/NJ Harbor to determine oysters’ potential for survival.  After NJDEP’s ban in 2010, NY/NJ Baykeeper approached the Navy about placing oyster nets at Naval Weapons Station Earle and DEP allowed permits because the base is under 24/7 security.  Thanks to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Conservation Resources Inc, BamaWorks and other funders, we have over 200,000 oysters in the water now at Earle. 

We have been unsuccessful, however, in getting NJ DEP to consider lifting or revising its overarching research ban.  Therefore, there will not be any oyster reefs in Union Beach or other areas on the Raritan Bay until DEP lifts its short-sighted ban.