LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Shark River Has Been Abandoned

Dear Congressman Smith,

Last week I spoke with your Director of Public Policy, Jo Schloeder, regarding the delays in dredging the Shark River, rated the second most polluted beach area in the state of NJ. I am reaching out to you, Congressman Smith, for your help in moving this process along. The Federal government should over rule when laws are not enforced. The Shark River has not been dredged for over 40 years! The Channels are no longer safe for navigation anytime near low tide. Our environmental group, Save Shark River, along with the Shark River Cleanup Coalition (SRCC), advocates on behalf of the many boaters, fishermen, homeowners, businesses, and recreational visitors of the Shark River basin.

We need you to determine what agency is ultimately responsible for ensuring the river is navigable and free from pollution. Basically, what we need clarified, is who has the ultimate responsibility for the health, safety, welfare, and navigability of the Shark River Bay?

There seem to be many agencies who are involved: the Army Corps of Engineers, the NJDEP, NJDOT, NOAA Marine Fisheries, the 5 towns on the river, the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, etc. Is the river protected under the Clean Water Act, or the Federal Water Pollution Act? Does dredging the river fall under any Federal laws or directives, such as the Public Trust Doctrine? The people’s right to safe traditional navigable water The people’s right to harvest shellfish The People’s right to safe clean water Rivers & Harbors Act 1899 Army Corps?

Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent by The Army Corps doing beach replenishment for many years, and they also dredge the Shark River Inlet to clean out the sand that has come into this inlet from this process almost every other year. However the sand does not stop at the end of the federal channels, which only adds to the problems in the channels, and the ability of the river to flush itself.

Additionally, in June of 2013, the Army Corps and FEMA abandoned the cleanup of the Shark River after Hurricane Sandy due to a failure by Wall Township to agree with the other surrounding communities on a suitable dewatering site at Camp Evans. As a result, boaters are trapped in the river, kayakers are stuck in the muck, and wildlife is threatened.

The timeline on using this FEMA money is running out and the job needs to be finished now. Congressman, the river is in your backyard, and has been neglected way too long. Although Senator Jennifer Beck has come up with an as yet undisclosed dredging plan, the NJDOT Solicitation 052 call for bids looks like it is years away from actual dredging, It is not even specific to the Shark River!

We need public officials who should be working for the people; we should not have to fight the government. Can we count on your help?

Thank you,

John F. Dempsey Save Shark River Friends of Shark River Division of Shark River Cleanup Coalition