For Immediate
Release:
April 4, 2023
County
Commissioners call for an investigation of marine animal deaths along New
Jersey coastline
LONG BRANCH, NJ – The
Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners called for the immediate investigation
into the marine animal deaths along the New Jersey coastline during a press
conference at Seven Presidents Beach.
“Yesterday, my fellow
Commissioners and I passed a resolution calling for an immediate investigation
of offshore projects and marine animal deaths along the New Jersey coastline,”
said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We join a growing group of
elected officials, residents, and advocates who want to know why there is an
unprecedented number of dead whales and dolphins washing ashore, with one
washing ashore in Sea Bright as recently as Sunday, April 2.”
“We’re here today to push
for an independent investigation into the potentially catastrophic impacts of
the proposed 3,400 offshore wind turbines along the Jersey Shore,” said Rep.
Chris Smith (R-Manchester). “American democracy is all about consent of the
governed, and we haven’t given our consent to turn our shore into an
industrialized offshore wind farm. Governor Murphy and President Biden cannot hide behind shoddy
environmental impact statements any longer—the people of New Jersey deserve
better.”
"What we are asking
through our bill AR 181 is a complete moratorium on all activity related to the
surveying and mapping in advance of the wind turbines. We feel that is a
reasonable stance under the circumstances," said Assemblyman Gerry
Scharfenberger (LD-13). "Once a definitive clause has been identified,
then we are asking for corrective measures in place before any resumption of
these activities. Everyone wants alternative energy, what they don’t want is
alternative energy at any cost."
“Shore towns residents are
outraged that their voice has been squelched in a coordinated effort of the
State and federal government to rush through a so-called environmentally
friendly project that will forever change our Jersey Shore coastline,”
Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (LD-13) stated. “We need to hit pause to ensure
any offshore activity is safe not only for the whales and dolphins, but also to
ensure that offshore activity will not impact our State’s economy.”
“I encourage all elected
officials in Monmouth County to join us in supporting our environment and
asking our State and federal agencies to provide ALL of the information about
these deaths so that the best decision possible can be made to protect our
marine life and our coastlines,” said Director Arnone.
To learn more about the
resolution passed by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.
The press conference was live-streamed and can be viewed in
its entirety on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel.
LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth County Commissioner Director
Thomas A. Arnone, Congressman Chris Smith (right) and Assemblyman Gerry
Scharfenberger (left) spoke about the need for state and federal investigations
into the deaths of marine mammals along the New Jersey coastline. Photo by
Monmouth County Government.
LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth County Commissioner Director
Thomas A. Arnone, along with local, state and federal officials, called for an
immediate investigation of offshore projects and marine animal deaths along the
New Jersey coastline. Photo by Monmouth County Government.
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