CONGRESSMAN SMITH STANDS WITH ASSEMBLYMAN KEAN IN
SUPPORT OF
CLEAN OCEAN ZONE ACT
KEAN TO INTRODUCE STATE
LEGISLATION URGING CONGRESS TO PASS NJ/NY CLEAN OCEAN
ZONE ACT
Congressman Chris Smith today joined with Assemblyman
Sean T. Kean at a press conference in Sea Girt to unveil
state legislation in support of the NJ/NY Clean Ocean
Zone Act of 2007. The Clean Ocean Zone Act would
restore, protect and preserve the New Jersey/New York
Bight. Kari Martin, Policy Communications Director of
Clean Ocean Action, which has steadfastly supported the
Clean Ocean Zone Act, also attended the press
conference.
Assemblyman Kean is sponsoring a measure that urges
Congress and the President to enact H.R. 2854, “New
Jersey/New York Clean Ocean Zone Act of 2007.”
Congressman Smith is the Republican cosponsor of H.R.
2854 which was introduced June 25, 2007 and has been
referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee.
“Over the past several years, we have worked hard to
successfully block certain activities that pollute our
oceans. As a member of the Oceans Caucus and Coastal
Caucus in the House of Representatives, I have made the
protection of our shoreline a priority. The creation of
a Clean Ocean Zone would implement a comprehensive plan
to end harmful activities that still threaten our
beaches and waters,” said Rep. Smith.
Assemblyman Sean Kean, who represents 25 coastal towns
in Monmouth County, wanted to introduce this measure to
demonstrate how important the ocean is to the people of
Monmouth County and all of New Jersey.
“A clean and healthy ocean is integral to our economy,
recreational activities, and quality of life here in
Monmouth County,” said Assemblyman Kean. “It is
imperative that we preserve our waters in the NJ/NY
Bight and enact legislation will further improve water
quality, reduce pollution, and protect marine
ecosystems.”
“On behalf of the 103 organizations and over 18,000
citizens and 43 municipalities that support the Clean
Ocean Zone, we commend the champions of this legislation
in Washington and Trenton. Today, we salute a dynamic,
non-partisan team of Assemblymen for bringing the COZ to
the State House. It is high time to lock-in the progress
made and protect our ocean from polluting activities, “
said Kari Martin, Policy Communications Director of
Clean Ocean Action. “With their leadership we can look
forward to swift passage of the resolution in the
Assembly,” she added.
The Clean Ocean Zone Act of 2007 seeks to restore,
protect, and preserve the natural, chemical, physical,
and biological integrity and the economic potentialities
of the NY/NJ Bight. This bill would prohibit new ocean
dumping sites and new point sources of pollution;
protect marine ecosystems by prohibiting exploration and
development of nonrenewable energy sources; and support
marine resources.
“A Clean Ocean Zone is the next logical step to ensuring
that the quality of New Jersey’s shoreline is no longer
in jeopardy and best protected for generations to come.
Assemblyman Kean’s support of the Clean Ocean Zone
demonstrates a coordinated effort between state and
federal government to work together in providing
necessary protection to the Jersey shoreline,” said Rep.
Smith.
“The Jersey Shore has made significant strides to
improve water quality in the past 20 years,” stated Kean.
“The Clean Ocean Zone Act will further this progress and
ensure that NJ/NY Bight is permanently protected.”
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