KEAN MEETS WITH DEP TO HELP LOCAL TOWNS RESOLVE PERMITTING ISSUES

Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (R-11) recently met with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to discuss a variety of environmental issues facing towns in Monmouth County. In addition to other environmental concerns, Assemblyman Kean spoke with the DEP about violations that Bradley Beach and Spring Lake received from the Department.

Assemblyman Kean requested the meeting with the DEP to address the violations that these municipalities in particular are facing.

"Both Spring Lake and Bradley Beach received violations for actions that are considered typical beach maintenance,” said Assemblyman Sean T. Kean. “In order to correct these violations and do what the DEP is asking, these municipalities would have to pay for additional permits that are very costly.”

Bradley Beach received violations of noncompliance for conducting beach and dune maintenance without a Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit, constructing concretes slabs under beach showers and stairs, and washing out cement waste on dunes at the south end of beach. Spring Lake received two violations, one for moving sand into a barrier formation without a CAFRA permit. A CAFRA permit application fee can cost up to $8,500 per permit.

At the meeting the DEP said it would come to Bradley Bach to look into these issues and also work closely with the municipality to make the permitting process less costly and onerous. In addition, the DEP also stated that it would not fine Bradley Beach for the violations the town received.

“It is extremely cost prohibitive for a municipality to pay several thousands of dollars for a permit that would allow them to do routine beach maintenance,” remarked Kean. “I think this meeting helped to illustrate that requiring a permit for certain standard maintenance procedures can be too bureaucratic and burdensome on the town.”

While Spring Lake did not have a representative present at the meeting, the DEP also offered to travel to Spring Lake and work with representatives there to address their violations.

During the meeting Assemblyman Kean commented that he is sympathetic to the DEP’s position because the permitting process is so rigid that it does not allow them flexibility to deal with certain circumstances.

Kean said, “It seems absurd that a municipality is forced to pay $8,000 for a permit that would allow them to simply move sand in preparation for winter weather. At this meeting I asked the DEP if legislation could improve the permitting process for such issues, but unfortunately the DEP is governed by regulations promulgated by the Department.”

Kean also hopes that the meeting demonstrated to the Department that the permitting process should be reviewed so that it does not inadvertently punish towns that are trying to comply with DEP regulations and maintain their town’s environmental resources.

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