rap #154 08/04/10

FREEHOLDER VICARI TO HOST DEP SUMMERTIME COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM TO DISCUSS WATER QUALITY

WATER QUALITY will be front and center when state Department of Environmental Protection officials visit Ocean County for a summertime community outreach on August 19.

"I've invited the DEP here to discuss matters that are important to Ocean County residents," said Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who is hosting the event. "First and foremost is water quality."

Both ocean water and the Barnegat Bay Watershed top the agenda, Vicari said.

Vicari said the meeting developed from conversations he had with DEP Commissioner Bob Martin earlier this summer about the possible impact of the gulf oil spill on the East Coast.

"We know now we will not be affected by the BP spill, but this disaster has reminded all of us how very fragile our coastlines are," Vicari said.

Disaster prevention and response along with ongoing issues such as storm water runoff, shore development and the permitting process are all expected to be addressed.

The public outreach runs from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue in Toms River.

All Ocean County mayors along with business leaders and local environmentalists have been invited. The forum is also open to the public.

"We encourage any Ocean County residents with a concern about the ocean or the Barnegat Bay to attend," Vicari said.

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