Oceanport looks to stem pollution of waterways Chaump: Causes include racetrack runoff, geese BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer OCEANPORT - - Borough and state officials are seeking solutions to the pollution of local waterways. According to Oceanport Mayor Lucille Chaump, corrective plans are in the works to address pollutants in at least three of the borough's waterways. In an interview July 26, Chaump said she is working with state and local officials to find a solution to stop contaminated runoff from Monmouth Park racetrack into the Shrewsbury River. The borough is also taking steps to address pollution in Oceanport Creek, which borders Old Wharf Park on East Main Street, and Bridge Creek on River Street. "Oceanport residents have high concerns for the environment because we have so much water around us," said Chaump in the interview. "Out of the 2,000 homes in the borough, approximately 20 percent of them are on the water," she said, adding, "I have residents calling me and asking what is being done. "I want the community to be aware," Chaump gave as the reason for addressing the environmental issues publicly. "This is a pro-active thing for me," she said. "I have been working on these issues, and residents just don't know where we are." One of the most serious areas of concern, according to Chaump, is the contaminated stormwater runoff generated from the racetrack. Chaump said the track has had a "long history" of poor on-site solid waste management practices, which manifests itself in polluted stormwater discharge into borough waterways. Although a permanent solution is not yet in place, Chaump said steps are being taken to control and ultimately fix the problem. Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] met with officials from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority [NJSEA], the owners of the track, on July 31. In a joint press release this week, state Sen. Ellen Karcher (D-12) and Assemblyman Michael Panter (D-12) said DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson told them in a conference call Aug. 1 that the NJSEA understands they have a compliance problem and are trying to do all they can to optimize the racetrack's antiquated stormwater system. Jackson additionally said that DEP officials will work with the park to develop more short-term efforts and that long-term solutions will require funding. "The real shame of this is while runoff from Monmouth Park is a source of this bacteria, stormwater pollution is not unique to Branchport Creek," Panter, a member of the Assembly Environment Committee, said in a press release from his office. "While we expect the park to do its part to remedy this problem, we all must understand the effects of nonpoint source pollution, like motor oil, fertilizers and pesticides on surface water," he said. Panter and Karcher said in the release that they expect to receive a list shortly of the interim efforts completed or under way at the park. Chaump, who was also part of the conference call with Jackson, said she remains involved and continues to press the issue of pollutants emanating from the track, by keeping in contact with the DEP, local environmental groups and the borough engineer, as well as state legislators. "We all need to work together to solve this problem," she said. "It remains a problem," said Chaump, referring to the fecal pollutants being discharged into the Shrewsbury River. "Monmouth Park has had problems with fecal counts since 2004," she added. Chaump explained that the racetrack installed its original discharge system in 1996, adding that at the time, the DEP said the system was working. Last year, the track updated its discharge system and replaced eight valves that were clogged with sediment, according to Chaump. "But the numbers [of contaminants in the runoff] are still high," she said, adding, "It is the stormwater. That is what the problem is. "Yes, the track has been fined, but that is not the solution," Chaump said. "The solution is to solve the problem. It has to be a long-range solution and will probably include changes to the infrastructure. "The solution can't happen overnight," she said, "because the problem didn't just happen overnight." The racetrack on Oceanport Avenue is just one of the environmental problems facing the borough, Chaump said, adding that steps have already been taken to prevent further pollution of Oceanport Creek at Old Wharf Park. The borough received a $150,000 matching Monmouth County Open Space Grant to make improvements at Old Wharf Park in an effort to control the fecal matter from geese that is polluting Oceanport Creek, according to Chaump. The grant will fund shrubbery to be planted around the edge of Old Wharf Park, as well as new grass and installation of sprinklers and goose sirens. "In 2006, the Old Wharf Park [waterway] counts were very high," Chaump said about the contamination levels. "We feel the problem is with the geese," she said. "So we are going to plant the grass they don't like and put in the shrubbery, which is a deterrent." Chaump said the borough has already taken measures to start the process of cleaning up Bridge Creek, which she said has not been dredged in 17 years. "At low tide, you can't even put a boat in there," Chaump said. "You can see the sludge." At the July 19 municipal meeting, the council passed a resolution to join the state Department of Transportation [NJDOT] I-Boat NJ Dredged Materials Management Plan for the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers. "It is a program for the [NJDOT} to do a survey of what needs to be dredged, and we only pay 20 percent," Chaump said. There are 13 municipalities that border the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, according to the resolution, which states that each town will pay approximately $2,000 for the survey. "We need to worry about our creeks," Chaump said. "As far as the borough's responsibilities go on all of these issues," Chaump said, "We need to make sure that everyone is compliant. "This is about public awareness and knowing which [local and state] agencies to go to, to get the process done," Chaump said. Another area in Oceanport that is being cleaned up is a tract of Monmouth Park Place, which contains contaminated soil. The DEP has not revealed the cause of the contamination, according to Chaump, who added that the DEP has ordered the property owner to remediate the site. The remediation of the soil is expected to begin this fall and will be overseen by the DEP, according to Chaump. "I think it is important to stay on top of things, especially when it is environmental issues dealing with quality of life," Chaump said. "Every problem needs a solution and there needs to be a start and a finish," she said. "We are on our way."