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EPA Gives Tentative Approval to NJ's Plan to Stop Boats from Discharging Sewage into Shrewsbury River

Release Date: 04/04/2000
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(#00051) New York, New York -- In a move that will improve water quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to approve the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) plan to prohibit boats from discharging treated or untreated sewage into the Shrewsbury River in Monmouth County, New Jersey. EPA and NJDEP have determined that there are a sufficient number of pump-out facilities located in the area to receive the sewage from vessels. Sewage discharges from boats have been identified as a source of contamination affecting near shore water quality. EPA and NJDEP have previously taken action to ban the discharge of treated sewage into the Mannesquan, Navesink and Shark Rivers in New Jersey. "This designation of the Shrewsbury as a 'No Discharge Area' will help improve water quality and protect marine life," said Jeanne M. Fox, EPA Region 2 Administrator. "The Shrewsbury is located near some of New Jersey's most popular beaches, so the clean water will be enjoyed this summer by those who flock to the Jersey Shore." NJDEP petitioned EPA to establish this "No Discharge Area" at the end of last July. Under national marine sanitation standards, vessels operating in the Shrewsbury River are currently prohibited from discharging untreated sewage, but are allowed to discharge treated sewage from approved marine sanitation devices. If the "No Discharge Area" is approved, both treated and untreated vessel sewage will be prohibited. EPA will take public comments on its proposed approval for a thirty-day period after the proposal is published in the Federal Register.