TJSspS^Expenswe System Ocean Outfalls Close Waters to Shellfishing

by John Amfrus OCEAN CITY — When bathers take a dip along the southern one-third portion of the beachfront here next summer, they will be bathing in waters that are condemned by the state to the taking of shellfish. And the closure of some 4 sq. . miles of offshore waters to shellfishing isn’t in spite of the new $48 million county MUA treatment system going on line—it’s because of it. What’s more, in the years to come as the other multi-million dollar treatment facilities of the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority come on line between here and Cape May Point, thousands of additional acres of ocean waters will be closed to the taking of shellfish. It is also possible that the backbay waters already off limits to shellfishing may not be totally reopened. WHILE CLOSING OCEAN waters to ' shellfishing doesn’t necessarily mean the water is polluted, the closure — formally

proposed in mid-October before the Ocean City plant became operational — is ironic Given the amount of publicity about the costly cleanup of backbay waters, which, the regional MUA wastewater treatment system is supposed to accomplish, news that new treatment plants and outfalls will ‘‘This closure action

What the notice stated was that an additional 2,570 acres of ocean shellfish grow ing waters off Ocean City would be added to the current 30 per cent of the Garden State’s 280,700 acres of ocean water already closed to shellfish harvesting, par ticularly to those engaged in harvesting is required...to assure

that the public’s health is not imperiled...”

themselves result in additional waters along the oceanfront being closed to shellfishing comes as a surprise. It wasn’t, apparently, surprising to the MUA because the public notice published in the Sept. 10 New Jersey Register by the Div. of Water Resources of the Dept, of Environmental Protection elicited no response from the county authority; indeed, no comment front any public agency in the county,

surf clams. THE SPECIFIC ARRA closed to shellfishing runs roughly' 1-1/2 nautical mijes offshore from the beach between 36th and 58th Sts. The exact delineation was selected because the northerp and southern boundaries. correspond to landmarks—the cupola of the old Coast Guard Station at 36th. the fishing pier at 58th As pointed out in the public notice last fall, the reason for the closure was the

scheduled start up of the new MUA plant and the concomitant discharge of effluent from its submerged outfall line—which extends more than 6,000 ft. into the ocean from the foot of 46th St “This closure action is required,” the . public notice stated, "in accordance with applicable state and federal Food and Drug Administration guidelines to assure that the public's health is not impeHled by consuming shellfish that may be exposed to contaminants contained in the plant's effluent.’" THE KEY WORD is may. Indeed, the public notice pointed out the operation of the new MUA plant ‘‘will eliminate several pollution sources that may lead to the reopening or upgrading of several estuarine areas that are presently condemned to shellfish harvesting. This determination will be made by [the DEPl at a later date after sufficient testing of these areas has been conducted," (Page 14 Please)

CAPE MAY , COUNTY ^ *mii

Vol. 17 NO. 4 tWI S*owov»Co*p Allr>flhHr»t#fv*d

January 27, 1982

Plans And Pains Of Growth To Air

ERMA — The Lower Township Planning Board is scheduled to review a site plan Jan. 28, that calls for a 297-site expansion at the Seashore Campground here just north of Bennetts Crossing on Seashore Rd. And how a new shopping center can gain attention aesthetically is also to be reconsidered. Ralph Fuddy and George Dilworth are asking the board to approve plans that will bring their total number of campsites to 752. Plans also call for two new bath houses, raising the number to five, and the addition of four homes for employees. The 84-acre tract is located in an R-2 low density residential district. Campgrounds nre permitted as a conditional use in this zone. TOWNSHIP LAND USE official Feme Detwiler said last week she perceives no major' problems with the plan meeting board approval. She did add that a number of neighboring property owners have indicated they would like to see a fence or some other kind of barrier installed between the camp and adjacent properties. The meeting begins at 7; , 30 p.m. in township hall, Villas. Among other business, the board will also be considering a request submitted by Cape May Associates — owners of the Breakwater Plaza — to amend the sign portion of the Plaza site plan. APPEARING BEFORE THE board Dec. 18, attorney Jeffery Israelow argued that the sign designating Breakwater Plaza should be allowed to exceed the maximum square footage permitted under the township zoning ordinance. He said that lack of recognition at the shopping center is making it impossible for the corporation to keep tenants. But according to township land use officer Feme Detwiler, the board was less than enthusiastic to the proposal, noting that the developer hadn't finished certain improvements that were to have been made as part of the first phase of the development. According to board minutes Israelow argued that since the original developer of the center, John Cicearone, had sold his interest in the property, it is now not feasible for the improvements he promised to be completed. He also noted that there is cur(Page 16 Please)

FOR YEARS IT'S BEEN rumored that the USCG Training Center at Cape May ffiie main area seen here) would become the country's only ‘boot camp' for the nation's Oldest Seagoing Service. President Reagan has finally made it a reality, ironically forcing the shutdown of th« service’s only other recruit training facility In his home state of California. One Center, at Last

CAPE MAY — In an effort to meet President Reagan’s goals of greater efficienty in federal spending, the Coast Guard decided last week to close its West Coast training center in Alameda, Calif., turning over to the training center here the responsibility of handling all new recruits. And while no new facilities will have to be added to meet the demands, a spokesman at the base said Monday the center’s permanent party will have to increase by at least 15 per cent if the quality of current training is to continue. According to Public Affairs officer Tom

inside-

SWEETS FOR THE Sweet, that's what the Jayceettes are offering; they'll even deliver to your Valentine....P.12 THE BIG ONES didn't all get away, and the results of the county fishing tdurnament and others are in....P. 22.

Heflick, about 35 new personnel including medical specialists and officers will join the staff of 250 already at the Center. “THE TRAINING WILL have'to be altered slightly," he said, adding there should be a lot of developments here before April when the average population jumps from about 500 to 800 recruits. The closing of the West Coast center will increase the number of recuits in Cape May by some 40 per cent. According to Heflick, when the operation is in full swing here there should be about 1,00 recrifits on board at any one time. The 70 recruits that now begin their 8-week training operation each week will jump to 120 per week.' “The existing facilities can easily handle the increse," Heflick said, pointing out that about four years ago there were about 1,900 recruits on the base WHILE EMPHASIZING that the change in number of recruits will have littlfe outward effect on the surrounding communi-. ty, the Coast Guard spokesman opined thai more recruits should have a positive effect on the local economy. (Page 16 Please)

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Crime Stop Pays MIDDLE TWP. — A citizen-run Crime Stoppers program — that pays cash rewards to citizens offering police infer motion leading to an arrest and indictment — is expected to begin operating here this summer. ‘ . Police hope the plan, reportedly sue cessful in otherTommunities, will assist the undermanned department in its battle to stop the municipality's increasing

crime rate.

Under the proposed program, a 12-member board of governors represen • ting a cross-section of the local popula lion -- sets the amount of rewards based on the type crime and the information received. Rewards would come thru donations from citizens, businesses and

social groups

Cop Substation Due RIO GRANDE ~ Middle Township police officers hope to be better able to combat crime in the southern part of the township when a substation opens here sometime next month The station — to be housed in the County social services building off Rt. 47 is being made available thru an agreement ,with the freeholders. It will occupy a small office currently used for storage Gov t Hall Help? WILDWOOD - Officiafs from the three Wildwood along with their Atlantic and Cape May County government counter parts are scheduled to meet here Jan 27 to discuss reorganization and refinancing of the local convention hall. Legislation similar to that which will use state sales tax revenue to finamr an expansion to Atlantic City’s Cpnvention Hall may be proposed for Wildwood But a study would first have to show the state that by expanding the hall, more sales tax money will be generated thru increased convention business than is spent on upgrading the facility - Ante Up or Decline WILDWOOD — City public relations director Joseph Stamile warned the local Charter Study Commission here last week that unless! both the city and business community become more receptive to new ideas — and more is spent on promotion — tourism in the resort is going to continue declining According to reports, Stamile said tourist inquiries about Wildwood dropped 60 per cent between 1980 and 1981 - a trend he anticipates will continue sjnee the City Commission is planning to give him less this year than the $140,000 budgeted for public relations in 1981 ^ No ZIP to Plan UPPER TWP - The U S. Postal Ser vice has rejected a request by the Townshib Committee to add and rpajign existing^nst offices within the communi

ty

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