23 



even gain some tourism dollars. However, Governor Florio and the 

 legislature have opted on the side of increased public confidence in 

 our waters and protection of public health and have mandated that 

 our monitoring program continue unabated. This decision has paid 

 off in the long run. 



As I mentioned earlier, since 1988, the shore's low point year, 

 there has been steady improvement in the quality of our water. In 

 New Jersey we use the nationally accepted criteria for fecal coli- 

 form; 99.4 percent of ocean monitoring stations and 96.7 percent of 

 bay monitoring stations met the fecal coliform standard in 1992. 

 This is an improvement over readings of 98.6 and 92.5 percent for 

 1991. Furthermore, the U.S. EPA has stated that enterococci may 

 be a better indicator for analyzing near-shore water quality. 



In 1991, 93.9 percent of the stations monitored were within the 

 surface water quality standard. In 1992, 100 percent met that 

 standard. 



Our monitoring program, combined with improvements attained 

 in management of our wastewater and solid wastes in the coastal 

 area have resulted in waters in which our citizens can be confident. 

 Such a program, as embodied in H.R. 31, is essential for all the Na- 

 tion's waters. We are highly supportive of the individual provisions 

 of H.R. 31. There is great need for the additional study and re- 

 search on human specific pathogens called for in the bill. 



While fecal coliform and enterococci are the prime indicators 

 which are measured, neither is human specific. Likewise, the Inter- 

 state Shellfish Sanitation Commission has recently embarked on 

 research into shellfish contamination which should provide addi- 

 tional insight in this area. We are pleased that the bill will require 

 the U.S. EPA to continue this research. 



The one change which I recommend to H.R. 31 is to refine the 

 definition of coastal recreation waters to include estuarine as well 

 as marine coastal waters. This will help to ensure the safety and 

 health of those individuals who bathe in our bays, as well as those 

 who choose to recreate in our ocean waters. 



In closing, I would like to commend this Committee and Con- 

 gressman Hughes for his efforts and perseverance in this area. 

 New Jersey's success in coastal monitoring can and should be repli- 

 cated throughout the Nation. We have been the testing ground and 

 now it is time for the setting of national criteria for testing and 

 closure so that the public can have confidence in all waters in 

 which they swim. 



Thank you. 



Mr. Ortiz. Thank you very much. 



[Ms. Dooley submitted a statement written by Scott Weiner, com- 

 missioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protec- 

 tion and Energy.] 



Mr. Ortiz. Ms. Chasis. 



STATEMENT OF SARAH CHASIS, SENIOR ATTORNEY, NATURAL 

 RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL 



Ms. Chasis. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for 

 holding this hearing and thank you, Mr. Hughes, for your strong 

 leadership over the years on behalf of beach protection. 



