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year period the municipalities are mapping their stormwater and sanitary sewer 

 lines, identifying the interconnections and cross-connections, and monitoring 

 outfalls that discharge to coastal waters. The next step will be to abate the 

 interconnections and cross-connections. The DEPE has targeted ''4.7 million for 

 grants to plan and design the abatement of interconnections and cro s-connections. 



DEPE is also providing technical guidance to the municipalities regarding 

 management practices that can reduce bacteria concentrations in stormwater. These 

 practices include cleaning of streets, catch basins and stormwater pipes. Such efforts 

 will assist further in improving coastal water quality. 



C. The CCMP has determined the cause of recurring water quality problems at 

 particular beaches, enabling the DEPE to work with other agencies to address the 



problem. 



The Ocean County Health Department closed the Sheridan Avenue Beach in 

 Seaside Heights three times in 1992. This beach has regularly been subjected to 

 elevated fecal coliform concentrations during the past three years. The CCMP 

 determined that droppings from birds roosting under the Sheridan Avenue pier are 

 responsible for this problem. 



The DEPE believes the most immediately effective action would be to relocate 

 the beach a short distance away from the pier. The DEPE will work with the DOH, 

 the Ocean County Health Department and the Borough of Seaside Heights to 

 implement this solution if they agree that it is feasible. 



II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 



A. Water Quality Monitoring 



Under the CCMP, county and local health agencies conduct weekly sampling of 

 coastal waters during the beach season, under agreements with the DEPE. The 

 Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, Middlesex and Ocean County Health Departments 

 and the local health agencies in Atlantic City, Long Beach Island, Long Branch, 

 Matawan and Middletown have entered into these agreements. 



In 1992 the health agencies collected water samples from 180 ocean and 151 bay 

 monitoring stations for fecal coliform analyses. At 65 of these stations the agencies 

 also analyzed samples for enterococci concentrations. 



The health agencies select the locations for the monitoring stations in 

 consultation with the DEPE and the DOH. Monitoring stations are located where 

 they can best evaluate ambient water quality at recreational beaches, and where the 



