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F. Actions to address water quality problems 



1. Stormwater discharges 



As discussed above, one of the primary purposes of the Sewage Infrastructure 

 Improvement Act is to address the problem of discharges from interconnec ed and 

 cross-connected sanitary and stormwater infrastructure. These interconnections and 

 cross-connections are especially likely to increase bacteria concentrations in coastal 

 waters. Pursuant to the Sewage Infrastructure Improvement Act, the DEPE is 

 working with coastal municipalities to identify and eliminate these 

 interconnections and cross-connections. Over a three-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. These efforts will enable the municipalities to assess why particular 

 areas are susceptible to recurring stormwater impacts. The DEPE will provide 

 technical assistance and work with the municipalities to have these efforts 

 completed within the time frame required under the Act. 



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 cross-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. 



2. Seaside Heights 



As noted above. Seaside Heights saw three closings in 1992 that the DEPE 

 believes were attributable to droppings from the bird populations roosting under the 

 Sheridan Avenue amusement pier. The DEPE believes that the most immediately 

 effective action to protect the beach from the effects of the bird population would be 

 to relocate the beach a short distance away from the pier. This short-term measure 

 would immediately reduce the exposure of recreational bathers to the periodic 

 contamination of ocean water. This should be a short-term measure pending an 

 evaluation of the effectiveness of the bird-dispersal plan. 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. For a longer-term 

 solution, DEPE recommends that the Borough of Seaside Heights work with the 

 Ocean County Health Department and the Casino Pier management to develop a 

 plan to disperse the bird population that inhabits the underside of the pier. 



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