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UNKNOWN

There is limited data available to quantify Wetland and Riparian Buffer Preservation, or updated data to quantify Wetland Acreage. The BBP has obtained funding and will begin assessment efforts for both targets, in the next few years.

 

 Hard Clam abundance has not been updated since 2012. Recovery of the stock will be guided by the Fishery Management Plan for Hard Clams, which is under development with the NJDEP, BBP, and other organizations. Reclam the Bay and other partners have continued to plant clams for restoration purposes. Continued plantings in strategic locations which maximize survival and reproduction is one strategy to pursue in the coming years. This work can use a model developed by Rutgers with BBP funding which identified areas where planted clams could have the greatest dispersal of their larvae and thus potentially maximally contribute to the recovery of the stock.

 Water Withdrawals were over the target in the 2021 report; USGS has not yet completed its latest update, so a definitive determination of status is not available. However, additional NJDEP data show that it is likely that we continue to not meet the target. Per capita water use has gone down, demonstrating the effectiveness of water-saving appliances and practices, but that decrease has been offset by population gains. 


IN PROGRESS

New maps quantifying Submerged Aquatic Vegetation extent were developed, but poor image clarity resulted in a high degree of uncertainty in the total acreage. NJDEP and Rutgers are working to resolve the uncertainty of these maps, and improve the total acreage estimate. Funding has also been obtained for further research and restoration activities. Several groups are developing potential restoration actions.

The USGS has completed the first phase of its study to identify minimum ecological flows in select Barnegat Bay tributaries. USGS scientists compared streamflow statistics between historical and current time periods to better understand trends in watershed flow conditions. This work provides a foundation for developing ecological flow targets in the Barnegat Bay watershed.  Similar to SAV extent, funding (approximately $450K) has been obtained by the BBP to complete the remaining phases necessary for threshold determination.

 

TARGETS ACHIEVED

No targets can be considered “Achieved” at this time.

 

NOT ACHIEVING

Several Public Swimming Beaches exceeded their safe swimming standards more frequently than during their baseline time period (2016-2018).

While most beaches are routinely safe for swimming, several problematic areas such as Beachwood, Hancock, Windward, and several lake beaches need track-down studies and restoration to pinpoint and address sources of bacteria.

Acres of Approved Shellfish Waters decreased from the last report. While this decrease was small, it represents a loss of previously approved waters. Similar to public beaches, track-down studies and restoration work are needed to pinpoint and address sources of bacteria.

 

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The Rain Barrel Challenge, an annual art competition with an environmental theme, is open to schools and youth organizations within the Barnegat Bay watershed. The competition offers students and youth group members a way to creatively express their appreciation for the bay through rain barrel art. The Rain Barrel Challenge aims to educate young people about the Barnegat Bay and its 660-square mile watershed, and engage them in stewardship of its amazing natural resources.

This year’s theme is “Earth Day – Celebrating 50 Years of Protecting Our Planet!” On the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, people came together to support protection of the environment, and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection was established on the same date.  Help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by depicting on your 2020 barrel the importance of protecting the special habitats of the Barnegat Bay.

For important details about the 2020 Rain Barrel Challenge, download the packet of information, which includes the forms you’ll need to enter and the competition timeline. Be sure to submit the initial Registration Form to participate, which is due by January 8, 2020. If you have any questions, email or call Karen Walzer (kwalzer@ocean.edu, 732-255-0472 x 2).

In 2011, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection partnered with the New Jersey Clean Communities Council and SUEZ Water to establish the Barnegat Bay Blitz Rain Barrel Challenge. In 2020, the Barnegat Bay Partnership is taking the lead for organizing the Rain Barrel Challenge with their assistance and support.

We hope you can participate this year, and we’re looking forward to
seeing the creative artwork on the rain barrels entered in 2020.

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2019 Rain Barrel winners