Oceanport has asked the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to allow more wastewater from Monmouth Park to be processed at the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority.
Working in conjunction with state and local officials, the borough is asking the DEP to take the step as a temporarymeasure to stem the contamination of local waterways until a more permanent solution is found.
In a letter to the DEP, which he read at Oceanport’s June 5 Borough Councilmeeting, MayorMichaelMahon asked Commissioner Lisa Jackson to consider allowing the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority (TRWRA) to accept an additional 110,000 gallons of wastewater daily from Monmouth Park.
Approval of the request would require that the DEP lift a moratorium preventing the sewage authority, located inMonmouth Beach, from accepting more water.
“We ask that you release them from the moratorium exclusively for this purpose,” Mahon read. “Racing atMonmouth Park is in full swing, along with the summer season, and enjoyment of water activities by our residents and visitors to the Shrewsbury River and Branchport Creek.
“Therefore, action on this request is urgent and necessary to avoidmore pollution and associated risks.”
Michael Gianforte, executive director of the TRWRA, said last week that the authority has been in contact with the DEP and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (SEA), which operates the racetrack, as well as Mahon in an effort to resolve the problem.
“We do already take all the wash- down water from the horses as well as the sewage from the buildings and some of the runoff from the roadways,” Gianforte said. “We are in discussion to try to see if there is way we could take more. There is a sewer collection ban in place so that’s why we’re working with the DEP to try to resolve that.”
On June 5, SEA Chairman Carl Goldberg, and President and CEO Dennis Robinson reaffirmed the SEA’s commitment to a long-term solution for the storm water runoff issue at Monmouth Park, which the SEA operates.
At the authority’s regular public meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Goldberg stated that the SEAhad implemented
racetrack runoff
new measures that total over $750,000 to control runoff.
“Most importantly, we are working extremely hard with Mayor Michael Mahon of Oceanport, whose commitment and concern we greatly appreciate, as well as other local, county and state officials and agencies to get this matter resolved,” Goldberg said.
“Discussions continue with local sewerage authorities and extensive negotiations are ongoing with the State Department of Environmental Protection. I can report to the public that we will reach a long- term solution.”
In the meantime, residents on the nearby waterways wonder if they will be able to use the Shrewsbury River this summer, or if toxic levels will again prevent them from coming in contact with the water.
Robin Kampf, of Long Branch, cofounder of Rivergate Keepers, with a local neighborhood watch group, said that the group continues to be frustrated at the lack of a timely response by track officials to rectify the long-standing problem of pollution.
“We are entering into our fourth summer season where these signs are posted along the river stating ‘Do not come in contact with the water,’ ” Kampf said last week.
Last year,Monmouth Park’s runoff collection system overflowed into the Branchport Creek, resulting in fecal bacteria levels up to thousands of times higher than a state limit according to officials.
The track was fined $35,000 by the DEP, which it is currently appealing, according to a release.
“Racetrack officials told us at the end of last summer that we didn’t need to worry about it until spring, when the horses return to the track and here we are … very worried,” said Kampf.
Warning signs were posted along the scenic waterway, alarming swimmers, boaters, crabbers and fishermen to not come into contact with the water. The signs are still up, she said.
Kampf said that testing conducted along the local waterways has proven that “extreme” levels of contamination are consistent with the time period when horses are at the track.
Mahon said at the council meeting that there would be no resolution to the matter without the help ofmany groups getting together.
“It’s a bigger problem than Monmouth Park and it’s a bigger problemthan Oceanport,” he said. “But there’s an opportunity here to prevent the pollution of Branchport Creek immediately this summer with this release fromthismoratorium, and we hope this request is answered in short order.”
In addition, Mahon stressed the importance of the track to the community and voiced his support of track officials’ efforts fix the problem.
“Oceanport supports every effort that Monmouth Park is undertaking in order to comply with the conditions of their DEP permit,” Mahon said. “We believe Monmouth Park is working diligently with their professionals, with the sewage authority, and the borough government to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and be environmentally sensitive to Branchport Creek.”
The racetrack installed its original discharge system in 1996, according to officials. Last year, the track updated its systemand replaced eight valves that were clogged with sediment. However, the contamination levels still remain high.
John Samerjan, a spokesman for the SEA, said last week that discussions are still going on with the DEP.
“The overriding thing here is that the authority has always taken the issue seriously,” Samerjan said. “We will work with the DEP and local authorities on a longterm solution.”
Steps were taken this spring to remediate the runoff issue, Samerjan said. The track had replaced two more acres of asphalt, which seriously affects the runoff, with a more pervious material to reduce runoff.
Robinson reported on the progress at the SEA’s meeting.
“Reducing the volume of storm-water runoff fromthe horse operations area by directing clean storm water from barn roofs away from horse operations areas was a priority this spring,” Robinson said. The Elkwood Park barn area project is complete with new drains and gutters that will allow for the discharge of clean water directly to Branchport Creek. We also reduced the area of paved surfaces and replaced it with grass/vegetated cover. Approximately 2 acres of impervious pavement has been removed and that will reduce runoff.”
The design and legal fees for the efforts are approaching $1million, Samerjan said, but efforts are ongoing.
“We are committed to a long-termsolution, believe there is going to be one and that’s what we’re heading toward,” he said.
Kampf said on Friday that she believed the recent actions had been taken as a result of the group of neighbors raising public awareness.
“Clearly, the track is hopefully operating as a good community neighbor, though they haven’t in the past,” Kampf said. “If these improvements are in place, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. I would just like to see some sort of benchmark water testing so we can see if these improvements are going to be working.”
Kampf added that she hoped that Long Branch, specifically Councilman Anthony Giordano, who has worked to rectify runoff problems, and Oceanport officials would be given a tour of the changes adopted.
Mahon was also optimistic that a solution would be found.
“We’re reaching out to DEP to get them involved in a positive way,”Mahon said last week. “Hopefully we’ll bring this situation to a successful conclusion that will keep Branchport Creek clean for this summer and summers to come.”