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History The summer of 1987 was a very difficult summer for the New Jersey shore. A 50-mile garbage slick, including medical waste, loomed off the coast. After three days of closed beaches in August, the tourist season was essentially over for LBI. During September 1987, Ken Smith, an LBI insurance broker, led a group of concerned citizens to address the problem of ocean pollution. Karen Kiss (ALO’s first president) and John Woodland were also instrumental in the early days. The group’s first priority was to find the source of the pollution and stop it there. During the first year of this grassroots organization, ALO worked hard to focus public attention on the problem and to make people realize that something could be done. Early activities included:
Throughout this, ALO's leaders focused on educating themselves about the problem and its scope. A fitting conclusion to its first year, ALO became officially incorporated on December 31, 1987. 15-Years of Mission to Action ALO translated its mission statement into action by adopting a three-pronged strategy. ALO's activities to protect the ocean, beach, and bays were focused in three areas:
Stopping pollution at its source was of primary concern. Since this requires governmental action, ALO fought to influence State and Federal legislation. There were many pivotal successes in those first 10 years. ALO joined with other like-minded groups and was instrumental in changing policy. In February 1989, a major milestone was the passage of the “New Jersey Medical Waste Tracking Law.” Drawing on her background as a registered nurse, Karen Kiss took a lead role in the testimonies that led to the passage of this law. This law requires "cradle to grave" tracking of all hazardous medical waste products. Medical waste would no longer be an anonymous issue. ALO actions eventually led to passage of a law that stopped Ciba-Geigy chemical plant in Toms River from dumping chemical waste into the ocean. The Ciba-Geigy pipeline was closed in 1991. ALO took a lead role in the successful effort to pass the “Clean Water Enforcement Act.” Even in the early days, before recycling was a standard, ALO was active in encouraging plastic recycling. The group also influenced the passing of Federal and State laws in the 90s to prohibit sludge dumping. ALO was very vocal in urging the Fresh Kills Landfill to use closed handling methods. It was estimated that this landfill alone contributed tons of floatable waste to the ocean every day because of improper handling of the landfill material. Penalties for illegal dumping have now increased to criminal status. The Fresh Kills Landfill is closed. ALO continues to monitor non-point source pollution and is trying to address the issue of combined-sewer overflow, both of which continue to lead to floatables. ALO organized a massive Wetlands postcard campaign against the reduction of Wetlands acreage in conjunction with the LBI Garden Club. Of the postcards received in Washington, 5% came from ALO supporters. In October of 1992 we joined the Garden Club in their efforts to educate the community on the effects of pesticides/herbicides used on coastal yards. A resultant DEP study took place on LBI. ALO opposed oil drilling in wildlife refuges and marine environments, and, in 1992, ALO acted as a facilitator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in their plans for the Bonnet Island Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge and sent helpers to the Holgate Wildlife Refuge. ALO referred all reported marine mammal strandings to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine and still supports their important work. Honors and awards:
Over the years, environmental issues have changed, but ALO continues to be your local environmental steward.
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1101 Central Ave. Suite A, Ship Bottom NJ 08008 |
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