The beginning and rapid expansion of a truly awful partnership
Today, the Christie DEP attacked science based “catch limits” required to sustain a critical summer flounder NJ fishery:
(17/P12) TRENTON – The Christie Administration has formally requested the new U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, to put a hold on severe restrictions on recreational summer flounder fishing adopted recently by a regional fisheries commission, a move that would effectively cripple the state’s fishing industry and have far-reaching impacts on the shore tourism economy, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today. (read full press release)
That move is the fourth “partnership” initiative with the Trump administration that would undermine science and harm New Jersey’s environment and natural resources – the others are
- The Trump USGS rejected a federal Data Quality Act complaint regarding the Christie DEP’s proposed rollback of core Highlands clean water protections (see this for details);
- The Trump National Park Service reversed course and withdrew its prior opposition to a Christie backed Pinelands pipeline; (see this for details)
- The Trump USGS and DEP “partnered” on a misleading water quality report that cherry picked data and exaggerated alleged improvements in water quality. The Report and press releases were coordinated and issued the day before the Trump Administration killed the Obama EPA’s “Waters of the US” regulation under the Clean Water Act – a “very unique” situation, according to a USGS dogwhistle:
“The U.S. Geological Survey and the DEP have a longstanding and productive partnership, one that is very unique,” said Bob Hirsch, a USGS scientist who co-authored the report. (DEP press release)
The NJ legislature needs to step up oversight and push back against these joint Trump – Christie attacks, before they get even worse.
Note to professionals at EPA and NJ DEP – if you see something, leak something!