In this issue of New Jersey Currents|online:

Welcome to New Jersey Environmental Federation's Summer 2010 Newsletter, Clean Water Currents! We hope you have had an amazing kick-off to the summer! We have been very busy community organizing, lobbying, and conducting research, education and other programs on environmental issues that impact our air, land, and water resources ... and of course the Jersey Shore!

In this issue, we will update you on our work to ensure healthy communities and schools, safe drinking water, environmental justice and a stronger and greener economy.  We are also happy to announce two exciting events! Hands Across the Sand on Saturday, June 26th  and our upcoming Autumn Toast to the Environment event at Laurita  Winery on October 3rd.

The Good and the Bad of the State House's New Leaders

The Christie Administration and new legislative leadership of Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver recently completed their first 100 days in power and are completing their budget balancing battle. We have seen the good, the bad and the ugly come to the fore, and there is certainly more to come. Read more...

Feed Your Lawn - Without Poisoning Your Water

Like vitamins, nutrients are thought to be good for you, but too many can also make you sick. In New Jersey, our aquatic ecosystems are showing severe signs of stress from excessive nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus which can come from many sources including synthetic fertilizers*, discharge from wastewater treatment plants, overflowing septic systems, and runoff from croplands and builtup areas. Read more...

Clean Air...Good Jobs

The NJ Environmental Federation (NJEF)* and 80 other activists and port drivers from around the country descended on Washington DC on May 4-6. Together, we participated in US Environmental Protection (USEPA) meetings, congressional hearings, lobby day and larger Good Jobs/Green Jobs rally. Our goal was to bring the economic plight of the port drivers to the forefront while at the same time demonstrating that remedies for the drivers will also mean clean air at the ports and surrounding communities. Read more...

What is Tritium and What's It Doing in my Aquifer?

Tritium (or radioactive hydrogen) contamination of ground water was discovered at they Oyster Creek Nuclear Generation Station (OCNGS) in Lacey Township, New Jersey on Friday May, 14, 2010. According to the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) it was attributed to an airborne release of tritiated water from OCNGS' isolation condenser system following a reactor shutdown on July 17, 2007. Read more...

Events

Hands Across the Sand, being held Saturday, June 26, 2010, is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations. This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, fishing industry and coastal military missions. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting all of the above from the devastating effects of oil drilling. This event will be held at 11 am at several beaches throughout the state. Join hands at 12 noon to oppose offshore drilling. See the website for locations and how you can get involved.

Save the date! (pdf) You are cordially invited to New Jersey Environmental Federation's Autumn Toast to the Environment being held Sunday, October 3, 2010 at Laurita's Winery in New Egypt. The fundraising event will include wine tastings, hors d'oeuvres, wagon rides, wine production tours, and chance and silent auctions. For more information on sponsoring, donating an auction item, or attending this event, print out our save the date card (pdf) or contact us at 732-280-8988 or njcwa@cleanwater.org.

We need your help!

NJEF is proud of its 28 year record of success. It is due in large part to you, an NJEF member, and our ability to energize the public through our grassroots organizing and door to door canvassing.

NJEF remains ever focused on making democracy work for a healthy environment, as well as creating opportunities for good green jobs in communities and for the residents of this great state. There are many challenges ahead. This is the time to move forward at the state house. You can help by supporting our work and taking action on these important issues...