MEDIA ADVISORY - SENATE AND ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT PANELS TO HOLD HEARING ON SHORE ISSUES THURSDAY

Hearing Will Cover Off-Shore LNG Facilities, Public Access to Beaches

TOMS RIVER – The New Jersey Senate Environment Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee will hold a joint hearing on Thursday, August 7 in the LMH Room at the Toms River Township Municipal Building to discuss issues important to the vitality of the Jersey Shore.

“It’s essential that the people living at the Jersey Shore have a voice in their government,” said Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate panel. “Too often, decisions that affect the economic and environmental vitality of the Jersey Shore are made on the other side of the State in a Trenton committee room. We need to give Shore residents a forum to raise their concerns, and bring their ideas back with us as we go through the legislative process.”

“As we work to ensure New Jersey’s long-term viability, lawmakers must continue to protect our Shore communities, businesses and natural coastal resources that play a vital role in providing recreation and sustaining the State’s largest industry – tourism,” said Assemblyman John McKeon, D-Essex, the Chair of the Assembly committee. “As the State moves forward, it is of the utmost importance that we address New Jerseyans’ concerns regarding the future of Liquefied Natural Gas facilities and the policies governing access to our majestic Jersey shoreline.”

The two lawmakers have, for the past three years, held public hearings on important coastal issues at an annual hearing down the Shore. This year, they expect to take public testimony on plans to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities off of New Jersey’s coast and public access to New Jersey’s pristine beaches. The joint committees will also listen to concerns brought forward by local residents in attendance.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM. The Toms River Municipal Building is located at 33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ.

WHO: Senate and Assembly Environment Committees

WHAT: Hearing on shore issues, including beach access and off-shore LNG facilities

WHEN: Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 10:30 AM

WHERE: LMH Room, Toms River Township Municipal Building, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ