ALBANO/MILAM MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE ON LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL BEACH DUMPING

Two-Bill Package Would Increase Fines for Dumping; Permanently Revoke Licenses for Medical Professionals Convicted of Illegal Dumping

(VINELAND) - Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew W. Milam (both D-Cumberland/Atlantic/Cape May) today issued a multimedia package on their legislation to enhance the penalties associated with illegally dumping medical waste in New Jersey.

The two-bill package was crafted after several South Jersey beaches were forced to close before Labor Day weekend following the discovery of illegally dumped medical waste that had washed ashore. As many as 225 syringes and other medical waste were found in Avalon - leading borough officials to close beaches four times. Syringes also washed ashore in Berkeley, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Brigantine and Upper Township.

Thomas McFarland, a Philadelphia dentist who owns a Jersey Shore summer home, was charged Sept. 5 with intentionally dumping the waste that caused the Avalon closings. The source of the other waste is still under investigation.

The package consists of legislation to strip licenses to practice in New Jersey from any health professional found to illegally dump medical waste (A-3270); and legislation that would double the fines for illegal medical-waste dumping in New Jersey's waters to $100,000-per-day (A-3271).

The multimedia package consists of a video on the legislative package, audio of same and a copy of the script as delivered.

The video can be accessed directly via our Web site - www.assemblydems.com - or by clicking here.

The audio file is available upon request.

The script is appended below:

[Milam]:  "New Jersey's beaches are one of our most precious natural resources and one of our most powerful engines for economic growth through tourism.

"So when beaches are forced to close thanks to illegally dumped medical waste washing ashore, the impact is felt by more than just bathers.

[Albano]:  "That's just what happened this past Labor Day when used needles and other intentionally dumped medical waste washed ashore in Avalon.

"This type of destructive disregard for the law poses a danger to bathers and to our economy and, quite frankly, will not be tolerated.

[Milam]:  "That's why Assemblyman Albano and I - along with Senator Jeff Van Drew - have sponsored legislation that would severely crack down on any would-be beach dumpers.

"One measure - A-3270 - would strip doctors and other health professionals of their license to practice medicine in New Jersey if they're found guilty of illegally dumping.

[Albano]:  "The other bill - A-3271 - would double the fines for illegally dumping medical waste in our state's waterways to $100,000-a-day.

"Polluters who foul our beaches should pay dearly for tarnishing the Jersey Shore's reputation.

[Milam]:  "And they should be on the hook for the environmental and economic damages they cause.

"For more information about this legislation or for help with any other questions you may have...

[Albano]:  "...feel free to contact our district office by either phone or e-mail."

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