Pallone Statement on Federal Officials Granting Corzine's Request for Adjacent Coastal Status

Long Branch, NJ --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today praising New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine for his leadership in getting the federal government to designate New Jersey as an adjacent coastal state in regards to an application to build and operate a deepwater Liquid Natural Gas port in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New York and New Jersey.               Under a notice published in the Federal Register in August, New York was designated as an adjacent coastal state, giving it exclusive right of review and allowing the state to hold public hearings for citizens to voice their concerns.  Even though New Jersey would be equally affected by the proposed facility, New Jersey was not designated as an adjacent coastal state.               In September, Pallone sent a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen and U.S. Maritime Administrator Sean Connaughton urging them to grant Governor Corzine's request.    "I congratulate Governor Corzine for his strong leadership in ensuring that New Jersey's voice will be heard in the controversial plan to build a liquid natural gas port off our coast.  Based on New Jersey's close proximity to this proposed facility and the impact such a facility would have on our coastal environment, it should have been granted adjacent coastal state status all along.   "I oppose the building of this deepwater port facility because the construction alone is expected to lead to millions of tons of material being dumped in the ocean.  The proposed facility would also devastate a premier fishing ground and endangered species habitat in an area known as Cholera Bank.   "Today's decision is a victory for New Jersey as it allows all New Jersey voices to be heard on this vitally important issue." -30-