AVALON OFFICIALS HOLD SECOND MEETING WITH VICE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE IN WASHINGTON
Ask Vice President to take leadership role on beach issues, comprehensive beach plan for United States

(Washington, DC)—Avalon officials held a second meeting with representatives from Vice President Joe Biden’s office on Thursday, July 23rd. This latest meeting took place inside the War Room of the Eisenhower Building, next to the White House.

"I am very appreciative of the Vice President’s office for giving us a full hour to explain the need for a brand new, federal approach to beach nourishment and beach funding issues," said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. "Avalon was able to initiate major progress towards this goal thanks to our latest meeting."

The meeting was hosted by Ms. Evan Ryan, Director of Intergovernmental Relations for the Vice President, and by Terrell McSeveney, the Vice President’s Domestic Policy Advisor. Representing Avalon were Harry DeButts, Deputy Senior Emergency Manager, and Scott Wahl, Public Information Officer. Also attending the meeting were Mayor Harry Simmons of Caswell Beach, North Carolina who is also the President of the American Shore& Beach Preservation Association; Tony Pratt, Shoreline Administrator for the State of Delaware; Howard Marlowe, ASBPA Government Affairs Representative; and Daniel Sheehan, ASBPA Government Affairs Representative.

A request was made during the meeting for Vice President Joe Biden to take a leadership role regarding beach protection projects in the United States. Mr. Biden is from the coastal state of Delaware, and has championed various beach nourishment efforts in his home state. Ms. McSeveney promised that the Vice President’s top staff will discuss the request and possibly set up a larger meeting later this year that may include the Vice President and the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget.

The conversation touched on several issues that are important to the Borough of Avalon and the ASBPA. Experts shared their vision on a plan that would implement and manage beach and other water resource projects using a systematic approach. Discussion also included providing incentives to local governments to adopt sensible land-use restrictions that will encourage sound building and zoning codes, as well as examining the way the United States Army Corps of Engineers is funded for coastal protection projects.

"The beach is our business, our livelihood," Pagliughi said. "The federal government needs to realize some very important facts. 55 percent of all Americans live within 50 miles of our coastline. And studies clearly show that for every one federal dollar spent on a beach nourishment project, the return is four dollars in storm damage reduction benefits. Beaches not only drive our economy, but also provide the first line of defense against coastal storms. The federal government remains the biggest economic beneficiary of beach nourishment projects, collecting $300 billion in direct and indirect benefits from our nation’s beaches".

Studies also show that the federal government benefits from money invested in our country’s beaches. $51 billion in federal tax dollars are generated each year from beach communities in our country. And, 85 percent of tourism revenue in the United States comes from beach communities.

"In one way or another, every single job in Cape May County is tied directly or indirectly to our beaches," Pagliughi said. "That’s why we fought so vehemently against Governor Jon Corzine’s cuts to the state’s protection fund. We need to do better, and we can in all levels of government. The days of scrambling to find some money to throw at beach projects each and every year need to end, and all levels of government need a comprehensive plan, and commitment, to nourish our beaches."

KATHY ORR AND CBS3 EYEWITNESS NEWS BROADCAST LIVE FROM AVALON
CBS Chief Meteorologist Kathy Orr visited Avalon, New Jersey on Thursday, July 23rd to broadcast three weather forecasts live from the Avalon Beach at 30th Street. Kathy talked with Joseph Angemi, Curator of the Avalon History Center, and with the Broadway at the Beach drama camp. Click on this link to see Kathy’s reports from Avalon.

"ORR AT THE SHORE" WEATHER FORECAST COMES TO AVALON JULY 23RD

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon will welcome Philadelphia news personality Kathy Orr to the Borough on Thursday, July 23rd. CBS3 in Philadelphia will present live weather forecasts from Avalon during its 4pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm newscasts.

Orr presents "Orr at the Shore", a very popular feature during the summertime on CBS3's "Eyewitness News" telecasts. Orr visits a different beach community every week and puts the spotlight on the community and special events that are happening in town.

On Thursday, July 23rd, Orr is expected to spotlight the Avalon Free Public Library and its "Mini Events" that are held for children on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer. Additionally, Orr will also talk with children involved with the "Broadway at the Beach" drama camp which runs through Friday, July 24th.

Kathy Orr's weather forecasts are scheduled to air at 4:15pm, 4:45pm, and 6:15pm near 30th Street and the Beach in Avalon. They are also rebroadcast on the television station's website, www.cbs3.com.

Orr has been providing weather forecasts on Philadelphia television since 1998; she has won seven Mid-Atlantic Emmy awards for being the "best weathercaster" in Philadelphia.

NOTE FROM AVALON POLICE CHIEF DAVID DEAN ABOUT PARKING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC

BOROUGH OF AVALON
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
3000 DUNE DRIVE AVALON, NJ 08202

David P. Dean Phone: 609-967-3411
Chief of Police Fax: 609-368-0114


MEMORANDUM

DATE: July 1, 2009

To: Avalon Citizens and Visitors
From: David P. Dean, Chief of Police
Subject: Parking Enforcement

Parking facing in the opposite direction of travel, besides being illegal, presents an imminent safety hazard to drivers, pedestrians, and other vehicles on our roadways. In order to accomplish this particular parking maneuver, the driver must first cross an on-coming lane of travel. Once this has been accomplished, the driver must cross against on-coming traffic once more when leaving the parking spot. In short, one must commit two moving violations in order to commit an illegal parking offense. Additionally, the driver's line of sight is seriously compromised upon leaving the spot by the fact that the driver's position is curb-side; not street-side, and therefore blocked by other parked vehicles or obstructions - bicyclists, pedestrians, as well as other cars, may be approaching unseen.

The Avalon Police Department has grown concerned at what appears to be a growing laxity regarding this issue and its possible ramifications on the safety of our citizens. To this end, we have begun to enforce the parking statute governing this violation to as great an extent as our resources allow. I'm reaching out to you all now to make you aware of our effort and to request your cooperation and compliance in this simple, but important, matter. Please take a moment also to make sure your family members, visitors, and friends are made familiar with this state statute as well as our enforcement efforts.

The Avalon Police Department and its officers wish all our citizens and visitors a safe, happy summer.

Respectfully,

David P. Dean, Chief
Avalon Police Department

AVALON GETS HELP FROM BEACH NESTING BIRD PROJECT MANAGER ON OUR BEACHES

(Avalon, NJ) - Avalon is getting assistance from Todd Pover, Beach Nesting Bird Project Manager, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species Program, on a section of its beaches. Pover will visit Avalon Thursday morning, July 2nd, and take a first-hand look at the Avalon beachfront that is reserved for beach nesting birds. Along this section of beachfront, a good amount of natural sea grass has washed ashore.

On Wednesday, July 1st, a few spots along this section of beach were very carefully cleaned and some debris was removed under the direct supervision of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Pover will visit Avalon again on Thursday to inspect this section of Avalon's beach to see if any additional spots along this section of beach can be cleaned in advance of the July 4th holiday weekend.

It is important for the public to know that there are tight restrictions on raking the portion of the Avalon beach that has been designated as a nesting bird habitat. Avalon simply does not have the ability to rake that 18-block section of beachfront for the benefit of beach goers. This portion of beach is protected for the nesting birds by both the state and federal governments.

The following text is a reprint of information that appeared in the Fall, 2008 newsletter published by the Borough of Avalon. This answers many questions the public has about this section of Avalon beachfront.

You may notice that a section of Avalon's beachfront is fenced off during part of the year for environmental purposes. An 18-block section of Avalon's upper beach between 40th and 58th Streets is fenced off to provide a safe habitat for piping plovers and least terns. Both species of birds are endangered in the state of New Jersey; the piping plover is also listed as threatened along the entire Atlantic Coast on the federal endangered species list.

Here are some answers to questions that are commonly asked about this section of the Avalon beachfront:

Q: Who determines what section of Avalon beachfront is reserved for nesting birds?
A: Avalon Environmental Commission, along with Avalon Borough officials, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Non-Game Species Division, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have worked together on the beach management plan. The nesting area has varied over the years, but for the past eight years, this specific area has been selected. Recent and historical nesting use of the birds greatly determines which portion of the beach is reserved.

Q: Is it a mandatory requirement that Avalon reserves a portion of its beachfront for bird nesting?
A: Yes. Beach management plans like the one in Avalon are now a requirement for any community who wants to seek permits for beach nourishment work. They are also now a requirement under terms of the interim New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's State Aid Agreement.

Q: When do these birds nest? Why is this area used year after year for the birds?
A: The nesting period for these species is from March 15th through August 15th, every year. If resources are put into a bird nesting area that has thrived in previous years, chances are the birds will not nest on the entire beach. It's a benefit for both the birds, and people who enjoy the beach. Least terns, when present, can remain on the beach until the end of August.

Q: Is the entire beach between 40th and 58th Streets closed to humans?
A: No, only the fenced in area. Beachgoers can still enjoy the beach and the water in the project area. Avalon's beach patrol even puts lifeguards at some of these street ends in the summer for bathers.

Q: Why are people restricted from using that portion of the beach? And, why is there no beach raking conducted on the beach between the nesting area and the water's edge?
A: People, and other animals, pose a tremendous threat to these birds while they are nesting. People cannot walk on the back part of the beach, or put their beach blankets down in the designated area. This is one of the many reasons why dogs are prohibited from being on the Avalon beach. Beach raking is prohibited under CAFRA rules. The beach rake could run over a nest, or even chicks. Sometimes the chicks lay outside of the fence; piping plover chicks even try to duck down and blend into the sand. The natural "wrack line" - consisting of seaweed, field grass, and other materials that wash up onto the beach - provides a source of food for the birds, and gives them a place to hide. The plover parents do not feed their young, so the chicks meander to the water's edge to feed. It takes most chicks about a month to learn to fly.

Q: How long does the beach fencing stay up if the nesting season is only during the spring and summer?
A: The beach fencing remains on the beach only during the time the birds could be on the beach, and is generally removed sometime after mid-August when approval is given by the NJDEP Endangered and Non-game Species personnel based on the bird situation on the Avalon beach. A portion of the fence in the vicinity of 49th Street may remain up until November due to the presence of sea amaranth, which is a plant that is also on the federal endangered list. Additionally, there are migratory shorebirds that nest in the Arctic region that move south during August and September. Fencing provides some extra protection for these birds.

POSTPONED: MUMMERS PARADE AND CONCERT FOR JULY 1ST MOVED TO JULY 11TH

(Avalon, NJ) - A big musical event in Avalon has been postponed this afternoon to due inclement weather.

The Avalon Family Mummers Parade and Concert scheduled for 6pm today has been postponed until Saturday, July 11th. There are thunderstorms in the forecast for this evening, and the event has been rescheduled.

On July 11th at 6pm, the parade will be held along Avalon Avenue, forming at the Avalon Community Hall. The parade will proceed northbound to the 21st Street Veterans Plaza.

All other events scheduled as part of the Avalon Family Fun Festival, June 30th-July 5th, will still be held.