DUI Lawyers in Little Egg Harbor, NJ

NJ Has Seagrass?

We sure do! While spread throughout much of our coastal environment, about 80% of all of New Jersey’s seagrass habitat occurs in Barnegat Bay.

Seagrass is a type of marine submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), which are rooted plants that grow completely underwater, except for periods of brief exposure at low tides. Seagrasses are different than seaweeds because they have a vascular system which works to transport nutrients between the sediment, roots, and leaves. Most conservation efforts focus on two species, eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima). Other regulated species include horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) and sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus). A full list of regulated species can be found within the Coastal Zone Management Rules .

Seagrass, a Key Player

Seagrasses are important as they serve as the base of the food web, providing food and nursery habitat to many commercially and recreationally important species, like shellfish and finfish. They are also a sensitive indicator of water quality and can be used to determine the overall health of an ecosystem.

Moreover, seagrasses are able to sequester (store) carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and limit ocean acidification. By storing carbon in their roots, and in the sediment, they are able to store more carbon than a terrestrial forest!

Eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Eelgrass is one of the most widely distributed seagrass species in the world. It has a thick rhizome (stem) and ribbon-like leaves with rounded tips, growing about 1 m long and 2-12 mm wide. Eelgrass meadows can contain both small and narrow leaves or longer, wider leaves, depending on factors such as sediment type and water depth. Eelgrass is known to tolerate a salinity range of approximately 18-25 parts per thousand, but has been found in waters of greater salinity.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima)

Widgeon grass is less commonly found than eelgrass throughout the state, though it can be observed in mixed meadows with eelgrass. It has linear, thread-like leaves that are 3-10 cm long and about 0.5 mm wide. It can be found growing in very small, short meadows or patches. Like eelgrass, widgeon grass reproduces both asexually and sexually and consists of a flower head with two flowers containing male and female reproductive organs. Widgeon grass is known to have a broader salinity tolerance than eelgrass, ranging from about 5-18 ppt.

Widgeon grass meadows and flowering observed (Photo credit: Dr. Elizabeth Lacey)

Threats

Several threats have caused a loss of seagrass meadows within the state. Direct impacts, like contact from boat propellers and strong boat wakes, can damage or scour meadows. Indirect impacts from waterfront development, construction, and algal blooms can reduce water clarity, blocking sunlight needed by seagrasses for photosynthesis. Other threats include storms, floods, disease, and poor water quality, making conservation efforts vital to maintaining the ecosystem services this habitat provides.

Program Overview

In 1979, the need for monitoring the distribution of seagrasses in NJ back bays was expressed by the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife. The New Jersey Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Atlas was conducted by Earth Satellite Corporation under contract to the NJDEP.

In support of this state wide effort, the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Bureau of Marine Habitat and Shellfisheries began documenting and mapping seagrasses collected during its Estuarine Shellfish Inventory surveys. This data, in addition to the 1979 data, is publicly available and used for regulatory purposes.

In 2003 and 2009, a study conducted by Rutgers University measured the extent of seagrass habitat across the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary system. This was one of the last seagrass surveys until recent expanded and enhanced efforts in 2023.

To help protect this important marine habitat, the Seagrass Conservation Program aims to conduct routine mapping of seagrass meadows throughout the state, collaborate on current and future monitoring efforts to assess the health and status of NJ meadows, and identify areas for potential seagrass restoration efforts.

The Program encompasses three tiers: (Tier 1) Mapping, (Tier 2) Monitoring, and (Tier 3) Restoration and Enhancement. Through outreach initiatives, the Program aims to inform NJ residents about the importance of seagrass habitats in coastal systems and what they can do to help conservation efforts.

…

Mapping Seasons in the Barnegat Bay & Little Egg Harbor

In 2023, the Marine Resources Administration (MRA), Rutgers Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA), and Stockton University partnered on a project to map seagrass habitat throughout the Barnegat Bay to Little Egg Harbor estuary. This was an aerial-based mapping survey, a traditional method used for mapping seagrass habitat. In collaboration with Stockton University, MRA staff was responsible for collecting field verification data to “train” the aerial imagery collected.

Mapping Seasons in the Barnegat Bay & Little Egg Harbor Estuary System

In 2023, the Marine Resources Administration (MRA), Rutgers Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis (CRSSA), and Stockton University partnered on a project to map seagrass habitat throughout the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary system. This was an aerial-based mapping survey, a traditional method used for mapping seagrass habitat. In collaboration with Stockton, MRA staff was responsible for collecting field verification data to “train” the aerial imagery collected.

A video highlighting the 2023 survey can be found below.

Featured Video

Exploring Underwater Wonders: Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)

September 26, 2023

Did you know that beneath the surface of New Jersey’s coastal waters lies a hidden world of rooted, vascular plants that play a crucial role in our ecosystem? Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to these plants that grow completely underwater, except for periods of brief exposure at low tides. In New Jersey, the two dominant species are eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima)…. (Learn More)

If you grew up in South Jersey - or, really, anywhere in the Delaware Valley - you probably experienced the magical place in Egg Harbor Township known as Storybook Land.

For 70 years, kids have delighted in the magic of this one-of-a-kind gem in South Jersey.

Whether you came with your family or a school group, you probably visited during the busy summer or during special times like Christmas.

Storybook Land has always been a great place for families. 19 rides and many attractions await kids, and their parents and grandparents.

Storybook Land is now open Saturdays and Sundays, with a full season coming right around the corner. I love this description of the park from Storybook Land's website: "The park blends classic storytime favorites with a clean, family-friendly setting to make the best place for the young and young-at-heart to bond together."

Kids can't wait to get there!

We checked TripAdvisor reviews for the park, and they are overwhelmingly positive. Of 573 reviews, 538 are either a 4 or 5 rating - that's excellent.

Here's a scan of some of the things reviewers have shared:

"The park is very clean and the employees are top notch. But Santa here is my favorite part of this amazing park. My 5-year-old grandson stutters, and Santa was very patient and kind and let him take his time to talk."

"There were plenty of people working - and all employees were friendly and cheerful."

"The grounds are so well kept and the rides are age-appropriate."

"This place is amazing for a young child. Took our six-year-old granddaughter and she loved it."

"Fantastic family experience, especially for kids 10 years and under! Clean, so well-maintained, natural shade under the trees, a beautiful park. The best young staff members ever!"

Congratulations, Storybook Land, on 70 years of making great memories for families! Here's to another 70!

The Little Egg Harbor Board of Education approved its 2025-26 budget at its April 29 meeting. As expected, it raised its public tax levy by 32.6%.

Superintendent of Schools Lisa Antunes and Business Administrator Robert Green gave an explanation of the budget during the public hearing, repeating much that had been said during a series of special meetings in March and April.

“We are in unprecedented times in the state of New Jersey for school budgets,” said Antunes. “We are not the only district feeling it; districts across the state are feeling it.”

She went on, as had been done before, to show how the LEHSD compares with other pre-K to sixth grade districts in the state. The district is below the state average for administrative costs – a good thing – and above the state average in classroom spending numbers that go directly to the classroom – another positive thing.

So why the need for a 32.6% tax hike?

Green took the microphone and blamed the district’s budget crisis on factors such as cuts in state aid, “local fair share” and “adequacy budgets.”

The state has made huge cuts in aid for many school districts, especially in Ocean County and South Jersey, for the past few years, and the LEHSD was no exception, losing $1.5 million. The state wants many districts to increase their local fair share of taxes to replace the lost aid.

“The state calculates this amount based on the district’s capacity to raise funds, which is determined by its property values and the income of its residents,” said Green.

As for adequacy budgets, Green said an adequacy budget is “needed for a thorough and efficient education. … For every school district the state calculates what would be the necessary funding level to provide a through and efficient education for every pupil in that district.”

Put the two together and, as Green explained, “the state then calculates the local fair share or what it believes the local taxing authority would be able to raise for the school budget.”

Green went on to say the state believes the LEHSD’s adequacy budget to be just over $30 million, and it calculates the district’s local fair share to be almost $25 million. Right now, he continued, the taxpayers of LEH contribute $14.6 million toward the district’s budget, meaning the LEHSD is about $10 million below funding the district adequately.

Toss in some usual suspects in a time of inflation, such as sharply increasing costs for medical benefits, energy and transportation, and it’s easy to see how school districts are struggling.

Antunes said the district’s main challenge is to minimally maintain current staff, which ultimately affects its ability to provide a thorough and efficient education to its students.

“There is nothing frivolous in this budget,” she said. “In fact, there’s essentially nothing new or innovative at all.

“Everyone wants what’s best for our students. … The state is simply not going to fund local schools any longer. This is why this board must act now in the best interest of our students.”

Antunes said even with the huge tax increase, the district will still have to reduce support staff, and currently empty positions will not be back-filled.

The 32.6% tax hike means the owner of a $208,000 home – the township’s average – will have to pay $416 more in elementary school taxes than last year. The owner of a house assessed at $308,000 will see a $615 bump while the owner of a $408,000 home will have to come up with an extra $815.

The board voted 5-2 to approve the budget, with Board President Laura Erber and Greg Leszega opposing.

— Rick Mellerup

rickmellerup@thesandpaper.net

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After years of losing staff they can’t afford to replace, Little Egg Harbor School District officials say they are considering a nearly 33% school tax increase for homeowners.

The school board in the Ocean County district — which has 1,700 students in grades pre-K to 6 — approved a tentative budget with the tax increase at a meeting earlier this month.

The final vote on the budget is scheduled for Tuesday.

The nearly 33% tax increase would mean a yearly school tax hike of $615 on an average house valued at $308,000.

The state says Little Egg Harbor’s contribution to its education budget should be $24 million for the upcoming school year, according to a recent district budget presentation. However, that’s $10 million more than the district can pay without a school tax increase.

“Little Harbor, along with many other school districts across the state, are ready to fall off this fiscal cliff,” Little Egg Harbor Superintendent Lisa Antunes said at the April 15 school board meeting.

MORE: See how much your N.J. school district is slated to receive in state aid

Under Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed state budget, Little Egg Harbor is expected to receive $7.7 million in state education funding for the upcoming school year. That is a 6% increase, or about $436,000 more than last year, according to state Department of Education data.

Robert Green, the district’s business administrator, said the Little Egg Harbor was notified March 28 that it is eligible for the state’s Tax Levy Incentive Aid program, which gives eligible school districts 5% extra funding if they raise taxes to get more money for schools.

Little Egg Harbor and 280 other school districts are eligible for the aid this year. Districts that apply for the program and are approved can impose larger-than-usual tax increases on homeowners this year.

To incentivize districts to apply for the extra aid, the state will pay the districts 5% of the amount they want to raise in taxes. For example, if an eligible school district wants to increase its tax levy by $3 million, the state will chip in $150,000.

Little Egg Harbor says it wants extra funding to pay staff salaries.

“This district is only going to be asking for staff relief, meaning money towards funding staffing and educational staffing,” Green said.

MORE: N.J. school district nixes plan to raise taxes 36% after angry backlash

The district was also told by the state to expect federal education funding cuts by the Trump administration, Green said.

“The state informed us that we should only be budgeting at 75% of what we currently receive,” Green said. “Washington, right now, is unpredictable.”

Little Egg Harbor School Board President Laura Erber voted against the tax hike proposal at the April 3 meeting.

“My duty is to serve students, parents, and the community as a whole,” Erber said. “And that means making a difficult decision, but I feel a responsibly financial decision.”

Since 2023, Little Egg Harbor has lost more than 60 staff members and it expects to lose five more this year. District officials said all 60 either retired, resigned or did not have their contracts renewed and their positions were not filled.

“I am concerned about class sizes, but more importantly, I cannot say that I can run this school safely if I lose any more staff,” Chrissy Cummings, the principal of George J. Mitchell Elementary School, said at the April 15 meeting.

”I implore you to approve the 32.6% tax increase to preserve our school district and to provide a safe, thorough, and efficient education to our students," Cummings said.

“I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income,” a grandmother of Little Egg Harbor students said at the school board meeting. “I understand finances are difficult, but we have to think about the future of our schools.”

The district’s budget presentation includes a slide with information about how seniors can apply for a state program to freeze their property taxes if they are income eligible.

Antunes, the district superintendent, said the district’s budget woes are a “10-, 15- or 20-year issue that’s come to its peak.”

“There’s no one person to blame here, and doing so or trying to do so does nothing to move us forward,” she said. “We have something to learn here, not something to prove.”

LITTLE EGG HARBOR -- Township residents are facing a nearly 33% increase in taxes this year to pay for their three-elementary schools.

The Board of Education for the Little Egg Harbor School District, which serves about 1,700 element students in preschool through sixth grade, will vote Tuesday, April 29, on the new tax increase.

Unless the school board significantly raises taxes, district officials say they may be forced to cut staff and increase class sizes. Since July 1, 2024, administrators here have eliminated or not filled 36 staff positions.

A 33% increase in Little Egg Harbor School District taxes would raise an additional $416 per year, or about $35 per month, on a home assessed at the township average of $208,000, according to school budget presentation.

A home assessed at $408,000 would see their Little Egg Harbor School District taxes rise by $815 per year, or about $68 per month, according to the presentation.

Little Egg Harbor residents also pay school taxes to Pinelands Regional School District, which educates the township's middle- and high school students.

Decreasing state aid, increasing costs for energy and transportation, the elimination of federal COVID-19 pandemic school money and an 18% spike in healthcare costs have left the school district with limited choices, Business Administrator Robert Green said during a school board meeting last month.

"It's just a compounding problem over time," he said.

Typically, school districts cannot raise taxes more than 2% annually, due to a state-mandated cap on tax levy increases. However, state officials have made exemptions this year for districts like Little Egg Harbor schools to raise taxes beyond that amount, if they are not taxing their residents enough by the state's measures to adequately cover educational costs and meet other criteria.

State officials say Little Egg Harbor taxpayers should shoulder about $10 million more annually to pay for their elementary schools, Green, the business administrator, told the school board last month.

Since the 2022-23 school year, state aid to Little Egg Harbor schools has dropped by $1.5 million, down from nearly $9.3 million, according to school officials.

School board President Laura Erber expected school officials to discuss different budget scenarios, including the possibility of lowering that proposed 33% tax increase, during the April 29 board meeting.

"I know a lot of districts are having trouble (financially)," Erber said in a phone call with the Asbury Park Press. "We want to maintain our staffing and we want to do what's best for the students. It's all in the balance."

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.