Bill Text: NJ SCR111 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep James J. Howard Marine Laboratory open.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-14 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [SCR111 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SCR111-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH M. KYRILLOS, JR.
District 13 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Urges National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep James J. Howard Marine Laboratory open.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory open.
Whereas, The James J. Howard Marine Laboratory, located in Sandy Hook in Monmouth County, has served as a vital part of the local, national, and international marine science community through its ecological research for over 50 years; and
Whereas, As part of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the state-of-the-art laboratory helps provide significant research information on marine ecology, recreational and commercial fishing, and the impacts of climate change in the mid-Atlantic ocean region; and
Whereas, The Howard Marine Laboratory is in a unique geographical position, due to its proximity to New York City, enabling scientists at the laboratory to study problems associated with large urbanized areas; and
Whereas, Research on the largely complex issue of ocean acidification is performed at the Howard Marine Laboratory, one of the few laboratories in the United States equipped to properly research the topic; and
Whereas, With the potential for the establishment of offshore drilling and wind facilities near the Eastern seaboard, the need for the Howard Marine Laboratory is greater now than ever before; and
Whereas, Studies performed at the laboratory are integral to maintenance of a healthy marine ecosystem that is able to sustain a prosperous fishing industry throughout the Northeastern United States, including the $168 million fishing industry in New Jersey; and
Whereas, The federal government plans to close the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory located in Sandy Hook during fiscal year 2013; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for this Legislature, on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey and all of its visitors, to urge the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory open; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):
1. The New Jersey Legislature respectfully urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory in Sandy Hook open.
2. A duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, and attested to by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory in Sandy Hook in Monmouth County open.
Since 1961, the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory has conducted marine ecological research related to the mid-Atlantic region, contributing to the local, national, and international marine science communities. The federal government, however, plans to cut spending for the laboratory, forcing the facility to close.
The Howard Marine Laboratory is a state-of-the-art facility where research focuses on the region's marine ecosystem, the recreational and commercial fishing industry, and the impact of climate change on the region. Its location on the East Coast provides its scientists with a unique opportunity to study the ecological impact of large urbanized areas as well as any potential offshore drilling or wind facilities. The laboratory is also one of only a few facilities in the nation equipped to study the complicated issue of ocean acidification. Not only will the $168 million fishing industry in New Jersey be affected by the closure of the James J. Howard Marine Laboratory, but the entire region's fishing industry will be impacted if the facility is closed.
