title: The New York Bight 25 years later: use impairments and policy challenges.
abstract: This paper reexamines policies and outcomes concerning the NY Bight Restoration Plan, and the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program (NYNJHEP) precipitated by washups of marine debris and medical wastes in the New York Bight some 25-years ago. Findings indicate progress has been made but further work is necessary. Extensive beach closures have not occurred since 1987-88, although localized closings occur annually from pathogens. Objectives of "0" beach closures may not be feasible for some beaches, not to exceed 5% closures may be more achievable. Pathogen and DO data show further reductions of the last 10-20% will be more challenging and costly, suggesting "hot spots" be a focus for further remediation. Marine debris show increasing trends on beaches; presence of balloons, plastic bags, syringes and personal hygiene items found annually is another concern. Future challenges are on two fronts, upstream (harbor estuary based)-toxics, nutrient/organic loads, and atmospheric (bight based)-toxics, metals.
authors.affiliation: Ofiara Research Associates, 5 Clearwater Dr., Scarborough, ME 04074, USA; Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, 71 Dudley Rd., Cook College, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8521, USA. Electronic address: dofiara@maine.rr.com.
authors.forename: Douglas D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Ofiara
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D058735:Environmental Policy; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D063366:Estuaries; D009515:New Jersey; D009518:New York; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*
chemical_list: D014866:Waste Products
keywords: DO; Economic losses-impacts; Marine debris; NY–NJ Harbor Estuary Program; New York Bight Restoration Plan; Pathogens