Recreational Boating in the New Jersey Coastal Zone AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE September 3, 1977 Conducted by: Roy Mann Associates, Inc. Office of Coastal Zone Management Division of Marine Sciences DEP Department of Environmental Protection State of New Jersey DEP GV 776 .N45 R43 1977 ..,qQPERTY OF NEW JEti;- l O.E.P. INFORMATION ---- '-\tSflURCE LENTEq (;-v 776 KL~3 1 '1.-r7 Recreational Boating in the New Jers~ Coastal Zone AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE September 3, 1977 Conducted by: Roy Mann Associates, Inc. Office of Coastal Zone Management Division of Marine Sciences Department of Environmental Protection State of New Jersey NEW JERSEY STATE LIBRARY ~ ') 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 3 3009 00587 7735 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . 1 Objectives . ... 1 Limitations of the Study . 2 Reconnaissance Area and Procedure .. 3 SUM~1ARY OF OBSERVATIONS. 4 Raritan Bay ......... 4 Atlantic Highlands/Sandy Hook. 5 Navesink River/Shrewsbury River. 5 Shark River .......... 6 Manasquan River/Point Pleasant Canal 6 Metedeconk River/Toms River/Barnegat Bay (North) . 7 Barnegat Inlet/Barnegat Bay (South). 8 Mullica River/Great Bay/Little Egg Harbor. 8 Absecon Inlet/Atlantic City ....... 9 Mamora Coastal Inlets (Great Harbor Inlet, Corson Inlet, Townsend Inlet, Hereford Inlet) 9 Cape r~ay Inlet and Cana 1 . 10 Delaware Bay Coast/Maurice River . 11 DISCUSSION . 12 RECONNAISSANCE SLIDES (attached) . QQPERTY OF NEW JEH~t.: , •"1.E P. tNFOf.tMAliON '" l'·)::f CENTECl INTRODUCTION Objectives The aerial reconnaissance of recreational boating along the shores of New Jersey was conducted as an initial observation of boating activity and preliminary identification of areas where possible boating congestion and user conflicts exist. The reconnaissance fulfills the request of the New Jersey Coastal Zone Management Program of September 2, 1977 for an overflight meeting the requirements of Section 4.2, "Aerial Reconnaissance", in A Proposal for a Study of Recreational Boating in the New Jersey Coastal Zone (Roy ~·1ann Associates, Inc., 1977). The objectives stated therein were "to locate visually and photograph representative instances of recreational boating congestion (on a) peak-day weekend afternoon." Limitations of the Study The reconnaissance was authorized by the Office of Coastal Zone Management, State of New Jersey as the initial element of a full-scale investigation of recreational boating activity, congestion problems and management strategies. The information in this report should, therefore, be used only in the context of a comprehensive study examining all relevant spacial and temporal factors influencing boating activity and utilizing a full range of data sources and study techniques. In and of itself, a single­ day aerial reconnaissance provides only a preliminary and limited indication of boating activity levels and distribution. Reconnaissance Area and Procedure The reconnaissance was conducted on Saturday, September 3, 1977 (Labor Day Weekend) between 12:00 noon and 6:00 PM. According to the New Jersey Marine Police observer participating in the reconnaissance,the level of boating activity during this period represented approximately 60-70% of peak-day volume. 1 The flight path directed the reconnaissance in a course north to south, generally following the contours of the Atlantic Coast from Newark to Cape May Canal. Certain more heavily used rivers and bays were also reviewed farther inland in instances where boating activity of the entire estuary could not be observed from the primary flight path. A brief observational overflight of the Delaware Bay shore from Cape May to the Maurice River and of the Maurice River north to Millville was also conducted during the recon­ naissance as a supplement to the observations made along the Atlantic Coast. Refer to the attached Flight Plan for an illustration of the route and timing of the reconnaissance. The study area was divided into twelve sub­ areas for purposes of this report. Observations of boa~ing activity types and levels were recorded, along with the approximate time of observation, weather conditions, and supportfve information supplied by maps, charts, and the Marine Police observer. The twelve specific sub-areas reviewed and photographed were: 1. Raritan Bay 2. Atlantic Highlands/Sandy Hook 3. Navesink River/Shrewsbury River 4. Shark River 5. Manasquan River/Point Pleasant Canal 6. Metedeconk River/Toms River/Barnegat Bay (North) 7. Barnegat Inlet/Barnegat Bay (South) 8. Mullica River/Great Bay/Little Egg Harbor 9. Absecon Inlet/Atlantic City 10. Mamora Coastal Wetlands Inlets (Great Harbor Inlet, Corson Inlet, Townsend Inlet, Hereford Inlet) 11. Cape May Inlet and Canal 12. Delaware Bay Coast/Maurice River 2 Recreational Boating in the New Jersey Coastal Zone AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT PLAN September 3, 1977 Time: 12:00 - 18:00 Weather: Fair and hazy Depart 12:00 12:30 13:05 ••• •• ••• • •• ••• 13:50 •••• •••• ••• ••••• 17:00 ' .·· """' •• .. ·· 14:50 15:55 16:30 --- Roy Mann Associates, Inc. SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS The following descriptions of observations made during the reconnaissance of each sub-area are intended to provide an initial review of the types and relative levels of boating activity in each water body. Boating levels are assessed in a relative manner, comparing the approximate amount of traffic using each sub-area on the afternoon of the flight, in order to provide pre­ liminary indications as to the location of potential boating congestion and user conflict. Raritan Bay Time of Day: 12:15 Weather Conditions: Fair and hazy Aerial Observations Recreational boating activity was very light near Arthur Kill and increased in areas closer to Sandy Hook. Use conflicts among the boaters were not apparent. Several small marinas were located along the New Jersey bay shore, and one large marina was observed on Staten Island, New York. Many boats were moored or anchored at these marinas at the time of the overflight. Supportive Information Raritan Bay is a large body of water which supports both recreational boating and commercial shipping. It is the primary entryway into the major port areas in Perth Amboy and Arthur Kill. Water quality is relatively poor, which affects its suitability for water contact and other recreational activities. Industrial and permanent residential development dominate the shore of the bay. 4 Atlantic Highlands/Sandy Hook Time of Day: 12:30 Weather Conditions: Fair and hazy Aerial Observations: Recreational boating levels were observed to be generally high in the proximity of Atlantic Highlands in Sandy Hook Bay. Several marinas providing slip space were identified, including the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Yacht Basin. Once again, many boats were moored in the marinas at the time of the reconnaissance. Supportive Information The Sandy Hook shoreline and adjacent waters support a large number of weekend visitors and boaters. An ammunition loading pier occupies the western portion of Sandy Hook Bay. Navesink River/Shrewsbury River Time of Day: 12:45 Weather Conditions: Fair and hazy Aerial Observations: Power boating and sailing comprised most of the boating activity on these two rivers. Boating volume was moderate with considerable traffic cruising through the Highlands Beach Bridge. Twelve boats were sighted within a 500-foot radius of the drawbridge. Supportive Information Several marinas and private docks provide access to the rivers in the vicinity of Highlands Beach Bridge. Although no conflicts were observed, the Marine Police observer characterized the bridge as being one of the major congestion locations along the coast during peak days, since it crosses the sole access channel to Sandy Hook Bay and open water for boaters in the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers. Additionally, the channel under the drawbridge at Locust Point on the Navesink River was reported to be a point of possible boating congestion. 5 Shark River Time of Day: 13:05 weather Conditions: Fair and hazy Aerial Observations Activity observed on the Shark River was primarily power boating with volume being relatively heavy. Waterskiing was observed on the several small landlocked lakes surrounding the Shark River. Conflicts among boats anchored and boats underway were observed immediately outside the Shark River inlet. Supportive Information According to navigational charts much of Shark River is very shallow, restricting certain traffic to maintained channels and limited deeper areas. Marinas and private docks provide access and mooring space along the shore of this water body. Three bridges with drawspans cross the Shark River channel near the coast. The Marine Police observer reported that each of the three bridges crossing the river were potential points of congestion. Manasquan River/Point Pleasant Canal Time of Day: 13:15 Weather Conditions: Fair and hazy Aerial Observations Boating activity was observed to be very heavy at the Manasquan Inlet and on the river itself, with power boats predominating. For instance, ten boats (seven power and three sail) were observed using the river's inlet simul­ taneously at the time of the overflight. Two bridges with drawspans cross the river about one mile from the inlet mouth. Many marinas and private docks line the shores of the river. 6 Property of . NJOEP OCZM Li0rary Supportive Information The Marine Police observer characterized the Manasquan River as the most severely congested waterway on the coast during peak use. Both bridges over the river have been reported to be congestion points. Furthermore,