WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME DIFFICULTY WITH OUR VOICE MAIL SYSTEM AT 732-361 C.R.A.B. (2722). WE ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM AND HOPE TO HAVE IT RESOLVED SOON. PLEASE CALL 732-920-2824 IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT C.R.A.B. OVER THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND. SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE OUR BEACH WHEELCHAIRS ARE ALL IN USE THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND WE WILL HAVE CHAIRS AVAILABLE AGAIN AFTER SEPT. 2. AUGUST 28, 2008
On Monday, July 14th at 7:30 pm, the application for a subdivision of the RISDEN New Jersey Ave. parking lot will be back on the agenda due to the need to recuse one of the Planning Board members who voted on the issue last month. The Planning Board voted to reject the sub division application which would have allowed for construction of 4 new homes on the southern parking lot and bath house facilities of the historic Risdens Beach. The borough council subsequently voted to secure Open Space funding to purchase the property.
Reopening this application on a "technicality" will seriously jeopordize plans to preserve the property as it has been used for years.
PLEASE ATTEND THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE COURAGEOUS BOARD MEMBERS WHO REJECTED THE INITIAL APPLICATION!
*THE RISDEN'S SUB DIVISION APPLICATION WAS WAS REHEARD AND AGAIN DENIED AT THEAUGUST 11 PLANNING BOARD MEETING. .
MISSION STATEMENT: CITIZENS RIGHT TO ACCESS BEACHES, C.R.A.B. WAS CREATED: TO RETAIN AND REGAIN PUBLIC ACCESS TO OUR BEACHES. TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE ISSUES. and TO FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS BY PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING PROPER STEWARDSHIP OF OUR BEACHES AND COASTAL WATERS. |
Originally CRAB's focus was on the problems encountered when the town of Point Pleasant Beach rezoned the beachfront at the southern end of town allowing for residential development in an area that for many years was used as a PUBLIC Beach.
Developers quickly sub-divided the area and declared the beachfront private ... for the exclusive use of the future homeowners. BEACON BEACH, a beloved family beach enjoyed by thousands of beachgoers, was one of the beaches lost to the PUBLIC as a result of the rezoning. Concerned about future loss of PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS, CRAB has turned it's efforts to educating the public of it's rights according to the
PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE.
click here for Public Trust Doctrine Information links
click here for our Public Trust Doctrine Pamphlet
RISDEN'S BEACH SLATED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
click on the photo below for Feb. 22, 2008 OCEAN STAR article by Catherine Galioto
and comments by Ed Sirchio, C.R.A.B. founder and current Executive committee member.
SUNDAY MARCH 2, 2008 ASBURY PARK PRESS ARTICLE:
CLICK FOR LINK TO "Access Advocates Decry Beach Plan" Article by Tristan Sweiger
- THE POINT PLEASANT BEACH PLANNING BOARD HAS REJECTED THE SUB DIVISION APPLICATION WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT ON THE PARKING LOT AND BATHHOUSE AREAS.
- THE POINT PLEASANT BEACH BOROUGH COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY FROM THE RISDEN FAMILY USING OPEN SPACE FUNDS.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF RETAINING THE PROPERTY FOR ITS PRESENT USE AS A VALUABLE AMMENITY TO PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS!
The Borough Planning Board should be commended for its hard work in arriving at its decision to reject the application. The Borough Council, especially Council President Mike Loughran, should also be commended for its efforts in negotiating an agreement with the property owners.
THE APPLICATION FOR THE SUB DIVISION HAS BEEN REFILED. PLEASE ATTEND THE JULY 14 PLANNING BOARD MEETING AT 7:30 TO VOICE YOUR OBJECTIONS !
*THE RISDEN'S APPLICATION WAS TABLED AND WILL BE HEARD AT THE AUGUST 11 PLANNING BOARD MEETING. THOSE OF US OPPOSED THE THE SUB-DIVISION NEED TO COME OUT IN FORCE TO LET THE PLANNING BOARD KNOW WE AGREE WITH THEIR INITIAL DECISION TO DENY THE APPLICATION.
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LITIGATION UPDATES:
C.R.A.B. will participate in the Sea Bright Mediation talks scheduled for April 2008. .
The first mediation session was held on April 15.
More details soon.
PLEASE VISIT OUR LITIGATION PAGE FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON OUR LITIGATION EFFORTS
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Fight for your Rights to the Shore ...Support the Proposed New Jersey Public Beach Access Rules
We have been working with The American Littoral Society (ALS) and several other groups to study and promote the new Public Access Rules.
The State of New Jersey has proposed new regulations aimed at expanding, enhancing and protecting the rights of the public to access the beach and ocean. These rules are a giant step in the right direction for anyone who likes to swim, surf, fish, boat, run, walk, or just sit and sunbathe on the beach. The rules make clear that the Public Trust Doctrine is the law of the shore in New Jersey. The Public Trust Doctrine is a legal precedent dating back to Roman times. It holds that navigable rivers, streams, wetlands, seashores and bays belong to the people. The Doctrine declares that all of us have an unassailable right to access and use the waterfront for traditional purposes such as navigation, commerce, and fishing. A growing body of U.S. case law has expanded that definition to include the assurance of diverse recreational uses, as well as a guarantee of the protection of habitats and natural systems. Through this rule, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is putting the Public Trust Doctrine into action.
These rules will be opposed by beachfront developers, some towns and others who seek to make the Shore exclusively theirs. Strong support is needed from the public, fishermen, divers, surfers and other coastal stakeholders. The Society is preparing formal comments to the state on the rule, but in the meantime has developed a fact sheet to let our members and the public know of our take on the proposal. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET COURTESY OF ALS.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO READ AND DOWNLOAD COMMENTS SENT TO THE DEP IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ACCESS RULES .
JOINT COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS RULES
In addition to signing on to the joint comments above, C.R.A.B. submitted additional comments in support of the rules.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND READ PDF OR OUR COMMENTS
UPDATE: (11/07) THE DEP IS SCHEDULED TO RELEASE THE NEW PUBLIC ACCESS RULE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE WILL PROVIDE THE ENTIRE RULE AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE
DECEMBER 17, 2007 DEP ADOPTS NEW PUBLIC ACCESS RULES
THE NJDEP ADOPTED THE NEW PUBLIC ACCESS RULES DECEMBER 17, 2007. C.R.A.B. APPLAUDS THE DEP FOR ITS CONTINUED COMMITTMENT TO PUBLIC BEACH ACCESS IN NEW JERSEY
CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR DEC. 19,2007 ASBURY PARK PRESS ARTICLE ON RULE ADOPTION
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO THE SATURDAY DEC. 22, 2007 ASBURY PARK PRESS EDITORIAL ON NEW RULE.
2/08...THE NEW PUBLIC ACCESS RULE HAS COME UNDER FIRE BY MARINA OWNERS AND OPERATORS.
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The fence blocking access to the southern jetty at the Manasquan Inlet (Jenkinsons) is finally down!
FOR PHOTO OF THE AREA CLICK HERE TO READ OUR 2007 NEWSLETTER
THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS PUBLISHED ITS NOTICE OF INTENT TO SETTLE APPEAL OF CAFRA PERMIT DENIAL [CAFRA Permit Application Denial File #1525-97-0002.3 (OAL Docket No. ESA 08429-99S).] THIS SETTLEMENT WILL ONCE AND FOR ALL REMOVE THE FENCE BLOCKING ACCESS TO THE SOUTH JETTY OF THE MANASQUAN INLET PROVIDING ACCESS FOR EVERYONE. IN ADDITION, OTHER SETTLEMENTS IN POINT PLEASANT BEACH HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE BOROUGH TO OBTAIN FUNDS TO ENHANCE ACCESS TO THE JETTY. MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS ARE PLANNING TO INCREASE ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND WILL BE MAKING ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE AREA.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE SETTLEMENT
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE DEP FOR ITS EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THIS LONG STANDING ACCESS ISSUE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPROVEMENTS AND INCREASED ACCESS TO THIS MOST IMPORTANT AREA IN THE COMING MONTHS.
C.R.A.B. HAS SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE DEP IN SUPPORT OF THE SETTLEMENT
CLICK HERE TO READ OUR COMMENTS
**UPDATE 11/07- C.R.A.B. IS WORKING TOWARD IMPROVED JETTY ACCESS FROM THE BOARDWALK AND THE INLET PARKING LOT**
We are in the process of scheduling meetings and site visits with the state and the orough of Point Pleasant Beach regarding our concerns and suggestions
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THANKS TO ALL WHO VISITED WITH US AT THIS YEAR'S POINT PLEASANT BEACH FESTIVAL OF THE SEA , SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2007
C.R.A.B. 50/50 Raffle Chances. Proceeds to support our Beach Protection Projects. Drawing will be held at Festival of the Sea on September 15, 2007. IF INTERESTED PLEASE SEE A C.R.A.B MEMBER or call 732-714 CRAB (2722) for more information DONATION: $1.00 PER CHANCE 
The drawing was held on Saturday September 15, 2007 at the Point Pleasant Beach Festival of the Sea. Thankyou to everyone who participated in the Raffle!
***OUR 2008 SUPER 50/50 RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LATE JUNE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING TICKET BOOKS OR WOULD LIKE TO HELP SELL OR DISTRIBUTE BOOKS PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
crabnj@yahoo.com OR GIVE US A CALL AT 732-361-CRAB
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WARNING:
MOST BEACHES ARE UNGUARDED AT THIS TIME OF YEAR AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS ARE PREVALENT.
NEVER SWIM ALONE IN UNPROTECTED WATERS. LEARN TO SPOT POTENTIAL RIP CURRENTS BEFORE ENTERING THE WATER. IF CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT REMAIN CALM, TREAD WATER OR FLOAT. CALL OR WAVE FOR ASSISTANCE. DON'T TRY TO SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT. INSTEAD SWIM PARALLEL TO THE SHORE UNTIL YOU ARE OUT OF THE CURRENT. ONCE OUT OF THE CURRENT SWIM DIRECTLY TOWARD SHORE
REMEMBER:
WHEN IN DOUBT--DON'T GO OUT!
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HELP US KEEP OUR BEACHES AND COASTAL WATERS CLEAN
- ADOPT A "TAKE OUT WHAT YOU BRING IN POLICY"
Bring a litter bag with you and dispose of it properly when leaving the beach If possible pick up papers and other small trash items from your surrounding area as you leave. Set a good example for others to follow
- EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AND ADOPT A BEST PRACTICES PROGRAM AWAY FROM THE BEACH AND AROUND YOUR HOME
Don't litter, pick up after your pets, use environmentally friendly gardening techniques, don't over fertilize, properly maintain sewer and septic systems, maintain your automobile to reduce drips and leaks. REMEMBER WHAT GOES DOWN OUR DRAINS OR INTO OUR STREETS WINDS UP IN OUR STREAMS,RIVERS, and BAYS ..... AND EVENTUALLY OUR OCEAN.
These are just a few of the things you can do to help. For more valuable tips on nonpoint source pollution control visit cleanoceanaction.org, savebarnegatbay.org , littoralsociety.org, nynjbaykeeper.org
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Click here to read more.  |
Please send questions, suggestions, comments to crabnj@yahoo.com
For Beach Wheelchair information and reservations please send an e-mail to crabnj@yahoo.com or call Ralph at 732-361-CRAB (2722)
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Concerned about ocean pollution....volunteer for a CleanOceanAction Beach Sweep
future additions and updates we are working on:
- expanded and updated links page with links to other organizations (please let us know if you are interested in having your organization included on our links page) as well as links to government and other contact information.
YOU CAN NOW PURCHASE OUR LATEST C.R.A.B. TEE SHIRT DESIGNS AND COLORS DIRECTLY FROM THIS WEBSITE. HURRY...FOR A LIMITED TIME WE ARE OFFERING FREE SHIPPING ON SHIRTS ORDERED DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
THREE WAYS TO VIEW AND BUY C.R.A.B. ITEMS ON LINE:
- our C.R.A.B. Store Page
- check out our C.R.A.B. items in our Online Auction Stores
store Beaches 4 Every 1 Shirts and More - our Auctiva store
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NOTE: WE HAVE A NEW PHONE NUMBER:
732-361-CRAB (2722)
C.R.A.B. P.O Box 1064, Point Pleasant Beach NJ 08742 732-361-CRAB (2722) © Citizens' Right to Access Beaches, C.R.A.B. INC. 1996-2008 All Rights Reserved This page is reviewed and updated bi-weekly. Page update 07/15/08 |
HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE...C.R.A.B. IS WORKING TO PROTECT EVERYONE'S RIGHTS TO CLEAN , SAFE and ACCESSIBLE BEACHES !