State-of-the-Art Storm Drains Dedicated at OCC

State Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin joins the Ocean County Freeholders Wednesday to dedicate three state-of-the art storm drains at Ocean County College in Toms River. The NJDEP says the storm drains use innovative gravel wetlands technology to filter pollutants that can degrade water quality.

Freeholder Director Gerry Little says "it's estimated by the engineers that they will remove anywhere between six and eight thousand pounds of nitrogen from the stormwater generated at these facilities and keep it out of Barnegat Bay."

The project was made possible through the work of the NJDEP and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (NJEIT).

During the dedication ceremony, Commissioner Martin said "A healthy Barnegat Bay is critical to the state's tourism economy and quality of life for residents of the watershed."

Little says the $10-million dollar project was funded by the state as part of Governor Chris Christie's 10-point plan for restoration of the Barnegat Bay, launched in December 2010.