"No Impact Man" comes to you direct from the Sundance Film Festival at Cape May Stage, April 25, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

Why in the world would the Cape May Film Society host a Green Film Series just now? Why not years ago? Hasn’t environmental awareness been a long-standing cause? Isn’t Earth Day… like… 40 years old already?

Yes, in fact Earth Day is 40 years old this April. And to celebrate, the Cape May Film Society is hosting a special Green Film Series and kicking it off with one of the best environmental film to come along in years. Best because it is actually as entertaining as it is effective in raising environmental awareness. It’s that “entertaining” factor that is relatively new in the world of environmental films.

"Unstrung," the story of Pat Martino, screens April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gallery Aferro in Newar, NJ.

On Sunday, April 25, at an exclusive 2:00 p.m. matinee at Cape May Stage, Cape May Film Society will partner with Slow Food Cape May to present No Impact Man, a funny environmental film straight from Sundance Film Festival. No Impact Man follows self-proclaimed Guilty Liberal, filmmaker Colin Beavan, who takes his family on a year-long adventure of having no impact on the environment and thus discovers a lot about himself and the way we all live. Question is, “Can he save his family while he saves the planet?”

The Cape May Film Festival is taking its show on the road – again! In a special event held in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institute’s Jazz Appreciation Month, the Festival will screen Unstrung, the story of Pat Martino, at the Gallery Aferro in Newar, NJ. Mr. Martino will be on hand to answer questions, as will filmmaker Ian Knox from the UK. The program will be held on Saturday night, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. Details at www.capemayfilm.org or by calling 609-884-6700.

Also being shown with the feature film No Impact Man is the environmental music video What About Tomorrow? produced by Charles Alexander. This year marks the 20th anniversary of What About Tomorrow?, The following is an excerpt written by Alexander looking back on the production of the video.

The music for the video is taken from a little-known song by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, who are now more famous than ever because of the current global success of Jersey Boys, the Tony-winning play based on their lives..

At the time I produced this video, I was science and environment editor at TIME magazine. Instead of having our customary “Person of the Year” in 1989, we named “Endangered Earth” as “Planet of the Year” and compiled a 33-page special report on such dangers as global warming, deforestation and species extinction. The issue generated enormous interest, and I got invitations to address audiences from Maui to Moscow.

Working on one of those speeches in late 1989, I came up with a line something like, “We have enough resources today, but what about tomorrow?” That made me think of a song called What About Tomorrow? which was an obscure track on Streetfighter, one of the Four Seasons’ least known albums. But it was written by those same two Jersey Boys, Bob Gaudio and Bob Crewe, who wrote Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. What About Tomorrow? is a typically melodic Four Seasons’ love song. Yet, I thought it could be much more. Within a day, I had rewritten the lyrics to make What About Tomorrow? into a call for environmental action.

After obtaining the permission of the Four Seasons Partnership (Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio) in early 1990, I immediately set out to make my rewrite into an environmental music video. Time was short. I wanted the video to have its premiere on April 22, 1990, the 20th anniversary of the first Earth Day.

To perform the soundtrack, I recruited my friends Bill Oliver and Glen Waldeck, a folk-singing duo who made a career of playing songs about the environment. Oliver happened to hail from the musical hotbed of Austin, Texas. To arrange the music and gather musicians for the soundtrack, he lined up Reese Wynans, at the time the keyboard player for the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Wynans, in turn, put together an all-star Austin band. Percussionist Paul Pearcy, for example, had just been named one of the city’s top musicians at an annual awards dinner and also played on Willie Nelson’s and the Dixie Chicks’ albums.

With soundtrack in hand, I found a willing video producer, whose company did environmental documentary work for the Smithsonian Institution, in Sam Green, owner of the Edit Room in Washington, D.C. After listening to the song, Green and Jeff Consiglio, who became the director and editor, suggested that we could put together a video by using stock footage of nature scenes and filming original scenes featuring children, for whose sake we need to preserve the environment. Consiglio recently edited the documentary feature film War/Dance, which was nominated last year for an Academy Award, and also edited Weezer’s music video Pork and Beans, which won Best Short Form Video at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

To shoot the original scenes, Green and Consiglio hired skilled cinematographer Erich Roland. In recent years, Roland has shot footage for such prestigious TV shows as Frontline, Nature and American Masters. But perhaps his most celebrated year came just before he shot What About Tomorrow?. In 1989, Roland was camera operator on the Academy Award-winning Driving Miss Daisy and cinematographer for The Johnstown Flood, which took home the Oscar for best documentary short subject.

What About Tomorrow? premiered on Earth Day 1990 on the VH-1 national cable-TV network as well as airing on several local TV stations, including major network affiliates in Cleveland and Indianapolis. A couple of weeks later I was interviewed about my video on Nine Broadcast Plaza, a show produced by Channel 9, based in Secaucus, NJ, and serving New York City. The substitute host that day was an up-and-coming TV personality named Matt Lauer.

Why is this 1990 video still relevant? Well, the environment is even more in the news than usual, as Congress struggles to pass the first U.S. legislation to fight climate change. Unfortunately, little has changed in two decades. In fact, such ominous trends as global warming and habitat destruction have accelerated. The environment is more imperiled than ever. The future in which our children and grandchildren will live is more in danger than ever.

For decades, the music of the Four Seasons has brought joy to millions. But few people realize that Seasons’ music has also been used to deliver a powerful and vital environmental message in What About Tomorrow?

- Charles Alexander

An old boat is towed to the Cape May Reef for sinking

This article originally appeared in Cape May Magazine, Winter 2008.

On any given day the most popular fishing ground off Cape May is none other than the Cape May Reef, aka the Sanctuary. Located 9.1 nautical miles from Cape May inlet on a course heading of 128 °, it is home to more marine species than any other marine structure inshore. The Cape May Reef is man-made and is the largest artificial reef, at 4.5 square miles, and the oldest artificial reef site in New Jersey. The Cape May Reef was originally started in 1982 by the Cape May County Party and Charter Boat Association. In 1984 the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife took over all reef building responsibilities in the state from several private reef associations. It’s been a true success story between man and nature.

The objectives of the reef program are to provide:

• Hard-substrate “reef” habitat in the ocean for certain species of fish and shellfish.
• New fishing grounds for anglers.
• Underwater structure for scuba divers.
• Economic returns for tourism and sportfishing industries.

By constructing and managing reefs, the goal is to spread the benefits of the reef’s resources to as many people as possible.

At less than 10 nautical miles from the inlet most boats have the range to fish the Cape May Reef. There are currently two other reef sites off the coast of Cape May County within 10 miles of major inlets: the Wildwood Reef and the T.I. Reef. There are a total of 15 reef sites encompassing a total of 25 square miles of sea floor in New Jersey. Part of the reef’s goal is not to change New Jersey’s marine environment, but to enhance a small controlled portion. Reefs such as the Cape May Reef are home to over 150 marine species. Some of the most common species preferred by anglers and divers are black sea bass, summer flounder, tautog, blue fish, Atlantic bonito, porgy and, of course, lobster.

The Cape May Reef works like this: a hard substrate in the ocean provides an attachment surface for a variety of encrusting or fouling organisms called epibenthos such as mussels, sponges and barnacles. This creates a protective mat for species at the bottom of the reef’s food chain, which includes Crabs, Snails and Shrimp. In the middle of the reef’s food chain are bottom fish, like Sea Bass that feed on Crabs and Tautog that feed on Mussels. Schooling bait fish migrating through tend to like high structures such as sunken ships. Pelagic predators (free swimming) including Sharks, Blue Fish and Mahi Mahi are at the top of the reef’s food chain feeding on these bait fish and each other. Hard substrates also protect fish from not only predators but surges and current. Reefs create a cycle of life that is critical in supporting life in the ocean.

The wheel house is removed prior to sinking

Since New Jersey has a very gently sloping, shallow coastal floor with very little hard structure such as outcroppings, and, although there are an estimated 500 to 3,000 shipwrecks off  New Jersey’s coast, many of these wrecks are slowly destroyed over time by the forces of the sea. The intentional sinking of vessels helps to replace deteriorating wrecks. As of 2007, the Cape May Reef is home to 21 sunken ships such as clam boats, Coast Guard cutters, cargo ships and tug boats. Other structures sunk at the reef are subway cars, barges, concrete ballasted tires, concrete castings and army tanks. All of these ships and structures have to be cleaned of all pollutants and pass a U.S. Coast Guard pollution inspection. All loose and floating debris must be removed as well. The next step is to vent all internal water, tighten bulkheads and, in some cases, cut holes just above the water line to assist in the sinking of the vessel. These holes are covered with a “soft patch” such as plywood to prevent leaking during the tow to the reef.

Concrete reef balls

Another very important structure are reef balls made entirely of concrete four feet in diameter and weighing 1,800 pounds each. These reef balls resemble small igloos with many holes. In the fall of 2007 over 500 of these reef balls will be towed by barge by Sea Tow Cape May and sunk on the reefs’ sites off Cape May County. It’s important to note that most of the sinkings of these structures are funded by the private sector such as the sportfishing fund and non-profit organizations that have raised donations from fishing and diving clubs. Without these clubs and organizations much of the success from the reef program would not be possible.

Most of the fishing on the Cape May Reef is done by drifting and fishing off the bottom and, since it’s such a large reef with so much structure, fishermen can make long drifts and the reef can handle hundreds of boats fishing the reef at the same time. Most of the drift fishing is done in the middle of the reef in approximately 65 feet of water. The northern end of the reef is the shallowest area – about 55 feet. Wrecks and reef balls are spaced far enough apart that boats can easily anchor. The lower end of the reef is the deepest at about 70 feet. Here there are larger wrecks and subway cars. This area is preferred by scuba divers. Many party and charter boats fish the Cape May reef daily from late spring through the fall. Most of these trips last between six and eight hours.

Artificial reefs such as the Cape May Reef ensure fishing for future generations. So, next time you fish the reef and your fishing rig gets snagged, think of what’s below you and all the work it took to enable you to catch that fish!

Stephen Spagnuola, a graduate of Visual Arts, New York City, worked as art director for many ad agencies in New York before leaving advertising to pursue fashion photography, and worked on such magazines as Stuff, Flatiron, and Zink. Stephen is a freelance photographer and marketing director for Sea Tow Cape May. Visit Steve online

According to City Manager Bruce MacLeod the sudden disappearance of the Cove beach is the direct result of “astronomical [literally] extreme high tides” over the last month and particularly during the full moon July 7. MacLeod said the Cove was never part of the state and federal Beach Replenishment program which has been pumping sand back into the beaches of Cape May since 1991. He said the sand was only pumped up to the jetty at what is commonly referred to as Third Avenue. The Cove is considered part of Cape Meadows. The fact that the Cove beach expanded to the point where city officials in 1995 felt compelled to put a lifeguard stand in has all been part of a natural evolution. And, it seems, what Mother Nature giveth, she has decided to take back. City officials are also worried about a mass of salt water that invaded the Mt. Vernon section of the beach and headed into the South Meadows. MacLeod said a swab of salt water some “30 to 40 feet wide” found its way into the Meadows last Thursday. MacLeod said representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers and the Bureau of Coastal Management are coming to Cape May in the next few days to inspect that site.

Locals say the Cove is just going back to the way it was 20 or 30 years ago. In fact, MacLeod said longtime Cape May Beach Patrol lifeguard Lt. Harry Back predicted city officials would start seeing another jetty by the Mt. Vernon beach entrance reappear. “Sure enough, after the weekend, we spotted it,” said MacLeod.

According to MacLeod, Cove beachgoers will have to check the tide charts and make sure their bathing is at low tide until Mother Nature again decides to shine down on the little strip of beach at the end of Cape May. Don’t forget, at one time that area was the site of another borough, known as South Cape May. There’s a reason why it isn’t there anymore – Mother Nature.

Aerial view of the Cove beach in 2006

Learn more about beach replenishment and erosion in Cape May

Rebuilding a Beach
Nature Meets Nurture at Saint Mary by the Sea
Cape May Beach Replenishment Project
What happened to South Cape May?

Communications coordinator for the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry, Dana Loschiavo, confirmed that a notice was placed on the New Jersey Parks’ newly launched website, www.njparksandforests.org Wednesday, March 25 seeking “new business opportunities” for two venues – a mobile food cart and bicycle rental – for Cape May Point State Park.

Although other state parks do have concessionaires, up until now Cape May Point State Park has been vendor free. Loschiavo conceded that economics was part of the decision, but the move was also motivated “basically, by word-of-mouth” from visitors and reports from park superintendents who are frequently asked where they can buy a drink or a snack. “It’s not that the park is remote,” said Loschiavo, “but there is not a lot of food or restaurants unless go you into the towns of Cape May or West Cape May and many also said, ‘I don’t feel like walking or riding a bike all the way to the Point from Cape May.’ ”

A press release issued from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) states that the DEP is offering opportunities for businesses to operate concessions in many of New Jersey’s state parks, forests and recreation areas. Acting Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello is quoted as saying, “There’s no better time than right now to embrace these opportunities to become a concessionaire. Not only is it a chance to launch a rewarding and lucrative business, concessions add something extra special to the experiences millions enjoy in New Jersey’s parks and other recreation areas,” Commissioner Mauriello said. “What’s more, we’re always interested in exploring new ideas for business opportunities and partnerships.”

According to the press release, the DEP’s State Park Service is seeking proposals from private and nonprofit sectors to operate 23 concessions throughout the state parks, forests, recreation areas and marinas, beginning Memorial Day weekend. Business opportunities range from food services to boat and bicycle rentals.

Concession opportunities are available through a public bidding process. Bids will be accepted until April 29 at 10 a.m. Businesses or individuals interested in submitting bids must first pre-qualify. Prequalification applications must be received by April 17 at 11 a.m.

The State Park Service currently manages some 40 seasonal concessions that generate $1.3 million annually. Cape May Point State Park encompasses 190 acres of the state’s most renowned migration habitats.

Governor Jon Corzine

In an exclusive Cape May Magazine interview, Governor Jon Corzine was asked about the effect the new concessionaire policy would have on the environment  at the migratory park. “It depends,” said the governor, “on the specifics of the concession that they’re doing. I don’t want to speak to it until I know the facts. If you’re going to be putting neon signs outside next to a trailer selling hot dogs, [that’s a problem]. I think there is a way of having concessions that are very unobtrusive that are really supportive of a visit to one of our open spaces and beaches.”

When asked if this new policy is a reflection of proposed budget cuts, Governor Corzine said, “We’re trying to do everything we can to maintain our parks. It’s tight budgets. We’re not putting any more money in and there are been some increases in fees to allow us to have resources. By the way, that seems reasonable since they have not stayed up with inflation over the years. On the other hand, we’re trying to make them affordable so that people can use our parks and beaches. As you know we have this beach badge controversy up and down the Jersey shore which is really a local issue [Cape May charges for in-season beach access. Wildwood, for example, does not.] as opposed to a state issue. Everyone is pressed for resources. You can’t fill a $7 billion hole without making some tough choices.”

Loschiavo said the continuation of the vendors or the addition of more “novelty” vendors will be reevaluated on a yearly basis.

Asked to comment on the new additions, Don Feriday, director of birding programs for the New Jersey Audubon Society, said “We really have no comment. It is something that is done in other state parks and as long as the additions have no negative ecological impact, and I don’t see that happening with what they propose to do with Cape May Point State Park, we really don’t have any reason to comment on it.”

He added that, from a birder’s perspective, “biking is a great way to go birding and has far less carbon imprint than driving around Cape May Point in a car.”

However, Jane Nogaki, the Pesticide Program Coordinator for the NJ Environmental Federation, disagrees with the Army Corps of Engineers’ approach to the invasive problem of phragmites.. The Environmental Federation is a non-profit citizen-based organization fighting to protect natural resources and clean up pollution in New Jersey. NJEF is the New Jersey chapter of Clean Water Action, a 30-year-old national organization based in Washington, DC. The group opposes the use of Rodeo or “glyphosates in wetland restoration projects such as Cape May Point because there are too many hazards associated with the pesticide.”

Additionally, the group feels the drift caused by a burn planned for winter could “pose risks of drift and fire hazards to the surrounding neighbors.”

Finally, Nogaki points out that the use of pesticides and the burning of stalks has proved ineffective in the past in controlling Phragmites. Similar techniques were used on the Delaware Bay in Salem and Cumberland counties. The spraying of glyphosate-based herbicides has been used there since 1996 and the reeds still survive.

“There are two results of using pesticides,” said Nogaki in a recent telephone interview, “One is that the pesticide is so successful it wipes out all vegetation for two years. There are many birds and butterflies that feed in that area. Where do they go? Secondly, the project is only partially successful in which case they will be forced to repeat the process, 2,3,4,5 years, and the habitat will be pummeled with pesticides.”

Again, she cites the Delaware Bay in Salem and Cumberland counties. The restoration project there was planned for one year. It began in 1996 and is still on going and expected to continue until 2112.

NJEF instead, recommends mowing, which they acknowledge may be more labor intensive but far more effective in that other plant life is allowed to grow.

Another government agency – the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program, or WHIP, has provided one local resident with funding to explore alternative methods to the use of herbicides. According to an article that appeared in The Press of Atlantic City, August 21, WHIP provided Middle Township property owner Dr. Russell Down with a grant of $2,500 to mow seven acres of Phragmites for five years. Dr. Russell uses an old walk-behind mower with a single whirling blade powered by an 8-horsepower engine to keep his 49-acre Bayside property in check.

Dr. Down’s idea is that mowing the thick reeds allows other species a chance to root, thereby permitting a more natural diversity of plant life. Down started cutting the Phragmites down in 1999 and has been able to control three quarters of the seven acres.

One thing all parties agreed on is the fact that Phragmites are invasive and if allowed to go unchecked will alter the biodiversity of the area. They create a “monoculture” in which no other plants can survive.

At a recent presentation by the Army Corps of Engineers held at West Cape May Borough Hall, the use of herbicides and the burning of stalks received the stamp of approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as well as The Nature Conservancy, Cape May Point State Park, and the State Department of Environmental Protection.

A representative of the Nature Conservancy Jay Laubengeyer was quoted in an article that appeared in The Press of Atlantic City on August 17 in support of the Army Corps of Engineers’ project. Laubengeyer noted that the Conservancy, which owns the land trust, has taken over 10 years to analyze the project and concluded that “It’s either support the project or watch the biodiversity go downhill.”

NJAS’ Department of Conservation, however, seems to take another approach. Eric Stiles, vice president for conservation and stewardship for NJAS e-mailed CapeMay.com with a summary of the NJAS’s position on the proposed Phragmite treatment plan. It concludes: “This project could potentially create a significant amount of valuable habitat in an area that is critically important to wildlife. However, the proposed management strategies may negatively affect significant populations of wildlife, including endangered species and rare plants.

“NJAS believes that additional attention should be given to expected impacts on wildlife and human visitors, timing of the herbicide application and strategies for replanting and restoring the area after phragmites removal. Absent this additional information, New Jersey Audubon has serious reservations and concerns about the Phragmites removal project as planned.”

Local resident Barbara Skinner calls the Army Corps of Engineers’ project “asinine” and is anxiously trying to organize concerned citizens who are interested in learning more about the September 7 project. She can be contacted at 609-884-3951.

“The timing of this,” she said, “couldn’t be worse. They’re going to start spraying right after Labor Day and the burn is scheduled right before the fall migration. This could affect the migration of the monarch butterfly as well as fish” and other species which make the Lower Cape May Meadows their home.

On Aug. 3, Cape May City Council passed a resolution urging the Army Corps of Engineers to use mechanical means to remove the phragmites instead of spraying them. The resolution states that spraying “might pose a risk to humans and non-targeted species.”

The area in question is approximately 350 acres and contains Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. The first area to be targeted for spraying is near the concrete bunker in the park. The other area is further east near the Cove beach. An additional 27 acres will be sprayed using a truck. Approximately one acre will be hand-sprayed by workers.

A contractor will conduct the aerial spraying and the New Jersey Forest Fire Service will conduct the burn. Both projects are expected to take several hours to complete.

Project Manager for the Army Corps of Engineers J. Bailey Smith said recently in a telephone interview that “spraying is not unsafe. The herbicides are absorbed more effectively” by the phragmites’ rhizomes or root system which moves horizontally and spreads quickly. The plan is to dispense the herbicides by helicopter with an aerial spray in September and use “hand application methods” in 2005.

“When we use the term aerial spray, it’s really not spraying. They’re droplets” as opposed to a spraying mist and will be dropped by the helicopters hovering only a few feet off the ground, for better control and concentration.

“The herbicide will be applied in such a manner,” said Smith, “as to not affect other natural vegetation.” Smith further attests that the herbicide has “no effect on living organisms” such as humans, butterflies and birds which are prone to make Cape May Point and the lower meadows their home or respite.

Nogaki disagrees and said NJEF is looking at “every avenue” available to them to stop the September 7th spraying.

Cape May City loads would-be flying benches to be taken to a secure place.

Gulls gather to squawk about their plans at Second Street Beach.

September 17

Sunny, windy, warm- no visable signs of a storm at 2pm, except the surf.

There’s a clue: Henry’s is closed.

Wind is starting to swing signs against a sunny sky.

But it’s not windy enough to discourage the start of a major repainting of the Columbia House.

September 18- 9am

Waves are starting to get bigger at Broadway.

Despite the wind kicking up stinging sand, people are still walking the beach at the Cove.

Beach boxes are being removed.

Steger’s Beach- empty and very windy.

Many homes and businesses along the beach front have been boarded up.

September 18- Surfers…Crazy!

September 18

September 19 – Day After Isabel

Cape May’s Desalination Plant’s no Albatross!

*Apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his legendary poem “Ryme of the Ancient Mariner”

There can be no debate, water is the sustenance of life. As the world’s population and demands increase, natural resources deplete. Today’s worldwide water crisis has forced mankind to push nature even further. What would have been impossible just decades ago, is fast becoming the norm — turning salt water into fresh.

It is ironic, the city famous for Victorian tea tours and 19th century gingerbread houses, recently implemented cutting-edge technology with a desalination (also called reverse osmosis) plant and is calling the shots in supplying water to other municipalities. Cape May City now holds the distinction of being the only city in the northeastern United States to possess such a plant. Desalination is the process of removing salt and other minerals from briny water. This reverse osmosis technology has been employed in the southern states including the towns of Nags Head, Newport News, and Key West, all facing similar water shortages.

To understand Cape May’s water woes, one has to probe the ground underneath to the subterranean aquifers where the municipality has drawn its water from for over a century — aquifers which are actually layers of sand and gravel about 50- to 150-feet thick, separated by clay. Water travels through these at 10- to 15-feet per day.

In the early 1900s, wells driven in Cape May City to the Cohansey aquifer provided fresh water supply for the town. Through the years, the town prospered and grew and water needs were met. But by the 1960s, wells 1 and 2 had to be abandoned due to salt water intrusion.

Carl Behrens manages the plant

Carl Behrens, Cape May’s desalination plant manager, said as more wells were dug and water drawn, it placed a strain on the underground water supply. Behrens said pumping in wells leaves a cone of depression that gets bigger and as the cone of depression increases, the aquifer level lowers below sea level, and salty water encroaches.

“It’s a matter of pumping more than nature can replenish,” Behrens said.
Wells 3, 4 and 5 were drilled inland to avoid saline contamination. In the late 1960s, well 3 showed signs of contamination and was abandoned. By the 1980s, well 4, too, showed signs of salt water intrusion.

Cape May has a year-round population of 6,800 that mushrooms to 43,000 during the summer. If the city had done nothing, the wells would continue to be tainted by brackish water not fit for human consumption, and residents and tourists would be severely impacted.

In 1995, Cape May City Mayor Dr. Edward Mahaney was informed by the Southern Cape DESAL Water Advisory Commission, a group studying the city’s water supply problem, that unless something drastic was done, Cape May’s last uncontaminated well would experience salt water intrusion by 1998.The city hired the engineering firm of Metcalf & Eddy Inc. to evaluate and propose a solution to the water supply problem.

The study, finished in April of 1996, proposed six alternatives, one being the construction of a reverse osmosis desalination plant with two new wells dug into the 800-foot Atlantic City Sands Aquifer, the deepest aquifer yet to be penetrated in Cape May County. The water wasn’t wholly pure, more a brackish mix of salt water, but the city believed by reducing the demand on the largely-tapped Cohansey Aquifer, salt water intrusion to Cape May would be slowed.

“The study’s primary and only realistic option to ensure a potable water supply was to build a desal plant,” Mahaney said. The city contacted state legislators and Robert Shinn, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Director.

Mahaney provided testimony at a hearing about the statewide water supply plan. Shinn reviewed Mahaney’s testimony and modified the state plan to incorporate a desalination plant for Cape May, making the city eligible for state and federal loans. Throughout the talks and negotiations with state officials, city council kept the public abreast of the desalination plant’s progress. Mahaney said the public approved of the city’s actions for the plant, a factor which made was the plant’s construction such a large success.

“The public overwhelmingly supported it. The public had heard over 20 years that there was an impending problem, but the way we presented the issue to the public, with experts in the field explaining where the potential water supply was, the public saw we had a plan and were willing to support our effort,” he said.

The city did have a plan. In June of 1996, the city awarded Metcalf & Eddy a contract to design and supervise construction of Cape May’s desalination facility. With the plant dovetailed to the state water plan, grants poured in.

The United States Department of Agriculture provided a $1 million grant and a $2 million 40-year low-interest loan at 4.5 percent. The city also received $250,000 from the governor’s office and $1.7 million through the New Jersey Infrastructure Trust. Total cost for the desal plant: $5 million, the largest capital improvement in Cape May’s history.
“By being very aggressive and securing funding we put a state of the art plant within our economic ability and the rate payers didn’t have to pay for it,” Mahaney said.

In late 1997, the first of two wells were drilled and the plant’s construction began in April in 1998 and started operation in July. Housed in the Cape May Water Works, a brick façade built in 1926, the desalination plant is a towering system of elongated filters and pipes coursing with rushing water. The cavernous water works teems with pipes, pumps and computer wizardry, as water from the city’s wells travels through the reverse osmosis system.
The plant is entirely automated through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and probes linked to a computer bank monitor the systems valves and pumps which produce 750,000 gallons of water a day in the off-season and 2 million gallons a day in the summer.

The chemicals antiscalent, sulfuric acid, hydrated lime, sodium and chlorineare used to treat the water. Chlorine, the heady-scented chemical known to every swimming pool owner, is used to treat water and helps eradicate such naturally-forming bacteria and minerals.
“We constantly monitor the quality of our water,” Behrens said. “We’re checking for any kind of contaminant you can imagine. Even though you smell chlorine in the water there’s less chlorine in your water now. “Reverse osmosis is a process where brackish water is forced through a tiny, permeable membrane at 250-pounds per square inch, lessening the salt and solids in the water by as much as 98-percent of salts and solids. The membranes of thin film composites are wrapped in a spiral pattern and stored in massive tubes stacked in arrays.

Twenty pumps of various types and sizes move the water through the plant at 650-gallons per minute. Residue cleansed in the filtration process is flushed out into nearby Cape Island Creek and the effects closely monitored by New Jersey’ Rutgers University.
“A lot of people come and look at this plant,” Behrens added. “I do believe you’ll see reverse osmosis units up and down the coast in the future.” Fifteen graduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently toured the facility.

Mahaney said Cape May’s desalination plant effectively provides water not only for year-round residents, but adequately handles the ballooning population of during the summer tourism season. Instead of a temporary short-term fix, the reverse osmosis technology will give the city a potable water supply for decades.

“We’ve assured our autonomy in providing water to our residents. The option council went through to build the desal plant wasn’t ingenious. It was an option to guarantee a water supply for a large period of time,” Mahaney said
Desalination technology was so effective that during the summer of 1999, when a torturous drought plagued the region, Cape May’s subterranean wells and desalination pumping station ran at full capacity.
“I am proud to be part of a solution that will last long past our lifetimes,” Mahaney said. “The desalination plant has moved Cape May to a leadership position statewide and nationally on water supply,” Mahaney said. “We’re in control of our own destiny. If we didn’t have an adequate water supply, it would damage our tourist industry. Now, we’re going to be the model for other towns experiencing similar problems.”