Latest news with #NJDEP
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Black bear sightings in New Jersey are down so far in 2025. A breakdown by the numbers
Have you encountered any black bears yet this season? According to a report from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, bear sightings and overall incidents are down so far in 2025. The NJDEP's most recent report details 257 reported bear incidents in the state between Jan. 1 and May 21. During the same period last year, New Jersey saw 358 reported incidents, marking a year-to-year decrease of 28.21%. NJ Fish and Wildlife's Black Bear Activity Reports split black bear activity into three categories to help dictate how the agency and local law enforcement should respond. Category I applies to incidents where a bear was a threat to public safety and property. Category II applies to nuisance bears, which are not a threat to public safety or property, and Category III is for normal, non-threatening bear behavior. These reports include sightings and complaints reported to the DEP and do not include incidents handled by local police departments without the DEP's assistance. Per the most recent report, between Jan. 1 and May 21, there were 63 reported bear sightings in New Jersey. This number is down 32.98% from last year when there were 94 sightings in the same time period. Damage and nuisance incidents are also down in 2025. According to the NJDEP, there have been 194 reported incidents of black bear damage and nuisance this year. In 2024, between Jan. 1 and May 21, the state saw 264 damage and nuisance incidents. Sussex County has had the highest number of black bear reports so far this year with 103, followed by Warren County with 65 and Morris County with 36. In its most recent monthly report, which ranged from April 20 through May 21, the NJDEP reported that bear sightings, damage and nuisance incidents, and the total number of reported incidents were all down by nearly 50% from the year prior. While the number of reported black bear incidents are down, Larry Hajna, an NJDEP spokesperson, said in an emailed statement that it is difficult to discern any trends in such a short period of time. "It is difficult to draw any conclusions as to short-term, seasonal changes in black bear incidents reported to the DEP because bear activity and the number of reports made by the public are influenced by many factors, including food, availability, weather, and harvest rates during the preceding hunting season," said Hajna on May 29. "DEP Fish and Wildlife will continue to monitor incident reports and assess longer term trends as the season progresses." To view the NJDEP's most recent Black Bear Activity Reports, visit Black bears are not true hibernators and may be active all year long, according to NJ Fish and Wildlife. However, during the winter they enter a state of dormancy called torpor. While in this state, their heart rate and respiratory rate slow down and their body temperature drops slightly. Bears can be easily awakened if they are disturbed while in torpor and may leave their dens in search of food on mild winter days. Once the spring arrives, black bears emerge from their dens to actively forage for food. They are also active throughout the summer breeding season and in the fall while they prepare for the winter den period. New Jersey's black bears are most commonly found in the northwest region of the state, particularly in Sussex, Passaic, Warren and Morris counties, according to NJ Fish and Wildlife. However, as the bear population increases, they are expanding both east and south. Black bears have been spotted in all 21 counties. Although reported incidents are down, black bears are still around. Police are warning residents to use caution and remain aware of their surroundings. "Early this morning a resident of First Avenue reported a bear in their back yard eating from the bird feeders," wrote the Westwood Police Department in a post on Facebook. "This is not an uncommon phenomenon in the early spring. A check of the area during daylight hours did not determine the bear's location." Westwood police urged residents to "use caution and be cognizant" of their surroundings. Hajna echoed this warning, stating, "DEP Fish and Wildlife urges the public to always be aware of bears and take steps to avoid unwanted interactions with them, especially in the spring when they have emerged from their dens and are searching for food following the winter denning season, by removing access to unnatural food sources, such as trash, and using bear resistant trash receptacles." For many North Jersey residents, especially those who live in peak bear country, these practices have become habitual. The DEP recommends that property owners practice the following safety tips to minimize black bear encounters and conflicts: Secure trash and eliminate obvious food sources such as pet food bowls, bird feeders and food residue left on grills. Clean outdoor grills and utensils to remove food and grease residue and store grills securely Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers if possible. Otherwise, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them along the inside walls of your garage, basement, a sturdy shed, or another secure area Wash garbage containers frequently to remove odors and put out garbage on collection day, not the night before Avoid feeding birds when bears are active. If you choose to feed birds, do so only from Dec. 1 to April 1 during daylight hours, bringing the feeders indoors at night. Feeders should be suspended from a free-hanging wire at least 10 feet off the ground and 10 feet away from any objects a bear could climb. Clean spilled seeds and shells daily Immediately remove all uneaten food and food bowls used by pets fed outdoors. If you live in bear country, walk your dog on a leash and keep them indoors or in a secure kennel overnight Do not place meat, dairy or any sweet foods in compost piles Remove fruits or nuts that fall from trees in your yard Properly install electric fencing as an effective way to protect crops, beehives and livestock If you encounter a black bear, the NJDEP says to follow these safety tips: Remain calm. Never run from a bear as this may trigger its predatory instinct. Instead, slowly back away. Avoid direct eye contact as it may be perceived by the bear as a challenge. Always make sure the bear has an escape route. Scare the bear away by making loud noises such as yelling, using a whistle, banging pots and pans or blowing an air horn. Make yourself look as big as possible by waiving your arms. If you are with someone else, stand close together with your arms raised above your head Make bears aware of your presence by speaking in an assertive voice, singing, clapping your hands or making other noises. If hiking through bear country, always make your presence known. Hike in a group when possible If a bear utters a series of huffs, makes popping sounds by snapping its jaws or swats at the ground, these are warning signs that you are too close. Slowly back away, avoiding eye contact. Do not run If a bear stands on its hind legs or moves closer, it may be trying to get a better view or detect scents in the air. This is usually non-threatening behavior Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" when cornered, threatened, or attempting to steal food. Stand your ground, avoid eye contact, back away slowly and do not run If the bear does not leave, move to a secure area such as a vehicle or a building Families who live in areas that are frequented by black bears should have a "bear plan" in place for children with an escape route and planned use of whistles and air horns, according to the NJDEP. While attacks are rare, if a black bear attacks, fight back. Black bear damage or aggressive bears can be reported to your local police department or to NJDEP Fish and Wildlife at 1-877-927-6337. This article originally appeared on Black bear sightings in NJ down so far in 2025, DEP reports
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
South Jersey family's pool project halted by state authorities for months after wetlands discovered on property
They envisioned paradise in their New Jersey backyard but ended up with a nightmare. A family in Washington Township said they went through the proper channels before installing their pool, but have been ordered to stop the project by state environmental authorities. Now, nearly two years since they first started, they're out $150,000 and their backyard is still a construction site. Jimmy Sacco and Donny Tomczak bought a brand-new house in 2023 on two acres of property and quickly started the process of turning their South Jersey backyard into paradise. They got the required land survey, passed the inspection, got the necessary permit from Washington Township, and started to design their backyard with a contractor. Then, just as the project was nearing the end, Sacco said state authorities showed up at their doorstep to inspect their property. Sacco and Tomczak said staff from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection sent them a Notice of Violation citing them for violating the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act and Flood Hazard Area Control Act. The notice said, "All unauthorized activities should cease immediately," and advised them that they needed to apply for permits from the state before they could proceed. Sacco said, "Then they went and told me that I'm not permitted to apply as individuals, we had to hire an environmental firm to represent us and do the application forms for us." A firm, the couple said, cost $15,000 plus another $5,000 for the state permits, all of that before they even know if the DEP will approve their project and let them proceed or require them to rip it all out. Sacco and Tomczak said the DEP found out about their project after someone reported it, but they said they were blindsided, especially because Washington Township gave them approval. CBS News Philadelphia reached out to Washington Township to find out why local inspectors didn't flag the wetlands on the property. A business administrator emailed saying, "The township has no comment at this time regarding this matter." Environmental attorney Steve Miano said, "My guess is that the township just wasn't aware of it and issued the permit on a basic construction permit." Miano said this scenario isn't all that uncommon, as the DEP often finds out about land they need to investigate from reports from the public. In an email to CBS News Philadelphia, the New Jersey DEP said in part, "It is the property owner's responsibility to conduct their due diligence when disturbing land on their property. Additionally, municipal construction/zoning officials refer property owners to the department for a determination of jurisdiction. Municipalities vary in their requirements for department authorization prior to the issuance of local approvals." Sacco said there was no mention of wetlands in the 65-page title report he received when he purchased the home. Since officials with Washington Township won't comment, it's unclear if the township knew about the wetlands and whether they were required to notify the state. In the meantime, Sacco and Tomczak said they're drowning in bills related to this pool, including plumbing and electricity to keep it clean to avoid mosquitoes and infestations. They can't tarp it because the patio isn't complete. One of their small dogs broke a disc in its back when the dog fell into a trench left behind by the uncompleted worksite. On the DEP website, it said, "Previously misunderstood as wastelands, wetlands are now being recognized for their vital ecological and socioeconomic contributions." They protect drinking water by filtering out chemicals and soaking up rainwater, providing natural flood control. Had Sacco and Tomczak known they'd have to shell out another $20,000+ on state permits, Tomczak said they would have scratched the project early on, but that thought never crossed their minds, especially because there are at least a dozen pools in their neighborhood and a man-made koi pond right next door. "We bought the house because we loved the land, and it's the land that's making our lives complete hell," said Sacco. Miano said homeowners can prevent a situation like this by going above and beyond to understand all the details of their property. "If you're going to do a construction project like that, you should have somebody look at the property and tell you, I don't think there are wetlands here. I mean, it's an extra expense, but to do that upfront is a lot cheaper than having to do what these guys are now having to do," said Miano.
CBS News
23-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, N.J. burns through 12,500 acres
The Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey is approximately 40% contained after burning through 12,500 acres, according to the latest update from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. "We continue to work using our air fleet with bucket drops, using the helicopter. That will continue until darkness occurs this evening," said John Cecil, assistant commissioner for state parks, forests and historic sites at NJ DEP. "We do have 18 structures that continue to be threatened here along [County Route] 532." Cecil said investigators continue to look into the cause of the fire. Evacuations have been lifted for some 5,000 residents in Ocean and Lacey Townships. Lacey Township Mayor Peter Curatolo said a business called Liberty Garage Door & Awning was destroyed in an industrial area, but so far no injuries have been reported. Several outbuildings and vehicles were also destroyed, authorities said. "This has been a big fire," Cecil said. "It's impressive to see the intensity of those fire runs that made their way last night, burned out that 12,500 acres, but we still've got a pretty big box to work this in and still some work to do to clean up around the edges." "Thanks to the incredible, heroic work of the good men and women of our New Jersey Forest Fire Service, folks' homes and lives have been saved, and we've truly averted a major disaster," New Jersey Forest Fire Service Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said Wednesday morning. "This wildfire is not under full and complete control, we still have a lot of work to do to achieve complete containment of the wildfire. But there were 1,300 homes that were threatened during the course of fighting this fire." "Not one single-family home was damaged, not one person was injured, there has not been one loss of life," said Curatolo, who thanked fellow officials and first responders. The fire service commissioner said he expects the acreage to grow as they work toward containment, saying, "This could very well end up being the largest wildfire in New Jersey in 20 years." "As we continue to get this under full control, the expectation is that that number of acres will grow -- and grow in a place that is unpopulated, that is more open wilderness. But in order to fully contain the fire, more burnout operations are necessary, and that will likely increase the overall acreage," LaTourette said. Smoke a concern as NYC issues Air Quality Health Advisory Forecast maps show the smoke that is now billowing across South Jersey could also blow into the New York City area in the coming days. New York City has issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Thursday. "Based on the weather that we're dealing with right now -- humidity's down, we've got these breezes, temperatures are up -- I do believe this fire is going to continue to burn, especially in some of the low areas, probably until we get some precipitation," said New Jersey Forest Fire Service Chief Bill Donnelly. "So based on the forecast, it looks like Friday night into Saturday, which realistically is only a couple days away. If that does in fact hold true, I tend to believe that we should have this fire contained by the weekend." New Jersey Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for Ocean County, which took effect at 7 a.m. Wednesday. "Yesterday, our State Forest Fire Service informed us of a wildfire in Ocean Township, Ocean County. Due to its accelerated growth, with an estimated burn of 8,500 acres, threatening more than 1,000 structures, requiring the evacuation of residents in the area, and the loss of power to over 25,000 residents, I am declaring a State of Emergency for Ocean County," Way said in a statement. "I encourage all residents in the County to continue to monitor the proper channels, and to use caution and follow all safety protocols." The Garden State Parkway and Route 9 reopened. "Going forward, what's our plan? Our plan is to get people back home, get roads reopened and knock that smoke down," said Trevor Raynor, with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. "So we're going to do that through mop up and patrol. We've got approximately 100 firefighters on the fire line today, and they're out there working really hard, squirting water along the parkway so there's no smoke on that morning commute or evening commute. "They're putting out stumps and logs around homes so that there's no smoke, and they can open their windows, and their homes are safe and they feel safe," he continued. "We understand that evacuations are very disruptive, we'd like to thank the public for being understanding and patient with us." JCP&L expects to restore Lacey power Wednesday afternoon Jersey Central Power & Light turned off power to roughly 25,000 homes and businesses Tuesday evening to protect firefighters as they battled the flames. "That includes pretty much all of our customers in Barnegat and Ocean townships, as well as about three quarters of our customers in Lacey," one JCP&L official said Wednesday. "This morning, we were cleared to begin our damage assessments. Our crews have been out since early this morning surveying our lines, checking our poles, our wires, our devices to see what can handle power, what damage there is. And we will begin the restoration process as those surveys are completed." JCP&L expects to restore power to approximately 6,700 customers in Lacey by Wednesday afternoon, though the timetable remains to be seen for the other townships. In the meantime, the Red Cross has set up shelters at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin and Manchester Township High School in Manchester. The Lacey Township mayor said he also opened a makeshift shelter after learning a senior center was inside the mandatory evacuation zone, but the shelter had no power, nurses or emergency supplies. He was eventually able to load the seniors onto a bus and take them to the Manchester location instead. N.J. fire officials point to ongoing dry conditions The massive, rapidly growing wildfire started around 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area of Barnegat Township. It forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and shut down several major roads. "The wildfire was about 10 to 20 acres upon arrival. We had resources there quickly, we dispatched aircraft. Even with a big show of force to contain this fire, it grew to be a large wildfire," Raynor explained Wednesday. He said April 20 is considered the peak of spring fire season. "We're right at the peak, it doesn't get any worse than this date in history in New Jersey. So that, coupled with the drought, coupled with the low humidity, winds, nice sunny weather, it just made for a difficult fire fight," he said. The fire service says the state saw 310 wildfires with 315 acres burned this time last year, compared to 362 wildfires with 16,572 acres burned during the same period this year. "As many folks here know, we've been under continuing dry conditions, particularly in the southern part of the state, and those dry conditions have very much influenced this fire," said LaTourette. He said the drought conditions are "deeply serious," particularly in the southern half of the state. "That is likely to persist for months ahead," he said. "The recent rains have been welcome, they've helped restore some reservoir and stream flows that we need for drinking water, but it hasn't solved for the dryness that has characterized this area and worsened in recent years." Officials also said a 17,000-acre wildfire broke out in the same area back in 2007, as the result of a military exercise. The cause of this fire remains under investigation. JCP&L encourages customers to monitor its website for the latest.
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Officials Warn 70,000 People in New Jersey Against Going Outside
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Officials in New Jersey have issued an air quality alert for Atlantic City and surrounding areas as a massive wildfire continues to rage across Ocean County, blanketing parts of the state in smoke. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) declared an Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates on Wednesday, urging residents—especially those with respiratory conditions—to remain indoors as unhealthy conditions persist. The warning area impacts roughly 70,000 people. Why It Matters The alert, effective until midnight, follows the explosive spread of the Jones Road wildfire, which has burned through roughly 8,500 acres in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area. The fire, first reported Tuesday, rapidly expanded because of dry conditions and high winds, prompting a state of emergency and forcing thousands to evacuate. Officials are emphasizing the public health impact of the fire, particularly for vulnerable populations. What to Know The NJDEP issued the air quality alert on Wednesday morning as Atlantic City and surrounding areas were experiencing unhealthy air quality levels, in which the Air Quality Index (AQI) falls between 151 and 200. A map from AirNow shows where unhealthy air quality, depicted in red, is currently impacting people in New Jersey. A map from AirNow shows where unhealthy air quality, depicted in red, is currently impacting people in New Jersey. AirNow "Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website AirNow said about unhealthy air quality. A spokesperson with NJDEP referred Newsweek to an alert about the poor air quality when reached for comment. "Sensitive individuals, including those with heart or lung disease, the elderly, and the young should limit strenuous activities and the amount of time active outdoors," the alert said. Unseasonably warm temperatures are exacerbating the situation, with light winds pushing the smoke southward, the alert said. "Following the peripheral of high pressure, winds are expected to rotate in clockwise direction, eventually becoming southeasterly, aiding in the development of a sea breeze and potentially shifting smoke transportation northward," the forecast said. "By evening, a surface trough is expected to develop, which may cause residual smoke aloft to transport towards the surface. Light winds are expected to prevail, potentially keeping transport levels low and aiding in containment of the wildfire." The New Jersey Forest Fire Service said the fire was 30 percent contained as of Wednesday morning. What People Are Saying The New Jersey air quality alert sent to Newsweek: "Smoke from a large active wildfire in Ocean County, specifically Ocean and Lacey Townships, is causing current local levels to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) category, with isolated areas reaching the unhealthy category." Fox 29 anchor Bob Kelly posted on X, formerly Twitter: "HEALTH ALERT. Smoke from the forest fire heading south along the Jersey shoreline from Long Beach Island all the way to Cape May. This is video from Brigantine. Keep your windows and doors closed, and anyone with asthma should definitely stay inside." What Happens Next An air quality official told Newsweek that the NJDEP is monitoring the situation and will update the alert if necessary. Rain is expected this weekend, which could improve the air quality. Residents across New Jersey are advised to stay updated via AirNow for real-time air quality readings and continue taking precautions as advised by local health authorities.
