New Jersey P.L.1988, c.62

CHAPTER 62, LAWS OF 1988

AN ACT to promote public education regarding the impact of nonbiodegradable materials on ocean waters, and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

C.58:10A-52 Short title.


 * 1. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the "Clean Ocean Education Act."

C.58:10A-53 Findings, declarations.


 * 2. The Legislature finds and declares that the presence of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials in coastal waters has an adverse effect on the quality of ocean waters, on sea mammals and other marine life, and potentially on human health; that behavior which results in ocean and beach discharges of such materials is the product, at least in part, of a lack of information and awareness on the part of the general public of the consequences of their acts; and that a public education program can play a key role in supplementing State, federal, and international efforts to reduce ocean pollution and promote a healthy marine environment.

C.58:10A-54 Educational materials.


 * 3. The Department of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Department of Education and citizen, educational and environmental groups, shall prepare educational materials concerning the deleterious effects of plastics and other forms of pollution on the marine environment. The materials shall promote the values of litter control, oil recycling, street cleaning, and "pooper scooper" activities; encourage the use of biodegradable or recyclable alternatives to plastics where adequate alternatives exist; and inform citizens of the need to develop and participate in community programs for recycling, litter control, and other similar public benefit programs. The Department of Environmental Protection shall distribute these educational materials to civic, community, and other public interest organizations.

C.58:10A-55 Distribution to school districts.


 * 4. The Department of Education shall distribute the educational materials prepared by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 3 of this act to each school district in the State. Local school boards are encouraged to integrate these educational materials into the curricula where possible, and to otherwise make them available to elementary and secondary school children for extracurricular activities and to their parents.

5. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection the sum of $50,000 to carry out its responsibilities under this act.

6. This act shall take effect immediately.

Approved July 11, 1988.