Daniel Paul Ritter, Free the Water Coalition

The Coalition is very pleased to see that this long awaited designation is finally being made. When the Congress approved the appropriation to build the jetty off the shore of Atlantic Highlands it was for the sole purpose to protect the vessels inside of the jetty, the entire inside of the jetty. It appears that the area designated only includes the area leased to The Municipality of Atlantic Highlands by the NJDEP and should include the area perpendicular on a ninety degree angle from the light on the jetty to the shore, affording all citizens the same protection as otherwise protected inside the state leased area. The Coalition must also mention the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor has no police authority as police authority is provided by the NJ State Marine Police and the Harbor has the authority only to manage 172 mooring location within the leased area. The lease can be provided upon request. It must also be noted that the NJDEP, Tidelands Resource Council has authority of tidal and previous flowed land in our state. The Coalition knows of no authority of a federal government to require mariners using the anchorage to notify the harbormaster, as stated on page 5746 “ ….mariners must contact local harbormaster to ensure compliance with any applicable state and local laws.” And therefore request paragraph (i) be deleted from the proposed rule change. Thank you in advance for your consideration.