RIO GRANDE — Beach replenishment is not important to President Obama, according to U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd). That’s because in the budget he presented, there was zero funding for the Army Corps of Engineers across the nation, and that entity spearheads beach replenishment so vital to Cape May County’s tourism industry.
LoBiondo expressed his views Fri., March 23 in a visit to the Cape May County Herald.
That zero dollar amount means, “That the administration has determined these projects are not important,” LoBiondo said. He said that action “Makes it extremely difficult to build off zero.” It also means an uphill battle will likely ensue to get necessary beach replenishment dollars from Uncle Sam.
Admittedly, Obama’s budget does not have the “force of law,” said the veteran congressman, “But it has tremendous power and influence.” The chief’s executive’s priorities, as demonstrated in that budget document are “not an easy thing to reverse,” said LoBiondo.
LoBiondo also expressed consternation at the state’s stalling the start of the Garden State Parkway traffic signal elimination. At present, the delay is reportedly due to a wetlands mitigation stalemate, which is stonewalling the project.
“It’s always something,” said an obviously perturbed representative who worked since 2000 to get federal dollars for the project to build overpasses at three Middle Township grade crossings of the parkway.
Those intersections are the cause of numerous accidents, some fatal, that have plagued drivers over the years.
LoBiondo said he “worked with the county and state officials on the Transportation Trust Fund authorization bill” to fund the work.
The money, although not immediately threatened, is “sitting in the piggybank, and if we are not careful, we are going to lose it.”
An initial $5 million was set to start the work, and an additional $35 million was later added, he said.
“At that time, the state DOT agreed to make it a priority if I got the federal share,” said LoBiondo. “Talk about frustration!”
“Something’s always holding it up. Now it’s a wetlands mitigation lawsuit,” he added.
He cited projects around the nation that are ready to move, and lack only funding. He fears that endangers the county’s share.
“It got off track terribly four five or six years ago,” LoBiondo said.
“(Freeholder) Will Morey is big on this. He understands people have got to be able to drive here,” he added. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t force the DOT to prioritize Route 55 or eliminate the (parkway traffic) lights,” LoBiondo said.
He said from the time the federal government committed to the first $5 million in 2005-06, “It’s been something every year. At some point your hair catches fire,” he added.
Careful not to point fingers, LoBiondo said he had talked to officials in the Christie Administration who were trying to expedite the project.
“At a certain point it’s got to get done. Wasn’t there anyone in the (N.J. Highway Authority) who recognizes the importance of the project?” he asked.
“This is our lifeblood, and I get the money spent,” he said.
When thoughts turned to roads and bridges, especially Beesley’s Point Bridge and Route 55, LoBiondo said the federal government would be “opening up a nest of killer bees” if it was heavy handed ordering roads or bridges to be fixed or completed, that remains under state jurisdiction.
“Usually the federal government does not come in unless it (bridge) falls down,” he noted.
On energy policy, LoBiondo nearly jumped from his chair expressing the president’s refusal to give the “green light” to the same (Keystone) pipeline that went into Wisconsin two years ago.
“The lower end of the Keystone pipeline does not require presidential approval, it’s the part that crosses into Canada,” said LoBiondo.
In the short term, Obama could lift the moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico with an executive order. “It would be as simple as flipping a light switch,” he said, restating his belief that domestic oil production is a homeland security and national defense issue.
Because of the moratorium, “We are losing thousands of jobs,” said the congressman. Keystone project would bring a million barrels of oil per day, he said.
“To really get off the dime here, we need to be over 15 million barrels a day. We could do it if we had the strategy,” he added.
Natural gas production has increased, which dropped its price, and there remains an abundant supply, he said.
There is a “problem with infrastructure” that makes it difficult if not impossible for vehicles to rely on natural gas an a fuel source.
“The energy policy has complicated solutions. I really disagree with him (Obama) on it,” he said.
LoBiondo, who chairs the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, which oversees the Coast Guard, lauded the service for performing an “outstanding job. It’s one of the most underappreciated groups America has serving. Their mission is extremely critical to maritime and port security,” he said.
Under the Department of Homeland Security, LoBiondo does not believe that the service’s traditional role of search and rescue and drug interdiction is fully understood or appreciated.
“They don’t have a good track record with the TSA (Transportation Safety Agency). There is a huge fear they don’t understand the needs of the nation,” said LoBiondo.
The Obama budget would trim the Coast Guard even further back. “The Coast Guard is an example of where they are wrong on so many issues,” he added.
“You can’t have $500 million down the rat hole like Solendra, then say we don’t have money for the Coast Guard,” he offered.
Of the divide between parties in Congress that often brings stalemate, LoBiondo said that “The Senate and President and the House have very different points of view on how to address (national problems.)…” he said.
“The president wants more control, as in the health care act and EPA rulings. They have the honest belief that government can do better dictating to people, small businesses or banks. Republicans have a completely different view that government can’t create jobs. We have to create a climate to create jobs,” he said.
Regardless, LoBiondo said much still does get done, but not reported in mass media since it not controversial.
Last August, LoBiondo said the GOP leadership went to the president over the debt limit. Then the president stepped forward and said the Republicans would not work with him.
LoBiondo cited a recent Washington Post report that said, “Everything we said was true. The GOP put everything on the table and the president walked away from the deal,” he added.
That displayed “the real agony we are going through,” said the congressman. “The president had an agreement and walked away for whatever reason. The president has the bully pulpit, if the American people buy it, there’s not much we can do,” he said.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
