Extreme Weather Protection Fund Needed, Group Says

Toms River resident and Jersey Coast Anglers Association member Tom Fote doesn't need a report to tell him that extreme weather has had an impact, and will continue to have an impact on the Jersey Shore.

He only need look at yesterday's results from the Governors Cup fishing tournament held yesterday at Island Beach State Park.

"We were actually embarrassed yesterday. The winner was an 18 1/2 pound bluefish," Fote said. "We've had 30 pound striped bass as winners in the past."

The problem, he said, is that the ocean temperature is too warm, and the fish are not migrating.

Fote was one of a number of speakers who appeared at press conference in Point Pleasant Boro today to discuss a new report from US Strong, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative focused on protecting area communities from extreme weather.

The group called for closer examination of how to fund communities and homeowners who are affected by extreme storms, including the possibility of additional taxes on coal and businesses they say generate emissions, which they sat contribute to global warming problems.

The report estimates that the damage from Sandy has exceeded $70 billion, and more than half of that is attributed to New Jersey.

The report also notes that New Jerseyans will have to find a way to pay for an estimated $8 billion to $13 billion in expenses that will not be covered by federal or state assistance.

US Strong has been working with New Jersey and to call for the creation of a federal "extreme weather relief and protection fund."

Curtis Fisher, co-author of the report and US Strong national campaign director, said that these type of funds will be needed as more extreme weather patterns are predicted in the years to come.

Citing Monday's tornado warnings as an example, Fisher said people who authored the report predicted this type of extreme weather.

Fote agreed with Fisher about the changing climate, citing the fishing tournament as an example. He added, "Americans shouldn't have to wait for congressional wrangling before relief heads their way."

Citing the recent government shutdown, Fote added, "recent events in Congress demonstrate this fact more than ever."