March 7: NJ DEP fights flounder quota | Historic Germantown up for $150,000 | Penn Treaty Views

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is taking on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), arguing against a federal flounder fishing quota. At risk is the state’s recreational fishing industry, which creates 20,000 jobs and contributes $1.5 billion annually to the state’s economy, Justin Auciello reports for NewsWorks. The Christie administration filed a formal request with the U.S. Department of Commerce, calling the federal quota “draconian” and accused NOAA of using “questionable methodologies and outdated science.”

They say it’s an honor just to be nominated. In Historic Germantown’s case, the 30-year old nonprofit was awarded $10,000 as a finalist for Lodestar Foundation’s Collaboration Prize, and stands to win $150,000 in unrestricted funds. Generocity’s Julie Zeglen reports on the consortium model that brought together 16 nonprofits with the joint strategic mission to sustain the area’s 14 historic sites.

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Curbed Philly highlights six buildings and spaces designed by female designers between 1890 and the early 2000s. The sites are striking, ranging from Parkway House to the master plan for a little project known as the Schuylkill River Park.

A 1.5-acre townhouse development is on the horizon along the riverfront. Property-owner Penn Treaty Views LLC plans to build 19 four-story townhouses complete with two-car garages, elevators and roof decks on the site adjacent to Penn Treaty Park and Sugarhouse Casino, Jacob Adelman reports.

After the Oregon Department of Transportation paid McKinsey & Co. $1 million to audit how effectively the highway agency manages its transportation spending, and the New York-based consulting firm is withholding the draft report of its findings from public release. The Oregon Tribune reports that legislators are shocked, with Republican Senator Ted Ferrioli arguing “lawmakers should not approve the funding package until the report’s supporting documents can be reviewed.” The probe of the probe opens up the debate over standard auditing practices, work product ownership, and what exactly constitutes “exclusive” state property.