(08/17/06) LONG BRANCH ? The environmental group Clean Ocean Action issued a strong warning about Branchport Creek in Long Branch Thursday.

Group representatives say the creek should be off limits to the public based on sky-high pollution levels. They go so far as to call the creek ?a significant health threat.? According to the group, fecal levels in the water should be no higher than 104. They claim that number measured three million in some spots.

Clean Ocean Action representatives say they believe the fecal pollution is coming from the horse stables at Monmouth Park, which are located next to an outfall pipe. A Monmouth Park spokesperson says the organization is working with the Department of Environmental Protection to study the tests further. Branchport Creek runs into the Shrewsbury River. Clean Ocean Action now wants to test that waterway to see how far the pollution has spread.