N 2011 Annual Action Report Sustainable Raritan River...

N2011 Annual Action Report

Sustainable Raritan River InitiativeMaking a Difference for a More Sustainable Region

On behalf of the Raritan River Collaborative:Jarrod Grim, MCRP ‘12, Project Team Leader

Kelsey Brooks, MCRP ‘13, Research AssociateEric Tuvel, AICP, Design Associate

Judith Auer Shaw, PhD, Project Director

2 Action Report 2011

Cover Photo Credits (clockwise)Floating Islands, Hillsborough, Gene Huntington, Duke FarmsCalco Dam, Raritan Borough, John Jengo, MWH Americas, Inc.

River Cleanup, West Windsor, Amy Soli, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed AllianceThompson Park Rain Garden, Jamesburg, Clay Emerson, Princeton Hydro

Raritan Riverwalk, Edison, Chris Mazauskas Center: Kayaking, Piscataway, Judy Shaw

Sustainable Raritan River Initiative 3

Welcome from Sustainable Raritan River Initiative

In 2011, Hurricane Irene was followed by more storms and a blizzard on October 31st. The region suffered significant losses in the storms. But the people of the region — especially the emergency teams and the departments of public works — put in hours of time to be sure everyone got through safely. Today we see eagles soar over kayakers on the Raritan River and endangered species thriving on the banks of its tributaries. Superfund sites are being cleaned up, and corporations are working to address historic contamination, build our economic base and restore lands to their natural value. Environmental organizations work tirelessly to ensure we are doing all we can to improve our watershed regions and our personal, corporate and municipal practices to preserve and protect the environment and our water quality.We know there is a long way to go, but there is progress across the region every day. The Raritan River Collaborative works independently and as partners to restore the river system and ensure its future protection. The leadership of 99 towns, environmental and cultural non-profits, and all levels of government and businesses keep the goal in focus. Together we integrate the objectives of the Raritan River Action Plan into practices across the region. So despite the challenges of 2011, there is progress.The 2011 Annual Report celebrates the achievements of over 40 collaborators in the Raritan River region. Advocates, researchers and decision-makers from across the region have focused on the five key elements of the Sustainable Raritan River Action Agenda from Reclaiming the Raritan: a Restoration and Sustainable Reuse Plan, which can be found at:

• Greenways, Recreation and Public Access • Habitat Preservation and Resource Stewardship • Remediation and Prevention of Future Pollution • Water Quality, Stormwater and Infrastructure • Balancing Redevelopment and Restoration

The 2011 Sustainable Raritan River Conference brought over 200 people together to determine how to foster even greater collaboration in the future. At our next conference on June 14, 2012, we will meet at Duke Farms to share our experiences with restoration and look ahead to more progress in the year to come.We look forward to seeing you there.

Judith A. Shaw, PhD, Project Director

Sustainable Raritan River Initiative

www.raritan.rutgers.edu

www.raritan.rutgers.edu/agenda/finalplan.pdf


AcknowledgementsSpecial thanks to Richard L. McCormick, President, Rutgers University for his leadership, commitment, encouragement and support of the Raritan River Initiative. Our appreciation, as well, to the Cape Branch Foundation for their support to further this effort. We could not do this work without the generous financial support of many partners: PSE&G, Pfizer, Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority, Maraziti Falcon & Healey, GEI Consultants, Conserva-tion Resources, NJ BID, Great Ecology & Environments, Bayshore Recycling, Green Vest, LLC, Princeton Hydro, LLC SAI Management, Vita Nuova and HDR Engineering.Jarrod Grim (MCRP ’12) and Kelsey Brooks (MCRP ’13), both in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, worked tirelessly to gather the news and craft the report. Eric Tuvel, AICP, volunteered to do the graphic design. Thanks also to the Middlesex County Improvement Authority for their support on behalf of this project.

Thanks to our Contributors:

Mirah Becker Middlesex County

Brett Berkley GreenVest

Bob Chant Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences

Anthony Cucchi The Trust for Public Land

Elizabeth Cuizio US Fish and Wildlife Service

Lou DiGena Central Jersey Trout Unlimited

Colin Driver Somerville, NJ

Mark Gallagher Princeton Hydro

Guy Gaspari Piscataway Township, NJ

Darek Hahn Hightstown Borough, NJ

Gene Huntington Duke Farms

John Jengo MWH Americas, Inc

Alison Jones No Water No Life

Kenneth Klipstein New Jersey Water Supply Authority

Laurette Kratina Somerset County

Rick Lathrop Rutgers Ecological Preserve

Martha Lieblich Crossroads of the American Revolution

Jill Lipoti NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Chris Mazauskas Edison, NJ

Kevin Merges Rutgers Preparatory School

Kerry Miller ANJEC & Bound Brook, NJ

Denise Nickel Middlesex County Improvement Authority

Robert Nyman U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Beth Ravit Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability

John Reinfelder Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences

Lisa Rodenburg Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences

Carlos Rodrigues Rodrigues Urban Design

Lisa Rosman National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Amy Soli Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association

Bill Schulz Raritan Riverkeeper

Kevin Sluka Somerville, NJ

Alice Tempel SouthPlainfield,NJ

Lauren Theis Raritan Headwaters Association

Kevin Tremble Crossroads of the American Revolution

Nellie Tsipoura New Jersey Audubon

Lauren Wasilauski Montgomery Township, NJ


Sustainable Raritan River CollaborativeEnvironmental Organizations

American Littoral SocietyAssociation of New JerseyEnvironmental CommissionsConservation FoundationConservation Resources, Inc.Conserve Wildlife FoundationDuke FarmsEast Coast Greenway AllianceEdison Wetlands AssociationHunterdon County Land AllianceKingston GreenwayLand Conservancy of New Jersey Lawrence Brook Watershed PartnershipNew York/New Jersey BaykeeperRaritan Headwaters AssociationRaritan RiverkeeperStony Brook-Millstone Watershed AssociationThe New Jersey Audubon SocietyTrust for Public Land

Regional OrganizationsCommerce & Industry Association of New JerseyCrossroads of the American Revolution NJ League of MunicipalitiesRegional Planning AssociationRideWiseSomerset County Business Partnership

Business PartnersAmerican WaterBayshore RecyclingColgate PalmoliveCommerce & Industry Association of New JerseyGannett FlemingGreat Ecology & Environments GEIJ.G. Petrucci Co. Johnson & JohnsonMaraziti Falcon & HealeyMiddlesex Water CompanyMWHMX SolarNJBidPfizerPrinceton HydroPSE&GRutgers PurchasingSanofi-Aventis

Somerset County Business PartnershipThe Louis Berger GroupVertices, Inc.Wolff Samson

AcademicRutgers Preparatory SchoolRutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy

The National Center for NeighborhoodandBrownfieldsRedevelopmentThe Rutgers Center for Green Building

Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Center for Urban Environmental SustainabilityNJ Water Resources Research InstituteRutgers Cooperative ExtensionEnvironmental Research CenterInstitute of Marine and Coastal SciencesRutgers University, School of Engineering

State and Federal Green Brook Flood Control CommissionNJ Water Supply AuthorityNJ Department of Environmental Protection Stony Brook Regional Sewer AuthorityFederal Emergency Management Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationUnited States Geological SurveyUS Army Corps of EngineersUSDA– NCRS - North Jersey RC&DUS Environmental Protection Agency

Foundation PartnersMushett Family FoundationGeraldine R. Dodge FoundationPNC Foundation Cape Branch Foundation

County Hunterdon CountyMercer CountyMiddlesex (Improvement Authority, Economic Development, Utility Authority)Monmouth CountyMorris CountySomerset CountyUnion County

MunicipalBedminster*Bernards*Bernardsville*Bound Brook*BranchburgBridgewaterCalifon*ChesterClark*East AmwellEast BrunswickEast Windsor*EdisonEnglishtown Borough*Franklin*Freehold Township*Green Brook*Helmetta*Highland Park*HillsboroughHightstown Borough*Lebanon Township*ManvilleMiddlesex Borough*Montgomery Township*New Brunswick*North BrunswickPerth AmboyPrinceton Township*PiscatawayRaritan Borough*Raritan Township*Somerville*South Amboy*SouthPlainfieldSpotswood*Summit*WarrenWoodbridge*

*Asterisk indicate formal partners

ContentsWelcome from Sustainable Raritan River Initiative 3

Acknowledgements 4

Sustainable Raritan River Collaborative 5

Greenways, Recreation and Public Access 8

Habitat Preservation and Resource Stewardship 9

Remediation and Prevention of Future Pollution 10

Water Quality, Stormwater and Infrastructure 11

Balancing Redevelopment and Restoration 12

Collaborative Reports and News 13

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions 13

Bound Brook, NJ 13

Central Jersey Trout Unlimited 13

Cranbury Township, NJ 13

Crossroads of the American Revolution 13

Duke Farms 13

East Brunswick, NJ 14

Edison, NJ 14

Edison Wetlands Association 14

GreenVest, LLC 14

Hightstown Borough, NJ 14

Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership 14

Middlesex County 15

Middlesex County Improvement Authority 15

Montgomery Township, NJ 15

MWH Americas, Inc. 16

National Park Service 16

New Jersey Audubon 16

NJ Department of Environmental Protection 16

New Jersey Water Supply Authority 16

New York-New Jersey Baykeeper 16

No Water No Life 17 6 Action Report 2011


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 17

Perth Amboy, NJ 17

Pfizer 17

Princeton Hydro 17

Raritan Borough, NJ 17

Raritan Headwaters Association 17

Raritan Riverkeeper 18

Reel Therapy 18

Rutgers Preparatory School 18

Rutgers-Cooperative Extension 18

Rutgers-Ecological Preserve 18

Rutgers University, School of Environmental & Biological Sciences 18

Sayreville, NJ 19

Somerset County 19

Somerville, NJ 19

South Plainfield, NJ 19

Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association 19

Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, Rutgers University 20

Union County Parks 20

US Fish and Wildlife Service 20

US Environmental Protection Agency 21

Woodbridge, NJ 21


Greenways, Recreation and Public AccessThe efforts of the Collaborative promote greenways, encourage recreational uses of the river, and support more public access for boating, birding, and other water related activities. We aspire for more coordination throughout the region — and for more celebrations of our connections to this important resource.

•Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions: Lower Raritan Public Access Project (A)

•Bound Brook, NJ: Riverfest •Crossroads of the American Revolution: advisor

to the Lower Raritan Public Access Project•Edison, NJ: recreational and public access points

increased (B)•Hightstown Borough, NJ: Greenway Bridge•Middlesex County Improvement Authority:

encouraged recreational water trail implementation and interpretive signage at public access sites • facilitated local paddle club development

•Middlesex County: signage project •Montgomery Township, NJ: Earth Day fair •

“Green Map” • 250 acres of new parkland•National Park Service: advisor to the Lower

Raritan Public Access Project•New Jersey Audubon: Citizen Scientist Programs

•New Jersey Water Supply Authority: dredging D&R Canal (C) preserved 667 acres of open space

•Perth Amboy, NJ: top high school sail club•Raritan Riverkeeper: advisor to Lower Raritan

Public Access Project • partner on kayak and canoe trips • assisted with conducting the D&R Canal Race

•Rutgers Ecological Preserve: trails development and cleanup • student volunteer trail patrol • student-led project to design and build a bridge, and increase in recreational activities

•Somerville, NJ: re-engineering stream•Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association:

completed conservation corridor (D)•Sustainable Raritan River Initiative: June and

October canoe and kayak trips • supported Collaborative Member grant applications • advisor to Lower Raritan Public Access Project

•Union County Parks: annual bioblitz

A B

CD

A

C


Habitat Preservation and Resource StewardshipThe capacity of this river, as the largest contiguous wildlife corridor in the state, supports a vast abundance of wildlife. The preservation and stewardship of lands held in public trust — and in private hands — will insure the protection of this important regional asset.

•Central Jersey Trout Unlimited: assisted with the Genetic Brook Trout Study • engaged communities and youth

•Duke Farms: wetlands reserve program • floating islands • wetland mitigation program

•East Brunswick, NJ: spring salamander migration protection program • educational programs

•Edison, NJ: Edison Clean Communities Program •Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership:

community outreach events • support for natural resource protection and brownfield reuse

•Middlesex County Improvement Authority: public training on water quality monitoring

•Montgomery Township, NJ: acquired open space from State Hospital demolition • added open space to Cherry Brook Preserve

•Musconetcong Watershed Association: dam removal and educational programming

•MWH America’s, Inc: Calco Dam demolition (E)•NJ Audubon: grant approval providing

conservation and data collection•NY-NJ Baykeeper: oyster reef research•NJ Department of Environmental Protection:

Watershed Ambassador Program•National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration: watershed data used in Newark Bay mapping and dam removal

•No Water No Life: Raritan River video•Princeton Hydro: stewardship focused action

plan for the Rutgers Ecological Preserve

•Raritan Headwaters Association: engaging neighbors of preserved parcels to monitor, inventory and conduct stewardship projects • established an Environmental Resource Inventory

•Raritan Riverkeeper: active in blocking Liberty Natural Gas pipeline through Perth Amboy, Woodbridge & Carteret schools, residents and industrial areas • monitored 23 osprey nest sites for NJDEP Endangered & Nongame Species Program

•Rutgers Ecological Preserve: natural resources inventory • restored trails • stream restoration, installed bat house • established deer exclosures

•Rutgers Preparatory School: “zero landfill” dining commons reduced the overall landfill output

•Rutgers -Cooperative Extension: regional training • Neshanic Creek Project (with NJWSA)

•Rutgers University - School of Environmental & Biological Sciences: oyster reef research

•South Plainfield, NJ: stream restoration project•Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association:

stream watch volunteer program (F)•Sustainable Raritan River Initiative: Rutgers

Ecological Preserve restoration plan•US Environmental Protection Agency: provided

grants for watershed organizations•US Fish and Wildlife Service: restoration plan

that restores wetland functions and ecosystem services

D

EE F


Remediation and Prevention of Future PollutionThe multiple challenges of cleaning up hazardous sites and restoring the resource are being met up and down the river. Brownfields are seen more often as assets and developers recognize the value of preserving natural areas in their projects. Ongoing research is characterizing the extent of legacy contaminants.

•Bound Brook, NJ: Superfund cleanup site•Edison Wetlands Association: chairs the

Community Advisory Group for Woodbrook Road Superfund site, Edison • advocates for cleanup and public access at the Raritan Bay Slag (Sayreville) and American Cyanamid (Bridgewater) Sites

•Eric Shultz (supported by Edison Wetlands Association, Cape Branch Foundation, Mushett Family Foundation and NJ Council on the Arts): Rescuing a River: The Raritan (H)

•Middlesex County Improvement Authority: eliminate disincentives in the Licensed Site Remediation Professional process • remedial action work plans

•NJ Department of Environmental Protection: cleanup and restoration projects

•National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: remedies for Superfund sites and monitoring contaminant impacts

•Pfizer: ongoing remediation of American Cyanamid (I)

•Raritan Headwaters Association: non-point source pollution programs and training

•Raritan Riverkeeper: active member of Raritan Bay Slag Site CAG and Woodbrook Road Superfund Site CAG • heavily involved in the American Cyanamid site in Bridgewater • party to lawsuits to curb pollution from highway bridges on the lower Raritan and over polluted river sediments from the old National Lead site in Sayreville

•Rutgers University: School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences: measuring metal and organic contaminant concentration (J)

F

G

H

J

JI


Water Quality, Stormwater and InfrastructureThe Raritan is the richest source of water in the region. Managing our stormwater, preserving our floodplains and restoring capacity to manage stormwater is key. At the same time, we have to improve our infrastructures — both built and natural — to ensure we have the reserves to meet our future needs and to support the natural assets of the region.

•Bound Brook, NJ: flood control project •Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership:

waterway cleanups and expanded water quality monitoring

•Montgomery Township, NJ: upgrades to wastewater treatment plants

•Musconetcong Watershed Association: water quality monitoring program and river clean ups

•NJ Department of Environmental Protection: rain barrels

•New Jersey Water Supply Authority: maintained water quality for regional water supply • capital improvements to Manasquan water treatment plant • developed nutrient management plans and watershed protection plans • instituted innovative stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) • addressed large sediment contributors • provided training and rain barrels through numerous programs including the Peters Brook Rebate Program (with Raritan Center Partnership)

•Princeton Hydro: comprehensive watershed protection and restoration plan • dam removal and riparian wetland restoration (K)

•Rutgers-Cooperative Extension: rain barrel workshops (L)

•Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences: characterization of aspects of the physical and chemical properties of the Raritan River

•Rutgers Ecological Preserve: stormwater wetland construction

•Somerset County: rain barrel rebate program•Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association:

stormwater management seminar•Sustainable Raritan River Initiative: FEMA

sponsored research on impacts of flooding • survey for New Jersey American Water • engineering roundtable • green infrastructure program for NJ Society of Municipal Engineers

H

K

L


Balancing Redevelopment and RestorationAt the end of the day, it’s about local decisions and recognizing that no project is separate from the land and water in its reach; the efforts to balance restoration and redevelopment are the highlights of our future success.

•Bound Brook: Raritan River urban design plan•Cranbury Township, NJ: wetland mitigation bank•Edison, NJ: energy-saving and alternate energy

municipal projects•GreenVest: Lawrence Brook ecosystem

restoration (M)•Middlesex County: Manalapan Brook

watershed restoration and preservation plan implementation • riparian buffer ordinance

•Middlesex County Improvement Authority: research on economic value from riverfront walkways and recreational activities

•Raritan Borough, NJ: Raritan River urban design plan (photo simulation, N)

•Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association: legal support for wetlands preservation

•Sustainable Raritan River Initiative: four business roundtables and the third annual conference

•Woodbridge, NJ: Woodbridge waterfront park redeveloped from the former El Paso site

J

N

M


Collaborative Reports and NewsFor full reports see: www.raritan.rutgers.edu/resources/appendixbyorganization.pdf

Association of New Jersey Environmental CommissionsGreenways, recreation and public access

•working with a number of parties to raise awareness of access opportunities for the Lower Raritan

•encouraging municipal assessments of access sites in their towns, including recommendations for improvements

•Highland Park has completed an ERI that will be used as a prototype for other municipalities

Bound Brook, NJGreenways, recreation and public access

•Riverfest links the public to the Raritan and to the D&R Canal

Remediation and prevention of future pollution

•undetected benzene seep was discovered at the Superfund cleanup site

Water quality, stormwater and infrastructure

•flood control project significantly reduced impacts from Hurricane Irene flooding

Balancing redevelopment and restoration

•Raritan River urban design plan by Bound Brook Economic Development Advisory Committee and Carlos Rodrigues

Central Jersey Trout UnlimitedHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•assisted with the Genetic Brook Trout Study that identified through DNA analysis that there are genetically pure brook trout populations in 11 streams in New Jersey

•engaged communities (including numerous Trout in the Classroom programs) in the protection and restoration of the Musconetcong River

Cranbury Township, NJCranbury Wetland Mitigation Bank Balancing redevelopment and restoration

•site has been impaired by agricultural operations, development and transportation systems

•critical to improving or sustaining downstream chemical, physical and biological integrity

•permanently converted approximately 80 of the 138 acres from agricultural use to a restored forested headwater system

•improved habitat quality for two threatened and endangered species (wood turtle and barred owl) and a species of special concern (spotted turtle) and enhanced habitat for an existing metapopulation of wood frogs

•improved local/regional water quality and groundwater recharge/discharge, as well as restored natural nutrient/sediment cycling

Crossroads of the American Revolution Greenways, recreation and public access

•working to enhance public access points and trails with historical markers • advisor to Lower Raritan Public Access Project

•partner with National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Division and the Collaborative to incorporate heritage assets into recreational trail planning

Duke Farms Habitat preservation and resource stewardship

•Wetlands Reserve Program transformed former agricultural land back into shallow water wetlands

•PSE&G wetland mitigation project as a result of power line extension


•floating islands installed to absorb nutrient loads to reduce algae on the 75 acre lake system, engineered by Princeton Hydro

East Brunswick, NJHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•spring salamander migration protection program and educational programs

Edison, NJ

Raritan River Front Walkway

Greenways, recreation and public access •increased recreational and public access points

along Raritan RiverHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•Edison Clean Communities Program has repeatedly provided support for supplies and supervision for cleaning areas of Raritan River tributaries

Balancing redevelopment and restoration •initiated a number of energy-saving and alternate

energy municipal projects

Edison Wetlands AssociationRemediation and prevention of future pollution

•chairs the Community Advisory Group for Woodbrook Road Superfund site, Edison

•advocating for cleanup and public access at the Raritan Bay Slag (Sayreville) and American Cyanamid (Bridgewater) Superfund sites


•partner on Keasbey Redevelopment Project in Woodbridge

GreenVest, LLCLawrence Brook, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, New Brunswick, NJBalancing redevelopment and restoration

•historically the site was used for salt hay production and was later severely ditched for mosquito control

•site is comprised of 25 acres of degraded salt and freshwater tidal marsh

•provided compensatory mitigation for the remediation and redevelopment of the Sayreville Seaport, located on the former National Lead site situated on the southern bank of the Raritan River in Sayreville, NJ

•several plant species, some of which have not been seen in the Raritan Basin since the turn of the Century, emerged from the historic seed bank

Hightstown Borough, NJ

Greenways, recreation and public access •community-led initiative to replace the Greenway

Bridge over the Peddie Lake Dam

Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership

Habitat preservation and resource stewardship

•took part in nine community day activities and five nature walks

•issues with proposed concrete batch plant & oil repackaging • ongoing support for three protected farms• natural resource/open space protection and brownfield reuse


•four waterway cleanups and expanding water quality monitoring & starting a program to study land use throughout the watershed


Middlesex CountyGreenways, recreation and public access

•signage project encouraging towns to develop public access plan


•Manalapan Brook Watershed Restoration and Preservation Plan approved and moving into the implementation phase of the initiative

•riparian buffer ordinance in towns that front the lower Raritan

Middlesex County Improvement Authority

Greenways, recreation and public access

•applied for funding for recreational water trail planning and implementation and interpretive signage at public access sites

•improving coordination of planning and implementation for pedestrian, bicycle, and water trails

•facilitated local paddle club development in Highland Park, Perth Amboy, and at Rutgers University

Habitat preservation and resource stewardship •facilitated Watershed Ambassador presentations

and public training by the Ambassador on water quality monitoring in WSA9


•working with public entities to eliminate disincentives in the NJDEP’s new LSRP to public sector brownfield initiatives

•investigated and prepared remedial action work plans for specific sites in Middlesex Borough, South Amboy and Milltown

Balancing redevelopment and restoration •researching studies on economic value from

riverfront walkways and freshwater-based recreational activities

Montgomery Township, NJGreenways, recreation and public access

•Earth Day fair offered information on septic maintenance, open space, native plants, recycling and composting

•Environmental Commission awarded a grant to create a “Green Map” with Hillsborough, Princeton & Lawrence Townships to show networks of open space, preserved farmland, parks, pathways, and bike lanes

•sold former State hospital to Somerset County to create 250 acres of parkland

Habitat preservation and resource stewardship •acquired new open space for Cherry Brook

Preserve that will serve to further protect the surface water quality of the stream


•upgrades to Pike Brook Wastewater Treatment Plant and Skillman Village Wastewater Treatment Plant to make use of a highly efficient treatment system and to reduce the amount of chemicals needed for wastewater treatment

Montgomery Township Mayor Mark Caliguire signs closing documents to transfer ownership of Skillman Park to Somerset County. Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh, Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, Committeeman Ed Trzaska and former mayor Ted Maciag look on.


MWH Americas, Inc.Raritan River Dam Removal Project Habitat preservation and resource stewardship

•three year project, completed in August 2011, resulted in the demolition of the 73-year old Calco Dam in Bound Brook

•restored access to historically significant spawning grounds for American shad and other migratory fish

•created immediate improvements in public safety, water quality, and habitat diversity

National Park ServiceGreenways, recreation and public access

•advisor through Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Division (RCTA) to the Lower Raritan Public Access Project

New Jersey AudubonGreenways, recreation and public access

•citizen scientist programsHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•received $40,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant along with Raritan Valley Community College

•grant supports projects that engage new audiences in conservation and tackle pressing conservation problems

•will use the grant to conduct river cleanups and watershed restoration and to collect bird and plant species data, which will inform targeted conservation efforts

•service projects that educate others about the river will also be funded by the grant

NJ Department of Environmental ProtectionHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•completed 11th year of the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program which raises awareness about watershed stewardship


•conducted cleanup and restoration projects in WMA 8, WMA 9 and WMA 10


•administered programs to increase the use of rain barrels in WMA 7 and WMA 10, which prevent polluted stormwater runoff from entering the Raritan

New Jersey Water Supply AuthorityWater quality, stormwater and infrastructure

•dredging project for the D&R Canal•preserved 667 acres of open space•$750,000 grant from NJDEP and additional

financial and staff support from the US and NJ Departments of Agriculture to work with farmers to develop nutrient management plans

•$952,500 grant to implement innovative stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) in roadside drainage systems and other drainage areas designed to reduce sediment transport in the Lockatong and Wickecheoke Creek watersheds

•$2.2 million non-point source pollution grant from the NJDEP to address the largest sediment contributors in the last 11 miles of the D&R Canal

•donated 18 rain barrels with automatic diverters for installation in nine new Habitat for Humanity homes in Bridgewater, through numerous programs, including the Peters Brook Rebate Program (with Raritan Center Partnership)

New York-New Jersey BaykeeperHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•coordinated with Rutgers, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences to conduct oyster reef research


No Water No LifeNew Jersey’s Raritan River Basin: A Sustainable Perspective Video PresentationHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•released the second No Water No Life video presentation on the Raritan River Basin

•video raises awareness of the diverse values of the Raritan River as it passes through the watershed

•film was screened at the 3rd Annual Sustainable Raritan River Conference in June 2011 at Rutgers University

National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•incorporated Raritan River watershed data in the Newark Bay database and mapping project


•continued work with EPA to find remedies for a number of Superfund sites in the watershed and in assessing and monitoring the impact of contaminants on the watershed

Perth Amboy, NJGreenways, recreation and public access

•Perth Amboy Sailing Team (courtesy of NJ Interscholastic Sailing)

PfizerRemediation and prevention of future pollution

•Pfizer recently acquired the American Cyanamid Superfund site • remediation planning for this complex site is underway and public concern is high

Princeton Hydro


•developed a stewardship focused action plan with Rutgers students for the Rutgers Ecological Preserve


•contracted by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority to develop comprehensive watershed protection and restoration plan for the Manalapan Brook watershed

•partnered with NRCS and Hunterdon Land Trust for the Quakertown Preserve dam removal and riparian wetland restoration

Raritan Borough, NJBalancing redevelopment and restoration

•urban design plan developed by Rutgers students for an underutilized portion of the Raritan Borough waterfront

Raritan Headwaters AssociationHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•established a Friends of the Preserve Program, engaging neighbors of preserved parcels to monitor, inventory and conduct stewardship projects


•established an Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) for the entire Raritan Headwaters Region

•engaged 900 residents from 11 municipalities in the Community Well Test Program to identify potential pollutants & assess ground water quality

•led 700 citizen volunteers in stream cleanups at 27 sites


•non-point source pollution programs and training

Raritan RiverkeeperGreenways, recreation and public access

•advisor to Lower Raritan Public Access Project •organized (with Edward J. Bloustein School) the

June and October kayak and canoe trips •assisted with conducting the D&R Canal Race


•active in blocking Liberty Natural Gas pipeline through Perth Amboy, Woodbridge & Carteret school, residential, and industrial areas

•monitored 23 osprey nest sites for NJDEP Endangered & Nongame Species Program


•active member of Raritan Bay Slag Site CAG, active member of Woodbrook Road Superfund Site CAG, heavily involved in the American Cyanamid site in Bridgewater

•party to lawsuits with Baykeeper and EWA to curb pollution from highway bridges on the lower Raritan and over polluted river sediments from the old National Lead site in Sayreville

Reel TherapyGreenways, recreation and public access

•provided kayaks for the June and October kayak and canoe trips

Rutgers Preparatory SchoolHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•“zero landfill” dining commons reduced the overall landfill output of the campus by over 40%

Rutgers-Cooperative ExtensionHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•regional training and Neshanic Creek Project (with NJWSA)


•rain barrel workshops

Rutgers-Ecological PreserveGreenways, recreation and public access

•received $8,509 grant from the NJDEP Recreational Trails Program to support trails development in the Rutgers Ecological Preserve and Natural Teaching Area

•held trails and downed trees cleanup with Rutgers students

•the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association held an orienteering meet and the Rutgers Recreation Department held the RU Down & Dirty Mud Run

•formed a student volunteer trail patrol•student-led project to design and build a bridge

across Buell BrookHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•added to the Preserve’s natural resources inventory database • restored a degraded trail • initiated a stream restoration project on the northern stretch of Buell Brook • installed one bat house and established deer exclosures


•new stormwater wetland is under construction on the edge of the Ecological Preserve

Rutgers University, School of Environmental & Biological SciencesCenter for Urban Environmental Sustainability

Habitat preservation and resource stewardship•restoring native oysters to the Hudson-Raritan

Estuary to improve habitat and water quality


Department of Environmental Sciences Remediation and prevention of future pollution

•measuring metal and organic contaminant concentrations both in the water column and in the surficial sediments

Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences Water quality, stormwater and infrastructure

•characterization of aspects of the physical and chemical properties of the Raritan River

Sayreville, NJGreenways, recreation and public access

•hosted the June kayak and canoe trip from New Brunswick to Sayreville

Somerset CountyPeters Brook Residential Rain Barrel Rebate ProgramWater quality, stormwater and infrastructure

•rebate offered to residents living in the Peters Brooks watershed to install rain barrels with a goal to establish a sufficient number of rain barrels to quantifiably reduce the pollution and sediment loads of the Peters Brooks

•rain barrels have been installed and the county has issued $760 in rebates

Somerville, NJ“Green Seam” Restoration


•“Green Seam” is a local name for a seasonal stream that runs through an area of suspected contamination

•stream will be re-engineered to isolate it from fill, allowing it to become a receptor for the remediate ground water

•when completed, “Green Seam” will be 40 acres of open space within an urbanized community

•

•

South Plainfield, NJMiddlesex County Walnut Street Park Stream Restoration Project


•mosquito extermination commission desnagged the stream and removed sediment from the stream bed

•planted native trees and shrubs along the stream bed to control erosion and reduce silting of the stream bed

•saplings were donated by NJ Conservation Foundation and installed by volunteers

Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed AssociationGreenways, recreation and public access

•purchased the 70-acre Thompson Tract which completes a continuous 5-mile conservation corridor between Hopewell Borough and Pennington

Habitat preservation and resource stewardship•stream watch volunteer program monitors

approximately 38 sites in the Raritan watershedWater quality, stormwater and infrastructure

•sponsored stormwater management seminar for South Brunswick Township on stormwater detention basin maintenance and retrofits

•modeled stormwater flow through Harry’s Brook in Princeton to identify sources of significant stormwater inputs


•supported Cranbury Township in lawsuit to protect 200 acres of wetlands from proposed site plan application

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More extensive reports for individual contributors can be found on our website:

www.raritan.rutgers.edu/resources/appendixbyorganization.pdf


Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, Rutgers University


•June canoe and kayak trip to Sayreville led by Raritan Riverkeeper, Bill Schultz, and Paul Eidman of ReelTherapy • Sayreville hosted a picnic

•secured a Technical Assistance Grant (in cooperation with Crossroads of the American Revolution) from National Park Service to work on ANJEC Public Access project

•Rutgers Ecological Preserve Restoration Plan Bloustein studio on the future of the Rutgers Ecological Preserve.


•Rutgers Ecological Preserve Restoration Plan Bloustein School hosted a studio course by the graduate planning students focused on the future of the Rutgers Ecological Preserve. This work is being coordinated with efforts by University President Richard L. McCormick and Dr. Richard Lathrop, Faculty Director of the Preserve, to promote the enhanced use of the land for educational purposes


•FEMA study on mitigation and impacts of flooding in the Raritan River region

•NJ American Water study on communication on water quality, water emergencies and infrastructure

•Engineering Roundtable hosted by President McCormick for regional and municipal engineers to promote green and blue infrastructure


•Sustainable Raritan River Business Roundtables: Bayshore Recycling, NJDEP, Johnson & Johnson, and MX Solar

•3rd Annual Sustainable Raritan River Conference: “Ecology, Economy and the Future of the Raritan Region: What’s in it for Us?”

Building the Collaborative

•presentation to the legislature on oyster research with SEBS and Baykeeper

•support for grant applications and secured NPS technical assistance grant for the ANJEC public access project

•over 40 municipalities and 3 counties have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, resolutions of support for the Action Plan (www.raritan.rutgers.edu/agenda/finalplan.pdf)

Union County ParksGreenways, recreation and public access

•annual bioblitz

US Fish and Wildlife Service


•partnered with Duke Farms and the NRCS to design a restoration plan that restores wetland functions and ecosystem services while dealing with issues of annual floods and storm water runoff


US Environmental Protection Agency New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary ProgramHabitat preservation and resource stewardship

•provided support to a number of projects throughout the watershed including over $100,000 in grants to projects executed by :• NJ Audubon•Great Ecology, Inc., •Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership •Association of New Jersey Environmental

Commissions

Woodbridge, NJBalancing redevelopment and restoration

•Woodbridge waterfront park - redevelopment of the former El Paso site

These are just a few of the hightlights. More extensive reports for individual contributors can be found on our website:

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www.raritan.rutgers.edu/resources/appendixbyorganization.pdf


WEBSITES FOR SUSTAINABLE RARITAN RIVER REGIONAL COLLOBORATORSAssociation of New Jersey Environmental Commissions http://www.anjec.org/Bound Brook, NJ http://www.boundbrook-nj.org/Central Jersey Trout Unlimited http://www.cjtu.org/Cranbury Township, NJ http://www.cranburytownship.org/Crossroads of the American Revolution http://www.revolutionarynj.org/Duke Farms http://www.dukefarms.org/East Brunswick, NJ http://www.eastbrunswick.org/Edison, NJ http://www.edisonnj.org/Edison Wetlands Association http://www.edisonwetlands.org/GreenVest, LLC http://www.greenvestus.com/Hightstown Borough, NJ http://www.hightstownborough.com/Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership http://www.lbwp.org/Middlesex County http://www.co.middlesex.nj.us/Middlesex County Improvement Authority http://www.mciauth.com/Montgomery Township, NJ http://www.montgomery.nj.us/MWH Americas, Inc. http://www.mwhglobal.com/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.noaa.gov/National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/state/nj/index.htm?program=allNew Jersey Audubon http://www.njaudubon.org/New Jersey Water Supply Authority http://www.njwsa.org/New York-New Jersey Baykeeper http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org/New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection http://www.state.nj.us/dep/No Water No Life http://nowater-nolife.org/index.htmlPerth Amboy, NJ http://ci.perthamboy.nj.us/Pfizer http://www.pfizer.com/home/Princeton Hydro http://www.princetonhydro.com/Raritan Borough, NJ http://www.raritanboro.org/Raritan Headwaters Association http://www.raritanheadwaters.org/Reel Therapy http://reeltherapy.com/Rutgers Cooperative Extension http://njaes.rutgers.edu/extension/Rutgers Ecological Preserve http://www.mappler.info/geo005info/Rutgers Preparatory School http://www.rutgersprep.org/Rutgers School of Environmental & Biological Sciences http://sebs.rutgers.edu/Sayreville, NJ http://www.sayreville.com/Somerset County http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Somerville, NJ http://www.somervillenj.org/South Plainfield, NJ http://www.southplainfieldnj.com/spnj/Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association http://www.thewatershed.org/Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, Rutgers University, Ed-ward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy

http://raritan.rutgers.edu/

Union County Parks http://ucnj.org/community/parks-community-renew-al/parks-facilities/

US Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/states/nj.htmlUS Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/northeast/njfieldoffice/Woodbridge, NJ http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/

Printing Services:Tech Repro, Inc.

65 Zabriskie StreetHackensack, NJ 07601Phone: 201.489.1333

Fax: 201.489.0674www.techrepro.com

Sponsored by:Office of the President

Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public PolicySchool of Environmental and Biological Sciences

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Special Thanks to the Cape Branch Foundation

Sustainable Raritan River InitiativeEdward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey33 Livingston Avenue

New Brunswick, NJ 08901Phone: 848.932.2711

Email: [email protected]

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