The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) would like to restore the wetlands in the Quakertown Preserve, Franklin Township, Hunterdon County. They plan to re-vegetate a floodplain and riparian area adjacent to a first-order tributary of the Capoolong Creek (a.k.a. Cakepoulin Creek), a designated C-1 stream. HLTA is undertaking the removal of an earthen berm to restore the impoundment to wetland, recreate accessible floodplain to the stream, and enhance nutrient removal capacity of the floodplain wetlands. HLTA will remove invasives in the surrounding floodplain and riparian area and replant with natives, and supplement the wetland re-planting with a broader array of native species.

The single most important action to restoring the wetland and reconnecting the floodplain to the stream is the removal of the earthen berm that occupies the stream corridor and recreating wetland habitat in the existing pond.  This area would be unevenly graded in hummock-like micro-topography and planted with a wide array of native plants specialized to this habitat.  The area of the existing pond and earthen berm encompasses approximately a ¼ acre or 10% of the project site.

The second major component of the project is to modify the floodplain wetland occupied by, and adjacent to, the berm to improve connectivity with the stream.  This area encompasses over 0.10 acre or 4% of the project site.

Finally, the project includes removing non-native invasive plants and replanting with regionally native species throughout the floodplain wetland and riparian area of the project area.  The riparian area targeted for management is approximately 2.15 acres or the remaining 85% of the project site.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality/quantity- protection of groundwater recharge areas; Flood control- restoration of wetlands and riparian lands

Total Project Cost: $83,000

Status:  The Natural Resources Conservation Service will reimburse expenses up to $5,860 for clearing of vegetation, excavation of the existing pond berm, and subsequent wetland enhancement, macrotopography restoration and herbaceous plugs for one acre of the site.    The NJ Wetlands Mitigation Council will provide $74,125.85 for professional services associated with this work, including engineering, surveying, excavation, regrading and clearing and required state permits.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.

The Mill Dam Fish Passage Restoration Project will install a denil-type fish ladder within the Mill Dam to provide access to spawning and rearing habitat for migrating fish and would benefit migratory fish populations that historically spawned in the Rancocas River including: alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), and American eel (Anguilla rostrata).  The fish ladder at Mill Dam would provide access to approximately 11 miles of spawning habitat for alewife, American shad, and American eel.

Currently, alewife are able to use the Rancocas River up to Mill Dam.  However, alewife are prevented from using areas upstream of the Mill Dam due to the obstruction.  As a result of the Mill Dam, hundreds of alewife congregate at the base of the dam every spring during the spawning run.  In addition, a fish ladder was constructed at the Smithville Dam approximately 5 miles upstream in anticipation of fish passage being provided at Mill Dam. The land use around the Rancocas River includes agriculture, open space, and residential and commercial development.

Improving migratory fish access into the Rancocas River will enhance the biological diversity of the riverine ecosystem, also benefitting wading birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife species.  As studies have shown, the reintroduction of herring populations through spawning runs not only makes available the juvenile herrings as a food supply for other marine or freshwater fish, but other life stages of the herring provide additional foraging opportunities for birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.  Thus, the number of fish species and piscivorous birds upstream of the dam will rise due to the overall improvement in the health of the Rancocas River’s riparian system as natural aquatic food webs are rebuilt.

Recreational fishing opportunities for the public will increase with future “herring runs.”  The recreational fishery for striped bass (Morone saxatilius) will benefit from the increases in aquatic biodiversity and forage fish populations.  A variety of warm-water fish (e.g., chain pickerel (Esox niger), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu),  largemouth bass (M. salmoides)) will feed on alewife, thus providing recreational fishing opportunities for both anadromous and warm-water fisheries.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Biological Diversity: Ecosystem restoration- restoring spawning grounds, restoring forage for upstream species

Recreation and Aesthetics: Public access- recreational fishing

Total Project Cost: $500,000

Status: The project has completed conceptual designs and is finalizing engineering designs for the project.  Project construction can begin when funding sources are in place.

If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.

]]> http://www.njconservationexchange.org/mill-dam-fish-passage-restoration/feed 2 http://www.njconservationexchange.org/old-short-hills-park-riparian-restoration http://www.njconservationexchange.org/old-short-hills-park-riparian-restoration#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:07:56 +0000 admin http://theconservationexchange.org/?p=760 In 2008, CRI facilitated a $42,000 payment for this project from a previously collected NRD settlement.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- aforestation

Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality and quantity- wetland restoration, protection of headwaters, riparian land protection

Biological Diversity: habitat- protecting aquatic and riparian habitat, ecosystem restoration

Total Project Cost: $94,300

In 2008, Conservation Resources Inc. helped to facilitate a $42,000 contribution to this project from the NJDEP Office of Natural Resource Restoration.

Status: Project is fully funded and restoration is underway.

If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.

The Musconetcong River runs 42 miles from Lake Hopatcong to the Delaware River, the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi. Over 24 miles of the Musconetcong River are designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System due to the remarkable recreational and scenic characteristics of this watercourse. It is the existence of the Warren Glen Dam that ends a 20 mile stretch of this Wild and Scenic River. The Musconetcong River Restoration Partnership believes that the removal of the Warren Glen and Hughesville Dams would add up to 6 additional miles of river to the National Wild and Scenic River System.

The goal of this project is to complete a feasibility study to evaluate restoration and engineering requirements for the Warren Glen and Hughesville Dam removals, and to complete removal of the remnants of the Rieglesville Dam. The feasibility study will include a survey of the dams, including impoundments and extensive diversions, sediment survey and analysis, and a conceptual design of restoration at Warren Glen and Hughesville Dams.

The successful completion of this project will improve fish passage, restore natural sediment transfer, restore floodplain wetlands, improve water quality, restore aquatic habitat, improve forage for raptors, and reduce public safety risk.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration, and Control: Water quality-protection of headwaters, wetland restoration; Water quantity-restoration of natural water flow, increased aquatic habitat

Biological Diversity: Habitat- extend aquatic habitat for fish spawning and raptor forage

Recreation and Aesthetics: expand area designated as part of National Wild and Scenic River system

Total Project Cost: $571,169   The Musconetcong Watershed Association received $50,000 in funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Musconetcong River Restoration Partnership is seeking matching funds in the amount of $50,000. Non-federal matching funds will help the Partnership’s application to the NOAA Open Rivers Initiative Grant Program to compete for funding.

Status: Removal of the Riegelsville Dam is expected by late summer of 2011.

If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.

The remnants of an old building remain inside the upland portion of Malibu Beach WMA. With funding CWF will restore this area to a native coastal maritime forest to benefit migratory songbirds.

The habitat in the “triangle” at Malibu Beach Wildlife Management Area currently has little to no value to many species of wildlife, especially migratory songbirds. Adjacent beaches are critical feeding and resting areas for migratory, breeding, and wintering shorebirds. The New Jersey Department of Transportation restored portions of the beach by removing invasive species and establishing native species to provide habitat for wildlife. However, this upland site has been proposed for use as a dredge disposal site, which would have no value to wildlife.

Studies have shown that migratory songbirds rely on coastal maritime forests for food and cover during fall migration. However, like most other areas along the entire east coast of New Jersey, the remaining forests on barrier islands are severely degraded or completely missing. The need for more “islands” of maritime forest along the Atlantic Coast is crucial to protect the high numbers of songbirds that migrate along the coast of New Jersey each year.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- reforestation

Biological Diversity: Habitat- restoration of maritime forest habitat

Total Project Cost:  $227,500

Status:  Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ would like to complete invasive plant removal, replanting of native foliage, and vertebrate monitoring by 2012.

If you would like further information about this project, contact Conservation Resources.

The headwaters of the Wading River Watershed originally supported extensive stands of Atlantic White Cedar forest, before conversion to agriculture during the first half of the 20th Century. Based on historical map sources, aerial photos, soil type, and the continued existence of adjacent stands of Atlantic White Cedar, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation has identified 300 acres suitable for planting of Atlantic White Cedar seedlings in wetlands where hydrology is measured to be appropriate for supporting this diminished habitat type.

The planting sites are all former agricultural areas that currently are–or in the near future will be– part of a wetlands restoration project. NJCF’s goal is not to convert existing native plant communities, but rather to restore areas that have already been highly modified.

• All Atlantic White Cedar seedlings will be grown from local seed collected on the Franklin Parker Preserve;
• All planting sites would be completely enclosed in deer fencing in units of approximately 25 – 50 acres per enclosure, and fencing would be removed once seedlings have grown to a safe height;
• Primary control of competition from red maple, pitch pine, or other tree species would be clipping via volunteer labor.
• It is the policy of NJCF that no Atlantic White Cedar harvest, salvage or otherwise, will ever be undertaken at Franklin Parker Preserve. The sole purpose for this restoration is to re-establish historic locations of Atlantic White Cedar cover type in the headwaters of the Wading River watershed, and to allow natural processes to dictate the ecological trajectory of these habitats over time.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quantity- protection of headwaters

Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- reforestation

Biological Diversity: Habitat- federal threatened species habitat protection; Ecosystem restoration

Total Project Cost: $330,000

Status: Planting sites have been identified within the Franklin Parker Preserve.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.

]]> http://www.njconservationexchange.org/atlantic-white-cedar-forest-habitat-restoration-at-franklin-parker-preserve/feed 1 http://www.njconservationexchange.org/riverbank-park-waterfront-restoration http://www.njconservationexchange.org/riverbank-park-waterfront-restoration#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 17:09:11 +0000 admin http://theconservationexchange.org/?p=312

Green space and recreational facilities are essential to healthy communities. With less than 25 acres of usable parkland for a population of over 50,000 residents, the Ironbound Community in Newark has a significant need for open space. As its population increases, the need for green space continues to grow. Many city parks are in disrepair and decline, and no new parks have been added for decades. The renovation of the Ironbound’s Riverbank Park, in conjunction with construction of new recreational facilities adjacent to the park, will provide residents with much-needed open space and will ensure a healthier future for the members of the Ironbound Community.

The restoration of the Ironbound’s Riverbank Park will involve several phases, beginning with the hiring of a landscape architect. Subsequent plans will include streambank stabilization, invasive species removal and native replantings, wetlands reconstruction, construction of paths and lighting, incorporation of gardens, art, and performance venues, and creation of a landscape which encourages passive recreation and a gathering of community.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quality- streambank stabilization, stream buffers, preventing erosion and sedimentation, wetlands restoration, groundwater recharge

Climate Stabilization and Air Pollution Mitigation: Carbon sequestration- aforestation; Physical urban climate moderation- community greening project; Air quality- adding trees and native plants

Biological Diversity: Habitat- improving aquatic habitat, increasing urban habitat; Ecosystem restoration- invasive plant removal, restoration of native plantings

Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- walking trails and access to waterfront

Total Project Cost: $11 million

In 2008, CRI granted the Ironbound Community Corporation $4,000 for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program.

Status: In the planning stages.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.

]]> http://www.njconservationexchange.org/riverbank-park-waterfront-restoration/feed 0 http://www.njconservationexchange.org/raritan-riverfront-restoration-and-park http://www.njconservationexchange.org/raritan-riverfront-restoration-and-park#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 17:22:30 +0000 admin http://theconservationexchange.org/?p=251

Edison Wetlands Association (EWA) conceived the ambitious Raritan River Walkway and waterfront Brownfields-to-Greenfields (B2G) project in 2002.  The visionary project broke ground in August 2009, and its first phase was complete by year-end.  By transforming the garbage and toxic waste of Edison Landfill and Kin-Buc Landfill Superfund Site into gardens and rich wildlife habitat, the Raritan River Walkway is creating a national B2G model for redeveloping industrial sites into safe public greenfields with riverfront access and recreation.  EWA announced the walkway’s completion with a press conference onsite in late 2009 with Assemblymen Peter Barnes and Patrick Diegnan, then-Mayor Jun Choi, and Conservation Resources president Michael Catania.  The trail formally opened to the public in 2010.

EWA advocated successfully for the Township of Edison and the Middlesex County Freeholders to post for a $508,725 bond and reimbursement, and their advocacy led the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to allocate Natural Resource Damages (NRD) funds to this project.  The NRD funding itself came from the Hatco site settlement in Woodbridge, where EWA worked with NJDEP to force a $13.2 million cleanup of PCB lagoons.  The state funding was managed by CRI, which worked with NJDEP, EWA and the Township to forge an agreement for the project to begin.  The first phase offers a scenic 1,500-foot trail with the first extended public access to Edison’s seven-mile riverfront in Township history. The trail includes kiosks, native wildflowers and butterfly gardens, a footbridge spanning a tidal wetlands inlet along Mill Brook, and a public gazebo.

CRI was able to facilitate a $593,000 regulatory contribution to this emerging greenway and restoration project along the Raritan River.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration & Control: Water quantity- wetland restoration

Biological Diversity: Habitat- restoring native vegetation, protecting aquatic habitat

Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- hiking trails, access to waterfront; Environmental education- informational displays

Total Project Cost: $870,848

Status:  The trail formally opened to the public with a tree-planting ceremony and walkway tour with Edison Mayor Antonia Ricigliano and other elected officials in honor of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day in April 2010. The first phase now offers the families of Edison and surrounding areas a public gazebo, swallow nest boxes, native fruit-bearing trees and a butterfly garden, a footbridge over tidal wetlands along the mouth of Mill Creek, and a scenic 1,500-foot trail with the first extended public access to Edison’s seven-mile riverfront in Township history.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources.

]]> http://www.njconservationexchange.org/raritan-riverfront-restoration-and-park/feed 0 http://www.njconservationexchange.org/branch-brook-park http://www.njconservationexchange.org/branch-brook-park#comments Thu, 14 May 2009 18:08:43 +0000 admin http://theconservationexchange.org/?p=70

Waterways constitute Branch Brook Park’s most important ecological resource and one of its most important historic attributes. Historically, the Olmsted firm envisioned Branch Brook Park’s continuous waterway system as its aesthetic spine. Over the years, the system has become stagnant and polluted, partially filled in, and subject to reduced water flow.

Restoration of this natural system is critical to the Branch Brook Park Alliance’s plans to preserve Branch Brook Park and catalyze the economic development of the surrounding residential community. Restoration of the waterways and the riparian buffer will not only improve the appearance and increase public use and enjoyment of the park, but also benefit the local and regional ecosystem by improving water quality, lowering nutrients and sedimentation, increasing oxygen and improving the trophic level both in the watercourse and the watershed.

A healthy watercourse will support a wider diversity of aquatic life and improve habitats for flora and fauna in the park. The restored waterways will also have the potential to support environmental education activities along with increased opportunities for bird watching, fishing and boating.

Ecosystem Services Provided:

Water Protection, Filtration, & Control: Water quality and quantity- protection of groundwater recharge areas, restoration of stream buffers and watershed

Outreach, Recreation & Aesthetics: Public access- access to waterfront with associated recreational activities; Environmental education

Total Project Cost: $281,000 for the feasibility study

CRI has provided funding for this project through its Franklin Parker Small Grants program: $4,000 in 2008, and $2,500 in 2009.

Status: A waterway feasibility study is currently underway. The Branch Brook Park Alliance will also be seeking additional funds for full restoration of the waterway.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Conservation Resources Inc.

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