lopatcong creek and watershed planning
TRANSCRIPT
Lopatcong Creek and Watershed Planning
Perfect Together
Grace Messinger, Executive Director
North Jersey RC&D
Overview• Setting of Lopatcong Creek
• Why: Watershed Restoration & Protection Planning
• What is process, how will process achieve improved water quality
• Lopatcong Creek…On-the-ground Activities
– Lopatcong Creek Initiative (River- Friendly Communities)
– Morris Canal – Lopatcong Creek Restoration
– Agriculture/River-Friendly Farm Certification
• Questions ???
Headwaters: Forested
Central: Agriculture, Suburban
Downstream: Urban /Suburban
Lopatcong CreekSize: 20 sq milesFive Townships, 1 CountyForest & Wetland: 26%Agriculture: 38% Urban: 31%Waterway Designated as: Category One-Trout Production for 18 milesStressors: • Phosphorous, Fecal Coliform/E. Coli (Bacteria) • Lack of Natural Riparian Habitat
WHY: Watershed Restoration & Protection Plan
• It is a strategy that provides assessment and management information for a specially defined watershed
• Benefit addresses problems in holistic manner with active stakeholder & community involvement
• Plans include: – Recommendations/Changes to local zoning ,development
regulations and programs,
– Installation of best management practices at specific priority locations
– Protect sensitive watershed resources
– Restore resources that have already been degraded by agriculture or urbanization
Watershed Planning Cycle
Build Partnerships• Watershed targeted for
restoration but need $$$ to do work and PLAN
• Wm Penn Fnd supporting Watershed Restoration and Preservation Plan –
• Draft plan to meet USEPA criteria
• Seek approval from NJDEP- BEARS, will provide more funding opportunities to implement projects
• Rutgers Cooperative Extension-Water Resources Program
• NJ Audubon Society
• Lopatcong Creek Initiatives
• The Nature Conservancy
• Trout Unlimited
• Warren County Planning Dept
Characterize Watershed
• Field Sampling & Data Collection via GIS
• Identify causes & sources of pollution/impairment
– Phosphorous
– Fecal Coliform/E. Coli
– Temperature
• Project Team obtained NJDEP QAPP
Set Goals & ‘Wish-list’ of Projects
• Agricultural BMPs• Cover crop, no-till, riparian
buffers, integrated nutrient mgt
• Stormwater BMPs
• Stream & Riparian Restoration
• Targeted land for preservation
• Municipal outreach
– Septic education
Education & OutreachWWW.LOPATCONGCREEK.ORG
Mission of Initiative:
• Encourage river-friendly LIVING & FARMING
• RESTORE & PROTECT ecological health of watershed
• Collaborative CONNECTIONS
Residents
Farmers
Businesses
Municipalities
IMPLEMENT ………….
Do Projects NOW and
find more MONEY to do MORE
RESTORATION PROJECTS
LAND PRESERVATION PROJECTS
Lopatcong Creek- Morris Canal Project in Warren County NJ
Area in highlands planning area
• Lopatcong Creek: • C1-FW1-TP; 2,200 linear
ft• WMA 1• Highlands Planning Area
Lopatcong Creek & Morris CanalWarren County- Project Area
LopatcongCreek
Canal Towpath
Site Condition
MC: Towpath
Severe Erosion
Floodplain
Goal: Full Stream Re-alignment Improved WQ, reduced sediment
Goal: Protection of NJ & National Historic SiteGoal: Increased recreational access of Morris
Canal
Agricultural Sustainability
River-Friendly Farm Certification TM
Program is a voluntary program which gives public recognition to farms which protect and enhance water resources.
Program is free and voluntary with benefits
River-Friendly Farm Certification Program TM
» Identifying resource concerns
» Assisting with finding financial and technical assistance to meet their goals
» Helping farmers understand how to meet regulations
» Assisting with paperwork when applying for cost-share, grants, etc.
» Assisting in the development of the path to River-Friendly Farm Certification
» Informing participating farmers of upcoming opportunities
» Increased cost-share availability for participants
» More…
Cover Crop
• A cover crop is a cropplanted primarily to manage soil fertility, soil quality, water, weeds, pests, diseases, biodiversity and wildlife
• Healthy soils hold more water
• Builds organic matter• Disturb soil less frequently-
save $ & equipment• Increased production• Reduce use of fertilizers,
pesticides, reduce run-off
Rye & Clover
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that
ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 117
Asbury, NJ 08802
RC&D Staff:
Grace Messinger, Executive Director
Julie Gause, Administrative Assistant
Jennifer Byrne, Agriculture Outreach Specialist
Blaire Langston, Watershed Specialist