The Meadowlands Estuary Preserve: The Next Great Leap

Like The Master Plan And Saving The Empire Tract, You Can Help Make It A Reality

 

By Hugh M. Carola

 

The Meadowlands Estuary Preserve is well on its way to becoming reality as the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) is in the process of purchasing the last remaining tracts of wetlands (and some adjacent upland habitats) within the Meadowlands District. As of this writing, there are only around 350 acres still remaining in private hands. Over 6,500 acres are now in public ownership and preserved forever.

The dream of Congressman Steve Rothman, who has long advocated for its creation and has worked with Congress to provide necessary funding, the Meadowlands Estuary Preserve may well become America’s greatest urban wildlife refuge. When dedicated, it will be a state-owned entity comprising 8,400 acres of wetlands, waterways and transitional zones within the Meadowlands District. While the particulars have yet to be finalized, the NJMC, the Meadowlands Conservation Trust, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and conservation groups like Hackensack Riverkeeper® will share in its management. It will also be a work in progress. For example, while some places like the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area are already lush, productive marshes, other places like the Oritani Marsh and the Empire Tract wetlands will have their tidal flows restored.

The Preserve will also provide more free public access points. Work is planned or already underway at locations from Carlstadt to Jersey City to refurbish parks & marinas to accommodate people and allow for more boating, birding, fishing, paddling, walking and all the things that folks will enjoy. The NJMC’s Meadows Path will be expanded and Hudson County’s riverfront walkway will eventually run through the Meadowlands from North Bergen to Bayonne. And the NJ Meadowlands Birding, Fishing & Wildlife Trails Guide will tie all of these sites (and more) together and serve as the Preserve’s first handbook.

Ten years ago, the very idea of the Preserve was little more than a dream or a fantasy. Now it is just around the corner. Please write to Gov. Codey and your state legislators and let them know how much you’re looking forward to the Preserve. While you’re at it, a note to Senator Jon Corzine and Doug Forrester might also be a good idea. After all, one of them will have the honor of cutting the green ribbon at the dedication ceremony.