On the Docket…

 

Hackensack River Category One Request

In a letter to NJDEP Commissioner Campbell in January, Hackensack Riverkeeper requested that the upper Hackensack River and its tributaries be upgraded to Category One protection. The Oradell Reservoir (our source of drinking water) has previously been upgraded to Category One so we feel it is essential that the waters flowing into it be given the same protection.  We also requested that the lower area of the Hackensack River, from Harmon Cove in Secaucus to the Amtrak Bridge in Kearny, be upgraded from SE2 to SE1 classification. That stretch of the river has become an area of primary contract recreation, which includes hunting and trapping, catch and release fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, boating and paddling.  People are in close contact with the water, so it is important that the water be protected from contaminants.  Water quality data collected over a 15-year period by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission shows a trend towards reduction of fecal coliform and an increase in dissolved oxygen levels. This area of the river is also of great ecological significance because of its connection to the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area.  The reclassification of these sections of the will assist the State of New Jersey in attaining the fishable and swimmable goals of the Clean Water Act.  You can help us with this process by writing to Governor McGreevey. For more information, please contact us at 201-968-0808.

 

Van Buskirk Island

NJDEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell has postponed a decision on the County’s plan to create a park on Van Buskirk Island, Oradell until June of 2003.  The options are to develop the flood-prone property or create a passive park.  Regardless of his decision, we are encouraging the new Bergen County Executive, Dennis McNerney, to adopt the “Schuber plan,” and request that the State grant Bergen County the permission to create much needed open space on Van Buskirk Island.

                                                                                                       

RiverVale Woods

Last year, only 18 out of 44 acres of the River Vale woods was protected after several planning board discussions, leaving 26 acres of reservoir land under threat of destruction. In November, the voters of River Vale acted upon their open space desires by voting in a new mayor: George A. Paschalis. Hackensack Riverkeeper and Bergen SWAN have met with the new mayor and as a result, Laurie Charkey and Mark Becker from Bergen SWAN and Capt. Bill were named advisors to his newly formed Open Space Advisory Committee. In this capacity, a number of strategies are being discussed to prevent the destruction of the remaining woods. In January of 2003, Paschalis wrote a letter to NJDEP Commissioner Campbell seeking assistance to upgrade Lake Tappan to Category One. Under the new storm water regulations, and upgrade would require a 300 ft. vegetative buffer around the lake to protect the water quality and maintain the Category One classification. Letters to the Commissioner requesting the Category One classification, and the protection of the remaining 26 acres would be helpful at this time.