Hackensack Riverkeeper

1000 River Road #T090C

Teaneck, NJ 07666

201-692-8440

201-692-8449 (fax)

Kathyu@hackensackriverkeeper.org

www.hackensackriverkeeper.org

 

March 23, 2002

 

Contact: Kathy Urffer, Project Coordinator

 

For Immediate Release

 

Hackensack Riverkeeper Begins Stream Restoration Project in Hackensack

 

Plans for Staib Park unveiled at neighborhood picnic

 

 

Hackensack, March 23 –  It was a somewhat chilly day for a picnic, but nonetheless Hackensack Riverkeeper, the citizen-steward of the Hackensack River and its living resources, held its Coles Brook Restoration Kickoff at Staib Park in Hackensack.. In between snacks and soft drinks, information was shared and volunteers enlisted for work that will soon begin at this City park located at Summit and Coles Avenues. Through this project Hackensack Riverkeeper will both restore a 750-foot stretch of habitat along Coles Brook (which runs through the park) and help improve water quality in the lower Hackensack River watershed.

 

In addition to a press conference, the day’s activities included a stream cleanup undertaken at the direction of Hackensack Riverkeeper by members of Community Water Watch, a Fairleigh Dickinson University student group and River Assessment Team and Biological Assessment Team training by NJDEP Watershed Ambassador Marianne Butler.

 

“Over the years, illegal dumping has degraded and disfigured the beauty of Coles Brook,” said Kathy Urffer, Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Special Project Coordinator, “and pavement currently parallels the Brook for much of its length, lying within 20 to 25 feet of the water’s edge.” Ms. Urffer cited runoff from the paved and turf areas of the park that flows directly into the brook as carrying dog waste, oil, gas, fertilizer and other non-point source pollutants. The polluted runoff also concentrates in rivulets in some locations, causing erosion along the banks.

 

Although there are native trees and other plant species on the site, over the years exotic plants have colonized the park and reduced the diversity of flora and fauna along the brook.  Exotics (which are a poor source of food for native animals) will be carefully removed and replaced with native plants. The banks will be stabilized and a larger riparian buffer will be recreated.

 

“We fully expect that this project will create a stronger sense of stewardship and community in the surrounding area,” said Ms. Urffer, “We anticipate this project to take the next two years, including monitoring of the water quality in the stream and maintenance of the grounds after the initial replanting and asphalt removal.”

 

The Coles Brook restoration project is a cooperative venture between Hackensack Riverkeeper, the City of Hackensack and Omni Environmental Services.  Funding for the project is provided through a NJDEP grant under Section 319(h) of the federal Clean Water Act to mitigate non-point source pollution.