Projects EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant Project
DEP Grants
Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project
Open Space Preservation and Land Acquisition Projects

DEP Grants

SBWA is involved in two projects funded by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection through the 319h Non-point Source Pollution Grant Program. This program uses federal money passed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to conduct local projects addressing problems of Non-point Source Pollution (NPSP) and its effects on surface waters.

The first NPSP project addressed potential impacts of local septic systems in the Califon area and storm-water runoff in the Town of Clinton. This project is ongoing from past years. Surveys of residents in Califon were completed and stream water samples collected and analyzed. Students at the local elementary school were presented information on NPSP. In Clinton, mapping of the storm water drainage system was completed and presented to the municipality. The second project was initiated during 2000 and is entitled "Action Plan Presentations to Communities to Address Non-point Source Pollution". A key aspect of this project will be a "virtual tour" of the watershed available on CD and ultimately on-line. Municipal officials will be able to examine several aspects of the environment within their boundaries as well as to identify neighboring municipalities that share common sub-watersheds. Three "case studies" will be developed and presented as part of this project. Each case study will examine how a municipality within the South Branch Watershed has dealt, or is dealing, with a specific NPSP problem.

Contact the SBWA office for more information regarding these projects.

Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project

The Raritan Basin Project is a cooperative effort coordinated by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority that involves about 100 municipalities in central New Jersey, area water purveyors, water treatment facility operators, agricultural and development interests, as well as watershed associations and other environmental groups. The ultimate goal will be to develop a Plan to assure that the water quality in the Basin meets or exceeds federal standards.

The South Branch Watershed Association has been playing an active role in the project representing our members to assure the protection of our river and its tributaries. Phase I of the Project has involved the Characterization and Assessment of existing conditions. Data have been collected from all sources and compiled into a series of reports available on the internet at www.raritanbasin.org.

Open Space Preservation and Land Acquisition Projects

An Open Space Plan (or Greenway Plan) includes an inventory of all public or quasi-public open space within a community. Areas desired for future open space are then superimposed on this inventory to help guide fee simple acquisition or preservation of land through the acquisition of conservation easements. Areas desired for future open space can be identified based on a number of criteria. Establishment and preservation of wildlife corridors could be one goal. This might be accomplished by identifying stream corridors, wetlands, floodplains and forested areas that link these features. Preservation of endangered and threatened species habitat could also be a goal. Areas of high sensitivity due to the presence of steep slopes and shallow depth to bedrock could be targeted for preservation. Preservation of prime farmland could be another criterion for protection. Scenic vistas and ridgetops may also warrant preservation. Areas could also be identified to meet passive and active recreation goals, including the selection of areas for athletic and aquatic facilities and linear parks for hiking and biking. The inclusion of cluster provisions in a zoning ordinance can encourage the preservation of smaller parcels of open space. The greenway or open space plan can be used to indicate the preferred locations of this open space.

SBWA works in partnership with Hunterdon County and its municipalities to preserve open space and acquire land to protect our watershed. The Open Space Preservation Plan document (OSPP) is used as a guide for municipalities and citizens. Areas are identified irrespective of property ownership, governmental jurisdiction, current land uses or preservation status. By using this mapping, in conjunction with the text of the Preservation Plan, the SBWA has been able to guide local and county governments as well as other local non-profits in focusing preservation efforts in areas which protect the water resources of the South Branch. As a result of the OSPP, the Hunterdon County Green Table forums were started. SBWA will continue to try and implement the recommendations that were identified as a result of the plan.