Lopatcong Creek and Watershed Planning

Lopatcong Creek and Watershed Planning

• 1.
  Lopatcong Creek and WatershedPlanning Perfect Together Grace Messinger, Executive Director North Jersey RC&D
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  Overview • Setting ofLopatcong 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 ???
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  Headwaters: Forested Central: Agriculture, Suburban Downstream:Urban /Suburban
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  Lopatcong Creek Size: 20sq miles Five Townships, 1 County Forest & Wetland: 26% Agriculture: 38% Urban: 31% Waterway Designated as: Category One-Trout Production for 18 miles Stressors: • Phosphorous, Fecal Coliform/E. Coli (Bacteria) • Lack of Natural Riparian Habitat
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  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
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  Watershed Planning Cycle
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  Build Partnerships • Watershedtargeted 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
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  Characterize Watershed • FieldSampling & Data Collection via GIS • Identify causes & sources of pollution/impairment – Phosphorous – Fecal Coliform/E. Coli – Temperature • Project Team obtained NJDEP QAPP
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  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
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  Education & Outreach WWW.LOPATCONGCREEK.ORG Missionof Initiative: • Encourage river-friendly LIVING & FARMING • RESTORE & PROTECT ecological health of watershed • Collaborative CONNECTIONS Residents Farmers Businesses Municipalities
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  IMPLEMENT …………. Do ProjectsNOW and find more MONEY to do MORE RESTORATION PROJECTS LAND PRESERVATION PROJECTS
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  Lopatcong Creek- Morris CanalProject 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 Canal Warren County- Project Area Lopatcong Creek Canal Towpath
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  Site Condition MC: Towpath SevereErosion Floodplain
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  Goal: Full StreamRe-alignment Improved WQ, reduced sediment Goal: Protection of NJ & National Historic Site Goal: Increased recreational access of Morris Canal
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  Agricultural Sustainability River-Friendly FarmCertification TM Program is a voluntary program which gives public recognition to farms which protect and enhance water resources.
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  Program is freeand 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…
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  Cover Crop • Acover crop is a crop planted 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
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  “Never doubt thata small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
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  Mailing Address: P.O. Box117 Asbury, NJ 08802 [email protected] RC&D Staff: Grace Messinger, Executive Director Julie Gause, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Byrne, Agriculture Outreach Specialist Blaire Langston, Watershed Specialist