The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership is thrilled to announce that the Board of Directors of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has approved $1,570,400.00 for the Pipeline – South River (NJ) Ecosystem Restoration and Flood Resiliency Enhancement Final Design project.

Huge thanks to NFWF for supporting this cornerstone strategy for regional resilience against flood related hazards in the lower main stem of the Raritan River. We look forward to continuing to work with our wonderful Borough of Sayreville and Rutgers partners to realize a permit-ready engineering design plan to transform degraded wetlands of the South River ecosystem to high-quality marsh. Read more about our prior work on this project here.

What’s not to like about a project that can reduce flood risk, enhance breeding and foraging habitat for state-listed threatened and endangered avian species, and provide recreational opportunities for our communities? This is a very exciting project for the watershed!!!

Essay and photos by Joe Mish

Dark eyed junco, aka, ‘snowbird’, embodies the Chinese symbol for harmony and balance of opposing forces, and the moment when the darkness surrenders to the light during the winter solstice. This year the solstice occurs December 21, at 4:20 am.

The arrival of December is ushered in on the wings of a junco, as a pair landed in the among the protection of a stand of red cedar and darkness deepened at day’s end. Dark eyed junco migrate south in winter to escape the extreme cold of far northern climates and have earned the alias of ‘snowbird’.  Though junco may be found year round in the northeast, the local population expands with migrants as winter takes hold.

The junco is a diminutive bird, easily recognized by dark slate gray upper body and pure white lower body. It appears as if the dark bird was lowered into white paint. The colors stand in stark contrast to each other with no transition from dark to light. 

The sight of the two snowbirds perched among the dark green foliage of the cedars on this December evening, prompted a sudden realization that these winged messengers, perfectly symbolized the arrival of winter and the coming solstice.

December holds the claim to the darkest day of the year, by the measure of time from sunrise to sunset. Then, without transition, at the exact instant of celestial alignment, day light begins to depose the darkness. In that one day, December 21, 4:20 am, light overcomes darkness to retain the dynamic balancing act upon which all life on earth depends.

The Chinese, ‘yin yang symbol’, for harmony and balance of opposing forces, appropriately compliments the winter solstice. The opposing forces join in an infinite embrace to create a single entity. The image of a junco becomes an artistic interpretation of that ancient symbol and the winter solstice.

As flocks of junco move southward to precede the coming snowflakes, they are joined by black cap chickadees dressed for the cold weather with black caps, charcoal gray capes, and scarves covering their throat. Their black and white plumage pays respect to the winter solstice and the dance of day and night coexisting in dynamic balance. Chickadees thrive in the northeast states’ winter weather, tiny wisps of feathered energy traveling in small flocks, bold and cheerful. Known for their ‘chick a dee dee dee’ refrain, they give the impression that even the most frigid weather and deep snow cannot suppress their enthusiasm and cheer. In that way, chickadees have become a role model for people living in harsh climates. Encountering a flock of chickadees, cheerfully singing, deep in the snowy woods, lightens the step and brightens the mood or any winter traveler. Chickadees represent the birth of light and the flow of life-giving energy surging in the retreat of darkness.

Autumn is at risk of losing its reputation as a season of fall color and mild weather as it owns most of December, generally considered to be the heart of winter. The darkest days of the year occur during autumn and not winter. The instant winter arrives, it marks the rebirth of light, the precursor of life. December then nurtures the expanding light for only ten days before handing it off to January, where daylength outpaces the darkness and thrives on the energy of the freezing windblown snow.

Winter’s embrace preceding its scheduled arrival, is indistinguishable from its full midwinter delivery of snow and ice; winter is its own opening act. When the first snowflake lands after the first day of December, winter is declared to be in residence.

Looking toward the earth, rather than the stars, for winter’s arrival, the signs are many and varied and subjectively applied. My preference is to view natural wonders through primitive eyes. Winter arrived for me one cold morning in autumn where the first light lit the sky and everything the light touched reflected a blood red glow that was soon extinguished by darkness. The sun had only a brief window to prove its promise of another day before it was blotted out by a solid gray blanket laid across the sky. The cold sunless conditions suggested the possibility of snow and triggered a feeding frenzy. A doe and her spring fawn dressed in winter’s coat of gray and brown searched through the fallen leaves for acorns. A brown creeper, downy woodpecker and a pair of nuthatches searched crevices in the bark of leafless black walnut trees for insects.

Geese constantly talked among themselves to provide background sound to the occasion. The wind began to pick up and commit to a constant direction, and with it, delivered a brief, but heavy snow shower. One flake settled on a single stand of my wool mitten; its intricate structure easily seen. Entranced by the beauty of the snowflake I was startled by the nearby blood curdling howl of a coyote on the move. All the cackling geese went silent as the coyote demanded everyone’s attention, even the wind deferred, as if it was winter who spoke through the coyote announcing its arrival.

Author Joe Mish has been running wild in New Jersey since childhood when he found ways to escape his mother’s watchful eyes. He continues to trek the swamps, rivers and thickets seeking to share, with the residents and visitors, all of the state’s natural beauty hidden within full view. To read more of his writing and view more of his gorgeous photographs visit Winter Bear Rising, his wordpress blog. Joe’s series “Nature on the Raritan, Hidden in Plain View” runs monthly as part of the LRWP “Voices of the Watershed” series. Writing and photos used with permission from the author.

For the last six years the LRWP has partnered with the Interstate Environmental Commission to conduct fecal and bacterial contaminant analyses of water samples collected at sites along the Raritan River. We are so appreciative of this partnership! On Wednesday December 4, our IEC friends are hosting an open house for us to see how they process our samples and to learn more about the work they do. Please contact Evelyn for more information.

Essay and photos by Joe Mish

The last full month of autumn, disguised as winter, covers this deer with an early blanket of snow.

The dried carpet of sliver maple leaves covering the lawn, was raked into a large pile, over several days, to prepare for cremation. Without conscious intent, the burning of autumn leaves took on the appearance of a sacrificial pyre, offered to some mischievous god to gain favor for the coming winter’s hunt.

The light gray smoke that rose from the smoldering pile of dried leaves magically turned into orange flame, which slowly consumed the sacrifice. Flames reduced the leaves to glowing embers, filling the air with the gentle scent of smoky incense, and finally to a layer of light gray ash, dispersed by a gust of November breeze.

November’s arrival is enlivened by lingering color, and departs with bare tree tops in its wake. During this period of transition, dramatic change takes place as the earth turns its glance away from the sun, to make it appear the stationary sun is traveling across the sky. As a result, the sun appears lower in the sky, day length and sunlight decrease and the earth begins to cool.

Myth suggests the earth’s lapse in attention to the bright star that holds our universe together, was a slight, deserving of immersion into deep cold and growing darkness. When the earth turns back to face the sun in the spring, all is forgiven, as light and warmth are restored to usher in a celebration of new life and hope.

If November were to be folded in half, fluorescent orange, oak leaves, would be layered upon the cold white snow, set against a slate gray background with bare, thin black tree branches forming a skeletal support structure upon which the compressed image of the month rests.

When the bright colors fade, the orange glow of funereal leaf pyres die, and the earth is left in darkness, eyes turn toward the heavens to gaze upon the bright stars and planets glowing against a black velvet lined display case. Countless billions of stars dot the heavens, clusters of stars taking on a milky appearance. Each star holding a portion of the faded daylight lost in the approach of winter. The stars give hope that the light is not lost after all, and with appropriate supplication directed to the heavens, it will soon be returned.

Staring at the night sky over time, patterns emerge and dots of light are connected to form the outline of mythical beings and animals referenced against the human experience. It then becomes apparent, the figures move across the sky, and appear only at certain times of the year.

November has its signature night sky, featuring impressive planetary choreography, meteor showers and animated constellations recognized by the earliest human inhabitants.

Planets, undifferentiated from stars at first glance make a featured appearance. Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus take the stage at different times, in association with constellations, sunrise and sunset.

November fifteenth is the full beaver moon. Each full moon bears many aliases associated with events in nature. That link creates a primitive calendar, allowing a level of predictability required to enhance survival. The constellation, castor, appeared as a beaver to the paleo mind, and is used by taxonomists to derive the scientific name, ‘castor canadensis’, for the beaver. The impact of the impact of the stars on human creativity is timeless.

Meteor showers and falling stars, seen in the heavenly lit November sky, demand explanation. Strip away science, and let your imagination run wild with unrestrained conjecture to create a mythology that satisfies your primitive mind.

Any image of quintessential November is subjective at best and its many moods offer a variety of choices.

The first snow is usually delivered before November hands the last vestige of autumn over to December. The first, freshly minted white flakes are welcome emissaries who announce the intention of winter to arrive soon after. When the sky turns gray, the temperature drops near freezing, and flurries are forecast, all eyes are compelled by some innate siren call, to catch sight of their first snowflake. The stunning beauty and intricacy of each snowflake, appears to be the work of an ethereal entity and suggests the existence of a higher power. In some way, each unique flake is the blueprint for the infinite diversity of life and the appearance and personality of individuals within a species.

I clearly recall sitting around a large conference table in a room with two walls of outside windows, when snow was forecast for late afternoon. I kept watching for the first flake, which would easily stand in contrast against the dark wooded landscape. The anticipation was high, though the meeting ended without the expected precipitation. Odd that this event is cemented in my memory, though it may be a case where the intensity of expectation is such that the sight of a single snowflake would allow my escape from sterile environment in which I sat, it would, in essence, amount to a jailbreak for my soul.

Author Joe Mish has been running wild in New Jersey since childhood when he found ways to escape his mother’s watchful eyes. He continues to trek the swamps, rivers and thickets seeking to share, with the residents and visitors, all of the state’s natural beauty hidden within full view. To read more of his writing and view more of his gorgeous photographs visit Winter Bear Rising, his wordpress blog. Joe’s series “Nature on the Raritan, Hidden in Plain View” runs monthly as part of the LRWP “Voices of the Watershed” series. Writing and photos used with permission from the author.

Somerset County has filed an application with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for a minor diversion of Green Acres encumbered parkland in support of the proposed overall Headgates Dam Removal Project at Raritan River Mile 29.9, located in the Townships of Bridgewater and Hillsborough within Duke Island Park, Somerset County. The portion of the project that requires a diversion is the relocation of the existing Bridgewater Township 54-inch diameter sanitary sewer pipe. In order to meet the project need, it is necessary to divert a relatively small portion of the river and park property (subsurface), specifically 0.42 acres from encumbered parkland at Block 102, Lots 10 and 39 in the Township of Bridgewater and Block 48, Lot 10 in the Township of Hillsborough, Somerset County.

As compensation for the proposed diversion, Somerset County proposes to accept monetary compensation for the minor diversion which will be deposited into Somerset County’s Open Space Preservation Trust account to be utilized for future acquisition of land for recreation or conservation purposes. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:36-26.6(c) a hearing to obtain public comment on this request will be held at: North Branch Park located at 355 Milltown Road, in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey on December 3rd at 6:00 PM.

Please see below a letter in support of this diversion, submitted to Somerset County by the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP).

November 17 / 2024

Thomas J. Boccino, PP, LLA / Supervising Planner – Preservation, Planning Division / Somerset County Department of Engineering and Planning / 20 Grove Street • P.O. Box 3000 / Somerville, NJ 08876-1262 / Boccino@co.somerset.nj.us

RE: Headgates Dam Removal Project

Dear Mr. Boccino —

The Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP) is writing to express full support for the proposed minor diversion of Green Acres encumbered parkland to support the proposed overall Headgates Dam Removal Project at Raritan River Mile 29.9, located in the Townships of Bridgewater and Hillsborough within Duke Island Park, Somerset County. Our understanding is that the portion of the project that requires a diversion is the relocation of the existing Bridgewater Township 54-inch diameter sanitary sewer pipe.

The LRWP supports this diversion as an important step in meeting project needs, and furthermore understands that it is necessary to divert a relatively small portion of the river and park property (subsurface), specifically 0.42 acres from encumbered parkland at Block 102, Lots 10 and 39 in the Township of Bridgewater and Block 48, Lot 10 in the Township of Hillsborough, Somerset County. The LRWP believes that the overall project will significantly enhance habitat connectivity, improve water quality, and expand recreational opportunities for the Lower Raritan River and Watershed.

The LRWP formed in 2014 to address legacy contamination and current pollution in the Raritan River and the Lower Raritan Watershed. Our mission is to conserve, enhance and restore the natural resources of the New Jersey Watershed Management Area 9, the Lower Raritan Watershed. Specifically regarding the proposed interventions to replace and relocate of a section of the Bridgewater Township 54-inch sanitary sewer line, these activities will not only directly improve resources impacted by legacy contamination, but will benefit a broad spectrum of the Raritan River’s ecology and enable other environmental and human use benefits.

Significant ecological, environmental and human use benefits have in fact already been realized following recent removal of a series of dams (Robert Street, Nevius Street, and Calco) on the lower portion of the Raritan River between the towns of Bridgewater and Bound Brook. Likewise, we expect the proposed restoration activities for the Headgates Dam Removal Project to advance multiple Lower Raritan Watershed stakeholder goals, namely expanding access to several thousand acres of non-tidal freshwater mid to upper reaches of the Raritan River’s major tributaries. More specifically, we expect that removal of Headgates Dam will enhance maturation and rearing habitat for striped bass, American shad, American eel, blueback herring, and alewife, and should significantly increase the abundance of anadromous and catadromous species, which will improve the ecological health of the Raritan River.

Enhancing fish populations in the Raritan River system is important for fresh and marine ecosystems. It is especially appropriate as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) lists the estuarine portion of the Raritan River as an important migratory pathway for anadromous alewife and blueback herring, species which NOAA lists as of special concern. The LRWP feels that the proposed projects could help to reverse declining population trends, and anadromous fish returning to spawn each spring in the Raritan River.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions, or if you wish to discuss further.

Sincerely,

Heather Fenyk, Ph.D., AICP/PP

Board President, Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership

On Sunday October 20, LRWP Board Member Anton Getz, Litter Trap Coordinator Clare Levourne and a host of volunteers conducted a clean up at the Green Brook litter trap site, giving our new floodplain litter tally tool a trial run and documenting 3,279 pieces of trash(!!!). THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!

On September 14, in honor of 911, the LRWP supported @sewainternationalcentraljersey in their 911 Day of Service event. Focusing on activities for the SEWA high school youth, the LRWP hosted an open house at the Boat Shop with stations for rain barrel building & painting, boat building, and talks about stormwater management and stewardship. After our service “on land,” we then took everyone to Donaldson Park for a chance to get in canoes and kayaks to do water quality monitoring and a mini-cleanup by water. For many of the youth it was their first time paddling and their first time on the Raritan River.

Of course events like these can only be realized through great community effort. Gratitude to our amazing boat build team of Derek Hartwick, Nick Schmidt and Brian Smith, and our Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino. We are so grateful to the board members working behind the scenes to make this a successful event: Dini Checko, Missy Holzer, Amy Braunstein, David Tulloch, Alex Zakrewsky and Heather Fenyk. Huge thanks also to Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Chris Obropta for teaching us all about good stormwater management, to Raritan Riverkeeper Bill Schultz & Lorraine for keeping us safe on the water, to Highland Park Mayor Elsie Foster Dublin and HP Borough Council President Matt Hersh for reminding us of the impact of environmental stewardship at the local level, and to the Americorps volunteers everyone else who pitched in to support this special day of service and stewardship!!

Many of you followed the LRWP’s organizing against conversion of Thomas A. Edison Park from free public land to fee-based access. Just a note to share that the National Park Service concluded its review of Middlesex county’s proposed changes to Thomas Edison Park, and has adopted the environmental assessment prepared by Middlesex County contingent upon Middlesex County making changes to ensure the park remains available for public recreational use and that funds raised from new facilities are invested back into the park.

As the driest calendar month on record stretches into November, as new terms like “flash drought” and “red flag warnings” enter our lexicon, and as wildfires emerge in unusual places, the LRWP urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to protect our most vulnerable communities by adopting the NJPACT REAL rules. The adoption and implementation of these rules, short for “Protecting Against Climate Threats: Resilient Environments and Landscapes,” is especially and crucially important for heavily populated regions and Environmental Justice communities — like many Lower Raritan Watershed municipalities — located in proximity to Superfund toxic waste sites.

A 2019 US Government Accountability Office Report 20-73 identifies a total of 945 Superfund sites in the United States at special risk of disaster associated with wildfire, storm surge, flooding, and sea level rise. An incredible 24 of these sites (4% of the nation’s total at-risk Superfund sites) are within our 352-square mile Lower Raritan Watershed. Lower Raritan residents cannot escape these pollutant hazards: they are proximate to where we live and work. Without additional state-implemented resilient measures, wildfires and floods have the potential to bring toxins from these sites directly into our homes. More info on the GAO report, and a list of these sites, is on the LRWP website.

The NJDEP NJPACT REAL initiative is part of a broader commitment to safeguard New Jersey’s ecosystems, communities, and infrastructure in the face of climate threats, including sea-level rise, extreme storms, flooding, and heatwaves. The Watershed Institute has organized a petition to send to NJDEP in support of adopting the NJPACT REAL rules. The LRWP encourages you to join us in adding your name to the petition to show your commitment to a safer, more sustainable New Jersey.

More on the specifics of NJPACT REAL, its objectives, and the potential impacts on New Jersey’s communities, businesses, and natural environments, below:

Background of NJPACT REAL

New Jersey is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to its extensive coastline, urban density, and critical infrastructure in low-lying areas. In response, NJDEP launched the Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) program, with the REAL rules addressing land use, environmental resource management, and flood risk.

The NJPACT REAL rules aim to:

1. Integrate climate resilience into land use planning.
2. Update and enhance flood protection standards.
3. Encourage sustainable growth while protecting natural resources.
4. Build upon New Jersey’s Coastal Management Program to address sea-level rise and other coastal challenges.

By addressing both urban and natural landscapes, NJPACT REAL provides a comprehensive approach to creating climate-resilient communities. The rules were informed by extensive scientific research, including data from New Jersey’s Climate Change Resilience Strategy, which outlines statewide climate adaptation and resilience goals.

Key Components of NJPACT REAL Rules

1. Enhanced Flood Protection Standards

One of the primary focuses of NJPACT REAL is flood protection. Recognizing the increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, the REAL rules set stricter standards for floodplain development. These standards account for both current and projected flood risks, addressing scenarios in which intense storms could cause extensive flooding.

Key changes include:

• Flood elevation standards: The NJPACT REAL rules require new development to account for higher base flood elevations, meaning that buildings must be constructed to withstand projected flood levels based on future climate models.
• Flood-resistant building requirements: REAL mandates specific design criteria for new structures in flood-prone areas to mitigate damage.
• Stormwater management upgrades: Enhanced stormwater regulations are aimed at reducing runoff, preventing erosion, and improving water quality, benefiting both the environment and the community.

2. Protecting Inland Wetlands

Wetlands provide crucial protection against storms, flooding, and erosion by acting as natural buffers. The NJPACT REAL rules emphasize the preservation and restoration of these landscapes, particularly in coastal regions that are susceptible to rising sea levels and erosion.

The rules encourage:

• Wetland conservation: By limiting development in wetland areas, REAL seeks to preserve these ecosystems’ natural resilience.
• Restoration of degraded wetlands: REAL promotes initiatives to restore wetland areas impacted by past development, providing a buffer against coastal flooding and erosion.
• Adaptive planning for saltwater intrusion: As sea levels rise, saltwater intrudes into freshwater areas, disrupting ecosystems and agriculture. NJPACT REAL includes guidelines for adaptive land use in regions threatened by saltwater intrusion.

3. Sustainable Land Use Planning

NJPACT REAL encourages sustainable land use by promoting green infrastructure and preserving open spaces. These practices not only reduce flood risks but also support biodiversity, improve air quality, and provide recreational opportunities for communities.

Specific goals include:

• Green infrastructure: NJPACT REAL supports green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens that manage stormwater sustainably, reducing flood risks.
• Preservation of open spaces: REAL sets guidelines to discourage development in critical areas like floodplains and wetlands.
• Zoning updates: REAL includes recommendations for local governments to adopt stormwater management master plans and land-use policies that account for future climate conditions, such as flood risks.

4. Adapting to Sea-Level Rise

New Jersey’s 1,800 miles of tidal shoreline make it highly vulnerable to sea-level rise. NJPACT REAL focuses on ensuring that coastal communities can adapt to the rising tides.

Key measures include:

• Coastal building standards: Enhanced design standards for coastal buildings help reduce the impact of tidal and storm surges.
• Encouraging natural buffers: REAL promotes the use of sand dunes, marshes, and other natural barriers to absorb the impact of storm surges.

5. Climate-Informed Decision-Making

The REAL rules emphasize data-driven decision-making, using the latest climate science and models to guide regulations. NJPACT REAL requires public and private projects to use updated climate data and projections, ensuring that investments in infrastructure and development account for anticipated climate changes.

Implications for New Jersey’s Residents and Businesses

For residents, NJPACT REAL means a safer and more resilient New Jersey. Homes built under the new standards will be better protected against floods, while green spaces and restored wetlands provide natural beauty and recreational areas that enhance quality of life. However, there may be costs associated with retrofitting older buildings or adhering to the new construction standards, which NJDEP is addressing through financial and technical assistance.

For businesses, particularly those in construction, real estate, and land development, NJPACT REAL introduces new requirements to mitigate environmental impacts. These standards may require adjustments to building practices, but they also create opportunities for innovation in sustainable construction and green infrastructure. Furthermore, companies specializing in environmental restoration and engineering will find increased demand for services related to flood protection and wetland restoration.

Challenges and Future Directions

While NJPACT REAL is a significant step forward, implementing these standards will require collaboration among government agencies, municipalities, businesses, and residents. Some communities may face challenges adapting to the new rules, particularly in areas where older infrastructure is prevalent.

Conclusion

The NJPACT REAL rules demonstrate New Jersey’s commitment to climate resilience, offering a proactive framework to address current and future climate risks. By enhancing flood protections, conserving wetlands, promoting sustainable land use, and incorporating climate science into decision-making, NJDEP is equipping New Jersey for a more resilient future. The REAL rules represent an essential step in building communities that can withstand the impacts of climate change while preserving the natural landscapes that make New Jersey unique.