The LRWP is opposed to conversion of Thomas A. Edison Park from free public land to fee-based access, and has serious concerns regarding the environmental impact of the proposed project (see our comments below). We encourage watershed residents to review and comment on the Environmental Assessment submitted by Middlesex County to the National Park Service regarding the County’s plan to turn Thomas A. Edison Park into a Destination Athletic Complex with 14 artificial turf fields. You will find the Environmental Assessment and details to provide comment here. The comment period ends on September 3, 2024.
TO: Diane Keith, NER Program Manager / National Park Service / Federal Lands to Parks / c/o 54 Portsmouth St. / Concord, NH 03301
RE: Thomas A. Edison Park Environmental Assessment
On behalf of the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP), I am writing to express objection to Middlesex County’s proposed change of the purpose and use of acreage within Thomas A. Edison Park in Edison Township. The LRWP has reviewed the Environmental Assessment for this project, and remains concerned by the plans to: 1) convert significant contiguous woodland acreage to active park facilities, which will have the effect of further compromising habitat connectivity for wetlands species in a fringe ecosystem area; and 2) replace current woodland and natural grass acreage with artificial/synthetic turf, which will have the effect of eliminating important ecosystem services of filtering stormwater runoff and moderating temperatures provided by these landscapes. Clearly both woodland conversion and installation of synthetic turf will also have the result of exacerbating climate change and pollutant flows in the watershed.
Below we provide more detail on our concerns related to this project:
Failure to account for flood risk
Current flood models suggest that significant portions of the area of concern will be under water in the future. Development of these lands, especially using synthetic turf, will significantly compromise passive floodwater containment in an already flood-prone area of the Lower Raritan Watershed.
Synthetic Turf Sheds Microplastics, PFAS, and Other Chemicals
Like all plastic materials, synthetic turf doesn’t last forever—instead, it breaks up and sheds massive amounts of tiny plastic particles into the environment and our bodies. A 2018 report by the European Commission showed that athletic fields composed of synthetic turf shed an annual average of 18,000-70,000 tons of microplastics each year into surrounding air, soils, and waters. This includes huge quantities of crumb rubber, which leaches toxic lead, PFAS, phthalates, and other dangerous chemicals. People and other animals who walk and play on synthetic turf absorb plastic particles and their toxins through the skin, inhalation, and ingestion.
Synthetic Turf Wastes and Contaminates Water
Synthetic turf still requires regular watering, especially on hot days where it can heat up to 40-70 times hotter than the surrounding air—getting even hotter than asphalt. This is because unlike real organic, cooling, and oxygenating grass, synthetic turf is heat absorbent. The temperatures of plastic grass can get so hot it has been known to cause contact injuries called “turf burn.” Heated synthetic turf has also been found to release toxic gases, including carcinogenic benzene and formaldehyde. In addition, materials experts report major drainage issues linked to plastic grass. These issues worsen droughts by preventing groundwater—which many people depend on for drinking—from naturally recharging. When rain falls onto synthetic turf, research shows it absorbs chemicals and runs off—typically entering stormwater systems that drain to large water bodies, in this case the proximate Raritan River and the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. Also of concern is the increased temperature of the stormwater runoff as it flows into the Raritan.
Increase in Impervious Cover
The conversion of forested habitat to plastic turf and parking lots will increase impervious cover, compromising any attempts to meet federal MS4 requirements let alone advance stormwater management best practices. As we face increasing risks and uncertainties of climate change we should, as a basic practice, never convert parkland to parking lots or synthetic surfaces.
Exacerbates Inequities of Access to Recreational Spaces
The Federal Government deeded Thomas Edison Park to Middlesex County to be used as a free park in perpetuity. Conversion of these free public lands to fee-based access violates the original intent of the deed, and the public interest. Furthermore, the County proposal is for expansion of park amenities in an already well-resourced portion of Middlesex County. The County clearly has not taken transportation equity or other equity concerns into consideration with respect to improving equitable recreational access to County system parks for low socio-economic status communities and for communities with limited access to transportation to park networks.
The LRWP respectfully requests that the National Park Service deny approval to Middlesex County for the proposed changes to Thomas Edison Park.
Almost two-thirds of New Jersey’s coastline, including all of the tidally influenced portion of the Raritan River, is at high or very high risk to coastal erosion. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has developed a set of amendments, part of NJ Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) Resilient Environments and Landscape (REAL), to address these risks.
The LRWP supports NJDEP’s efforts to modernize resource protections to better support New Jersey communities like ours in building resilience to sea-level rise, extreme weather, chronic flooding, and other impacts of our changing climate. We encourage our Lower Raritan communities to support NJPACT. The NJPACT rule proposal, along with additional details regarding the public hearings and public comment, are provided on the Department’s NJREAL website https://dep.nj.gov/njreal/.
The New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) Resilient Environments And Landscape (REAL) is part Governor Phil Murphy’s Executive Order 100 (Jan. 2020) that includes amendments to existing land resource protection rules designed to bolster resilience to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.The proposed rules address sea-level rise, coastal storm surge, flooding, and stormwater management concerns while improving water quality, protecting natural resources, and streamlining permitting processes that will expedite resilient investments in New Jersey’s communities and economy.
There will be three public hearings concerning the proposal as follows:
IN PERSON: September 5, 2024, 6:00 P.M., at Ocean County College, Gateway Lecture Hall #104 (Bldg. #101), College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754;
VIRTUAL: September 12, 2024, 2:00 P.M. September 19, 2024, 10:00 A.M.
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday August 15, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at TWO of our monitoring sites. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which include: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), and South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you plan on recreating on the Raritan, be sure to take all safety precautions by washing up after any activities!
Our Thursday mornings begin with volunteers helping Program Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino with the pre-calibration of our equipment, while the rest of the team gears up for sampling. Photo Credit: Frank Dahl
Leave it to Rose to capture close-up shots like this that allow us to see nature in all its beauty! Photo Credit: Rose Lawless
Frank Dahl was in charge of managing the YSI this week, Shely Dash got to borrow his binoculars to catch a good look at some herons at the Edison Boat Basin. Photo Credit: Rose Lawless
Messy docks at LR4, I wonder who the culprits could have been… Photo Credit: Rose Lawless
Our AMAZING team of volunteers collecting water samples, cleaning up the shore and sharing our data with local residents while at LR5- South Amboy Waterfront Beach, Photo Credit: Rose Lawless
During low tide, we noticed very murky and grey water at LR6-2nd. Street Park with a large amount of scum built up on the rocks, despite the dry weather in recent days. Photo Credit: Rose Lawless
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
After receiving such heavy rainfall this week due to Tropical Storm Debby, our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday August 08, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at all SIX of our monitoring sites. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map would normally indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, which does not include any sites this week.
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include stormwater runoff, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you plan on recreating on the Raritan, be sure to take all safety precautions by washing up after any activities!
A dark morning filled with strong winds and plenty of rain to make water quality monitoring an adventure!! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)
Loads of debris/trash washed up by the docks of the Edison Boat Basin. You can see how all the stormwater runoff washed from the parking lot makes its path to the river! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
While one of our volunteers wades into the river to collect our weekly sample, the rest of the team stays ashore to record the data relayed by the YSI, which indicates the real-time levels of Dissolved Oxygen, pH, salinity and more. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)
HUGE THANKS to Nibav Velan and Irene Riegner for their contributions this week and for enduring the conditions of Tropical Storm Debby!Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino (left) and Irene Riegner (right)
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan river. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday August 01, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, stay safe by properly washing up after any activities!
Clear and sunny skies on Thursday morning helped us collect our samples smoothly before the heat caught up to us!Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Water quality at LR3- Edison Boat Basin was noticeably greasy and scummy this week, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
We did not observe much recreational or wildlife activity at our sites this Thursday, but we can always count on the seagulls and ducklings that greet us on the Ken Buchanan docks! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Heavy discharge coming from the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) located right by the shore at Perth Amboy’s 2nd Street Park… the water quality was murky with an overwhelming smell of sewage and is our only site that exceeds the federal standard this week. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
BIG thanks again to our volunteers this week for helping us collect informational data for the community: Nibav Velan, Sanil Nambiar and Thulasi Nambiar!!
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday July 25, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at only ONE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy) and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, stay safe by properly washing up after any activities!
Turbid and scummy waters at LR1- Riverside Park this Thursday morning, pathogen results showed high Enterococcus levels only for this site. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
A tremendous amount of debris washed up at the Edison boat launch, Photo Credit: Frank Dahl
SEWA volunteers have worked closely with the LRWP over the last couple weeks on the Pathogens Monitoring Team, they are becoming excellent water quality professionals!Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Overcast and gloomy skies on Thursday morning, however, no precipitation was recorded 24 to 48 hours prior to monitoring. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Special thanks to our monitoring team of volunteers who joined us this week: Frank Dahl, Thulasi Nambiar, Sanil Nambiar and Nibav Velan!Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
After multiple days of precipitation and thunderstorms, our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday July 18, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FIVE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, stay safe by properly washing up after any activities!
Cloudy skies and light rain over the Rutgers boat docks during our monitoring session this week, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Sanil Nambiar collected our samples for the week with our new and improved sampling stick that we use to retrieve our bottles, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Canadian geese were present at all of our monitoring sites Thursday morning, which was noted in our visual habitat assessment as it may have contributed to some of the fecal matter in our samples, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
With such heavy precipitation on Wednesday night, the stormwater runoff left trails on the sand of its path leading right into the water at LR5 and LR6, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Nibav helping Thulasi gear up before wading into our last site of the day, Perth Amboy’s 2nd. Street Park! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
Our lab results for water quality samples taken on Thursday July 11, 2024 show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at THREE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: Edison Boat Basin, Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Edison) and the South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact during water-based recreation. If you are planning on recreating on the Raritan this weekend, make sure to stay safe and wash up after any activities!
VolunteersNibav, Thulasi and Sanil collecting data from each other while on the docks at the Rutgers Boathouse, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Before heading to the next site, Sofi and Jocelyn picked-up trash that had been washed up at the Edison Boat Basin, Photo Credit: Sanil Nambiar
Plenty of boating activity at our monitoring sites along the Raritan this Thursday, please be sure to properly wash-up after all water-related activities for safety! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
While at the South Amboy Waterfront, we observed a large cargo ship out in the distance right behind the lighthouse- Sofi was able to get a pretty good view since she volunteered to wade in. Looking good out there Sofi! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
MANY THANKS to the volunteers who joined us this week: Nibav Velan, Thulasi Nambiar, Sanil Nambiar, and Sofi Grossman! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
By LRWP Monitoring Outreach Coordinator Jocelyn Palomino
Every Thursday from May to October, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County run a volunteer-based monitoring program along the Raritan River. During the summer, we collect water quality samples at six non-bathing public access beach sites, provide our samples to the Interstate Environmental Commission for analysis in their laboratory and report the results to the public on Friday afternoons. Our mission is to share this data with the community and partners to ensure the safe use of the Raritan river for all.
In anticipation of the upcoming holiday this Thursday, the LRWP Pathogens Monitoring team collected samples on TUESDAY July 2, 2024. Our samples taken show Enterococcus bacteria levels exceeding the EPA federal water quality standard of 104 cfu/100mL at FIVE of our monitoring sites this week. Problem sites are indicated by red frowns on the map and chart which includes: Riverside Park (Piscataway), Rutgers Boathouse (New Brunswick) , Edison Boat Basin and Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park (Sayreville), and 2nd Street Park (Perth Amboy). Green smiles on the chart and map indicate the sites with bacteria levels safe for recreation, and include the following: South Amboy Waterfront Park (South Amboy).
Pathogens/Enterococci levels are used as indicators of the possible presence of disease-causing bacteriain recreational waters. Such pathogens may pose health risks to people coming in primary contact with the water (touching) through recreational activities like fishing, kayaking or swimming in a water body. If your plans for the 4th of July holiday include recreation on the Raritan, please keep these results in mind and be sure to clean up properly after all water-related activities.
Our goal in reporting these results is to give residents a better understanding of the potential health risks related to primary contact while recreating on the river. Possible sources of bacteria include Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), improperly functioning wastewater treatment plants, stormwater runoff, leaking septic systems, animal carcasses, and runoff from manure storage areas.
We provide this data to offer residents peace of mind when planning their weekend and summer activities on the Raritan, we hope you enjoy your Fourth of July holiday in a safe and cautious manner!!
Sanil, Shely and Art cooperating diligently at our first site of the day, LR1 Riverside Park in Piscataway. Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
The vibrant colors of the American flag blowing from the winds at the Edison Boat Basin, HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
At our Sayreville site (Ken Buchanan Waterfront Park), we got a good look of the osprey nest that rests above the power line. We often see the parents hunting for their young, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Sewa volunteer Shely Dash took her turn at wading into our downstream sites, managing both the YSI and sample catching. Thank you Shely! Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino
Very low tides at LR6 allowed the team to witness an extreme overflow of untreated sewage directly entering the water at Perth Amboy’s 2nd. Street Park. As always, please be sure to wash up after water-related activities on the Raritan, Photo Credit: Jocelyn Palomino