| CENTRAL JERSEY: Watershed group issues environmental warning |
|
|
|
By Kristine Snodgrass and John Saccenti, Staff Writers
Run-off from contamination sources including excess lawn fertilizers, trash and leaking septic and sewer lines is a leading cause of water pollution in central New Jersey, according a report issued Monday by the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association. The group’s first-ever State of the Watershed Report looks at a 265-square-mile region of central New Jersey that includes 26 towns and five counties. It tracks the impact of population growth and conversion of fields, forest and wetlands to asphalt and concrete on water quality and environmental health. ”This is a very thorough evaluation of how our waters are doing and how our towns are doing in protecting the environment,” Mr. Waltman said. “Our findings are that unfortunately our water is not in the shape that we wish it was.” Within the Princeton area, he said, there are bright spots as well as room for improvement. Montgomery Township, in particular, is a “shining star” for its local ordinances to protect streams from encroaching development, protecting forests and managing septic systems. In particular, he praised the township’s forest ordinance, which regulates clearing of trees in the community during development. He also praised the forest ordinance adopted late last year by Princeton Township, which he termed, “excellent.” ”We’re hopeful they’ll improve some of their other ordinances, but their tree ordinance was a really good action that they took,” he said. The association considers West Windsor’s septic system ordinance a “good ordinance,” but it has room for improvement, he said. He hopes the municipality and its neighbor Plainsboro will improve their stream protection ordinance, he added. Montgomery and the Princetons have worked with the association in its Project for Municipal Excellence, Mr. Waltman said, where the group works cooperatively with the municipalities to examine its body of laws and make recommendations on how ordinances could be improved. Mr. Waltman said he was hopeful that West Windsor and Plainsboro would also participate. ”The watershed has brought that up with our environmental commission several times,” said Dan Dobromilsky, West Windsor’s landscape architect and liaison to the Environmental Commission. “Our feeling is that our ordinances cover everything that they’re discussing in a way that’s appropriate for West Windsor Township.” He added that the township has been very proactive, achieving Greentown USA and Tree City status, creating a natural resource inventory and having a greenbelt for more than 20 years. ”We feel like we’re on the forefront of a lot of those issues,” he said. “We appreciate working with the Watershed on those issues, but we feel we’re already doing that.” The report was based on water quality data, environmental policy and land use practices Among its findings: • Excess levels of orthophosphate in the watershed are contributing to a decline in aquatic life. Because most central New Jersey soils are laden with phosphate – a nutrient important to plant growth – additional fertilizers packed with phosphates are not needed to enhance gardens or lawns. The report advises the use of soil tests to determine fertilizer needs as well as the use of phosphate-free products when fertilization is warranted. • The “majority” of central New Jersey’s water supply violates state standards for bacteria levels and is not safe for swimming and fishing. Further, a majority of municipalities in the region have poor septic ordinances. The report urges the strengthening of local septic ordinances and state sewer regulations. • Continued protection of forests and stream corridors is essential to protecting water quality because they provide shade and reduce the amount of sediment and excess nutrients that reach waterways. One-third of central New Jersey municipalities have highly rated forest protection ordinances, and about one-quarter have highly rated stream corridor protections in place. The report calls this “a good start” but urges further progress. • Citizen action can have a positive impact on the environmental policies and practices need to protect the water supply, keeping healthy areas in good condition and faltering areas from further degradation. The report outlines recommended steps, including participation in the Watershed Association’s River-Friendly program, which works with residents, businesses, golf courses and schools to reduce water use and become better environmental stewards. ”Individual action is the key to stemming the tide of our water woes,” said Mr. Waltman. “From picking up your pet’s waste and testing your soil before using lawn fertilizer, to telling your municipal leaders you want to see septic management and stream corridor protection ordinances on the books in your hometown, together we can ensure we all have clean water and a healthy environment for years to come.” He encouraged residents to read the report for themselves, as a first step toward getting to know local streams, be proactive of the environment, and become involved in local government. ”This report is an assessment, a scorecard, but it’s also a call to action,” he said. “We’re hoping that people will be motivated and inspired by this report to change things they do.” The full text of the report can be found at www.thewatershed.org. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|