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River-Friendly Certification Programs
Kathy Hale, Principal Watershed Protection Specialist
•Manage Spruce Run, Round Valley & Manasquan Reservoirs, D&R Canal as water supply sources
•Raritan System provides water supply to public & private water utilities serving 1.3+ million people in Central NJ
Raritan River Basin•Largest river basin located entirely in the state of NJ
•~1,100 mi2, parts of 7 counties & 100 municipalities
•Surface water systems provide water to 1.5 million people
Raritan Basin Watershed Management Plan
• 2002, www.raritanbasin.org• Identified six critical issues:
•Surface Water Pollution •Loss of Riparian Areas•Biological Impairment of Streams•Loss of Ground Water Recharge •Water Supply Limitations•Stormwater Impacts
•30% of historic riparian areas converted to urban and agricultural uses
•Stormwater improvements•Riparian buffer improvements•Stream restoration projects•Land acquisition•Municipal ordinance improvements•Better land management by existing land uses – River-Friendly programs
River Friendly Programs
•Golf Course
•Business
•Farm
•Resident
Program OverviewPartnership between facility & NJWSA
Reduce nonpoint source pollution
Actions in 4 categories:
Water Quality Management
Water Conservation Techniques
Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement
Education and Outreach
Targets and Actions should be specific, attainable & measurable!
Certification Benefits Golf Course & Business
Protect natural resources
Reduce nonpoint source pollution & improve water quality
Create healthier turf
Reduce landscape maintenance costs by reducing chemical and water use, by reducing equipment use in ‘no mow’ and ‘no spray’ areas
Increase natural habitat
Maintain facility aesthetics and create a positive working environment
Educate employees, visitors and community
Promote positive relationship between facility and community
River-Friendly Process Golf Course
& Business
1. Invitation to participate
2. Complete program application – information regarding facility and activities
3. Site visit – NJWSA & facility staff
4. Develop actions – increment of improvement
5. Implementation
6. Certification and Recognition
7. Recertification
Golf Course Participants(NJWSA program
areas)
•Quail Brook Golf Course – certified 7/2007•Green Knoll Golf Course – in progress•Spooky Brook Golf Course – in progress•Warrenbrook Golf Course – in progress•Neshanic Valley Golf Course – certified 2008•High Bridge Hills Golf Course – in progress•Heron Glen Golf Course – in progress
Business Participants(NJWSA program
areas)
•NJ American Water Company – certified 2009•National Starch & Chemical – in progress•Sanofi-Aventis Research & Development – in progress•Sanofi-Aventis Corporate – in progress•NJ Water Supply Administration Facility – certified 2009•Ethicon – in progress•Raritan Valley Community College – in progress
Quail Brook Golf Course
Example Actions
•Developed IPM Plan•Established no-mow buffer around pond•Established 5.6 acres of no-mow areas•Calibrated fertilizer spreaders monthly•Used soil testing to guide fertilization•Developed irrigation system checklist•Installed 10 bird houses•Installed signs to designate no-mow zones•Displayed NJDEP stormwater posters in clubhouse
QBGCNo Mow Areas
Neshanic Valley GC
Sanofi-Aventis, Research Facility
Example Actions•Expanded no-mow areas by 10 acres, reducing lawn areas by 16.5%•Performed soil tests•Planted riparian buffer adjacent to Peter’s Brook•Properly stored deicing materials•Planted a garden•Reviewed irrigation schedules, reduced irrigated areas by 33%•Sent eco-tips to employees
Sanofi-Aventis, Research FacilityStream Buffer Improvements
Gardens
Before
After
Sanofi-Aventis, Research Facility
New Garden AreasBefore
After
NJ American Water Co.Example Actions
Coyote goose deterrent
Butterfly garden
NJWSA Spruce
Run Reservoir
Administration Facility
NJWSAExample Actions
•~12 acres native grass restoration•Installed bird and bat houses•Established no mow areas•Planted native trees•Mapped drainage system•Formalized IPM plan•Tried organic slow release fertilizer•Presentations to Grounds Maintenance staff on specific topics and entire staff on overall program•Included River-Friendly tips in quarterly newsletter•Planted butterfly garden
NJWSA
Native Grass Restoration
Bird House
River-Friendly Resident•Originally set up to require increment of improvement
•Current - self-certification, landowner’s pledge to manage property responsibly
•Distributed at community days, 4H fairs, through environmental commissions
River-Friendly ResidentSample Questions
I pick up after my pet. My gutters are directed away from paved areas onto vegetation or into a rain barrel.I perform soil tests at least every other year. I do not use pesticides or fertilizers within 10 feet of my stream (or other water body).I use water collected in a rain barrel for watering my garden.I have at least 1 low flow toilet in my house, or at least 1 toilet has been modified to function as low flow.My septic system is pumped and maintained every 3-5 years.
River-Friendly Farm Certification Program
•Voluntary certification program•For all farms (no water body required)•Implemented by North Jersey RC&D
Provide recognition to farmers already implementing practices to protect water quality
Provide technical assistance to farmers who want to protect natural resource
Increase public awareness of producers’ voluntary contributions to soil & water resource protection
Goals/Benefits
•Soil loss ≤T•Nutrient management •Adequate buffers •Pest management•Irrigation water management
•Need the right contact to get in the door•Funding for program administration•Funding for action implementation•Time
•Identify target areas•Utilize all your contacts – board, staff, friends, etc.•Everything takes longer than you think it will•Engage municipalities•Provide incentives