Feb 25, 2016
River-Friendly Program Goals
• Promote land stewardship• Partner with people in the community• Reduce nonpoint source pollution entering
our local waterways• Offer and protect native habitat for wildlife
and plant species
River-Friendly Participants
• Residents• Golf Courses• Businesses
– Corporations– Home Owners Associations
• Schools• Farms (NJRC&D)
– North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council
75 residents = over 120 acres Golf Courses + Businesses = over 2097 acres
•Working with 9 businesses, 6 Certified•Have met with 8/18 Golf Courses, 1 Certified, 3 active progress
First Pilot School Certified in 2008
River-Friendly Categories
• Water Quality Management– Reduce pollutants that travel with NPS runoff
• Water Conservation Techniques– Decrease ground / surface water usage
• Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement– Preserve and/or enhance naturalized areas
• Education and Outreach– Communicate success and involve the community
Water Quality Action Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Onsite annual stream restorations
• Research pond algae control
• Determine and implement methods for phosphorus reduction
• Reduction in fertilizer use
Water Quality Action
Carriage Farm• Establishment of a Rain
Garden for stormwater runoff
• Use of a combination of goose control methods for nutrient runoff
• Minimize runoff from the site and maintain stream bank vegetation through establishment of buffers and livestock fencing
Water Quality ActionJanssen Pharmaceutica
• Integrated Pest Management• “No-mow” and “no-spray”
zones (10-20 feet) around all water bodies
• Use of Native Plants• Use of slow-release and
organic fertilizers to reduce run-off contamination
• Pond Aeration and Water Quality Monitoring
• Protect onsite wetlands
Water Quality ActionJ&J Skillman
• Integrated Pest Management Plan that helped decrease pesticide use by 54% between 2003-2005.
• Conducted soil tests. Started working with Corporate to amend contract to base fertilizer amounts on samples, conditions, and weather, not on contracts.
• Eliminated fertilizer use on 11.6 acres
• Installed vegetative buffers around two ponds and in two swales.
Water Quality ActionStony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
• Pond analysis• Rain Garden • Visual assessments of
streams on property• Soil test new garden areas
Water Quality ActionStony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority
• Eliminated use of weed control on sidewalks and curbs
• Organized a Millstone River cleanup
• Site soil tests taken for new areas
• Do not use fertilizers on lawns
Water Quality ActionsResidents
• Stormwater– Direct gutters away from pavement, cover exposed soil areas, minimize impervious
surfaces, pick up pet waste, keep storm drains free of debris, minimize my winter salt use
• Lawn and Garden Maintenance– Take a Soil Test, do not use fertilizers, use slow release/organic fertilizers are used based
on results from a soil test, use compost as a lawn/garden amendment, leave grass clippings on the lawn, maintain a mowing height at 2-3 inches, over-seeding and aerating lawn, minimize lawn areas
• Chemical Usage– Minimize use, spot spray, tolerate pests, integrated approach
• Waterbodies– Fencing off livestock, maintaining buffers, having one access point
• Septic System Management– Knowing location, inspections and maintenance, no antibacterial products
Resident Action Results
• 30% have taken a soil test• 83% have no exposed soil areas or cover
exposed soil to reduce runoff• 77% reported leaving grass clippings • 90% of those with septic systems report
inspecting/pumping septic system routinely
Program and Message Outreach Opportunities
• Presentations to various groups:gardens clubs, moms clubs, home owners associations
• Topic related workshops for professionals and residents (IPM, rain gardens, organic landcare)
• River-Friendly Programs working in other target areas SBWA, NJWSA
• Landowner Education Workshop on Nov. 10 – hosted by The Watershed Institute
• Promotion through website, newsletters, public events, e-mail listserv, newspaper articles/media