■ NJDEP Update
Continued From Page 52 dams to be removed in a broader effort reconnecting 45 miles of Paulins Kill waterways to a free-flowing state that allows migratory fish passage . The Columbia Dam was removed in 2019 , followed by the County Line Dam this year .
◾ GreenTrust Alliance , $ 1,331,539 , for the design and implementation of stream restoration and floodplain enhancement on Trout Brook , a tributary of the Pequest River , in Allamuchy Township , Warren County . The project will restore and relocate approximately 2,000 feet of stream and enhance 19.5 acres of wetlands . The project aims to significantly improve both water and habitat quality .
◾ The Nature Conservancy , $ 673,086 , for the completion of the restoration design and permitting for restoration efforts in the Hyper Humus section of the Paulins Kill Wildlife Management Area . This project includes stream and other hydrologic restoration , habitat enhancement and planting plans to restore a 1,200-acre section of the Paulins Kill Wildlife Management Area at the headwaters of the Paulins Kill .
◾ The Nature Conservancy , $ 436,400 , for engineering studies , design plans and permitting for the removal of the Upper E . R . Collins Dam and Lower E . R . Collins
Dam on the Pequest River in Belvidere , Warren County . The completion of design is the first step in achieving the removal of these dams that contribute to hazardous flooding in the area . Their removal will enhance water quality , restore natural river functions , and increase habitat for native fish populations .
◾ The Land Conservancy of New Jersey , $ 92,296 , for the design and construction of stream habitat restoration and riparian enhancement at the Yards Creek Preserve in Blairstown , Warren County . Restoration activities include the removal of culverts , the re-establishment of hydrologic connections , and wetland enhancement . The project also calls for the decompaction and restoration of the removed driveway and reuse of materials to re-establish site access away from the restored stream .
◾ Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority , $ 78,588 , to conduct restoration activities on the site of the former Culver Lake Golf Course in the Upper Paulins Kill watershed . Restoration activities will include planting riparian buffers , removing and replacing culverts , creation of shallow water habitat pools and enhancement of wetlands to provide water quality benefits to the Paulins Kill .
Remediating contaminated sites and restoring damaged natural resource is a key priority of the Murphy Administration . The NJDEP ’ s Office of Natural Resource Restoration works with responsible parties who wish to voluntarily assess natural resource damages , undertake restoration projects , or settle their natural resource damage liability . Where necessary , the NJDEP works with the Office of the Attorney General to pursue Natural Resource Damage claims through the courts . These settlements , which are in addition to the costs of cleaning up a pollution event , help the NJDEP to facilitate many different types of ecological restoration projects throughout the state .
NJDEP ’ s Office of Natural Resource Restoration works with responsible parties to restore natural resources injured by oil spills and other discharges of hazardous substances .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto
■ LSRP REPORT
New Resources Turn Brownfields into Opportunities
Many New Jersey communities contain legacy industrial and vacant commercial properties . Some of these sites have languished for years because of contamination or the perception of contamination .
The redevelopment of brownfields are unique opportunities to catalyze economic development , improve environmental conditions , and create more socially equitable and resilient communities . But the process can be daunting .
Now New Jersey ’ s municipalities and counties have a free resource to help them navigate the challenges posed by brownfields . Launched in early 2020 with seed funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority , the NJ Brownfields Assistance Center @ NJIT is the first-of-its-kind and only center that solely focuses on and serves New Jersey .
Most local governments do not have the in-house knowledge or expertise to advance brownfield sites through the planning , assessment , cleanup , and redevelopment processes . Many communities have either no , or limited resources , including funding .
NJIT created the NJ Brownfields Assistance Center @ NJIT to help communities overcome their brownfield hurdles and advance these properties towards the redevelopment finish line .
The Center ’ s multi-disciplinary team of planners , engineers , environmental scientists and social scientists bring expertise to brownfields-challenged communities to help transform these sites into community assets .
The Center educates communities about brownfield issues , and provides free “ help desk ” assistance and guidance to any county and municipal government . The Center partners with state agencies and the private sector to guide communities as they navigate the redevelopment process .
Dr . Colette Santasieri
Since its launch , the Center has conducted learning labs for county and municipal elected officials and staff ; created a resource center ( www . njit . edu / njbrownfields ); held several webinars ; and provided “ plain language ” explanations of technical environmental investigation reports to local government officials . The Center also has helped municipalities identify their planning goals and align brownfield sites with those goals .
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