Dear Friends of Hackensack Riverkeeper,
Last week we sent you an alert about the plight of the Red Knots and the horseshoe crabs. We are sorry to report that the effort to extend the crab harvesting moratorium was rejected by the NJ Marine Fisheries Council in a vote of 5-4. Please visit NJ Audubon’s website for an update and steps you can take: http://www.njaudubon.org/Conservation/HSCrabAlert.html#updates.
If you’ve been following efforts to protect the New Jersey Highlands through the draft regional master plan but haven’t yet submitted comments, you have until February 28. While the Hackensack River Watershed is not part of the Highlands Region, we are dependent on its resources to ensure a stable supply of clean drinking water. In times of drought, United Water buys billions of gallons of water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission and pipes it to Oradell from the Wanaque Reservoir in the Highlands. To review the plan, go to: www.highlands.state.nj.us/. You can submit your comments electronically via the Website or by mailing comments to: New Jersey Highlands Council, 100 North Road, Chester, NJ 07930. Make your voice heard for clean water!
5th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party
Thursday, February 21, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Bergenfield Elks Lodge, 40 W. Church St., Bergenfield, NJ 07621
Past, Present & Future Volunteers Welcome! For a mere $5, you will be served a delicious spaghetti & meatball (or just spaghetti) dinner and desserts by your favorite Hackensack Riverkeeper staffers. There will be a free Tricky Tray Auction, a 50/50 auction, a bicycle auction and the presentation of the coveted Outstanding Volunteer Awards. Cash Bar. Please reply to this email to RSVP.
Directions: From Route 17 or Route 4: Take Route 17 North or South to Route 4 East to Teaneck. Take the Teaneck Road exit north toward Bergenfield. Go north for 2.6 miles on Teaneck Road, then make a left onto W. Church St. (this is the first left after Main St.). The Elks Club is at 40 W. Church St., about 1 or 2 blocks down on the left (before the tracks) – you MAY need to park on the street, as parking lot fills quickly.
Category One Watershed Protection Seminar
Thursday, March 13, 2 sessions: 2pm-5pm or 7pm-10pm
United Water NJ Haworth Treatment Plant, 200 Lakeshore Drive, Haworth, NJ 07641
Four years ago, the entire upper Hackensack River watershed was designated a Category One (C1) waterway, offering it the highest level of protection in the state, and creating 300 ft. buffer zones along the river and all its tributaries north of the Oradell Dam. So, why do we still see development near the water??? Come and learn as we unravel the mystery of the C1 Stormwater Rules: What exactly do the rules say? How do you determine if a permit for development has been obtained? What is a hardship variance? How can YOU help to ensure compliance with the regulations in your own neighborhood? We will be joined by Brad Campbell – environmental attorney and former Commissioner of the NJDEP, Katrina Wessling and Debra Hammond of the NJDEP and Michael M. Bennett - an environmental engineer with Hatch Mott MacDonald. Please pre-register by replying to this email or calling Lisa at 201-968-0808. Sponsored by Hackensack Riverkeeper and United Water, with a grant from The Watershed Institute.
2008 Eco-Cruise, Guided Paddle, River Cleanup and Bird-Walk Schedule
The 2008 Eco-Program Schedule has been finalized and posted on the Hackensack Riverkeeper website at www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/eco.html. The first river cleanup is Saturday, April 19, the Paddling Center will open on Sunday, April 20, Bird-Walks begin on Sunday, April 27 and the first open Eco-Cruises are on Sunday, May 11. They will be here before you know it, so don’t hesitate – make your reservations today!
We’re looking forward to seeing you on the river soon!
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Lisa Ryan
Operations Director
Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.
231 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-968-0808
201-968-0336 (fax)