DEP ANNOUNCES 598-ACRE ADDITION TO
MASKELLS MILL POND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
Former Clay Mine Contains Bird Habitat, Water
Resources, Wetlands
(04/125) Trenton -- Emphasizing the importance
of preserving water resources and habitat, Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell
today announced the acquisition of the S.V. Farming Property,
a 597.6-acre former clay mine in Quinton Township, Salem
County. DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife will administer
the property as part of the Maskells Mill Pond Wildlife
Management Area.
"The S.V. Farming Property is a tremendous addition
to this wildlife management area," said Governor James
E. McGreevey. "Preserving this property expands our
ability to improve and protect water quality and fish and
wildlife habitat in the South Jersey region and reinforces
our commitment to environmental protection throughout the
state. Whether we're preserving land, improving air quality
or protecting our waterways from pollution, we are keeping
our promise to make life better for New Jersey's families
and children."
The conservation of S.V. Farming will protect the headwaters
of Stow Creek, which discharges into the Delaware Bay. The
S.V. Farming tract is mainly comprised of forested wetlands
and uplands that are ideal for groundwater recharge. The
Maskells Mill Pond Wildlife Management Area supports a diverse
bird population including the bald eagle, prairie warbler,
scarlet tanager, wood thrush and bobwhite quail.
"This acquisition underscores the importance of protecting
New Jersey's natural resources and restoring those that
have been damaged or destroyed," said Commissioner
Campbell. "In this case, almost 20 acres of mined wetlands
have been restored and permanently preserved and can once
again serve as critical habitat for wildlife."
An extensive wetlands restoration project mitigated the
effects of mining activity previously undertaken on the
property. The ten-year project restored of 18.4 acres of
high resource wetlands and the created an additional 9.9
acres of wetlands.
The DEP Green Acres Program purchased the $550,000 S.V.
Farming site from Waste Management, Inc. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service will reimburse the Green Acres Program
$109,000 of the acquisition cost through a National Coastal
Wetlands Conservation Grant.
The DEP Green Acres Program purchases land to protect environmentally
sensitive open space, water resources and other significant
natural and historical open space. Land acquired becomes
part of the statewide system of parks and forest, wildlife
management areas and natural areas.
Since Governor McGreevey took office, the Green Acres
Program has acquired 68,952 acres of open space-45,873 acres
for state projects, 11,797 acres for local projects and
11,282 acres for nonprofit groups. To date, the Green Acres
Program has protected more than 551,358 acres of open space
and provided funding to develop hundreds of parks statewide.
The statewide system of preserved open space and farmland
totals more than 1.27 million acres.
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