DEP AWARDS CONTRACT TO RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL TO PROTECT UPPER DELAWARE AREA WATERSHED
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Shinn today
awarded a $400,000 contract to the North Jersey Resource Conservation
and Development Council to develop a comprehensive management plan for
the Upper Delaware watershed.
The council will receive $400,000 for the two-year contract and a total
of $600,000 over four years to complete the watershed plan for the area,
which covers 52 municipalities in Warren, Hunterdon, Morris and Sussex
counties.
"Working together in partnership, we will produce a plan for this
area that will protect and enhance the Delaware River and its tributaries
from Montague in Sussex County to Pohatcong Township in Warren County,"
Shinn said.
Commissioner Shinn presented a $144,000 advance check to Caroline Armstrong,
chair of the North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council,
along the Pequest River at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford Township
(Warren).
The Upper Delaware watershed, known as Area 1 in the state’s watershed
management program, covers 1,072 square miles from Clove Brook in the
north to the Musconetcong River in the south. It includes the Pohatcong
Creek, Lopatcong Creek, Paulins Kill River, Delawanna Creek, Flat Brook,
Shimmers Brook, Van Campens Brook, Buckhorn Creek and Beaver Brook.
DEP had divided the state into 20 watershed management areas and DEP
is establishing similar partnerships in the other areas for plans to be
developed to protect all of New Jersey’s waterways.
The NJRC&D Council will work with county planning boards, municipalities,
the Delaware River Basin Commission, watershed associations and other
agencies to establish an executive committee. The executive committee
will seek input from other local groups and interested citizens in developing
the plan. Task committees will be formed for public outreach and other
technical and support work. Upon completion of a draft plan, DEP will
seek formal public comment and review prior to adoption.
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