Dep, Passaic County, Wanaque Borough

[+BMSquared]

DEP, PASSAIC COUNTY, WANAQUE BOROUGH

PRESERVE HIGHLANDS PROPERTY

 

(05/12) TRENTON -- Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Commissioner

Bradley M. Campbell today announced the preservation of a 125-acre

property located within the Highlands preservation area in Bloomingdale

and Wanaque boroughs.

 

"DEP's preservation of this environmentally sensitive watershed land is

a step forward for the protection of water resources for future

generations of New Jersey residents," said Acting Governor Richard J.

Codey.

 

The property, which is comprised of woodlands and forested wetlands, is

adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest and Wanaque Reservoir. The DEP

Division of Parks and Forestry will manage the newly acquired property

as an addition to the 4,365-acre Norvin Green State Forest. It will be

open to the public for passive recreation.

 

"This preservation area acquisition complements DEP's regulatory work

and the Highlands Council's planning efforts," said Commissioner

Campbell. "The project demonstrates the importance of forming

partnerships with private landowners and county, municipal and nonprofit

groups to conserve Highlands water resources."

 

The preservation of this property will protect water resources and

endangered species habitat. The property is located within 1,000 feet of

the Wanaque Reservoir. It protects portions of the watersheds of three

tributaries of the reservoir, including the trout-producing West Brook.

 

This Highlands parcel provides habitat to a variety of threatened and

endangered species. Endangered species found at the site include the red

shouldered hawk, northern goshawk, and timber rattlesnake. Threatened

species found at the site include the barred owl, cooper's hawk and wood

turtle.

 

"We are continuing our efforts to acquire open space in Passaic County

and we are delighted with this latest preservation effort," said Lois

Cuccinello, Passaic County Freeholder and liaison to the Passaic County

Open Space Committee.

 

DEP purchased the property from a private owner in partnership with the

Passaic County Open Space Trust Fund and Wanaque Borough. The DEP Green

Acres Program contributed $1,061,000 in state acquisition funds. Passaic

County and Wanaque Borough jointly contributed $200,000 in Passaic

County Open Space funds.

 

"This is an outstanding acquisition," said Wanaque Mayor Warren

Hagstrom. "I want to thank the DEP Green Acres Program and Passaic

County. This fits in perfectly with Norvin Green State Forest and the

Wanaque Reservoir."

 

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.

 

In 2004, the Green Acres Program acquired 23,237 acres of open space.

To date, Green Acres has protected 686,745 acres of open space and

provided funding to develop hundreds of parks statewide. The statewide

system of preserved open space and farmland totals almost 1.3 million

acres.

 

###

 

Related Link:

NJDEP Green Acres Program

http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres

[+briansnat]

Great piece of property! I know exactly where it is. Adjacent to my Mine is a Terrible Thing cache (which after looking at the map actually was on this property and not on state land ).

[+BMSquared]

This was almost in my back yard. I was in the process of buying a house right there. I have decided I just can't live that close to Brian.

[+briansnat]

I don't live nearby, but you certainly would have had some interesting neighbors (their car is also the same color):

 

Edited February 11, 2005 by briansnat