River-Friendly Certification Programs

Kathy Hale, Principal Watershed Protection Specialist

NJ Water Supply Authority(908) 685-0315 x228 khale@raritanbasin.org

www.raritanbasin.org & www.njwsa/wpuwww.njriverfriendly.org www.njriverfriendlyfarm.org

2009 Watershed Science & Technical Conference

September 15, 2009West Point, NY

NJ Water Supply Authority•Management of water supply infrastructure

•Several grant projects for watershed management projects

•River-Friendly projects at NJWSA properties

•Management & rehabilitation projects at preserved properties – open space and farms

•Stream restoration projects

•Stormwater management projects – planning & implementation

•Manage Spruce Run, Round Valley & Manasquan Reservoirs, D&R Canal as water supply sources

•Raritan System provides water supply to public & private water utilities serving 1.3+ million people in Central NJ

Raritan River Basin•Largest river basin located entirely in the state of NJ

•~1,100 mi2, parts of 7 counties & 100 municipalities

•Surface water systems provide water to 1.5 million people

Raritan Basin Watershed Management Plan

• 2002, www.raritanbasin.org• Identified six critical issues:

•Surface Water Pollution •Loss of Riparian Areas•Biological Impairment of Streams•Loss of Ground Water Recharge •Water Supply Limitations•Stormwater Impacts

•30% of historic riparian areas converted to urban and agricultural uses

Riparian Issues in the Raritan

• Sedimentation• Erosion• Undercut banks• Impaired riparian zone• Altered stream channels

How to protect water resources?

•Stormwater improvements•Riparian buffer improvements•Stream restoration projects•Land acquisition•Municipal ordinance improvements•Better land management by existing land uses – River-Friendly programs

River Friendly Programs

•Golf Course

•Business

•Farm

•Resident

Program OverviewPartnership between facility & NJWSA

Reduce nonpoint source pollution

Actions in 4 categories:

Water Quality Management

Water Conservation Techniques

Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement

Education and Outreach

Targets and Actions should be specific, attainable & measurable!

Certification Benefits Golf Course & Business

Protect natural resources

Reduce nonpoint source pollution & improve water quality

Create healthier turf

Reduce landscape maintenance costs by reducing chemical and water use, by reducing equipment use in ‘no mow’ and ‘no spray’ areas

Increase natural habitat

Maintain facility aesthetics and create a positive working environment

Educate employees, visitors and community

Promote positive relationship between facility and community

River-Friendly Process Golf Course

& Business

1. Invitation to participate

2. Complete program application – information regarding facility and activities

3. Site visit – NJWSA & facility staff

4. Develop actions – increment of improvement

5. Implementation

6. Certification and Recognition

7. Recertification

Golf Course Participants(NJWSA program

areas)

•Quail Brook Golf Course – certified 7/2007•Green Knoll Golf Course – in progress•Spooky Brook Golf Course – in progress•Warrenbrook Golf Course – in progress•Neshanic Valley Golf Course – certified 2008•High Bridge Hills Golf Course – in progress•Heron Glen Golf Course – in progress

Business Participants(NJWSA program

areas)

•NJ American Water Company – certified 2009•National Starch & Chemical – in progress•Sanofi-Aventis Research & Development – in progress•Sanofi-Aventis Corporate – in progress•NJ Water Supply Administration Facility – certified 2009•Ethicon – in progress•Raritan Valley Community College – in progress

Quail Brook Golf Course

Example Actions

•Developed IPM Plan•Established no-mow buffer around pond•Established 5.6 acres of no-mow areas•Calibrated fertilizer spreaders monthly•Used soil testing to guide fertilization•Developed irrigation system checklist•Installed 10 bird houses•Installed signs to designate no-mow zones•Displayed NJDEP stormwater posters in clubhouse

QBGCNo Mow Areas

Neshanic Valley GC

Sanofi-Aventis, Research Facility

Example Actions•Expanded no-mow areas by 10 acres, reducing lawn areas by 16.5%•Performed soil tests•Planted riparian buffer adjacent to Peter’s Brook•Properly stored deicing materials•Planted a garden•Reviewed irrigation schedules, reduced irrigated areas by 33%•Sent eco-tips to employees

Sanofi-Aventis, Research FacilityStream Buffer Improvements

Gardens

Before

After

Sanofi-Aventis, Research Facility

New Garden AreasBefore

After

NJ American Water Co.Example Actions

Coyote goose deterrent

Butterfly garden

NJWSA Spruce

Run Reservoir

Administration Facility

NJWSAExample Actions

•~12 acres native grass restoration•Installed bird and bat houses•Established no mow areas•Planted native trees•Mapped drainage system•Formalized IPM plan•Tried organic slow release fertilizer•Presentations to Grounds Maintenance staff on specific topics and entire staff on overall program•Included River-Friendly tips in quarterly newsletter•Planted butterfly garden

NJWSA

Native Grass Restoration

Bird House

River-Friendly Resident•Originally set up to require increment of improvement

•Current - self-certification, landowner’s pledge to manage property responsibly

•Distributed at community days, 4H fairs, through environmental commissions

River-Friendly ResidentSample Questions

I pick up after my pet. My gutters are directed away from paved areas onto vegetation or into a rain barrel.I perform soil tests at least every other year. I do not use pesticides or fertilizers within 10 feet of my stream (or other water body).I use water collected in a rain barrel for watering my garden.I have at least 1 low flow toilet in my house, or at least 1 toilet has been modified to function as low flow.My septic system is pumped and maintained every 3-5 years.

River-Friendly Farm Certification Program

•Voluntary certification program•For all farms (no water body required)•Implemented by North Jersey RC&D

Provide recognition to farmers already implementing practices to protect water quality

Provide technical assistance to farmers who want to protect natural resource

Increase public awareness of producers’ voluntary contributions to soil & water resource protection

Goals/Benefits

•Soil loss ≤T•Nutrient management •Adequate buffers •Pest management•Irrigation water management

River-Friendly Farm Criteria

River-Friendly

Farm Participan

ts

Summary of Participants

Golf Courses: 1,406 acresBusinesses: 2,348 acresFarms: 2,054 acres

Total: 5,808 acres

Residents: Over 500 questionnaires received

Obstacles & Lessons Learned

•Need the right contact to get in the door•Funding for program administration•Funding for action implementation•Time

•Identify target areas•Utilize all your contacts – board, staff, friends, etc.•Everything takes longer than you think it will•Engage municipalities•Provide incentives

Questions?

Native grass restoration area, NJWSA Administration Facility – Spruce Run Reservoir