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Water:The Misguided Cornucopian ViewBy: Carleton Montgomery & Richard BIzub
On the cold and snowy morning of January 28, 2003 over 350 people, mostly seniors, packed the Whiting Fire House in Manchester Township to learn and voice their concerns at a public hearing. The gathering was held by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) at the request of Pinelands Preservation Alliance and many citizens to address a proposed State action that would have a direct impact on the region’s quality of life. The hearing was not held to discuss medicare, prescription drugs, home heating assistance, or social security— instead the concern was WATER. Specifically, should the NJDEP allow the Crestwood Village Water Company (CVWC) to remove an additional ninety-five (95) million gallons of water per year from the shallow aquifer beneath Whiting. This aquifer is known as the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer and provides over ninety (90) percent of the water to local streams within the Pinelands. This groundwater is, therefore, the life-blood of these streams. PPA, the Pinelands Commission, and virtually all others who spoke asked that the NJDEP deny this request and make the water company use one of the many options available to them, such as conservation, storing water in other aquifers, and drilling a deeper well.
The request of the Crestwood Village Water Company is just one example of a growing problem facing the Pinelands and the State as a whole: how to manage water for what it really is, a precious natural resource and not an unlimited commodity. Unfortunately, we on the East coast tend to view water as just another utility like telephone, electricity, sewer, and cable TV. The attitude of the builders and developers is "we just build the homes," there's plenty of water, so just drill another well or have the local water utility supply the multitude of new homes. This cornucopian or inexhaustible view of water, particularly as it relates to the shallow aquifer, is one of the greatest threats facing the Pinelands.
The cornucopian view is a threat because of the inextricable connection between groundwater and nearby streams, rivers and wetlands. How much water can be removed from the shallow aquifer without harming the ecosystem? The NJDEP Bureau of Water Allocation has the responsibility for maintaining this delicate balance. But based on recent examples we believe they have strayed from their charge of maintaining adequate water levels for all users of the resource, including non-human users such as the plant and animal communities that make the Pinelands unique.
The cornucopian view of water was clearly displayed in the Crestwood Village case, which provides an instructive example of the broader problem. Since 1990, the NJDEP has allowed the CVWC to pump 485 million gallons of groundwater per year. The new request would allow 580 million gallons per year. This is approximately a 20 percent increase. The request for additional water is for new development. This includes new housing developments that have already been approved and, in some cases, even sold to homeowners - all without any approved water supply. The CVWC has increased the amount of groundwater it has removed eight (8) of the past nine (9) years. During 1993 the annual demand was 415.0 million gallons. That amount has increased to 520.8 million gallons in 2001. This is an average annual increase of 13.2 million gallons per year. During 1999 the CVWC asked the NJDEP for more water. The NJDEP reviewed the request and during October 2002 issued their staff report. The report was silent on ecological impacts, instead saying, in essence, we recognize that you need this water for future development, so we are going to give it to you.
PPA and its supporters asked for the public hearing in order to get environmental impacts, and the long-term sustainability of the aquifer, into the equation. Now we wait and hope that our concerns will be addressed.
The rhetoric one hears in these cases is always interesting. Whiting is a retirement community, and many residents have long sought better shopping and medical facilities in the town's commercial district. In an ironic twist, the Mayor of Manchester has been defending the CVWC request as an example of "Smart Growth" and asserting that all the development this water would serve comes as a "package deal," so the community must accept the dewatering of its lakes, streams and wetlands if it wants "Smart Growth," a dialysis center and better retail businesses.
Of course, dewatering of streams and wetlands is not smart growth by any reasonable definition of the term, and the facts actually show Whiting could easily have its needed services without having to swallow the environmental damage the proposed pumping would bring. The proposed dialysis center, CVS Pharmacy, and Manchester Shopping Center combined, will only use 9.14 million gallons of water per year according to the water company documents submitted to the NJDEP. That's less than 10 percent of the 95 million gallons requested. The rest of the water will go to the 1,300 proposed new residential units.
In our opinion, if the township downscaled the new housing, and the water company instituted more conservation and drilled a deeper well, that would truly be "Smart Growth."
Maintaining sufficient water levels in the shallow aquifer and streams to meet the ecological needs, coupled with growing demands for water by South Jersey's population, means that NJDEP needs to do a better job of critically reviewing future water allocation proposals.State government needs to view each new request for water both on its own merits (what are the immediate consequences of granting this request?) and in terms of the cumulative impacts of all the separate past and future allocations it grants (if we go on giving permits like this, will we suck the aquifers dry?) PPA will continue to review specific water allocation proposals and request hearings when necessary. However, the real issue is fixing the systemic problems within the water allocation process. That is where the greatest benefits can be obtained for future requests for water. PPA and the state's other environmental groups have recently made detailed recommendations to the NJDEP to address some of the weaknesses in the current program. These proposals can be viewed on our issues pages
E-mail Richard Bizub with comments or feedback.
Don't Let New Jersey Miss a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
by Carleton Montgomery
Would it surprise you to know that Governor McGreevey and his administration seem to be working against the conservation of over 9,600 acres in the heart of the Pine Barrens? It's strange but true. And it's our job to turn the Governor around on this. If not, New Jersey may lose forever the greatest opportunity in a generation to protect, manage and open this irreplaceable natural resource to the public.
The New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) has negotiated an option contract to buy the 9,600+ acres that make up the DeMarco cranberry bogs, forests and wetlands surrounding the village of Chatsworth in Burlington County. The tract would connect three existing State Forests in the very core of the Pine Barrens. The DeMarco family has agreed to sell for one-half the value of the land as independently appraised by the state's own Green Acres program. The price is only $1,250 per acre, but over so many acres that adds up to $12 million. NJCF is hard at work raising the money it needs to exercise the option from private and public donors, and PPA is helping every way it can. We need the Governor's support, not his opposition.
Yet so far the Governor has not been supportive. At a recent news conference he picked out this acquisition by name, saying the state would not participate and implicitly suggesting he thought the project was unworthy. Why would a Governor who has made environmental protection one of the keystones of his administration not support the acquisition of such a big piece of pristine natural lands for conservation and public enjoyment?
State officials argue that the land is already protected by Pinelands regulations and a special Pinelands deed restriction, so it's just not a priority compared with land in suburban areas under immediate threat of development. But we know there's more to it than that.First, the restrictions that exist on this land are by no means complete and do nothing to provide for sound management of the land or public access. As I write this column, another major cranberry grower is completing clearcuts of large swathes of his forests, even drumchopping and raking the soil to replace the native forest with a more profitable monoculture. Another grower will soon receive Pinelands Commission approval to do clearcuts over even larger tracts of Pine Barrens forest. These clear-cuts, and other kinds of clearing for agriculture, are permitted by both the Pinelands regulations and by the deed restriction on the DeMarco lands. If the DeMarco lands are broken up into small holdings, we will never be able to reassemble and bring sound stewardship to this land.
Second, it appears the same growers who are cutting their forests are also eager to stop the NJCF purchase of the DeMarco land. Their advocate in the Administration is the Secretary of Agriculture. When was the last time you heard a spokesperson for the farming industry argue against paying a farmer the asking price for his land? Has the Secretary of Agriculture also been lobbying the Governor to block farmers' sales of land to Toll Brothers and other developers? Not that we've heard.
So why the opposition to this acquisition? I don't think those of us outside the small circle of interested growers can really know all the factors at work here. Their argument seems to be that taking the DeMarco land out of cranberry production would weaken the standing of New Jersey's members of the Ocean Spray cooperative. Of course, much the same kind of thing could be said every time a farmer sells up to a developer: the economic muscle of New Jersey's farmers is diminished as the industry sells out to the developers. Yet we do not hear the farming community and its spokespeople arguing against those sales.
I fear that short-sighted politics is defeating far-sighted, sound public policy, to the detriment of natural resources and future generations. Who owns the land, rather than the natural and social values of the land, seems to be driving the opposition. Meanwhile, state government is paying vast sums for very small pieces of isolated land in our wealthiest towns—land that will have some recreational value but mostly serves to prevent a couple hundred houses being built where the neighbors don't want them. As an example, the state Green Acres program is helping Branchburg Township buy a 180-acres parcel from Toll Brothers developers for $16 million—$89,000 per acre or 70 times the price per acre of the NJCF acquisition. And all that for an isolated piece of land that is 1/50 the size of the DeMarco tract.
I'm not saying the state should never buy land in wealthy suburbs to stop a housing development. Despite the expense, it is often a valid use of Green Acres funds. I am saying that shouldn't be the only way we use public funds. We also need to spend these funds to achieve real environmental protection, save our embattled endangered species, and provide natural recreation for our citizens. Alongside those suburban projects, our Governor and his colleagues should be supporting, not deriding, large-scale purchases of irreplaceable and globally important natural habitats in the Pinelands.
Please let the Governor know you think he should reconsider his position on the NJCF acquisition. Give him a call at 609 292-6000, send a fax at 609 292-3454, or send an e-mail to the statehouse To find out how you can help the New Jersey Conservation Foundation visit their wedsite www.njconservation.org Carleton Montgomery is the Executive Director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.
E-mail the author with comments or feedback.
South Jersey Pineway: A Scenic Tour of the Pinelandsby Barry Brady
Scenic byways have been designated all over our nation as a result of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. The Act provides grant funding, access to a dedicated website, and other incentives to governments, private organizations, and individuals seeking formal recognition of public thoroughfares with surpassing natural and/or cultural qualities. New Jersey adopted a parallel program a few years later and delineated its first byway along Route 29 and the Delaware and Raritan Canal not long after. A second byway may be designated by the state during the coming year, this one coursing its way through much of the lower tier of the Pinelands. The byway will not involve building or paving any new roads, but will lay out a course along existing roads in the Pinelands.
As described by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT), which administers the state program, a scenic byway is "a transportation corridor of regionally outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic or archaeological significance. Each corridor acts as a representation of the uniqueness and diversity of the state and uses these intrinsic qualities to create a unifying theme to tell a story about New Jersey's heritage, recreational opportunities and beauty." State scenic byways are designated by the commissioner of the DOT, with the guidance of an advisory committee, after being nominated by a local sponsor.
The Pinelands Commission has been working with sixteen municipalities—from Washington and Bass River Townships in the north to Maurice River and Dennis Townships in the south—and five counties to develop a scenic byway through the southern half of the Pine Barrens. The "South Jersey Pineway" (the current working title for the byway, which was suggested by the participating municipalities) meanders through natural and historic areas of rural and coastal New Jersey, stretching from the Mullica River to the Delaware Bay. It encompasses mostly undeveloped areas of striking natural beauty and rich historic heritage. As most recently modified by the municipalities, the route takes particular advantage of the scenic qualities of the Mullica and Tuckahoe Rivers, following along both their northern and southern banks. It also directs visitors to many of the historic sites and settlements of Atlantic County, such as Weymouth Furnace, Mays Landing, and the Estellville Glassworks, before heading towards the exceptional vistas of the Maurice River and the Delaware Bay in Cumberland and Cape May Counties.
Beginning at Batsto, the route of the proposed byway swings south and then east past Pleasant Mills to Weekstown. From Weekstown, it heads south through Elwood, past the Makepeace Wildlife Management Area and Weymouth Furnace Park, to Mays Landing. The route follows Route 50 south to Tuckahoe and then west on either side of the Tuckahoe River to Head of River, and eventually to Port Elizabeth. The byway proceeds from Port Elizabeth to Dennisville via Delsea Drive (Route 47), loops northeast and then west to Woodbine and Belleplain, and then northeast back to the Head of River area. In addition to the southerly route, the byway also follows Route 542 and Stage Road from Batsto east past Green Bank, Lower Bank, and Wading River to Tuckerton. Heading southwest out of Tuckerton, the route turns south at New Gretna on to the Garden State Parkway over the mouth of the Mullica River, on to Route 9 to Smithville, and then generally west to Port Republic and along Clark's Landing Road back to Weekstown.
The impetus for the byway designation arose from the Pinelands Rural Economic Development Program, which examined fiscal conditions in several Pinelands towns and suggested ways whereby they might stimulate environmentally suitable growth through various planning initiatives, incentives, public improvements, and redevelopment. One suggestion was for a New Jersey and National Scenic Byway that would bring widespread awareness of, and interest in, the natural assets of the Pinelands. This idea was presented to the municipalities involved in the program and was received favorably. At their urging, the Commission identified the potential route and held several meetings to accept the input of the participating towns.
Currently, the Commission is soliciting resolutions of support from the municipal and county governments involved in order to demonstrate the requisite local support. Once the resolutions are all adopted, work will begin on an inventory of natural and cultural resources along the byway route, which will be a major component of the byway nomination.
After the byway receives state recognition, the nomination will be forwarded to the United States Secretary of Transportation for federal designation. Listing as a byway enables the sponsors to apply for program affiliated grants and provides access to a variety of promotional and marketing opportunities, including development of visitor centers, wayside exhibits, and self-guided tours. The byway will also be featured in the US Department of the Interior's byway website and in other state and national tourism materials and maps and will receive signage supplied by the DOT.
Barry Brady is a Resource Planner at the Pinelands Commission.
E-mail the author with comments or feedback.
..And the Support of Members Like Youby Margaret O'Gorman
Whether you became a member of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance as a result of our latest mail campaign or have been a member since before we had the resources to carry out mail campaigns, you are an important part of the financial mix that supports us.
Members, new and renewing, make a financial contribution to the work of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Member dues are not confined to particular projects or issues, so we use them to support certain programs that are part-funded or unfunded. This past year PPA members helped produce and distribute this newsletter, update our website, and complete our nature-film The Pine Barrens: up close and natural and our guide to the Threatened and Endangered Species of the Pinelands. Without our members we would not have been able to do these projects. Thank you! Each year American philanthropists contribute billions of dollars to make a difference, and we are honored to be among the recipients of some of those dollars. Each dollar we receive from our members represents a belief in our mission and a hope for the long-term preservation of the New Jersey Pinelands. Each dollar we receive is used to fulfill this mission. Members provide more than financial support. They allow us to illustrate that concern for the Pinelands is statewide. Our members come from every county in New Jersey. We even have members in far fling places like Florida, Hawaii and England. This broad base of families and individuals sends a strong message that they value the Pinelands as an ecological resource and support its preservation. This month we will launch a campaign designed to encourage more individuals and families to join us and support our work. We ask you to help us out. Let us know if your friends or family members are inclined to support our work. Send us a note with the names of people you think should join our organization. If one of your friends becomes a member (at the basic $35 level), we will send you a PPA T-shirt as a thank-you gift. Please submit names and addresses via e-mail to Diana, our membership manager or mail to 114 Hanover Street, Pemberton, NJ 08068. Margaret O'Gorman is Director of Development at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.
E-mail the author with comments or feedback.
A Few Symphonius Friendsby Russell Juelg
One of the biggest hit CD's of 2002 was "Calls of New Jersey Frogs and Toads," created jointly by Dave Golden, New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, and John Bunnell, New Jersey Pinelands Commission. It was so popular, the story was picked up not only by local newspapers but also the New York Times.
Some people understand immediately why this kind of music stirs the souls of so many people. Others don't get it, and I think I know why. They just haven't listened to it yet.The variety of noises that come out of these little creatures is absolutely astounding. And it is even more astounding when you ponder that these bizarre sounds—everything from peeping and trilling to "hammering" and "snoring"—are lusty male attempts to attract a mate.
It must work. We have an awful lot of frogs and toads out there. In fact, experts say that amphibian populations in the Pinelands are remarkable. And you don't have to travel great distances or pay any money to hear their live performances.
According to the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of New Jersey , published by the Endangered & Nongame Species Program of the Division of Fish & Wildlife, New Jersey, has three toad and thirteen frog species. All of these, except the American Toad and the Upland Chorus Frog, may be found in the Pinelands region. If you match the frog or toad species with a site that has appropriate breeding habitat, and show up at the right time of year, when the weather is right, you could be treated to some remarkable auditory experiences.
Take the Pine Barrens Treefrog, for example. The Field Guide says they are almost entirely restricted to acidic Pine Barrens pools, temporary streams, and sometimes permanent waters. The chart on the back cover of the CD shows that they call mainly during the months of May, June, and July. One other bit of information you might want is that they call mostly on warm, humid nights.
So, go out about dark, and drive by places that meet the criteria, and stop and listen, or hike into the woods to more secluded pools and ponds that you can find by studying topo maps. The sound is enchanting. You might mistake it for geese honking or ducks quacking in the distance until you get close to the source. If you can't get out to see and hear them for yourself, Mitch Smith's mesmerizing film footage of these frogs "quonking" during a thunder shower, in the film The Pine Barrens: up close and natural, is a fine tribute to these beautiful little native icons.
Another characteristic Pine Barrens frog you might hear in the same habitats is the Carpenter Frog. These frogs are more likely to use more permanent bodies of water for breeding. I have heard them in the Skit Branch behind Batona Camp, in Batsto Lake, and around old cranberry bogs. I don't know of any other natural sound quite like the two-note percussive exclamation of this creature.
It's interesting to notice, while listening to Carpenter Frogs, that the two-note call is not the only sound they make. In hot moments of complex male/male and male/female interactions, they have different things to say to each other. Professor Mac Given (Neumann College, Pennsylvania) studied Carpenter Frogs in the Pine Barrens and documented these fascinating intimate details.
Of course, our breeding toads have to sound off too. People have described the Fowler's Toad call as the sound of a baby crying—a long, drawn-out "waaaah!" But it has a very harsh, nasally tone to it, so you probably wouldn't mistake it for a baby.
The other toad call we can hear in the Pinelands is the bizarre "short, low, nasal honk" of the Eastern Spadefoot. Look and listen for Spadefoot toads on warm nights during and after very heavy rains. During dry spells they may spend weeks or even months underground.
Other frog species native to the Pine Barrens include the Northern Spring Peeper, Green Frog, and Southern Leopard Frog. Though seven other species may be found in the Pinelands region, local scientists consider them inhabitants of border areas and/or indicators of disturbance. These species are Northern Cricket Frog, Northern Gray Treefrog, Southern Gray Treefrog, New Jersey Chorus Frog, Bullfrog, Pickerel Frog, and Wood Frog.
Pine Barrens explorers who get familiar with frog and toad calls are rewarded through the breeding season with a rich variety of sounds. Even the briefest nocturnal excursions are likely to yield pleasant reminders, in the way of nighttime melodies, of the many mysterious creatures with whom we share the Pinelands.
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