River-Friendly Certification Programs

1. Kathy Hale, Principal Watershed Protection Specialist NJ Water Supply Authority (908) 685-0315 x228 khale@raritanbasin.org www.raritanbasin.org & www.njwsa/wpu www.njriverfriendly.org www.njriverfriendlyfarm.org River-Friendly Certification Programs 2009 Watershed Science & Technical Conference September 15, 2009 West Point, NY

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Riparian Issues in the Raritan • Sedimentation • Erosion • Undercut banks • Impaired riparian zone • Altered stream channels

6. 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

7. River Friendly Programs • Golf Course • Business • Farm • Resident

8. Program Overview • Partnership 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!

9. Certification BenefitsGolf 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

10. Invitation to participate • Complete program application – information regarding facility and activities • Site visit – NJWSA & facility staff • Develop actions – increment of improvement • Implementation • Certification and Recognition • Recertification River-Friendly ProcessGolf Course & Business

11. 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

12. 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

14. Quail Brook Golf CourseExample 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

15. QBGCNo Mow Areas

16. Neshanic Valley GC

17. Sanofi-Aventis, Research FacilityExample 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

18. Sanofi-Aventis, Research FacilityStream Buffer Improvements Before Gardens After

19. Sanofi-Aventis, Research FacilityNew Garden Areas Before After

20. NJ American Water Co.Example Actions Coyote goose deterrent Butterfly garden

21. NJWSA Spruce Run Reservoir Administration Facility

22. 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

23. NJWSA Bird House Native Grass Restoration

24. 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

25. 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.

26. River-Friendly Farm Certification Program • Voluntary certification program • For all farms (no water body required) • Implemented by North Jersey RC&D

27. Goals/Benefits • 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

28. River-Friendly Farm Criteria • Soil loss ≤T • Nutrient management • Adequate buffers • Pest management • Irrigation water management

29. River-Friendly Farm Participants

30. Summary of Participants Golf Courses: 1,406 acres Businesses: 2,348 acres Farms: 2,054 acres Total: 5,808 acres Residents: Over 500 questionnaires received

31. 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

32. Questions? Native grass restoration area, NJWSA Administration Facility – Spruce Run Reservoir