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River-Friendly Program Goals. Promote land stewardship Partner with people in the community Reduce nonpoint source pollution entering our local waterways Offer and protect native habitat for wildlife and plant species. River-Friendly Participants. Residents Golf Courses Businesses
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River-Friendly Program Goals • Promote land stewardship • Partner with people in the community • Reduce nonpoint source pollution entering our local waterways • Offer and protect native habitat for wildlife and plant species
River-Friendly Participants • Residents • Golf Courses • Businesses • Corporations • Home Owners Associations • Schools • Farms (NJRC&D) • North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council
75 residents = over 120 acres • Golf Courses + Businesses = over 2097 acres • Working with 9 businesses, 6 Certified • Have met with 8/18 Golf Courses, 1 Certified, 3 active progress First Pilot School Certified in 2008
River-Friendly Categories • Water Quality Management • Reduce pollutants that travel with NPS runoff • Water Conservation Techniques • Decrease ground / surface water usage • Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement • Preserve and/or enhance naturalized areas • Education and Outreach • Communicate success and involve the community
Water Quality Action Bristol-Myers Squibb • Onsite annual stream restorations • Research pond algae control • Determine and implement methods for phosphorus reduction • Reduction in fertilizer use
Water Quality ActionCarriage Farm • Establishment of a Rain Garden for stormwater runoff • Use of a combination of goose control methods for nutrient runoff • Minimize runoff from the site and maintain stream bank vegetation through establishment of buffers and livestock fencing
Water Quality ActionJanssen Pharmaceutica • Integrated Pest Management • “No-mow” and “no-spray” zones (10-20 feet) around all water bodies • Use of Native Plants • Use of slow-release and organic fertilizers to reduce run-off contamination • Pond Aeration and Water Quality Monitoring • Protect onsite wetlands
Water Quality ActionJ&J Skillman • Integrated Pest Management Plan that helped decrease pesticide use by 54% between 2003-2005. • Conducted soil tests. Started working with Corporate to amend contract to base fertilizer amounts on samples, conditions, and weather, not on contracts. • Eliminated fertilizer use on 11.6 acres • Installed vegetative buffers around two ponds and in two swales.
Water Quality ActionStony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association • Pond analysis • Rain Garden • Visual assessments of streams on property • Soil test new garden areas
Water Quality ActionStony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority • Eliminated use of weed control on sidewalks and curbs • Organized a Millstone River cleanup • Site soil tests taken for new areas • Do not use fertilizers on lawns
Water Quality ActionsResidents • Stormwater • Direct gutters away from pavement, cover exposed soil areas, minimize impervious surfaces, pick up pet waste, keep storm drains free of debris, minimize my winter salt use • Lawn and Garden Maintenance • Take a Soil Test, do not use fertilizers, use slow release/organic fertilizers are used based on results from a soil test,use compost as a lawn/garden amendment, leave grass clippings on the lawn, maintain a mowing height at 2-3 inches, over-seeding and aerating lawn, minimize lawn areas • Chemical Usage • Minimize use, spot spray, tolerate pests, integrated approach • Waterbodies • Fencing off livestock, maintaining buffers, having one access point • Septic System Management • Knowing location, inspections and maintenance, no antibacterial products
Resident Action Results • 30% have taken a soil test • 83% have no exposed soil areas or cover exposed soil to reduce runoff • 77% reported leaving grass clippings • 90% of those with septic systems report inspecting/pumping septic system routinely
Program and Message Outreach Opportunities • Presentations to various groups:gardens clubs, moms clubs, home owners associations • Topic related workshops for professionals and residents (IPM, rain gardens, organic landcare) • River-Friendly Programs working in other target areas SBWA, NJWSA • Landowner Education Workshop on Nov. 10 – hosted by The Watershed Institute • Promotion through website, newsletters, public events, e-mail listserv, newspaper articles/media