Raw Sewage Battle Brewing Access Restriction Bad for New

Summer 2011, Volume XIV, Issue 2
HackensackRIVERKEEPER®is the independent, non-governmental advocate for the Hackensack River.
Access Restriction Bad for New Jersey’s Bottom Line
NJDEP rewrite to reduce Public Access a sign of short-sighted policy
By Chris Len
On April 11, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) proposed its “common
sense” solution to public access.
The Solution? Just don’t give
people so much damn access. If
you have a factory on the Passaic
it could violate your right to pollute; if you own an estate on the
coast, all those chumps could spill
your Mai Tai.
Running from an adverse but
limited appeals court decision,
DEP has abandoned its exist-
ing rule requiring beach access
every quarter mile and sufficient
restrooms and parking for daytrippers. Instead, DEP intends to
create an extremely low set of
statewide access rules, and then
allow coastal municipalities to
create rules that would allowed
them to limit access further, but
not expand it.
Worse, in the industrialized
northern third of the state, DEP
will require no additional access
unless there is new development.
Since much of the region north
and west of Sandy Hook is already
developed, DEP seems happy to
accept the intolerable status quo.
Sites qualifying as Homeland
Security locations would not have
to provide access even if they are
redeveloped. Municipalities will
be empowered to close off access
whenever they judge it to be in the
interest of public safety. The rule
also empowers municipal officials
to restrict access to business hours
– an idea especially intolerable to
anglers, but also to anyone who,
Continued on page 3
Raw Sewage Battle Brewing
Hackensack Riverkeeper prepares to take fight against CSOs to next level
By Chris Len
New Jersey, like a lot of states
with older infrastructures, has
many municipalities that use combined sewers. Combined sewers
mix stormwater with sewage in
a single pipe. When the system operates within its design parameters
(and rain events are minimal), it
works quite well. Sewage treatment plants treat both stormwater
and sewage and all is well.
When it rains, however,
things can go badly off the rails.
When the amount of stormwater
combined with household and
industrial sewage overwhelms the
treatment capacity of the sewage
plant, operators have only two
choices: allow sewage to backup
into peoples’ homes or release
the raw sewage overflow directly
into rivers, streams or other
Inside
At the Helm
Real Science
Oradell Reservoir Challenge
Diedre Imus
Lake Tappan Paddle Day
Eco-Program Update
Birds of Hackensack
2
5
7
8
8
10
12
waterbodies through outfalls.
The problems associated with
combined sewer overflows (CSOs)
are obvious. Sewage contains
untreated human feces and brings
significant threats to ecosystems in
the form of infectious disease and
overwhelming nutrient input. As
Continued on page 4
Meadowlands Birdfest
World Series of Birding
Fish Rescue
Watershed Field Notes
Ambassador Update
Captain’s Circle Dinner Volunteer Corner
Letters to Riverkeeper
13
14
14
16
18
19
20
22
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 2 m
l
e
h
e
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At t
tain Bill
Cap
A word from
231 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7304
Phone:
201) 968-0808
Fax:
(201) 968-0336
Hotline: 1-877-CPT-BILL
[email protected]
www.hackensackriverkeeper.org
Board of Trustees
Ivan Kossak, CPA, President
J. Michael Parish, Vice President
Susan Gordon, Secretary
Dr. Beth Ravit, Treasurer
Clear Voice for Clean Water
As I write, New Jersey environmental policy is under attack.
And unfortunately, these days we
risk losing virtually all the environmental gains made over the
past fifteen years.
In its attempt to make New
Jersey more “business friendly”,
the Christie administration is
working diligently to loosen environmental standards and permit
requirements.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Bob Martin, the NJDEP
is being steered away from its
core mission of protecting the
state’s environment in favor of
a “customer service” approach,
such that it increasingly seems
like a branch of the NJ Economic
Development Authority. You and
I cannot allow this transformation
to happen.
Look, everybody understands
the need for a strong, healthy
economy. On that point the Governor and I agree. However, economic “gains” achieved through
backtracking on environmental
regulation and flat-out destruction
of the natural environment does
nothing to make our communities
strong and healthy. If anything,
our public health and long-term
economic wellbeing suffer every
time government decides our state
is “Open for Business.”
And understand that I’m not
too pleased with the Legislature’s often-tepid, rubber-stamp
response to the proposed environmental rollbacks. Currently there
is a NJ Senate bill S54 which
will allow towns to destroy our
waterways under the guise of
flood protection. Another bill,
A2486, known as the Burzichelli
bill, would prohibit a state agency
from adopting any standards
stricter than federal requirements.
A potential disaster for the most
populated and polluted state in
the country. Federal laws are set
at minimum standards for states
with miniscule populations and
industry.
Hackensack Riverkeeper understands the significance of good
environmental policy. Without it
we do not have a leg to stand on
in fighting the good fight for our
Continued on page 22
Trustees
Robert Ceberio
Virginia Korteweg
Kelly G. Palazzi
Ellie Spray
Margaret Utzinger
Nancy Wysocki
Honorary Trustees
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
William “Pat” Schuber
Executive Director
Captain Bill Sheehan,
Hackensack Riverkeeper
HRI Staff
Hugh Carola, Program Director
Emilio DeLia , Development Director
Jodi Jamieson, Project Manager
Chris Len, Staff Attorney
Lisa Ryan, Operations Director
Jillian Agnello, Watershed Ambassador
Jodi Jamieson, Tidelines Editor
Lisa Ryan, Webmaster
We gladly accept submissions of
articles, photography and advertisements from the community; however,
we retain editorial discretion. We do
not necessarily endorse any individual
or company whose advertisements are
found in these pages.
Hackensack Tidelines
is published quarterly
on recycled paper.
Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and
service mark of Riverkeeper, Inc. and is
licensed for use herein.
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service mark of Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc.
and is licensed for use herein.
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Access Restriction
Continued from page 1
you know, works during business hours.
Prior to the new rule, industrial landowners
were required to provide onsite access, where safe,
whenever they completed renovations or expansions
beyond a certain threshold. If their site was not amenable to safe access, they were required to pay into
an access trust fund to provide access nearby. Thanks
to that former requirement, Newark is well on its way
to dedicating its first-ever waterfront park. But since
the DEP announced its intent to adopt the new rules,
contributions to that park have dried up.
Ever since the American colonies won their
independence, New Jerseyans have enjoyed the
benefits of the Public Trust Doctrine. The Doctrine is
over 1500 years old; the British inherited it from the
Romans, and the American from the British; it was
important enough to have made both the Codex Justinianus and the Magna Carta. The Doctrine grants
ownership over lands subject to the tide, up to the
mean high tide line, to the people. The State manages
those lands in trust for them; and must supply access
to and along the shore.
In 1892, the United States Supreme Court held
that a state could no more abandon its management
of Public Trust lands than it could abandon its duty
to enforce the law. Yet for generations, the industrialized waterfronts of the Hackensack, Hudson and
Passaic Rivers have been given over to corporate
interests. The new rules would perpetuate that.
In response, Hackensack Riverkeeper has been a
leader in disseminating information on the proposed
rule, educating the public and encouraging a forceful
outcry against DEP’s proposal. We have submitted
numerous comments, reached out to elected officials,
published editorials, been quoted in numerous newspaper articles and sent Action Alerts to thousands of
concerned citizens, many of whom submitted their
own comments. In particular, we attended the DEP’s
public comment session in Jersey City, where nearly
fifty people spoke against the rule versus absolutely
none for it.
Hackensack Riverkeeper has not been alone it its
stance. We continue to work with NGO partners like
NY/NJ Baykeeper, American Littoral Society (with
whom we shared technical comments) and Surfrider
Foundation. Many of our allies in public office have
written forceful comments, including Hudson County
Executive Thomas DeGise and Jersey City Mayor
Jerremiah Healy. The people get it, elected officials
Page 3
get it; so why doesn’t the DEP?
DEP’s shortsightedness may have financial
consequences as well. Every year, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA –
pronounced “Noah”) distributes millions of dollars
to coastal and estuarine states to fund coastal zone
management projects (CMPs). Those funds, however, are based on the states meeting NOAA’s public
access requirements. A NOAA official recently told
us through a source that “If we receive a program
change submission, we will review the proposed
changes to determine whether the changes are consistent with the original approval findings for the NJ
CMP, and whether the NJ CMP would continue to
meet the requirements for program approval as specified in the Coastal Zone Management Act and its
implementing regulations.” Translated into English:
New Jersey’s coastal funding is not guaranteed.
The Christie Administration has made a habit of
opting out of federal programs that bring billions of
dollars to New Jersey in order to save millions of
dollars. That’s not common sense, it’s nonsense.
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 4 Raw Sewage Battle Brewing
lems, New Jersey has achieved a dubious distinction:
an EPA official recently described New Jersey’s CSO
much as 90% of the pathogens in New York Harbor
program as the worst in the country “by far.”
come from CSOs, including ninety on the New JerNew Jersey regulates its CSOs under a Clean
sey side alone.
Water Act General Permit; to my knowledge the only
Closer to home, the Hackensack River has 29
state to do so. Under the permit, CSO operators are
outfalls, Newark Bay 33 more, and the Passaic River
not required to attain water quality
comes in at number one (or perhaps
standards or use best available techNumber Two?) with 71 more. Benologies, both clear violations of the
cause of those 232 CSO outfalls and
Clean Water Act. And while the permit
an EPA official
their sewage discharges, it is imposis now almost three years out of date,
sible to safely swim in northern New
it still acts as a “permit shield” protectrecently described
Jersey’s tidal waters after a storm.
ing CSO operators from legal liability
Because CSO impacts are so obso long as they follow the terms of the
New Jersey’s
vious, states and municipalities with
permit – a permit almost entirely lackforesight have worked hard to reduce
CSO program as
ing in meaningful terms.
overflows. New York City, for exIn an attempt to address this starample, has many more residents and
the worst in the
tling situation, Hackensack Riverkeepmany more outfalls than New Jersey,
er, with its partners NY/NJ Baykeeper
but thanks to “grey” and “green”
country “by far”
and Raritan Riverkeeper, petitioned
infrastructure improvements, the East
DEP Commissioner Bob Martin on
and Hudson Rivers regularly meet
April 14 to revoke the General Permit.
water quality standards for pathogens
New Jersey law requires him to do so
while the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers do not.
if either the permit violates applicable law (it does) or
New York and Philadelphia are leading the way
harms the environmental or human health (it does).
in reducing CSO impacts through retention basins
As of press time Hackensack Riverkeeper has
(grey projects) and increased permeability from
received no response from the DEP, even after two
vegetated swales, permeable pavement, rain barrels
follow-up letters. Our latest letter, sent on June 12, is
and green roofs (green projects). Unfortunately the
our last attempt to contact Mr. Martin before pursustretch of real estate between New York and Philly
ing legal action. I expect that Tidelines readers can
– you may be familiar with it – has not been blessed
anticipate significant news on the CSO issue in our
with such foresight.
fall edition.
Rather than proactively addressing its CSO probContinued from page 1
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Page 5
Real Science for Real People
NJ’s Hudson-Raritan Estuary Restoration Policy
By Dr. Beth Ravit
Scientists often hesitate to wade into the political/
policy waters – we are usually much more comfortable collecting and analyzing factual data. However,
there are times when decisions that affect the environment are not based on sound science, and it is
important for scientists to leave our familiar comfort
zone and speak out. I believe now is one of those
times, as regulators and policy makers forge decisions regarding the long term health and restoration
possibilities in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary (HRE).
We are now in the public comment period before
finalization of a Comprehensive Restoration Plan
(CRP) (Figure 1) for the HRE. The CRP was drafted
by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on behalf of the Harbor Estuary Program (HEP). The HEP
group consists of federal and state agencies (including the state of New Jersey and the NJ Department of
Environmental Protection) and environmental NGOs.
The Executive Board of the HEP has endorsed the
Draft Comprehensive Restoration Plan, which has
been the subject of numerous public meetings over
the past two years (a copy of the CRP can be downloaded from www.nan.usace.army.mil/harbor/index.
php?crp).
One of twelve restoration goals articulated in the
draft CRP is the restoration of Eastern Oysters in the
Hudson-Raritan Estuary. This goal was included to
restore an ‘ecologically extinct’ species which was
once native to the estuary, to reintroduce the habitat
that this ‘ecosystem engineer’ provides for other species, to improve water quality, and to protect shorelines from erosion.
Although the NJ Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP) had permitted limited oyster
research and small pilot restoration projects in the
HRE for over ten years, in June 2010 NJDEP Commissioner Bob Martin decided to ban Eastern Oyster
research, education, and restoration initiatives from
‘contaminated’ waters – effectively removing the NJ
portion of the HRE from the CRP oyster restoration
targets. The rationale given for the decision was that
a research oyster could be ‘poached’ and then illegally enter the human food chain.
New York State is now working collaboratively
with the USACE to test the potential for oysters to
survive in a number of HRE locations, including the
Raritan Bayshore opposite NJ. Although New Jersey
was originally slated to be included in this federally
financed research effort, the NJDEP refused to permit
any NJ research sites, and so has forfeited both research funding and potentially important factual data
that may come out of this testing phase.
Continued on page 6
Figure 1. Twelve Target Ecosystem Characteristics identified in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Comprehensive
Restoration Plan as the overall restoration goals.
Page 6 Estuary Policy
Continued from page 5
As a scientist, I find a state-sanctioned ban on
research very troubling. In trying to understand the
rationale for Commissioner Martin’s stopping oyster
research activities in the HRE, I started reviewing
how states adjacent to NJ are dealing with similar
policy questions. My hope was this research would
be helpful, because like NJ, these neighboring states
develop their fishery management plans under the US
Food & Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines that
are established to protect human health.
After finishing a survey of oyster fishery management within the Boston to Washington, DC corridor,
it became apparent to me that New Jersey is what
we scientists call an “outlier” — a situation that does
not fit with the bulk of our data. From Massachusetts
to Virginia, other states and the federal government
are expanding financial resources to preserve and/
or restore oysters, and to promote oyster aquaculture
activities. Pulling this data together was not an easy
task because each state develops its own shellfish
management policies, regulations, and enforcement
practices under the guidelines of the FDA. However, since all the states are subject to the same FDA
guidelines that NJ must follow, my curiosity was
roused to understand how other states managed to
meet federal guidelines, while NJ did not seem to be
up to this task.
In New England states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island) local authorities work in
collaboration with their state environmental protection departments to jointly manage shellfish acreage
and enforce shellfishery rules. Municipalities often
have control of leased shellfish beds, and state and
local regulators work with non-profit organizations
to develop protocols to restore oyster populations in
waters that are not currently deemed safe for shellfish
harvest. In fact, placing restorations in closed waters
simplifies enforcement because anyone caught harvesting in non-open waters is automatically breaking the law, which local Shellfish Constables help
to enforce. Rhode Island has developed a unique
approach, where aquaculture farmers, supported by
state and federal funding, are helping to raise oysters
to repopulate restoration sites.
Chesapeake Bay states (Maryland, Virginia) have
strong political and financial support from the federal
government for their oyster restoration activities.
This support culminated in 2009 when President
Obama issued an Executive Order which established
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
a Federal Leadership Committee for Chesapeake
Bay, headed by USEPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.
Restoring oyster habitat in the Bay was one of the
Order’s four measurable goals.
In 2010 Maryland’s new Oyster Restoration and
Aquaculture Development Plan went into effect. This
plan was finalized after 150 public meetings were
held with restoration practitioners, the aquaculture industry, and other stakeholders. Maryland has decided
to use its restoration sites purely for their ecological
role, and so the sites will be left unharvested. The
state is also taking a unique approach and utilizing
its national security monitoring system for natural
resource protection. Radar and cameras operated
for security purposes will record illegal activities in
restoration waters and this video record will be used
to convict individuals breaking shellfishery laws.
Virginia is recommending large fines and revocation of commercial licenses for harvesting of oysters
from closed waters or sanctuaries or for violation of
consumer health protection regulations.
What became apparent from my oyster policy research is that every state from Massachusetts to Virginia
is allowing oyster restoration, aquaculture and research
to move forward – except New Jersey! The NJDEP
ban on scientific research places the NJ in an untenable
position compared with our neighboring states – each
actively working to increase Eastern Oyster populations, to bring this animal back to waters where it’s been
‘ecologically extinct’ for almost a century.
As a scientist, I believe that NJ has the ability to
learn from others’ data, and that the state can find
ways to incorporate or adapt practices which are currently in place in neighboring states to support oyster
restoration in the HRE - one of the most important
estuaries in the world. I also believe that the Science
Advisory Board, which was established to advise the
NJDEP Commissioner Martin, can review what other
states are doing to protect human health, while at the
same time growing their Eastern Oyster populations.
This body of scientists can guide the Commissioner
in finding a way to meet New Jersey’s commitment
to support the oyster restoration goals in the HRE
Comprehensive Restoration Plan, while protecting
public health as our neighbors are doing.
For additional information on shellfishery management practices within the Boston to Washington
corridor, see the bibliography in the online version of
Tidelines via the HackensackRiverkeeper web site or
contact Dr. Ravit at [email protected].
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 7
Another Glorious Day on the Oradell Reservoir
Hackensack Riverkeeper and United Water host our Third Annual Reservoir Challenge.
The day dawned cool and
calm and dry on the Oradell
Reservoir—perfect conditions
for some very strenuous paddling
races! By 7AM on June 4, staff,
volunteers and sponsors were setting up tents and tables, and washing down canoes and kayaks with
a mild bleach solution to prevent
the spread of invasive species
into this water supply for nearly
1 million people. At 9AM — about
a half hour before race time—the
throngs began to arrive carrying
boats of every size, shape and
color, from handcrafted wooden
canoes to a 19’ fiberglass canoe
with an outrigger, and everything
in between. It was truly a sight to
see.
The 5K and 10K races began
at 9:30, and then it was time for
a little R&R on the banks of the
reservoir as the beautiful day
unfolded.
Spectators cheered as some
Gene Dunton carving a paddle.
Rich Henning,United Water VP presents
Captain Bill with the big check!
And they’re off! Start of the 5 and 10K races.
racers began paddling furiously
toward the finish line while others
made their way slowly around the
race course, enjoying the views
and the occasional sighting of the
nesting bald eagles! Once the last
participants were back on shore, it
was time for the VERY competitive Mayors Cup race. Mayors
from several towns tried to throw
off the reigning champion, Mayor
John Birkner of Westwood, by
tying an anchor to his kayak,
then revealing their secret weapons–water pistols! In spite of the
shenanigans, it was a close, exciting race, but in the end, Birkner
was out paddled by Mayor Ray
Cywinski of Demarest.
The awards ceremony was
held in the vendor/picnic area,
where racers and participants
lounged in the sunshine, enjoying
barbecue fare provided by Whole
Foods Markets and listening to
some great bluegrass/Americana
music by the Dirt Floor Revue of
Brooklyn, featuring Ricky and
Scott Dennis–longtime friends of
Hackensack Riverkeeper. Meanwhile woodworker Gene Dunton
conducted a paddle-carving demonstration.
In the afternoon, a whole new
crowd of paddlers showed up for
the two leisurely guided paddles.
An exciting moment for
Riverkeeper was when Rich Henning of United Water announced
that Hackensack Riverkeeper
would receive a 3-year grant from
the United Water Foundation
totaling $120,000. This grant will
be used for watershed education,
outreach and cleanups programs.
This event would not have
been possible without the following people, to whom we are so
grateful: Peggy Andrews, Sonja
Clark, Ray Cywinski and Rich
Henning of United Water; Mayor
DeRienzo and Ann Fay of the
Borough of Haworth; Ellie Spray
of Whole Foods Markets; volunteers Jillian Agnello, Rosemary
Carey, Bill Drummond, Gene
Dunton, Jared Eudell, Alan Lash,
Bill Meier, George Mulhauser,
Kelly Palazzi, Jeff Raskin, Beth
Ravit, Charlie Stelling; and sponsors Hackensack University Medical Center, Bank of New Jersey,
Orange and Rockland, Ramsey
Outdoor Store, Ridgewood Party
rentals and United Water.
On Friday June 3rd we joined
with Teaneck Creek Conservancy
to host the Pre-challenge Reception at United Water’s facility
in Harrington Park. Attendees
mingled over great food and wine
while enjoying a gorgeous sunset
over the reservoir.
Continued on page 9
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 8 Dierdre Imus: Queen of ‘Green’ Clean
By Emilio DeLia
I recently had the opportunity to speak to Deirdre Imus about the fascinating work of the Deirdre
Imus Environmental Health Center at Hackensack
University Medical Center (HUMC). We spoke over
the phone while she was in New Mexico at the Imus
Ranch for Kids with Cancer. She operates the ranch
with her husband, nationally syndicated radio personality, Don Imus.
Before the interview I toured the hospital with
Don O’Hagan, Director of Business Development at
the Center. The facilities were impressive, not just
because of their décor, but because of the sense of
calm the facilities conveyed to patients. The center
was unlike any hospital I had ever seen.
Don informed me that many features of the hospiCome experience the natural beauty
of your watershed!
Lake Tappan
PADDLE DAY
Saturday
August 20, 2011
Don’t miss
this opportunity.
For the first time since it’s formation
in 1967 Lake Tappan will be open to
the public for an Open Paddle Day.
Visit our website for more information:
www.hackensackriverkeeper.org
tal were designed so patients would get the feeling
of a hotel rather than a hospital. Other aspects like a
vertical garden enliven the space with fresh air and
good vibes.
Another feature that separates HUMC from
other hospitals is the smell of the place. Thanks to
the efforts of Mrs. Imus and the center, the HUMC
doesn’t smell like a hospital. In 2001 the hospital, in
a pioneering effort led by Deirdre, replaced most of
its chemical cleaning agents with non-toxic cleansers and air fresheners. This was no easy feat, in 2001
there was very little “green clean” awareness compared to today.
Deirdre explained that at the time she figured if
she could implement some of the changes she had
in mind at HUMC— the fourth largest hospital in
the country— it would serve as an example for other
hospitals and institutions.
“In order to convince the hospital to make the
switch, the efficacy of ‘green’ products had to be
tested to make sure they were as effective as their
chemical counterparts,”said Mrs. Imus. “Obviously,
a hospital’s primary concern is to maintain a sanitary
environment, so the green products had to perform
up to rigorous standards.” The Allergy and Immunology Department of HUMC then conducted tests on
the products and found that they worked as well as or
better than chemical based products.
At the time, concerns were also raised that the
new Greening the Cleaning® program would raise
costs for HUMC. The hospital actually decreased
its costs by 15% annually by switching to non-toxic
products. The reason — green products are more
versatile. The green all-purpose cleaner was truly allpurpose and able to replace many specialized chemical cleaners.
“The hospital went from using 22 different
chemical-based cleaners to 11 after they made the
switch,” said Mrs. Imus. “Also, there is less waste
with the green products due to the calibrated dispensing stations which measure the exact amount of
product needed.”
Costs were also reduced because cleaning staff
began taking fewer sick days once they started using
the less toxic products.
Soon after implementing the program, HUMC
was recognized by the New Jersey Business and
Industry Association (NJBIA). The hospital won the
NJBIA’s Environmental Quality Award for Greening
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
the Cleaning®. The award is presented to companies
or institutions for outstanding work in preserving or
enhancing the natural environment in New Jersey.
In 2007, Mrs. Imus introduced a retail line of
Greening the Cleaning® products with 100% of the
profits going to support The Imus Cattle Ranch for
Kid’s with Cancer.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Mrs. Imus
pointed out how intertwined the mission of the
Page 9
Environmental Center is with that of Hackensack
Riverkeeper. Just as our organization is dedicated to
protecting, preserving and restoring the Hackensack
River, the Imus Center and HUMC are doing their
part to drastically reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that get into that very same River.
For more info on the Deidre Imus Environmental
Health Center, visit: www.dienviro.com or call 201336-8071.
Oradell Reservoir
Continued from page 7
Thanks to the all who sponsored the event: Hackensack University Medical Center, BML Blackbird,
Old Hook Farm, 76 House, Regina’s Steakhouse,
La Promenade, Matisse Chocolatier, Presto’s Pizza,
Isabella’s Fine Food and Catering, the Porterhouse
Steakhouse, the Porterhouse Cigar Bar, Winesellers
Limited and T. Edward Wines.
We’re looking forward to our Paddling Day on
Lake Tappan next month, and to giving more watershed residents the opportunity to go paddling on these
beautiful lakes right in our own backyard!
RACE WINNERS
5k Race
Canoe Class................ Cynthia Potterton & Karen Galletly
Tandem Kayak Class .................. Heinz Laue & Ken Grillo
Single Recreational Kayak Class................. Ray Cywinski
Single Racing Kayak Class.........................Aaron Goodell
10K Race
Tandem Kayak Class............Lynne Reilly & Donna Alonso
Specialty Boat Class................................. John Ponticorvo
Single Recreational Kayak Class...............Gerald Kastner
Single Racing Kayak Class............................. Mike Mazur
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 10 2011 ECO-PROGRAM UPDATE
See you at the River!
Looking for a fun and inexpensive way to spend quality time with friends, family or solo?
Always wanted to see the real Meadowlands but haven’t yet?
Our Eco-Programs are in full swing and the only thing missing is you!
ECO-CRUISES
US Coast Guard-licensed Captains Bill Sheehan and
Hugh Carola look forward to taking you on a fullynarrated, 2½ hour tour that is sure to be educational
and fun for all. Eco-Cruises are taking place now
through October aboard the Keeper vessels Edward
Abbey and Robert H. Boyle.
CHARTER ECO-CRUISES: Group Charter
Eco-Cruises can be arranged for any available date/
time other than those listed for groups of up to thirty
people. An Adult Charter can be arranged for a donation of $300 per boat; a Youth Charter for $250 per
boat with your choice of itinerary.
OPEN ECO-CRUISES: Open Eco-Cruises are open
to individuals, couples, families, etc. Seats are available for a donation of $25 each ($10 for children ages
4-12). Reservations secured with a credit card are required. To reserve your seats, call Capt. Hugh at 201968-0808. Open Eco-Cruises are not recommended
for large groups or for children under 4. Check out
our three different cruise itineraries below.
COMBO PROGRAMS: can be arranged for school
groups of up to 34 individuals. “Combos” include
a pair of 1.5-hour Eco-Cruises and age-appropriate
landside educational activities over a 3-4 hour period
for a donation of only $300. Call Capt. Hugh for
details.
2011 Open Eco-Cruise Schedule
Tues
Fri
Mon
Sat
7/19
7/22
7/25
7/30
6 PM
6 PM
6 PM
6 PM
M
M
B
H
Tues
Thurs
Sun
Wed
Thurs
Sat
Sun
8/2 6 PM
8/4 6 PM
8/7 10 AM
8/10 6 PM
8/11 6 PM
8/20 5 PM
8/21 5 PM
M
M
M
H
H
M
M
Sat
Sun
8/27 5 PM B
8/28 5 PM B
Sat
Sat
Sun
Sat
Sun
9/3
9/17
9/18
9/24
9/25
Sat
Sun
Sat
Sun
10/1NoonH
10/2NoonH
10/8NoonM
10/9NoonM
5 PM
5 PM
5 PM
3 PM
3 PM
M
M
M
B
B
MEADOWLANDS DISCOVERY (M) – The original
Hackensack River environmental education tour! We get
up-close and personal with the wetlands as we navigate tidal tributaries while telling some amazing stories.
Wildlife-watching is always part of this tour so be sure to
bring your binoculars.
BOATING THROUGH BERGEN (H) – From the southern
Meadowlands to heart of Hackensack! Following the same
route traveled by coastal schooners that once carried cargo
to and from Bergen County, we will share the region’s allbut-forgotten maritime history and tell a seldom-told tale
of the American Revolution.
EXCURSION AROUND THE BAY (B) – All the way to
Staten Island and back! After leaving the Hackensack
River, we will motor past Port Newark with tugs, barges
and container ships being loaded and unloaded. Heading
back north, we will explore the Bayonne bayshore, home
to numerous parks and historic sites.
INDOOR PRESENTATIONS
Captains Sheehan and Carola can bring the watershed to you with a multimedia presentation to your
club, school or organization in the comfort of your
own space. We have a wealth of presentation materials appropriate for all sorts of audiences.
Costs: $100 - $150 if presented within the Bergen/
Hudson/E. Passaic/S. Rockland area;
$150 - $200 if presented outside of our watershed
region. For more info or to book a presentation,
call 201-968-0808 and ask for Hugh or Lisa
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 11
GUIDED PADDLES at Laurel Hill Park
Come explore the Meadowlands and get a nice upperbody workout by paddling a canoe or kayak with us.
Most Guided Paddles include an exploration of the
Sawmill Creek and Kingsland Marshes over a two+
hour period; birding trips can take up to three hours.
As always, our Guided Paddles are great for both
novice and experienced paddlers alike.
Guided Paddle Schedule
Sun
Sun
Sat
Sat
Sat
Sun
Sun
Mon
Mon
Sat
7/24
7/24
8/13
8/13
8/20
8/28
8/28
9/5
9/5
9/24
9 AM
1 PM
2 PM
7:30 PM
Paddle Day*
10 AM
2 PM
9 AM 1 PM
11 AM Birding
Birding
Moonlight
Lake Tappan
Birding
Birding
Costs: $30 per paddler; $15 per canoe passenger;
$10 per paddler with their own boat(s). Reservations
secured with a credit card are required. Some age
restrictions apply; call Capt. Hugh at 201-968-0808
for more information and to reserve your boat(s).
Private Group Paddling Tours can also be arranged.
For more information or to arrange a group event,
call Captain Hugh.
CANOE & KAYAK RENTALS: In addition to
scheduled and group activities, the Paddling Center
rents boats on weekends through Sunday, October 30
(plus Labor Day); conditions permitting. Costs: $25
per paddler / $10 per canoe passenger. Reservations
are not required for rentals but call the Center
(201-920-4746) to check weather conditions and boat
availability. Rentals require a minimum of 2 adult
paddlers.
Birding
RIVER CLEANUPS
These popular events on the Hackensack River and its
tributaries provide opportunities to give back to your
community and the environment, and get wet and
muddy at the same time! We provide the equipment
and refreshments; all you have to bring is yourself.
There’s no cost involved nor registration required for
individuals and families. Just look for the big white
tent and our Mobile Cleanup Unit; then check in with
Operations Director Lisa Ryan to get started.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Scouts and other civic
groups from Hackensack River Watershed communities are welcome at our public Cleanups. However, so
that all volunteers can enjoy a fun, safe and meaningful experience, we ask such groups to bring no more
than ten people. We also ask group leaders to register
with Lisa in advance at 201-968-0808. Got a BIG
group? Call Lisa to learn how you can organize a
Cleanup event in your community.
BIRD-WALKS
If you’re looking to do a spring warbler walk, fall
hawk watch or winter waterfowl trek, there are lots of
birding hotspots both within and near the Hackensack
River Watershed. We’ll be happy to help you find the
right place and lead a field trip for up to 12 people.
River Cleanup Schedule
Sat 7/16 10 AM - 1 PM
Mill Creek Marsh, Secaucus
Sat 8/13 9 AM - Noon
Lake Tappan, Old Tappan
Sat 9/17 10 AM - 2 PM
Foschini Park, Hackensack
AND THAT’S NOT ALL: If you’re looking for a
green corporate or organizational team-building activity that’s fun, meaningful and has lasting effect, consider sponsoring a River Cleanup for your employees
or members. To learn more about how your company
or board can join Hackensack Riverkeeper’s Corporate River Stewardship Program, give Lisa a call or
send an e-mail to [email protected].
For more information, call Hugh at 201-968-0808.
Costs: $150 for a 2-hour Bird-Walk; $200 for a 3-hour
Bird-Walk or hawk watch.
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 12 Birds of the Hackensack:
Eastern Kingbird
By Ivan Kossak
If the term “kingbird” brings to mind a bird of
regal bearing who commands respect, the Eastern
Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) does not disappoint. Once, on the battlefield at Gettysburg, PA, I
witnessed a Red-tailed Hawk that had just taken a
rabbit out of the field and was settling down to its
well-earned meal. Unfortunately for the hawk, the
tree he had chosen as his picnic spot was too close to
another nearby tree that hosted an Eastern Kingbird
nest. The Kingbird promptly flew out of “his” tree
and harassed the Red-tail so unmercifully the hawk
decided to pack up his lunch and fly off about 100
yards or so to finally chow down in peace.
I have since learned that this type of behavior is
common among Kingbirds (both male and female).
Hawks, Crows and Ravens are the most popular
targets for the Eastern Kingbird’s wrath. Still further
evidence of the Kingbird’s fierce nature is the erstwhile nickname “Bee Martin”. This name is actually
more the product of folklore rather than fact. One
study conducted about 100 years ago showed only 61
bees in 22 stomachs of 634 birds examined.
Eastern Kingbirds are 8 ½ inches long and
crisply patterned with a black head fading into dark
gray upperparts and are bright white underneath
with the exception of a slightly grayish wash on the
breast. The dark tail ends in a broad white band.
The Kingbird’s crown contains a red patch that is
extremely difficult to see in the field and is not typically used as a field mark for identification purposes.
Males and females look similar to one another (at
least to humans). Eastern Kingbirds consume a variety of insects that are caught by flycatching: sitting
Check our website for outdoor eco-activities!
One-day self guided eco-excursions that you can
get to by mass transit. NO CARS!
www.GreenDaycations.org
Eastern Kingbird
perched until the quarry is spotted flying by, then sallying forth to grab the morsel on the wing followed
by a return trip to the same, or a nearby perch.
Perhaps due to its boldness, Eastern Kingbirds
can be found perched conspicuously in wet or dry
open areas (with some trees) and habitats where forest meets field. They are also often seen on fences
and telephone wires. Eastern Kingbirds are common
throughout New Jersey from late April to the middle
of September. When they nest, the female lays 2-5
eggs ranging in color from creamy white to pale
pink. The eggs take approximately two weeks to
hatch and another 2 ½ weeks to fledge. The young
resemble their parents.
Although called Eastern, this bird’s breeding
range extends to the Rocky Mountains, north through
most of Canada and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
They winter in western South America from Colombia to northern Argentina. While they make our area
their home, Eastern Kingbirds are quite easy to find
so, if you enjoy watching pugnacious bird behavior,
you have a good chance of being rewarded by these
birds when you take a walk through DeKorte Park,
Tenafly Nature Center and many other birding venues throughout our watershed.
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 13
8th Annual New Jersey Meadowlands
FESTIVAL OF BIRDING
Saturday & Sunday, September 10 & 11, 2011
Meadowlands Environment Center, End of Valley Brook Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ
All Ages Welcome - All Tickets $40
Includes Birding Walks, Eco-Cruise, Guided Paddling Tours, Indoor Programs,
Bus Trips, Nature & Birding Store, Exhibits, and Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday!
Keynote Speech by Sandy Komito, bird chaser extraordinaire, holder of the
North American Record for most bird species seen in one year as featured in
the book and movie The Big Year, and author of I Came, I Saw, I Counted
and Birding’s Indiana Jones: A Chaser’s Diary
Sandy Komito
Guided Kayak/Canoe Tours
Bird Banding Demonstration
Birding Walks
Meadowlands Eco-Cruises
Please visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org for details and schedule,
or call 201-968-0808 to register.
Organized by Hackensack Riverkeeper & New Jersey Audubon Society & hosted by the NJ Meadowlands Commission
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 14 Neither Wind, Nor Rain (nor dearth of birds)…
Our team’s tenth World Series of Birding in finally history
By Hugh M. Carola
Well, it wasn’t the easiest World Series we ever
did; what with four prior days of northerly winds and
cloudy, damp conditions on May 14 that led to some
pretty difficult birding throughout our watershed
region. It was a WSB milestone: our tenth outing
covering Watershed Management Area Five (the
Hackensack and Hudson River Watersheds in New
Jersey).
And while it wasn’t a record-breaker like last
year’s 119 species, the Special Ks (Kerul Kassel,
Dave Kaplan and Ivan Kossak) and I listed 106 species between 4AM (American Robin in Cresskill) and
9PM (Barn Owl in North Arlington). In between was
some of the toughest birding any of us had ever done;
in many cases, only one of each was seen or heard
the entire day.
New for the RiverCreeper’s cumulative list (now
standing at 163 species over ten years) were Pileated
Woodpecker and Hooded Warbler. Conversely (and
amazingly) we missed Great-crested Flycatcher and
Great Blue Heron – both of which had been seen on
every one of our previous WSB outings. Also, our
106 species was two under our ten-year WMA5 par
of 108 species. Some of the better highlights were:
• two adult Bald Eagles spotted perching
at Lake Tappan in River Vale;
• a pair of endangered Northern Harriers
in courtship display flight over the closed
Rutherford Landfill; and
• meeting both the River Vale and Old Tappan
Police Departments after someone called in
our “suspicious activity” near Lake Tappan at
dawn. Good to know people are watching!
Despite the hard work (and explaining ourselves
to the police) the day was actually a lot of fun. We
only had a couple small showers to contend with and
Fish Capers Along The Hacky
in Hackensack. The fish had been washed over the
dam-like gate during some heavy spring rainstorms,
and the heat and dropping water level was threatening their survival. Detective Giovia had rescued a
few fish when this had happened in the past, but this
time there were more fish than
he could handle.
Anxious for an excuse
to escape the office and my
usual bookkeeping duties, I
scrambled into action, collecting waders, fish nets, gloves
and volunteers and rushed off
to the Jail to rescue the fish.
Five of us waded around in the
murky, stagnant water with our
nets for an hour, and caught
exactly ZERO fish. But one of
us did manage to get punctured
through a thick rubber wader by
a sharp, rusty piece of discarded
Riverkeeper’s Operations Director Lisa Ryan and Trustee Kelly Palazzi saving
fencing
poking up from beneath
some large stranded fish along the Hacky.
By Lisa Ryan
On June 6, Detective Sam Giovia of the Bergen
County Sheriff’s Office called Captain Bill to report
that over 30 large fish were trapped behind a flood
gate on the property behind the Bergen County Jail
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
the company was the best: Kerul, Ivan and Dave are
the best team any WSB captain could hope for.
Thanks are also in order to our corporate sponsor
– Shop Rite Supermarkets – whose support enables
the ‘Creepers to compete as a Level I team; and our
corporate partner – Toyota of Hackensack – for their
loan of a 4Runner which allowed us to travel in comfort and safety (and reach a few spots that my Matrix
would have had difficulty with).
And of course, many thanks to our WSB supporters who pledged and donated nearly $8000 – which
works out to almost $75 per species – to support the
ongoing work of Hackensack Riverkeeper to protect,
preserve and restore the Hackensack River and its
wildlife habitats.
PS: the NJ Meadowlands Commission fielded a
WSB team for the first time this year. The Meadowlands Marsh Hawks competed in the Limited Geographic Area (LGA) competition in Bergen County
and netted 127 species – 76% of the LGA’s par. Next
year’s WSB on Saturday, May 12 may very well net
them LGA competition from your friendly watershed
RiverCreepers. We shall see…
the water’s surface, leading to a trip to the emergency room and a tetanus shot!
Not to be deterred, I returned the next morning
at low tide with trusty trustee, Kelly Palazzi, and
we were much more successful this time. Aided by
Detectives Giovia and MacManus, we were able
to catch 25 large, thrashing fish and carry them out
past the mud flats and back to the river. Unfortunately, a couple more boot punctures brought our
efforts to a stop, but we were gratified to be able to
help as many fish as we did, and consider it time
very well spent!
Less than a week later, we received word from
Detective Giovia that another big rain storm had
washed many more fish into the small creek, making it apparent that we need to find a permanent
solution to this hazard to wildlife in our river. Sheriff Michael Saudino and his office are helping us
look into a possible solution and other partnership
possibilities.
Page 15
NJ Audubon Society’s 28th Annual
World Series of Birding
May 14, 2011
Hackensack RiverCreepers
Official Tally: 106 species
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Black
Duck
Mallard
Ruddy Duck
Wild Turkey
Double-crested
Cormorant
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Black-crowned Night-heron
Yellow-crowned
Night-heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Clapper Rail
Semipalmated
Plover
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed
Gull
Forster’s Tern
Mourning Dove
Rock Pigeon
Monk Parakeet
Barn Owl
Easter Screech-owl
Common
Nighthawk
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Pileated
Woodpecker*
Red-bellied
Woodpecker
Downy
Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern WoodPewee
Eastern Phoebe
Eastern Kingbird
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Tree Swallow
Northern Roughwinged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped
Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
White-breasted
Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Marsh Wren
Veery
Swainson’s Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern
Mockingbird
European Starling
Blue-winged
Warbler
Tennessee Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Black-throated
Blue Warbler
Yellow-rumped
Warbler
Black-throated
Green Warbler
Pine Warbler
Blackpoll Warbler
Black-and-white
Warbler
American Redstart
Worm-eating
Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern
Waterthrush
Common
Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler*
Canada Warbler
Chipping Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted
Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Red-winged
Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed
Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow
Highlights:
18 warblers
5 woodpeckers
NO Great Blue
Heron!
The Hackensack
RiverCreepers
are:
Dave Kaplan;
Kerul Kassel;
Ivan Kossak;
Capt. Hugh Carola.
The next WSB is
May 12, 2012
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 16 Edited by Hugh M. Carola
We can’t think of a better way
to start this column than with the
following update:
Tidelines readers will recall
that the Jersey City Osprey pair
suffered a major loss when one
of the adult birds got entangled in
discarded contractor netting and
fishing line and was unable to fly
from the nest platform. The unaffected parent was unable to feed
the three chicks and its trapped
mate. Both parents were also unable to properly protect the chicks
against the elements and attacks
from gulls. Sadly, the one parent
and all three chicks succumbed.
But, as we told ourselves last
winter, the instinct to breed is
strong and the surviving adult
would still have strong nest-site fidelity. And PSE&G, the Osprey’s
“landlord”, removed the plastic
trash from the nest. As spring
approached, all of us were hoping
that the maybe the nest wouldn’t
be barren this year. On Mother’s
Day – of all days – a pair was discovered on the PSEG-built platform with one bird clearly incubating eggs. On 5/28, the female’s
change in posture was evidence
that hatching had occurred; also
that day, we saw the same change
in the Kearny pair. By 6/28 two
chicks were confirmed at PSE&G
and three more at the Kearny nest!
And on those notes, here’s what
else we got:
American Oystercatcher –
A flock of five immature birds
circled and called over the Keeper
vessel Robert H. Boyle during an
Eco-Cruise on 5/25.
American Woodcock – Earlier than in previous years, a single
©Ray Duffy
Hackensack Watershed Field Notes
The rare Pink-footed Goose in foreground caused quite a local stir in March.
When sited these birds are often mixed in the flock of a different geese species.
male was heard calling on the
Metropolitan campus of Fairleigh
Dickinson University in Hackensack on 3/9.
Bald Eagle – With two nesting pairs now in our watershed
(Oradell Reservoir and Ridgefield
Park, NJ), Bergen County is the
Eagle Capital of Northeastern
New Jersey. As of this writing,
two chicks were confirmed in
Ridgefield Park; and two more in
Oradell. Two (other?) adult eagles
were observed on 5/14 at Lake
Tappan in River Vale.
Barn Owl – Despite the North
Arlington Trash Transfer Station
being reopened, owls are still
frequenting the site; as was witnessed on the evening of 5/14.
Boat-tailed Grackle – Normally seen along the Jersey
shore, a few make their way up
the Hackensack River in early/
mid spring including one that was
seen along the river on 5/14 and
another at Richard W. DeKorte
park in Lyndhurst on 5/22.
Brown Creeper – A single individual of this often hard-to-spot
bird species was seen at Teaneck
Creek Park on Easter Sunday, 4/24.
Clapper Rail – A male was
heard calling in the Phragmites
behind the Xchange at Secaucus
on 4/23. Our lucky naturalist even
got a brief look before it slipped
back into the reeds. By mid-May
they were calling all over the Saw
Mill Wildlife Management Area
in Lyndhurst.
Common Loon – A pair of
loons was observed on Oradell
Reservoir on March 27. FYI, early
spring is often a great time to spot
migrating loons in our area.
Common Raven – A record
six fledglings were confirmed at
the Laurel Hill nest on 5/12. Within two weeks the whole mob of
them was getting into all manner
of mischief: ganging up on gulls,
getting mobbed by blackbirds and
generally acting like bullies. During the season, Raven reports also
came in from Piermont, NY south
to Tenafly, NJ along the Palisades
Ridge.
Eastern Coyote – An active
den was discovered in a central
Bergen location in early April.
Forster’s Tern –Large numbers of this vocal species were
seen along the river and throughout
the Meadowlands region during
the month of May and into June.
Horned Grebe – Always
a great bird to spot, an adult in
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
breeding plumage was seen and
photographed in the river off
Harmon Cove on 4/8. Don’t get
excited; it’s already in northern
Manitoba or thereabouts by now.
Golden-crowned Kinglet –
The birds’ distinctive, thin si-sisi call was heard and IDed in a
Maywood backyard on 4/19.
Little Blue Heron – A single
bird was seen w/ a small group of
Great Egrets on 5/24 in the Sawmill Creek WMA.
Long-eared Owl – An overwintering bird was discovered in
trees near the old Daewoo building on Chubb Ave in Lyndhurst
on 3/5.
Monk Parakeet – For those
still looking to see one of these
now-established birds, there is a
large nest located on a utility pole
at the Fort Lee Road entrance to
Overpeck Park in Leonia.
Northern Harrier – A pair
was seen in courtship display
flight over the closed Rutherford
Landfill on 5/14. Harriers are a
federal and state-listed Endangered Species; to have what appears to be a breeding pair in our
watershed is a real coup.
Osprey – In addition to the
above-mentioned good news, the
Carlstadt radio tower pair also
returned. And a fourth Osprey pair
took up residence along the lower
river and East Kearny Marsh;
remarkably close to the nest-
Page 17
ing Kearny pair. It seems likely
that one of the immatures is an
offspring of that pair. The young
birds made a rudimentary nesting
attempt atop a utility pole located
on a marsh dike near the NJ Turnpike bridge in early May and are
often seen roosting and hunting
together. Plus, two V-22 Ospreys
were observed over Jersey City on
5/24; and over Secaucus on 5/26
during Fleet Week.
Peregrine Falcon – An immature (non-breeding) pair was seen
during early May on and around
the Route 3 westbound bridge over
the Hackensack River. Another
falcon was heard calling from
underneath the Pulaski Skyway in
Kearny on 5/8.
Pink-footed Goose – A firstever New Jersey record Pinkfooted Goose was confirmed at
Schlegel Lake in Washington
Township on 3/7. According to
all resources, the bird breeds in
Greenland, Iceland and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard.
How it wound it in our watershed
is anyone’s guess. By mid-March
the bird was gone.
Red-necked Phalarope –
More often observed in massive
flocks floating in New England and
Maritime offshore waters, a single
member of this shorebird species
was found at DeKorte on 4/28.
Red-tailed Hawk – A pair’s
attempts at nesting on a Hack-
ensack, NJ billboard this spring
were thwarted by winds and
storms that knocked down every
attempt. “Hammy” has apparently
flown from his longtime Hackensack perch to skies unknown. We
wish him well.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet –
Several were seen and heard in a
Maywood backyard on 4/29.
Swallow-tailed Kite – Very
rare in New Jersey at any time, a
few lucky birders spent an hour
with one on 4/29 at DeKorte.
Snow Goose – A single bird
was found amidst a large flock of
Canada Geese near the Xchange
at Secaucus on 4/18.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
– Nesting pairs were discovered
once again at Harmon Cove (4/14)
and Schmidt’s Woods (4/21) in
Secaucus. Ten nests are at the
Cove and four at the park. This is
the best showing since the species
was discovered breeding in the
town in 2002.
Thanks to all our spotters and
as always, a tip o’ the naturalist’s
hat (from A to Z) to: Anonymous,
Joe Augeri, Jay Auslander, Pete
Bacinski, Scott Barnes, Al Barrera, Dan Carola, Ray Duffy,
Gene Dunton, Gil Hawkins, Lynn
Kramer, Joseph Labriola, Bob
Leafe, Eric Martindale, George
Reskakis, Lisa Ryan, Don Torino
& Kate Wade.
IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS?
Frank R. Massaro, Esq. 212 244-3998
Over 25 Years Experience - www.frankmassaro.com
Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association
ALL IMMIGRATION MATTERS
Listen for our radio ad on 1010WINS & WKTU
303 Fifth Avenue, Suite 503, Manhattan – Between 31st & 32nd Streets
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 18 WMA 5 Ambassador Update
Watershed Ambassador Wrap-Up
Thank you for an amazing service year
By Jillian Agnello
Hello, for the last time! I am
so lucky to have been your AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassador
for the Hackensack and Hudson
River Watersheds this year, I have
you all to thank for this amazing experience. I‘ve met incredible people this year and was
amazed at their level of passion
and commitment to protecting
our environment. I learned more
about the Meadowlands and this
wonderful watershed during the
past ten months than I ever did in
college...probably because I went
to the University of Delaware.
I have grown as a professional
as well as an environmentalist.
The people I have met this year
have each inspired me in some
way. I promise to take what I
have learned and keep lighting
a spark in people to help them
take a stand against polluters and
destroyers of our environment.
I would like to thank Devery
Volpe of Teaneck Creek Conservancy for providing a location to
host my Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training in April. We now
have a dozen new volunteer monitors in our watershed!
Thank you to Patty Pfaff of
Ridgefield for inviting me to
present to her Girl Scout troop
TWICE this year! I taught the
scouts about watersheds, water
pollution, and the kinds of ‘water
bugs’ that live in our rivers. Then
as good watershed citizens, they
worked together to clean up a local creek.
I would like to thank Susan
Slater at Leonia High School,
who invited me to teach her AP
Environmental Science students
about aquatic macroinvertebrates
and train them to become volunteer monitors. Thanks also to
Gil Hawkins of the Overpeck
Preserve for inviting us to assess
streams in the preserve.
A big BIG thank you to the
Dumont Shade Tree Commission
for inviting me to help with their
annual Arbor Day Celebration
as well as a new project to map
the Hirshfeld Brook. I gained a
greater appreciation of trees in our
watershed and the roles they play
in helping our water and air clean.
I’m the luckiest Watershed
Ambassador in the state because I
had the best host agency: Hackensack Riverkeeper! I cannot
thank them enough for all they
did for me this year. The biggest
thank you goes to my host agency
supervisors, Captain Hugh and
Captain Bill, for providing me
with the tools necessary to be the
best ambassador I can be.
Not only was I able to participate in countless education events,
including Combination Programs
with Captain Hugh and Urban
Watershed Education Programs
with Jodi Jamieson; I also had the
chance to work cleanups with Lisa
Ryan and go kayaking with the
Paddling Center staff. No other
Watershed Ambassador can say
they did all that! To Capt. Bill,
Capt. Hugh, Lisa, Chris, Jodi,
and Emilio: Thank you for your
hospitality, and I’ll miss you all
very much.
Although I’m getting misty
as I write this article, I know
that I am committed to serving
my community beyond my term
with AmeriCorps. I am currently
deciding on Masters’ programs
starting in the fall and will either
be a Montclair State or Rutgers
graduate student! I am very excited to pursue a graduate degree,
not only for my self but for the
overall good which comes from a
better understanding of how the
world works.
Your next Watershed Ambassador will be here in September
2011, so please do not hesitate to
contact him/her to keep the fight
for clean water alive! To contact
the new ambassador, you can
email [email protected] or Akili Lynn,
Program Manager, at NJWAP@
dep.state.nj.us. Feel free to also
call Hackensack Riverkeeper at
201-968-0808.
I want to take this moment to
THANK YOU one last time for
making my service year that much
more memorable. Our environment would be in a more depressing state without your passion
and your dedication. I ask you to
please keep that passion alive and
serve your environment by serving your community. As Mother
Teresa once said, “We can do no
great things, only small things
with great love.”
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 19
Join forces with the Captain
By Emilio DeLia
On April 4, Captain Bill convened the members
of his Captain’s Circle (CC) for a dinner at Park and
Orchard Restaurant as a token of appreciation for their
leadership and support in protecting our watershed.
After cocktails our group found their seats in the
private dining room. The dinner had all the trappings
of an enjoyable evening: good food, beverages and
animated conversation. Captain Bill rallied the attendees on the most pressing issues concerning our
watershed. Many Captain’s Circle members volunteered their support to write letters, contact their state
representatives and galvanize their friends and family
in opposition to the DEP’s proposal.
Captain’s Circle members are key partners and
leaders in HRI’s mission to protect, restore and
preserve the Hackensack River; they were the first to
hear about HRI’s strategy for the DEP Public Access
rule change and the CSO fight. If you are interested in
Captain Circle members enjoying the evening.
joining the ranks of the Captain Circle please contact
Emilio DeLia, Development Director at: emilio@
HackensackRiverkeeper.org or 201-968-0808.
CORRECTION:
In the last issue of Tidelines, Bank of America Philanthropic Management was listed as a corporate donor.
The donation was actually from the Mary Reinhart
Stackhouse Foundation. Our apologies for the error!
Hackensack Riverkeeper’s
Comedy Night
Our 6th
Year
at Redd
’s !
August 18th • Doors open at 7PM • Show starts at 8PM • Cash Bar
Host Rich Carucci, the Steam Roller
of Comedy presents:
Laz Vicido
Joe Conte
Krissy Donato
Andy Hayward
Craig Sharf
Samanth DeRose
reservations strongly reccomended
Seats $20.00 in advance ($25.00 at the door)
available at Hackensack Riverkeeper...while they last!
201-968-0808 or www.HackensackRiverkeeper.org
Our last Comedy Night was a full house
– so reserve your seats early!
Please note: There may be adult language and subject matter in
the performances. This show is not recommended for children or
those offended by adult content. The lineup of performers may
change without prior notice.
Redd’s Restaurant and Bar • 201 933 0015
317 Washington Avenue, Carlstadt, NJ—just north of the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
check out their great menu or get directions at www.reddsrestaurant.com
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 20 r
e
e
t
n
u
r
l
e
o
n
V Cor
Oradell to River Edge
By Lisa Ryan
Our volunteer cleanup program continues to grow in
leaps and bounds, with 13 cleanups under our belt for
the season already. New companies are calling us all the
time to offer up their employee’s blood, sweat and tears,
and we’re grateful for the opportunity to reach out to new
people who often become stewards of the river themselves.
And of course, we are eternally grateful to our faithful
volunteers who continue to make our public cleanups a
most popular weekend pastime. My apologies for misplacing photos from the Staib Park and the Oradell/River Edge
cleanups, which is why you’re stuck with a photo of yours
truly and your Captain (Thanks, Jim Miller!).
IBM: Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Your faithful cleanup servants.
FDU: Teaneck
Professor Fairfield’s business class
once again stopped students in
between classes to put them in
canoes to pick up trash. AND they
raised money to make a donation
to Hackensack Riverkeeper!
Panasonic: Secaucus
We had an awesome cleanup with this hard working group from
IBM, filling a dumpster, making new friends and eating delicious
cookies homemade by IBM organizer, Mary!
Panasonic helped us clean up the
New County Rd. extension in
Secaucus, which runs alongside a
marsh, and has been a real thorn
in our side for 2 years. Thank you!
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 21
Summer Solstice Cleanup & BBQ, Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus
What can we say? It’s always
Van Saun Brook, Paramus
more fun when somebody goes
swimming! We had lots of slipping and sliding into summer!
UBS: Mill Creek Point, Secaucus
This group cleaned up on land and on the river, dragged a massive piece of styrofoam across the river and up the boat ramp,
and were treated to a sighting of a Green Heron!
ING: Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus
This was our first time cleaning up the
Van Saun Brook and there was plenty
to do, so we’ll be back!
Never have I seen a group so raring to go– these folks beat me to the park in the morning and were kicking a ball around in the parking lot when I arrived at 9AM. They immediately asked what they could do to
help, so I had them do everything! They unracked, carried and launched their own canoes; finished cleaning up the New County Road Extension; and filled a dumptruck PLUS. Thanks everybody!
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
Page 22 At the helm
continued from page 2
watershed. An example of our
watch is the first phase of remediation on the Standard Chlorine
site in Kearny, NJ. This cleanup
is being done because we made it
happen. The first stage, supervised
by the NJDEP, is nearing completion. After the Interim Remedial
Work Plan has been completed the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) will take the leadership role
for the final remediation.
Regardless of who’s in office,
Hackensack Riverkeeper strives to
be the clear voice of the environment for its own sake. On most
counts I believe we succeed; and
we succeed because of you and
people like you. Your support
powers our voice; and helps us
meet all the challenges we face –
like those posed by the current
administration. More than ever
we need your help to continue
protecting the river and the communities of our watershed.
Since 1997 it has been my
honor to serve as your Hackensack
Riverkeeper. For fourteen years the
organization and I have faced the
challenges and fought the battles
necessary to defend the watershed
from a legacy of pollution, sprawl
development and bad government
and business policies. Every time
I take the helm of the Edward Abbey, I endeavor to tell that story to
all those aboard; and would one
day hope to share it with everyone
who calls our watershed home. But
it’s not just about the past. We’re
constantly writing new chapters of
the river’s history. For example, in
this issue of Tidelines alone, you
can read about:
• Our opposition to the Christie
administration’s proposed Public Access rule change which, if
adopted, will seriously impair
New Jerseyans’ right to freely
access what belongs to them:
Letters to RIVERKEEPER
Dear Captain Bill:
My husband and I are former
New Jerseyites and participated
in many of the Eco-Cruises and
other programs while NJ residents.
We have retired (1½ yrs ago) and
moved to land-locked Columbus,
Nebraska. We really enjoy the
Hackensack Tidelines and articles
therein…
Most informative to us and folks
in Nebraska is the article by Hugh
Carola. In the Spring, trucks drove
past our new home so we followed
to see where “snowland” was—We
found the parking lot high with snow
and looking much like I thought a
“moon-scape” might look!
Anyway, I really want to thank
you for all the info found in the
Tidelines. Keep up your good work
in helping save the environment for
future generations.
We hope our check will benefit
the organization. God bless you all
and we’ll look forward to the next
issue of Tidelines.
Katherine Schmidt
Dear Riverkeeper:
I have lived in Bergen County all
my life and have always frequented
Overpeck Creek since I was a child.
I can never remember it being as
clean as it is today in 2011. I was
shocked to see that game fish are
making a serious comeback in the
Hackensack River and its tributaries.
Just the other day, American
Shad were in a feeding frenzy by
the Ridgefield Park section of the
park. I was completely amazed!
I have NEVER seen Shad in those
waters in all my life. Where there
is Shad, there is clean water and
where there is Shad, there’s also
Striped Bass. :) This is an incredible
sign that the river is teeming with
life once again.
I just wanted to write to you
today to thank you for doing an
amazing job with the river. Finally
Northern NJ may be included in a
list of premier fishing spots for the
state. Keep up the good work! :)
Jeff Sanchez
Hi. I’m really glad that someone
is doing something to conserve
the Hackie as we used to call it in
the 40s. When they built the Texas
natural gas pipeline it opened the
Hackensack meadows to us kids
to go hunting for ducks, trapping
muskrats and crabbing. We even
found a dead alligator once.
It always amazed me how they
let the meadows be ruined by the
Meadowlands racetrack, Giants
Stadium and the Arena but money
means more than the animals that
lived in those meadows. I even
took my wife duck hunting in the
meadows just after we married
in 1954. I’m amazed now when I
open Google earth and see how
the meadows has changed. Even
Teterboro airport now stretches to
Moonachie Avenue. Most of Berries Creek is built up just like Catfish
Creek. I have many memories of
thousands of hours of fun tramping those creeks and the river. We
trapped muskrats and caught 700
or so every Dec 15 to March 15
Hackensack Tidelines-Summer 2011
•
•
the shorelines and waterfronts
of our state. Staff Attorney
Chris Len waxes especially
poetic on that one.
Our ongoing advocacy to stop
the discharge of raw sewage
into the lower Hackensack
River and the NY/NJ Harbor
from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Allowing 19th
Century infrastructure to pollute our waterways in the 21st
Century not only retards the
recovery of our waterways; it’s
unconscionable.
Our successful Environmental
Education programs under the
direction of Program Director
and Captain, Hugh Carola. His
work and Project Manager Jodi
Page 23
Jamieson’s coordination of our
reinvigorated Urban Watershed
Education Program ensure
that thousands of people both
young and old become better
watershed citizens.
• Our ever-expanding River
Cleanup program which
continues to attract a growing
number of volunteers thanks to
Operations Director Lisa Ryan.
Already this year, hundreds of
volunteers, from both the general public and our Corporate
River Stewardship Program,
have removed tons of trash
from many acres surrounding
the river.
And that’s just a small sampling of what we’ve been up to
lately on behalf of the river and
you. Please stay tuned because
there’s much more to come. But
we need you to stand with us morally and financially to help us do
the work that must be done.
Clean water, public access,
and protected habitats are everyone’s business; a business we all
need to be invested in. A donation
to Hackensack Riverkeeper is just
such an investment – and it’s an
investment with priceless returns.
Yours in conservation,
Captain Bill Sheehan
Be a Friend of
selling them for $1 each. $700 was
not bad for 14 & 15 year old kids.
When I retired in 1987 we moved to
Pennsylvania because it is like what
Wood-Ridge, NJ once was when I
lived there. Good luck and keep up
the good work.
Herb Flavell (formally of
Wood-Ridge and Kearny, NJ)
Thanks for keeping me abreast
of the Riverkeeper’s list of coming
events. I’m all for you folks and the
efforts you are putting forth on behalf of the “Hacky” – the river I grew
up with in Ridgefield Park. I anxiously await the day when the river is returned to its original state of purity
and is full of wildlife as it used to be.
Then I’ll come back home to witness
what my Grandmother once told me
the river and its banks used to look
like. By the way, I will be eighty this
year, so you know how long ago that
must have been! Again, thank you,
and keep up the great work.
John T. Kutz
TL211
Hackensack Riverkeeper
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conservation within the Hackensack River Watershed by making a
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HackensackRIVERKEEPER®- Protecting The Public’s Right to:
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Member of
Save the Date!
Join Captain Bill Sheehan and Hackensack Riverkeeper
In honoring some of
New Jersey’s best corporate, community
and government leaders at our
12th Annual
Sustainable Seafood Fest and Awards Dinner
Thursday, October 27th
Cocktail Reception 6:30 PM
Holiday Inn, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Featuring delectable treats from: Whole Foods Market and Elegant Desserts
Contact us at: www.HackensackRiverkeeper.org or 201-968-0808 for more information.