NJWSA Water Quality Pilot at MCEC Meeting

Left, Heather Desko holding hydrilla. Source: NJWSA The New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) operates and maintains the Manasquan Reservoir and the Manasquan Water Treatment Plant, which provides 60% of the potable water consumed by Brielle, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, and Wall Township. On Sept. 6, NJWSA staff members, Heather Desko and Kyle Clonan, presented their hydrilla and cyanotoxin management  practices to the Monmouth County Environmental Council. Hydrilla is an invasive submerged aquatic plant that can clog water bodies and increase sedimentation if left unmanaged.  NJWSA staff explained that hydrilla can be introduced to water bodies by improperly disposing of aquarium hydrilla or from unclean boat bottoms, boots, or waders. It can even sprout new plants from small root or stem fragments. Cyanobacteria are photosynthesizing bacteria that release cyanotoxins which pose health concerns. Both hydrilla and cyanobacteria pose threats to water quality and both have been identified at Manasquan Reservoir. NJWSA takes action to manage both threats. This year the Authority began a 4-acre pilot program along the boat launch area at the Manasquan Reservoir. NJWSA uses herbicide pellets, appropriate for use in a water supply, that are selective to only the hydrilla, and used in very low densities. So far herbicides at the reservoir have been effective in treating the hydrilla and native plants are unchanged.  When asked if hydrilla is present all around the state, Heather Desko responded, “No, the problem is relatively new and right now it is not wide spread.” She believes the hydrilla is manageable because it was caught early, however removing it is very time consuming. NJWSA tests the reservoir at least once a week for cyanotoxins. Their Water Treatment plant tests the treated water for several types of cyanobacteria. To control the spread of hydrilla, remove plants, mud and aquatic life from equipment, as well as drain water from boats, live wells, bilge and bait buckets. it is important to clean all equipment and boats with hot water and soap.  Newly cleaned supplies must then be dry to the touch for several days.  To reduce the occurrence of cyanotoxins, limit the use of fertilizers to prevent excess nutrients from entering waterways that encourage blooms.  Learn more about NJWSA

Upcoming Environmental & Outdoor Events in Monmouth County:

Some activities require registration and/or fees:

• Oct. 4, 5 -7 p.m, Monmouth County Environmental Council Meeting, Hall of Records Annex, 2nd Floor, Freehold
• Oct. 6, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m, Composting Workshop, Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown 
• Oct. 6, 1- 2:30 p.m. Monarch Butterfly Walk, Sandy Hook U.S. Life-saving Station Parking Lot
• Oct. 12, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ANJEC Environmental Congress, Mercer County Community College, West Windsor 
• Oct. 14, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Thompson Park Day, Thompson Park, Lincroft
• Oct. 20 , 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps, multiple locations
• Oct. 20, 8:15 a.m. - 3 p.m. Jersey Friendly Yards Conference, Ocean County College, Toms River
• Nov. 1, 5 -7 p.m, Monmouth County Environmental Council Meeting, Hall of Records Annex, 2nd Floor, Freehold

Monmouth Hub Revitalization a Success

On Tuesday Sept. 25, local green teams, County and Sustainable Jersey employees met to reinvigorate the Monmouth County Sustainable Jersey Hub. Hubs are regional or county wide groups of green teams, which meet to stay connected, receive technical assistance, learn from speakers, participate in peer to peer mentoring, and collaborate on projects.  In recent years, the Monmouth Hub successfully lead a summer film series on the dangers of single-use plastics. 

At the revitalization meeting, green teams got the ball rolling again.  Members discussed areas of interest and potential sub-committees focused on increasing watershed awareness, collaborating Grown in Monmouth and Sustainable Jersey's Buy Fresh Buy Local program, and increasing education on reducing and recycling. The group was enthusiastic about prospective collaborations.

The Hub plans to meet again on Oct. 30, 7 -8:30 p.m. at Red Bank Borough Hall, located at 90 Monmouth Street, Red Bank. All Monmouth County municipal Green Teams are invited! If your municipality is interested in starting a green team, or if you have questions, contact Lauren Skowronski, Sustainable Jersey, Program Director for Community Engagement, or Amber Mallm, Monmouth County Division of Planning, Environmental Specialist.

Municipal PIG Application Process Workshop

The State Agriculture Development Committee is hosting a training session on managing farmland preservation projects on Oct. 10, 1-3 p.m. at the Historic Clarksburg Community Center,  located at 512 Stagecoach Road, Millstone.  County, nonprofit, municipal partners and staff and board members are welcome. Register.

Lake Como Seeking to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Lake Como's Green Team is considering installing an electric vehicle charging station in the Borough parking lot on Main Street. They are in the process of applying for Sustainable Jersey grants for $14,000 to put towards the cost of installation.

According the preliminary proposal, the public electric vehicle station would be operated by Lake Como. Users would be charged a standard or competitive rate to plug in and charge their vehicles.

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Municipalities Ban Balloon Release

Following recent plastic bag bans in multiple municipalities, the Borough of Tinton Falls passed an ordinance to prohibit the intentional release of balloons at the Sept. 4 Borough Council meeting. The ordinance was adopted in order to protect the environment and the health, safety, welfare and property. The ordinance states that balloons pose a threat to wildlife and marine animals, which mistake balloons for food or become entangled in strings.

Several municipalities in the state have already passed similar ordinances including Bradley Beach.  Asbury Park is expected to vote a similar ordinance on September 26.

Read Tinton Fall's full ordinance here