Green Acres preserves 1,500 watershed acres at Split Rock Reservoir in Rockaway

NORTHJERSEY.com
Wednesday, January 14, 2015, 12:31 AM

The Department of Environmental Protection?s Green Acres Program has negotiated a $3.1 million purchase of 1,500 acres of pristine watershed buffer land from Jersey City, providing permanent protection to land that surrounds the city?s Split Rock Reservoir, primarily in Rockaway Township, Commissioner Bob Martin announced on Jan. 5.

Under terms of the agreement that were finalized on Dec. 31, 2014, Jersey City will retain water rights, via a permit from the DEP, to continue to use water resources from Split Rock Reservoir, which is a water supply source for the city?s water system. The city also will retain ownership, use and maintenance of the Split Rock dam and the road leading to the dam. The state will have access to the road and to the reservoir.

"We are looking forward for the public to have an enjoyable and safe experience on this property while obeying state and local laws," said Rockaway Township Mayor Michael Dachisen. "As a result of this transaction, we look forward to enhanced enforcement activity from state conservation officers, who have previously done a good job of patrolling the area, but have had limited authority to access the tract.??

"This is yet another an example of Governor Christie?s continued commitment to preserving our open and natural spaces in New Jersey,?? said Martin. "Permanently preserving this spectacular property, which is located in the North Jersey Highlands, ensures a continued high quality of drinking water for state residents, while safeguarding habitat for many plant and animal species, enhancing recreational opportunities for our residents, and protecting the quality of life in our state."

The preserved tract is a greenway connector, linking the state?s Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Farny State Park, and Buck Mountain. The land is primarily forested, with hiking trails and fishing access, and includes a wide range of plant and animal species, including threatened and endangered species.

Read more:
http://www.northjersey.com/news/envir ... oir-in-rockaway-1.1192141

DEP purchases 1500 acres from Jersey City for its Green Acres Program

By Sudip Bhattacharya | The Jersey Journal
January 07, 2015 at 8:53 PM

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection agency announced this week that it purchased 1,500 acres of land from Jersey City.

The land, which surrounds the city's Split Rock Reservoir located primarily in Morris County's Rockaway Township, was purchased for $3.1 million

Since, 1996, The DEP had held a conservation easement on nearly all of the 1,500 acres, which offered a level of protection for the land. With the acquisition, the state will have full ownership of the property, and make it a part of the Green Acres Program. Future development on the property is now prohibited.

Read more:
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/20 ... _green_acres_program.html