Environmental Commission 

The Environmental Commission, consisting of 7 members and 2 alternates, was established by the Township Council. Any resident interested in serving on the Environmental Commission is encouraged to attend the monthly meetings and should submit a completed Volunteer Application/Citizen Leadership form to the Township Clerk.

Mission Statement

The Environmental Commission represents the public and its long-term interests as local environmental advocates. We work towards these goals by: advising the town council and the planning and zoning boards about a wide range of environmental issues that affect the town; advocating for open-space preservation; keeping residents informed of environmental issues; promoting environmental education; and working with neighboring commissions and other organizations to meet these goals.

Meetings

Members of the Environmental Commission meet monthly or as necessary to fulfill the mission of the organization. Meetings are regularly scheduled to occur on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm. Meetings are held in the Town Hall building, 530 Turnpike, on the second floor in the back meeting room. The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend, but we suggest that interested parties contact the Chair beforehand. Also note that if the main entrance is locked, attendees can use the police entrance at the south side of the building.

During monthly meetings, members discuss current issues affecting environmental issues in the township, review and may comment on any site plans that have been submitted as part of the permitting process, and plan future activities.

Activities

2011 Accomplishments Presentation given to Council on December 13, 2011

The Environmental Commission is involved with a wide range of activities that may typically include the following:

- leading a hike or conduct a tour through a township park

- conducting inspections of a construction sites

- sponsoring presentations on environmental issues

- disseminating information to township residents in the website and in mailings, and through informational booths at township events such as the annual Ho-Down

- responding to resident questions and requests for information

- commenting on proposed construction site plans that have been submitted for review as part of the permitting process

- representing the township at meetings such as the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissioners, Highlands Act

- organizing periodic community cleanups

- applying for community grants to enhance township parks and public spaces

- coordination with other groups, both inside and outside the township, on environmental issues

- Maintain an update Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI)

Articles and Information

Pequannock Township Environmental Resource Inventory

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Trail Map of Mountainside Park

Buy the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference map that includes Mountainside Park trails and many other trails in the area.

Videos of hike with Jeff Keller at Mountainside Park

Article on a Mountainside Park Hike

Aquatic Park & Greenway Project - AquaticPark 200410.pdf (black & white)

Lawn Care Suggestions - Rethink Old Lawn Habits This Year.doc

Septic System Care - Septic Article.doc

Native and Invasive Plants Gallery

Desirable Native Plants 1

Desirable Native Plants 2

Desirable Native Shrubs

Desirable Native Trees 1

Desirable Native Trees 2

Invasive 1

Invasive 2

Internet Links

Area Stream and River Monitoring Sites (Level and Flow).

At Pompton Plains

At other sites

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissioners (ANJEC) - A variety of topics are available through the link:

http://www.anjec.org/

Friends of Frelinghuysen Arboretum - This site lists upcoming programs at the Arboretum throughout the year:

http://www.arboretumfriends.org/

Great Swamp of NJ National Wildlife Refuge - This site has features including a schedule of activities at the Great Swamp:

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatswamp/

Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority - Solid Waste (Recycling, Household Hazardous Waste, Community Cleanups, etc.):

http://www.mcmua.com/solidwaste/index.htm

Morris County Park Commission - Headquartered at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, this site has links to activities there and throughout the county:

http://www.morrisparks.net/

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) - A variety of topics are available at this website:

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/

Pequannock River Coalition - This site provides information about the Pequannock River watershed and the activities of this organization, which is dedicated to the preservation of the river?s natural, recreational, aesthetic, and water supply resources:

Pequannock Township Parks - This link lists the parks within the township and shows their addresses and facilities:

http://www.peqtwp.org/cit-e-access/webpage.cfm?TID=60&TPID=6461

Plant Identification:

Arbor Day Tree Identification Guide - http://www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/
United States Department of Agriculture - http://plants.usda.gov/

Energy Efficient Appliances:

http://www.energystar.gov

Companies that do recycling:

http://www.recycle.org

Home Energy Audits:
Home Energy Saver - http://hes.lbl.gov/
U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Savers - http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11160

TreeHugger - http://www.treehugger.com/
Green As a Thistle - http://greenasathistle.com/

Morris County Tax Maps:

http://mcweb1.co.morris.nj.us/TaxBoard/

Maps with a birds-eye views:

http://maps.nationalgeographic.com/map-machine

Historical Aerial Photographs: