Township of Pequannock - Environmental Commission

Pequannock Environmental Commission

email address: ptec@peqtwp.org

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.

Membership

The Environmental Commission consists of seven members who are appointed for two-year terms of service. Persons interested in becoming members of the Commission should feel free to contact the Chair, who will be happy to provide additional information. Interested parties are also encouraged to attend the monthly Commission meetings (see below).

The current Environmental Commission members and their terms are:

Thomas L. Newman - Chairman 12/31/11
Thomas E. Andrea - Secretary -12/31/11
Peter Correale - Staff Representative - 12/31/09
Philip Dickinson - 12/31/11 - Planning Board Liaison
Open - 12/31/11
Joseph L. Jorgensen - Liaison from the Council - 12/31/010
Christopher Lotito - 12/31/10
Lisa Martinus - 12/31/11
Rudy F. Steinthal - 12/31/10 - Liaison to Open Space

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 7:30 pm. 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.

Minutes:

Activities

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
http://term.peqtwp.org/Pequannock_ERI_Full.pdf

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

- Aquatic Park - Selected Color Figures

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

- Rethink Old Lawn Figure.jpg

Native and Invasive Plants - 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

Septic System Care - Septic Article.doc

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. http://www.pequannockriver.org/

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

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

Environmentalism Blogs / General Information:
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