There have been some truly foul emanations coming from the Department of Environmental Protection lately, but none worse than abandoning the proposed “Category one” (C1) protections for portions of the Pequest River. (see: http://www.nj.gov/dep/rules/adoptions/adopt_080616a.pdf
The DEP C1 designation protects exceptional water quality and prohibits development within a 300 foot buffer along each side of sensitive C1 streams and rivers.
The Pequest is NJ’s poster for high quality trout waters. It boasts the Pequest Trout Hatchery. Here’s how fly fishermen describe this special place:
“The Pequest River, located in Northwestern New Jersey, is well known for the abundance of trout found in its waters, and the fish hatchery located along its banks. Route 46 parallels the river for much of its length, offering anglers easy access. On the Pequest, large trout are caught frequently on everything from streamers to dry flies. The average size of the fish here range from 12 to 14 inches long.
Flowing out of swamplands above Route 80, the Pequest eventually turns into a river that has great character. Swift runs, pools, and pockets make up this productive trout river. The fish hatchery, along its banks, is located midway between Great Meadows and the town of Buttzville. Fishing near the hatchery is usually crowded, so if you’re seeking some solitude, you’re better off fishing above or below here, especially early in the year.” http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/pequest.html
Based on my review of the DEP file, it is obvious that political intervention by Govenror Corzine – responding to lobbying of IntraWest Mountain Creek Resorts -killed the DEP’s proposed upgrades for the Wallkill RIver and Black Creek in Vernon.
(see: Corporate Office Parks Trump Clean Water http://blog.nj.com/njv_bill_wolfe/2008/05/corporate_office_parks_trump_c.html
It is equally obvious that DEP caved in to pressure by Bristol-Myers Squibb to kill the proposed upgrade of portions of the Stony Brook in Hopewell Township (Mercer County).
But who killed the Pequest? And Why?
Inquiring minds want to know!
(this is actual shot of Pequest – others are Raritan and Stony Brook!)
Pequest River (just off Rt. 46 in Buttzville, NJ).
Just realized I should have made things a little easier by identifying specific portions of the Pequest and tributaries that DEP abandoned.
So, here they are (see page 217-218 of first link for full discussion):
“The Department is not adopting the Category One designation for the Pequest River from source to Conrail railway tracks south of Turtle Pond, including all unnamed and unlisted tributaries …[and], portions of
Andover Junction Brook above Valentine Pond, Kymer Brook tributaries immediately north and immediately south of Clearwater, and the entire Trout Brook.”
And here is the ANSWER TO WHO KILLED THE PEQUEST:
1) Commenter #48:
DiLodovico, Anthony – Schoor Depalma engineers; and
2) Commenter #233 :
Varro, Thomas, Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority
DEP again caved in to developers and sewer authorities.
It is easy to connect the dots to prove this.
Wolfe
And here is the ANSWER TO WHO KILLED THE PEQUEST:
1) Commenter #48:
DiLodovico, Anthony – Schoor Depalma engineers; and
2) Commenter #233 :
Varro, Thomas, Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority
DEP again caved in to developers and sewer authorities.
It is easy to connect the dots to prove this.
Wolfe
In NJ, no matter how dwindling the natural resources, campaign contributions will always trump environmental protection.