NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–It’s a big week for the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, a stewardship group that looks after the Raritan River and its many tributaries.

On Monday March 9, from 1:30-3:30PM, the organization invites members of the public to a “special presentation” of water quality data in the public meeting room of the New Brunswick Elks Lodge, located at 40 Livingston Avenue.

Dr. Steve Yergeau, Environmental Resource & Management Agent from Rutgers, and other guests, will discuss the available water quality data and how the LRWP and other groups can best focus data-gathering efforts in the future.

Then, on Tuesday, March 10, from 9am-Noon, the organization will be back in the same room for a “Green Infrastructure Action Planning Workshop.”

Impervious ground cover, which contributes to flooding, will be addressed by Dr. Chris Obropta of Rutgers University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.

Obropta has published an “Impervious Cover Assessment” of 54 municipalities, as well as “Impervious Cover Remediation Action Plans” for each of them.

He will share the plans with attendees, along with information about a grant program intended to help with such plans.

The presenters are looking for eager participation from attendees in the event, and they especially welcome municipal administrators, green team members, environmentalists, and environmental commissioners.

In short, they hope anyone interested in carrying out an impervious cover reduction plan in the Raritan River area will show up, so that flooding and pollution can be attacked. 

The event is being hosted in conjunction with the Middlesex County Water Resources Association.  If people want to attend, they should RSVP to Heather Feynk at [email protected].

The Elks Lodge is located on Livingston Avenue, between New and Morris Streets, near the city’s public library.  Attendees are encouraged to park in the Rockoff Hall (aka Morris Street) parking garage or try to find on-street parking.

On Thursday, the group is hoping to be formally recognized by the county government for the first time, and is encouraging supporters to come to the Board of Chosen Freeholders meeting scheduled for March 12 at 7pm in the Middlesex County Administration Building at 75 Bayard Street.

“The Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders is considering a resolution to recognize the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership as an advisory body regarding the natural resources of New Jersey Watershed Management Area 9, the Lower Raritan Watershed,” wrote Fenyk in an email to supporters.

“Please join us – we would like a good turnout of LRWP stakeholders to demonstrate support for the resolution!”

Reporter at New Brunswick Today

Richard researched transportation, land use, history, and other topics. Investigated site plans. Attended public meetings (planning board, zoning board, parking authority board of directors, City Council) to record and help determine what was discussed. Analyzed blueprints and site plans to determine what land uses sites would be put to. Photographed sites that would be affected by proposed projects, as well as sites involved in news events. Employed Sketchup CAD to visualize new land uses, such as buildings and structures. Critiqued and wrote articles in fast-paced work environment, writing before deadlines. Made judgments as to what constituted proper material to include in articles. Created a zoning map; am working on ways to show it to the public. Consulted vintage maps to determine historic land uses.

Richard researched transportation, land use, history, and other topics. Investigated site plans. Attended public meetings (planning board, zoning board, parking authority board of directors, City Council) to record and help determine what was discussed. Analyzed blueprints and site plans to determine what land uses sites would be put to. Photographed sites that would be affected by proposed projects, as well as sites involved in news events. Employed Sketchup CAD to visualize new land uses, such as buildings and structures. Critiqued and wrote articles in fast-paced work environment, writing before deadlines. Made judgments as to what constituted proper material to include in articles. Created a zoning map; am working on ways to show it to the public. Consulted vintage maps to determine historic land uses.