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WRWMG Coordinates Riparian Restoration Project Along the Paulins Kill at Decker Road

On behalf of Ben and Jan T. Jorritsma, the owners of Ideal Farms in Lafayette Township, the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority / Wallkill River Watershed Management Group is currently coordinating and implementing a riparian forest buffer restoration project along the Paulins Kill. The project aims to enhance the existing riparian corridor, stabilize eroding stream banks, promote biodiversity in the wetlands and wildlife habitat, and ultimately improve water quality in the Paulins Kill and Upper Delaware River Watersheds. Funding for the project is being provided by the The Pinchot Institute for Conservation - Common Waters Fund and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, with significant in-kind contributions coming from US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, and many other additional project partners and volunteers.

The total project area involves ten (10+/-) acres on a privately owned farm which straddles nearly 3,500 continuous feet of stream reach which meanders through wetlands and abandoned wet agricultural pasture fields. To date a combination of close to 3,000 plant materials, including on-site harvested live posts, live stakes, and hardwood bare root whips have been planted throughout the entire project area. Additionally, the 5’ tree tubes have been installed around the bare root whips to help protect them from deer browsing.

In addition, the project offers excellent potential to serve as a public community restoration effort to raise awareness about local watershed issues, encourage volunteer environmental stewardship, and foster the strengthening of local stakeholder partnerships.

To learn more about the project or how to become a project volunteer, please contact WRWMG Director, Nathaniel Sajdak at 973-579-6998 x 109 or nsajdak@scmua.org