Whether it is conducting surface water quality sampling program, coordinating a riparian restoration project, or installing roadside watershed identification signs, the common denominator for all of the accomplishments of the WRWMG has been the cooperative stakeholder partnerships that have been forged and maintained throughout the duration of the watershed management project.  The WRWMG has served the NJDEP as an effective liaison to the stakeholders of the Wallkill River Watershed and Sussex County, to help disseminate information and generate public participation in watershed management, planning, and stewardship activities.

The WRWMG is extremely proud to have successfully fostered and maintained cooperative partnerships with Federal, State, County and municipal officials, farmers, and individual citizens. These partnerships allow for the growth of unique opportunities to maximize available funding resources, overcome administrative obstacles, share technical expertise and resources, and to successfully execute and complete numerous watershed projects and initiatives.  

Some of the many partners the WRWMG has established formal cooperative partnerships with include entities such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service - Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, the Sussex County Office of GIS Management, North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development District (NJRC&D), the New Jersey Forest Service, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

THE VALUE OF THE WALLKILL RIVER WATERSHED MANAGEMENT GROUP’S COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT / PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
SUSSEX COUNTY OFFICE OF GIS MANAGEMENT

Since April 2006, the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group (WRWMG) has maintained a cooperative agreement with the Sussex County Office of GIS Management (SCOGISM) to perform numerous GIS related services as required and requested in conjunction with ongoing watershed restoration planning grant projects. Over the course of the five years, the SCOGISM has become one of the WRWMG’s most important watershed partners and without question has proven to be a significant contributor to the overall success of the ongoing watershed planning and restoration efforts.  The WRWMG now views the SCOGISM as a long-term partner committed to the restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the waterways within the Sussex County.

Specifically the SCOGISM has worked very closely with the WRWMG to:

  • Develop a GIS based non-point source loading analysis methodology / model for watershed project areas
  • Assist with GPS field data collection and data layer(s) development
  • Produce / create requested maps for inclusion in watershed reports
  • Print large maps for use during in-field surveys
  • Provide GIS software training and data file organization assistance
  • Participate in the NJDEP's 20th Annual GIS Mapping Competition, held in April 2007, and proudly placed second in the category of Best Analytical Presentation
  • Provide continuous, general project support

The SCOGISM’s Internet Mapping Service (IMS) has become an everyday asset to the watershed restoration and protection efforts of the WRWMG.  Some of the specific ways the WRWMG utilizes the IMS is to:

  1. Conduct “in-office” watershed reconnaissance surveys, using the available aerial photography, prior to going into the field to actually conduct the field survey
  2. Select surface water quality monitoring sites and prepare NJDEP required Quality Assurance / Quality Control work plans
  3. Research existing landowner / parcel information for watershed locations of interest
  4. Follow-up on questions / concerns that come about as a result of observations made in the field during a watershed survey 
  5. Instantly access aerial photography, parcel data, stream information, etc. while being on the phone with a watershed resident calling to inquire about a specific location, property, or area of concern in the watershed
  6. Print aerial maps for preliminary use in riparian restoration  project design and planning efforts
  7. Assist watershed residents and stakeholder groups with obtaining / viewing local GIS data and information
  8. Download available GIS data files for in-office use