ANJEC

COMMISSION AWARDS

2008 Application Information

Enviromental Achievement Awards 2005-2007

2008 Environmental Achievement Awards
To be presented at the
35th Annual
Environmental Congress
Advance to Green -Strategies for Sustainable Communities Friday October 3
Mercer County Community College, West Windsor

Award Categories
For Projects Implemented since 1/1/2007

Environmental Commission
(Local or County)
Open Space Committee
(Local of County)
New Environmental Commission
(For Commissions formed after December 31, 2005)
Environmental Non-Profit Organization
(Local or Regional/Statewide Judged Separately)

Deadline: Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Application form with additional details available online, or call ANJEC at 973-539-7547

Environmental Achievement Awards
2005 - 2007

Environmental Commissions
Asbury Park (Monmouth) 2007
Berkeley Heights (Union) 2006
Bethlehem Township (Hunterdon) 2006, 2007
Cranford (Union) 2005, 2006
East Brunswick (Middlesex) 2006
East Windsor (Mercer) 2005
Egg Harbor (Atlantic) 2006
Haddon (Camden) 2005
Linwood (Atlantic) 2005
Livingston (Essex) 2005
Long Hill (Morris) 2007
Mendham Township (Morris) 2006
Millburn (Essex) 2006
Summit (Union) 2007
Washington Twp (Gloucester) 2007
Woolwich (Gloucester) 2005, 2007

New Environmental Commissions
Elk (Gloucester) 2007
Woodstown-Pilesgrove (Salem) 2005

Regional
Saddler's Wood Conservation Association 2005
New Jersey Water Supply Authority 2005

Award Topics
Local Environmental Education
New Environmental Commissions
Open Space
Sustainability
Trees and Forest Areas
Water Resources

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONS

Asbury Park (Monmouth) Environment& Shade Tree Commission (2007)
A reactivated and re-energized Shade Tree Commission, now the Environment and Shade Tree Commission, is a partner in Asbury Park's recent renaissance. Believing that restoration of the city's tree canopy would raise residents' morale and neighborhood pride, the commission, working with the Sierra Club's Cool City Program and over 300 volunteers, planted 1,250 trees throughout the city's residential areas and recreational spaces. The commission used door hangers to announce public meetings that informed residents about the project, which promoted partnerships among the City Council, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the school system, and led to a Memorial Tree Program, a Community Garden subcommittee and a weekly column in the local newspaper.

Berkeley Heights (Union)
Environmental Commission (2006)
Using an ANJEC CD, the Commission produced a 30-minute Stormwater Basics video to help meet NJDEP educational requirements. Aired three times a week in August and September 2006 on the local community access channel's Spotlight on Berkeley Heights program, the video covers

The need to protect water;
The importance of local watersheds;
How to reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff on local properties;
The key role of trees to absorb excess nutrients and other pollutants, anchor the soil to reduce erosions and diminish economic loss from flooding.

Bethlehem Township
(Hunterdon) Environmental Commission (2006)
Working with the North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development Council (NJRC&D) the Commission put together a five acre riparian buffer planting project on Warren Rod & Gun Club property along the Wild and Scenic Musconetcong River. The buffer aims to help filter runoff from adjacent farmed property and to shade trout maintenance waters. NJRC&D obtained a $23,000 grant to install 1,250 trees and 250 shrubs, increasing the buffer from as little as 75 feet to 100-200 feet. The Commission recruited 40 volunteers to water, mulch and weed the area following a professional contractor's installation and continues to monitor and implement a five-year maintenance program.

Bethlehem Township (Hunterdon)
Environmental Commission (2007)
Because many township residents come from more built-up areas and are not used to rural living, the Commission decided to create a document that would explain
country realities such as wells, septic systems, and coexisting with wildlife. The result, after three years of research and writing, was "Country Wisdom," a 40-page
8 ½" x 11" booklet that provides information about the town's natural resources and ordinances, and gives practical advice
about living and in harmony with, the country. With the exception of printing and distribution, members of the Commission did all work on the document.

Cranford (Union) EnvironmentalCommission (2005)
The commission initiated regional efforts to manage stormwater in the Rahway River watershed. Concerned about flooding and water quality problems, the commission enlisted Dr. Chris Obropta, Rutgers Water Resources Extension Specialist, to educate them about regional stormwater management plans. Armed with new knowledge, the commission persuaded Cranford's Township Committee to host a regional planning meeting with their Rahway River neighbors. The commission invited State Senator Tom Kean, Jr. and Dr. Obropta to speak at the meeting, attended by 35 municipal engineers, staff and officials representing eight communities. While NJDEP was unable to fund a regional stormwater management plan, the commission is continuing to promote and participate in regional stormwater planning efforts through information gathering and additional regional planning meetings. General information about the Cranford Environmental Commission..

Cranford (Union) EnvironmentalCommission (2006)
Thanks to the Commission's efforts over several years, in November 2005 the Cranford Township Committee enacted the first New Jersey municipal ordinance to require sustainable building standards for new township construction and existing buildings, based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. Working with the Township Committee for several years on sustainability, the Commission conducted research, carried out an education program for officials, and proposed the ordinance. Cranford also encourages the use of LEED standards in redevelopment projects by offering density bonuses.

East Brunswick (Middlesex) Environmental
Commission (2006)
To educate the public and gain support for environmental
initiatives, the Commission created a web site in January 2005 to reach residents and inform them of the Commission's many activities and events including lectures, bird counts, butterfly park walks and moth night events. Publicity through newspaper articles and GOOGLE searches quickly attracted site users, including more than 200 e-mail subscribers. Within the first year, the Commission expanded the website to include environmental travel information, photo scrapbook pages and video clips for people to display their nature pictures. The website has more than 170 links and by September 2006 hits grew to 11,000, including people from all 50 states, Washington, DC and 65 countries. The Commission is working on web versions of field guides and anticipating increasing use of the website.

East Windsor (Mercer) Environmental Commission (2005)
Working with teachers and administrators from the East Windsor Regional School District, the commission developed and printed A Day in the Park, a 30-page environmental activity booklet for elementary schools, targeting the fourth grade. Each year, fourth grades visit the local 160-acre Etra Lake Park. The booklet highlights the wildlife and ecology, and tells students about trees, animals and plants they will encounter around the lake and reminds them how to behave in a natural area. It also gives tips for saving resources at home and has instructions for making a birdhouse. An NJDEP grant helped to cover printing costs, and a local printing company donated the color cover. In accepting the award, commission chair Mike Vetter expressed appreciation for the level of cooperation the project inspired between the town council, the local school system and the environmental commission. General information available in East Windsor Newsletter.

Egg Harbor Township (Atlantic) Environmental Commission (2006)
The Commission obtained permission from the township to dedicate an old closed 14.7-acre landfill in the Coastal
Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) area as a township arboretum with passive recreation for local residents. The
Commission

Developed a phased plan;
Partnered with the township's alternative high school to obtain volunteers and teach students valuable work and life skills;
Constructed a shed to house their library of recycled nature and gardening books and a museum of
found old bottles;
Designed and built a handicap accessible
observation deck;
Developed a curriculum to introduce young children to the great outdoors in a quiet, non-threatening way.

With funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to support learning experience on the use of solar power and construction, the Commission and students researched, designed a unique building with a handicapped accessible composting toilet, a work room and water tank. They also installed solar panels and drilled a totally solar-powered well. Future projects include creation of a solar-powered workroom on the site, a gazebo and greenhouse.

Linwood City (Atlantic) Environmental Commission (2005)
The commission worked with the Duck Pond Homeowners' Association to improve the condition of a stagnant local manmade pond that had become eutrophic. After researching the problem and possible solutions, the commission obtained technical assistance and partial funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to replace a faulty water control structure and develop a management plan for the pond. The Homeowners' Association has agreed to maintain the improvements and conduct periodic flushing, and adjacent homeowners are required to manage the riparian vegetation.

Livingston Township (Essex) Environmental
Commission and Open Space TrustFund Committee (2005)
In the process of developing an open space inventory and plan, the commission became aware that they had numerous underutilized parks and open spaces. Using an NJDEP grant, they produced a pamphlet designed to encourage more residents to enjoy and use Livingston's parks. The commission also worked with the township council and recreation department on an Outdoor Treasures campaign, distributing the pamphlet, placing it on Livingston's website, and sponsoring a related photo contest. A major benefit of the newspaper coverage and outreach is local residents' increased support and interest in the township's open spaces.

Long Hill Township (Morris) Environmental Commission (2007)
Based on its experience reviewing and commenting on development applications, the Environmental Commission saw a need for a standard advisory document that would help applicants understand and address common environmental issues before getting to the Planning or Zoning Board review stage. The Commission developed an Applicant Handout for Environmental Issues that explains common issues that arise during review, such as stormwater runoff, steep slopes, wetlands, flooding, and plant/animal habitat. The Handout offers suggestions on Best Management Practices including reduction of impervious cover, planting of native species and elimination of curbing. The Planning Board and Township Committee approved the Handout, which is now part of the packet applicants receive at the start of a building project.

Mendham Township (Morris) Environmental Commission (2006)
After completing a comprehensive inventory, mapping, title and tax map investigation of approximately 70 conservation easements between 1998 and 2000, the Commission embarked on a project involving owner education and baseline inspection. In 2005, commissioners

Reviewed and updated the previous easement records, creating a folder of information for each of the 167 lots with an existing easement;
Drafted a letter to property owners, a monitoring form, and a brochure on conservation easements; and
Hired a professional forester who would do the actual inspections.

A pilot mailing to a small group of property owners yielded 20 successful inspections. Individual follow-up letters informed owners of any significant problems. Each conservation easement file now contains a complete baseline set of information.

Millburn Township (Essex) Environmental Commission (2005)
The commission received its second consecutive award for an "Aquafest" event that educated residents about protecting water quality by preventing nonpoint source pollution. On the theory that children can effectively change family behavior, the commission focussed this year's event on elementary school students. The commission enlisted the high school Environment Club, the shade tree commission and department of public works, as well as the Great Swamp Watershed Association, New Jersey Audubon Society and a local arboretum, to provide activities that illustrate stormwater concepts. Children played the Watershed Game, where they "became" a stream system, passing water, fish and pollutants to the sea. They also met living dragonfly and caddis fly larvae and other stream creatures. The entire school gathered in the auditorium for presentations by students showing what they had learned. Accepting the Millburn award, commission chair Martine Donofrio encouraged other commissions to consider holding a similar event, which can be carried out at little expense ('for the cost of lunch') but has great impact. Through this very successful event, the commission also helped the township meet its annual public outreach/education requirement for New Jersey's Phase II Stormwater Regulations.

Summit City (Union) Environmental Commission (2007)
The commission participated in the Summit Clean Power Team with the NJ Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to raise
local residents' awareness and encourage enrollment in New Jersey's Clean Power Choice Program, which allows consumers to purchase energy from renewable sources
by paying a small premium. The Team created and implemented a town-wide campaign that connected participation in Clean Power Choice with global climate
protection, energy conservation, recycling and sustainable habits. The result was an increase of enrollment from 55 to 130 Summit households in less than a year.

Washington Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2007)
Working with the school district and the township Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA), the Commission hosted a day-long
educational event for fourth graders, to convey the importance of water resources for environmental and human health. The agenda included a presentation by an Academy of Natural Sciences representative about the adaptations specific species make to live in water and a bus trip to the
town's water tower where students were surprised to learn that water storage was at the top, utilizing gravity power to deliver water. Students visited six stations in the base of the tower, each manned by volunteers, including the Delaware River Basin Commission, the MUA, the Environmental
Commission, the US Geological Survey and the South Jersey Land and Water Trust.

Woolwich Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2005)
At the request of the mayor and township committee, the commission researched the level and extent of radon within homes in the town. They were concerned that Woolwich's Tier 2 Classification might not be reflecting actual radon risk
within the town. Using township supplied radon kits, the commission collected 110 voluntary samples from residences. Of these, 43 percent tested above the level that USEPA recommends for having a radon mitigation system installed. As a result, the NJDEP did more rigorous testing and later changed the town to a Tier 1 designation, which requires new homes to incorporate radon construction
techniques. Mayor Joe Chila and commission member Ann
Dorsett accepted the award, each agreeing that the project was a good illustration of how the Woolwich Environmental Commission, town officials and staff have learned to work
together for the betterment of the township. General information about Woolwich available.

Woolwich Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2007)
In an effort to reduce waste, promote efficient resource use, and prolong the life of landfills, the Commission worked with
the county recycling coordinator, NJ Department of Environmental Protection, trash haulers, and recycling market representatives to develop an ordinance requiring reuse or recycling of at least 65 percent of a project's construction and demolition debris. Applicants for construction or demolition permits must approximate the amount of debris a project will generate, and submit information on the actual amounts disposed of and recycled. The Woolwich Township Committee adopted the ordinance in April 2007.

NEW ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONS

Elk Township (Gloucester) Environmental Commission (2007)
Since its establishment in June 2006, this busy new commission

Developed a township map, available
on the municipal website, showing
preserved open space and farmland;
Reviewed development applications;
Prepared ordinances for tree protection,
Phase I site assessments, soil removal,
and agricultural buffers;
Advised the Township Committee and
zoning officer on issues including a
wetlands violation; and
Planned and carried out the Township's
first Arbor Day.

Woodstown-Pilesgrove (Salem) Environmental Commission (2005)
Established in 2003, Woodstown-Pilesgrove is one of New Jersey's few joint municipal environmental commissions. Despite the obvious challenges involved in working with
two municipalities, the new commission started right in on an environmental resource inventory (ERI) for the two towns. Using a Smart Growth Planning Grant from ANJEC and funds from both towns, the commission hired the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to do mapping and analysis. Commission members were the principal authors of the chapters on history, climate, traffic, flora and fauna while DVRPC worked with the commission to put together much of the basic text. The commission uses the inventory to help review and comment on development applications, and has since embarked on other planning projects related to open space preservation. General information on the joint environmental commission available; abstract of ERI available

REGIONAL

Haddon Township (Camden) Environmental Commission and Saddler's Wood Conservation Association (2005)
ANJEC also presented an Achievement Award to the non-profit working with the commission to manage a local 25-acre wooded parcel that includes old-growth forest. In accepting the award, Association member Janet Goehner-Jacobs reported that volunteers have clocked nearly 700 hours removing invasive plants and working on other habitat enhancements, and hosting tours and programs for visitors. She related the history of the parcel, which runaway slave Joshua Sadler farmed and eventually purchased in the 1800s. In his will, Saddler instructed that "none [of his heirs] shall cut the timber thereon." The environmental commission received an award in 2004 for developing a conservation easement and management plan for Saddler's Woods. Historical and ecological information available.

New Jersey Water Supply Authority (2005)
The New Jersey Water Supply Authority also received a 2005 Award, for directing the Spruce Run Initiative
Corridor Study. Environmental commissioners and other officials from each of five towns (Bethlehem Township, Clinton Township, High Bridge Borough, Lebanon Township, Union Township) around the Spruce Run Reservoir in northern Hunterdon County, worked with the Authority and planners from consultant AKRF, Inc. They reviewed land use and zoning along several commercial corridors, and proposed revisions to prevent sprawl and deterioration of water quality in the Spruce Run Reservoir. Because the Plan was created through a collaborative process with much public input, the participating towns have been receptive to making zoning changes recommended by it. Information available

AWARD TOPICS

Local Environmental Education