River-Friendly Program Goals

• Promote land stewardship

• Partner with people in the community

• Reduce nonpoint source pollution entering our local waterways

• Offer and protect native habitat for wildlife and plant species

River-Friendly Participants

• Residents

• Golf Courses

• Businesses

– Corporations

– Home Owners Associations

• Schools

• Farms (NJRC&D)

– North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council

75 residents = over 120 acres Golf Courses + Businesses = over 2097 acres

•Working with 9 businesses, 6 Certified

•Have met with 8/18 Golf Courses, 1 Certified, 3 active progress

First Pilot School Certified in 2008

River-Friendly Categories

• Water Quality Management– Reduce pollutants that travel with NPS runoff

• Water Conservation Techniques– Decrease ground / surface water usage

• Wildlife and Habitat Enhancement– Preserve and/or enhance naturalized areas

• Education and Outreach– Communicate success and involve the community

Water Quality Action Bristol-Myers Squibb

• Onsite annual stream restorations

• Research pond algae control

• Determine and implement methods for phosphorus reduction

• Reduction in fertilizer use

Water Quality Action

Carriage Farm

• Establishment of a Rain Garden for stormwater runoff

• Use of a combination of goose control methods for nutrient runoff

• Minimize runoff from the site and maintain stream bank vegetation through establishment of buffers and livestock fencing

Water Quality ActionJanssen Pharmaceutica

• Integrated Pest Management• “No-mow” and “no-spray”

zones (10-20 feet) around all water bodies

• Use of Native Plants• Use of slow-release and

organic fertilizers to reduce run-off contamination

• Pond Aeration and Water Quality Monitoring

• Protect onsite wetlands

Water Quality ActionJ&J Skillman

• Integrated Pest Management Plan that helped decrease pesticide use by 54% between 2003-2005.

• Conducted soil tests. Started working with Corporate to amend contract to base fertilizer amounts on samples, conditions, and weather, not on contracts.

• Eliminated fertilizer use on 11.6 acres

• Installed vegetative buffers around two ponds and in two swales.

Water Quality ActionStony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association

• Pond analysis• Rain Garden • Visual assessments of

streams on property• Soil test new garden areas

Water Quality ActionStony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority

• Eliminated use of weed control on sidewalks and curbs

• Organized a Millstone River cleanup

• Site soil tests taken for new areas

• Do not use fertilizers on lawns

Water Quality ActionsResidents

• Stormwater– Direct gutters away from pavement, cover exposed soil areas, minimize impervious

surfaces, pick up pet waste, keep storm drains free of debris, minimize my winter salt use

• Lawn and Garden Maintenance– Take a Soil Test, do not use fertilizers, use slow release/organic fertilizers are used based

on results from a soil test, use compost as a lawn/garden amendment, leave grass clippings on the lawn, maintain a mowing height at 2-3 inches, over-seeding and aerating lawn, minimize lawn areas

• Chemical Usage– Minimize use, spot spray, tolerate pests, integrated approach

• Waterbodies– Fencing off livestock, maintaining buffers, having one access point

• Septic System Management– Knowing location, inspections and maintenance, no antibacterial products

Resident Action Results

• 30% have taken a soil test

• 83% have no exposed soil areas or cover exposed soil to reduce runoff

• 77% reported leaving grass clippings

• 90% of those with septic systems report inspecting/pumping septic system routinely

Program and Message Outreach Opportunities

• Presentations to various groups:gardens clubs, moms clubs, home owners associations

• Topic related workshops for professionals and residents (IPM, rain gardens, organic landcare)

• River-Friendly Programs working in other target areas SBWA, NJWSA

• Landowner Education Workshop on Nov. 10 – hosted by The Watershed Institute

• Promotion through website, newsletters, public events, e-mail listserv, newspaper articles/media