Highland Park Environment

Joan Ehrenfeld Out in the Field (Bear Mountain)

We regret to announce the passing of Dr. Joan G. Ehrenfeld on June 25 after a year long battle with acute leukemia. She was a world-renowned  plant ecologist and professor at Rutgers University. The above image is Joan out in the field where she enjoyed getting into the dirt and the mud.

She was very involved in many aspects of the Highland Park community including the Environmental Commission. Her  Obituary is here. Her website at Rutgers can be found here, which documents her scientific interests and passions.

Our condolences to her husband David Ehrenfeld,  her children, and her extended family.  We share the loss with her students,  colleagues, and her many friends.

The Highland Park Earth and Health Fair 2011 will be at the High School Cafeteria and Gym on Tuesday, May 10 from 6-9 PM.  This year’s fair will feature the kick off of “It’s in Our Power Highland Park” campaign (http://ourpowerhighlandpark.org/) to reduce our Carbon Foot Print and save energy and money.

The event is free and has activities for all ages. See the HP Earth and Health Fair poster Earth_and_Health_Poster_11x17_v3-1 for more details.

Sustainable Raritan River will be hosting the 3rd Annual Raritan River Conference on Thursday, June 16, on the Cook College Campus. More information can be found at http://www.blueraritan.org/ (right hand side of the page).

Also Sustainble Raritan River is hosting the 2nd Annual River Float on Sunday, June 12. Information on this event can also be found at http://www.blueraritan.org/

The draft maps and tables of the Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) were presented at the Planning Board meeting, February 17, for the public, Planning Board, Environmental Commission, and other officials. The slide can be found here.

HighlandPark_ERI_Presentation_Feb_17_2011

If you have any comments on the ERI contents, please sent us an e-mail at HiglandParkERI@gmail.com.

Upon completion of the ERI, the planning board will vote on including the ERI as part of the Borough’s Master Plan. All Borough ordinances must be consistent with the Master Plan.

Public Presentation  - February 17, 7:30 PM, at Borough Hall to present the draft GIS maps of the Highland Park ERI

Highland Park Rock Formations - From draft ERI

The Environmental Commission has received a Smart Growth grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) to generate an updated Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI). An ERI is an objective document that contains a variety of data about the Borough’s geography, geology and soils, infrastructure, open space, impervious cover, land use, streams and rivers, plants, wildlife, and endangered species, history, archeology, and much more.

A key feature of an ERI is the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) maps to present the data (see above). Multiple map layers are used to present ERI data in a more meaningful manner. For example layers showing streams, soils, and elevation contours would pinpoint areas prone to flooding and erosion.

Why generate an ERI?

The purpose of the ERI is to provide objective, reliable data in one document so that borough officials (Mayor, Borough Council, Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Advisory Committee, and the Construction Office) can make more informed decisions by taking numerous variables into consideration. Similarly, it is a tool for the public to use.

When the updated ERI is completed, the planning board will review the document and vote on accepting the ERI as part of the Borough’s Master Plan.  Borough Land Use Ordinances must be consistent with the Master Plan.

The ERI will also provide literature references and Internet references to the compiled data as well as additional Internet tools.

How is the ERI being generated?

A project team composed of members of the Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Advisory Committee, Sustainable Highland Park, and a Borough Council member is generating the ERI.

The project team has selected Kratzers Environmental Services of Frenchtown, NJ to write the ERI and generate the GIS maps based on state and county data, and data provided by the project team. In 1992 the Environmental Commission generated the original ERI. The updated document will provide an objective assessment of changes that have occurred in the borough since 1992. The original 1992 ERI is available at (www.leoraw.com/hpenv/info/HP_NRI_1992_Final.pdf).

How can you help?

The Project Team needs and wants to have your input! There will be a joint Planning Board /Environmental Commission meeting on February 17, 7:30 PM, at Borough Hall to present the draft GIS maps of the Highland Park ERI to the public and borough officials.  Please join us for the presentation and be part of the process.

The draft GIS maps and Tables are available for your review at the links below

Draft_ERI_HighlandPark_Figures_1a_to_1f

Draft_ERI_HighlandPark_Figures_2a_to_2h

Draft_ERI_HighlandPark_Figures_3a_to_4i

Draft_ERI_HighlandPark_Figures_5a_to_6g

Draft_ERI_HighlandPark_Figures_7a_to_10

Draft_ERI_HighlandPark_Tables_Feb_2011

Do you know of any sites in Highland Park that have important wildlife or plants? Are there historical buildings or significant environments in Highland Park that you think that should be included in the ERI?  Is there infrastructure you would like to see included? Let us know your thoughts. Those who cannott attend the February 17 meeting can forward any questions/comments to HighlandParkERI@gmail.com.

When will the ERI be completed and who will have access to the completed ERI?

The ERI is scheduled to be completed by June 2011. Hard copies of the completed ERI will be available to the public for review at the Borough Clerk’s office and the Public Library. The Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Advisory Commission, Sustainable Highland Park, Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Construction Office will have hard copies of the ERI for their use. The completed ERI will be available to the public for review, use, and download at the Environmental Commission’s website (www.leoraw.com/hpenv) and the Borough’s website (www.hpboro.com).

The New Jersey Association of Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) has awarded the Borough of Highland Park/Environmental Commission a $7,600 Smart Growth Planning Grant for an Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI). The grant is a 1-1 matching grant.  Borough Council has approved a match of $3,800 in cash. The grant also requires a $3,800 in-kind services match, which will by be provided by volunteers.  Previously the borough generated a Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) in 1992, which can be found at http://www.leoraw.com/hpenv/info/HP_NRI_1992_Final.pdf. This document will be updated and expanded with the latest digital technology to a state of the art ERI.

A Project Team composed of members of the Highland Park Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Advisory Committee, and Sustainable Highland Park will work with Kratzer Environmental Services (www.kratzerenv.com) of Frenchtown, NJ, which was awarded the contract to produce the ERI. An example of a state of the art ERI can be found at http://kratzerenv.com/Bedminster_NRI_Feb_2010_FINAL.pdf.

ERI’s typically are a compilation of environmental, natural, and historical/cultural information about a town or city. They contain a range of topics including topography, soils, water resources, wildlife, vegetation and historic places. The Highland Park updated ERI will expand existing topics and also include information on climate, infrastructure, open space, air quality, contaminated sites, recycling, and potential archeological sites. The document’s text will be supplemented with Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, a now standard planning tool that was unavailable when the original NRI was created. The mapping technique allows the overlay of features (e.g. open space) on to a satellite image or a street map, which frequently gives a far better representation of the information than a table.

An ERI is an objective baseline document about the city or town. It is used for better management of local resources and the environment and for sound decision-making based on objective data. This updated document will include an objective review of various changes, which have occurred since 1992.  The ERI will also provide numerous references (literature and Internet) and additional Internet tools.

Residents, who wish to comment on the draft ERI or to contribute information on local environmental issues, geographical features, and historical landmarks, will have the opportunities to do so at two public sessions, which will be scheduled for early next year. Notices will be published on this website and the borough website (www.hpboro.com). Residents, who have information on sightings of endangered animal species or rare plants in the borough, can forward information to the project team at HighlandParkERI@gmail.com.

In mid 2011 the updated ERI will be presented to the Borough Planning Board for adoption and inclusion into the Borough’s Master Plan. The ERI will be make available to the public in both print and digital versions. The digital version will be posted on the Environmental Commission website and the borough website (www.hpboro.com). A hard copy will be available in the Borough Clerk’s office and at the Public Library. If you have any questions about the ERI contact the Project Team at HighlandParkERI@gmail.com or through this website (http://www.leoraw.com/hpenv/contact.php).

Come enjoy October weather and pitch in to help out our community at The Meadows, the largest community owned natural area in Highland Park. Bordered by Edison to the east and the Raritan River to the south, its 18 acres include forested areas, open meadow, wetlands, open streams, and important floodplain areas along the Raritan River. An 8 acre portion of The Meadows was used as a borough landfill from 1940 to 1977 and the impacts of that use are visible in many locations. But like similar sites in other urbanized areas, The Meadows is now a recovering environment and its ecological functions and value continue to improve.
In addition to being a valuable resource for the community in general, The Meadows is also important for native plants and wildlife. Listed as a “significant habitat area” by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Meadows boasts a diverse array of wildlife and serves as an important part of the Raritan River migration corridor.
When Sunday October 24th 10:00AM – 1:00PM
Where The Meadows, Corner of S. 5th Ave. and Valentine St.
Who All ages. All must sign a waiver to participate.
What Bring drinks and a snack.
Wear long pants, closed shoes, long sleeves and work gloves