Cooperative Conservation Working in New Jersey

USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Merlyn Carlson recently joined other Federal, State, and local leaders and conservation partners at Pursel’s Mill Dam in Warren County, New Jersey, to commemorate the restoration of Lopatcong Creek.  NRCS participated in the project through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, providing technical assistance and $72,500 toward the project cost.

A 75-year-old mill dam behind the Pursel’s Agway was breached and the stream bed restored to open up 10 miles of stream for fish passage along the Lopatcong Creek, a tributary to the Delaware River.  Volunteers and professional staff have started to stabilize the stream bank and plant native vegetation.  An innovative project design preserved historically significant elements of the area while achieving the goals of river restoration.

NRCS, American Rivers, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Community-Based Restoration Program, US Fish & Wildlife Service, North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development, New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, and Warren County partnered with landowner Harry Pursel to accomplish the restoration.  Princeton Hydro designed the project and supervised the construction effort and Enviro-Air Technologies removed the dam and restored the stream.
Your contact is Barbara Phillips, NRCS public affairs specialist, at 752-537-6044.