CITY OF’ JERSEY CITY,

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

David A. Vaccari, Ph.D, P.E. Anne Witt, M.S.

April, 1993 PREFACE .

This work is the second of two parts constituting an Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) for the City of Jersey City, New Jersey. The work was commissioned by the Jersey City Department of Housing and Economic Development. The author would like to acknowledge Paul Blumenthal and Betty Keams of that department for bringing this work out and for providing most of the sources for the information which is contained in it.

The fEst part of the ERI is concerned only with the physical environment, including a description of the land, air and water in and around the City. This second part is restricted to a description of the biological resources of the City. Discussions of uses for the ERI, and the methods used in producing it are contained in the Introduction to Part 1.

David A. Vaccari, Ph.D., P.E. Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ 07030 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...... 1 OVERVIEW OF JERSEY CITY ...... 2. . . . . BASIC ECOLOGY ...... ~.8.~..~...... 4 Urban Ecosystems ...... 5...... ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS ...... *...... 9 Hudson River/NY Bay ...... 9 ...... Phytoplankton ...... 9 . . . . . Zooplankton ...... 11 . . . . . Benthic organisms...... 12 Fish...... 13 Hackensack River ...... 15 . . . . . Newark Bay ...... *...... *...... 16 Pollution Impacts on Estuary Resources ...... 17 . . SALT MARSH ...... 19 Hudson and Upper NY Bay ...... 19 . . . . Hackensack Meadowlands ...... 21. . . . . TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS ...... *...... 22. . . FRESHWATER HABITATS ...... 23 . . . . . APPENDICES ...... 24 Appendix I -- References ...... 24. . . . . Appendix II -- Tables of species...... 26 . . . . Table 1 ...... 26 . . Table II ...... 28. . . Table III ...... ~...... 29 Table IV ...... ~~~~.~...8.~~~ 30 Appendix III -- List of maps ...... 34. . . . . Appendix IV -- Maps...... 35 MaPl ...... 35 Map2 ...... 36 Map3 ...... 37 Map 4 ...... 38 MaP5 ...... 39 Map6 ...... 40 CITY OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS David A. Vaccari, Ph.D, P.E. Anne Witt, M.S.

April, 1993

This, Part II of the Jersey City Environmental Resource Inventory(ERI), concentrates only on the biological resources of the City. A brief summary of Part I is given under the section entitled “Overview of Jersey City”, as the biological environment can only be understood in the context of its physical environment. The biological environment will be discussed from an ecosystem point of view. Each of the major types of Jersey City ecosystems is described in turn. The section, “Urban Ecosystems” will introduce some basic concepts from ecology which will be used in this report.

The section “Conclusions and Recommendations” lists the parts of Jersey City’s biological environment which are in greatest need of preservation or restoration. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 2

OVERVIEW OF JERSEY CITY

Jersey city has an area of 16 square miles, with a population density of 1,42O/square miles. It shares a peninsula with the City of Bayonne to the south (see map 1). The peninsula separates Newark Bay and the Hackensack River from Upper New York Harbor (Hudson River). The lower Hackensack Valley forms a large salt marsh called the Hackensack Meadowlands, part of which is in Jersey City. Manhattan lies across the Hudson River to the east. The waters surrounding the City lie at the heart of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary.

The City lies astride major rail and highway transportation routes connecting Manhattan with points in New Jersey and to the south and west. Port facilities occupied much of the New York Harbor shore until recently, when many of these, together with nearby industrial areas, have been converted to residential, office, or public use.

The climate of Jersey City is classified as humid and continental. The normal precipitation is 41.45 inches per year, and the average wind speed is 10.2 miles per hour. The annual snow fall is 28.6 inches. Extremes of temperature range from -14 OF to 105 OF. The average monthly temperatures range from 31.4 degrees F in January to 76.4 degrees F in July. Humidity is a fairly constant 60 percent throughout the year.

The dominant physical feature of Jersey City is the Palisades ridge which runs north- south through the center of the City. The ridge tapers from a maximum elevation of 170 feet at the northern border of the city, where it forms cliffs on its eastern flank, to 40 feet of elevation near Bayonne in the south. The ridge is composed of diabase. The bedrock underlying the other areas consists of sandstone, shale and conglomerate, with a small area of schist.

The soil of the upland area consists of a heterogenous mix deposited by glaciers. There are reddish soils derived from sandstone and yellowish soils derived from diabase. The low-lying areas along the water on both sides of the ridge may consist of extensive areas of fill overlying old salt-water marshes. The soils of the Meadowlands, and some Hudson marsh areas, consist of an organic soil and vegetation up to 15 feet thick, PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 3 overlying fine sediments deposited in tidal marshes. This overlies several feet of fine sand. Below these layers are thick deposits of varied silty clays (formed when the area was inundated by the ancient freshwater lake). Finally, gravel and bedrock lie at depths ranging from zero to hundreds of feet below the surface. Industrial waste containing high concentrations of chromium contaminated fill used in many areas of Hudson County.

The major surface waters in Jersey City are those water bodies which form its boundaries: Penhom Creek, the Hackensack, and Newark Bay on the east. Lincoln Park has two small lakes. The City’s drainage system is a combined sewer which also carries sanitary waste. This is a significant source of water pollution during and after rainstorms. The mean tidal range is 4.6 feet, but may be up to 5.4 feet during spring tides. The 100 year flood is reported to be 9.3 feet above mean sea level.

Water temperatures in Upper New York Harbor range from 1.8 to 2.5 degrees C in January, to 26.3 to 27.8 degrees in July. The salinity of the Harbor ranges from 25 to 28 ppt during high runoff periods. Salinity in the Hackensack River ranges from 1 to 18 ppt, and in Penhom Creek it varies from 0.2 to 1.0 ppt. Dissolved oxygen levels near shore have been observed as low as 3.0 mg/l, but are usually above 4.0 mg/l, and more commonly around 6.0 mg/l. Levels in Newark Bay and the lower Hackensack are about 3.0 mg/l, but are usually above 4.0 mg/l, and more commonly around 6.0 mg/l. The marine sediments surrounding Jersey City are highly organic, and may be septic (devoid of oxygen) in heavily impacted areas such as those near drainage outfalls. Some Hudson River sediments are contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB).

Jersey City suffers from two air quality problems -- one is a local problem, the other being regional in nature. The local problem is carbon monoxide emissions due to vehicles. Carbon monoxide may exceed standards at specific sites, typically near busy intersections or highways. Theregional problem is that of ozone produced by chemical reactions of hydrocarbon pollutants in the atmosphere. The ozone standard was violated at a site near Jersey City on three days in 1986 and ten days in 1987 (attributed to the hotter weather in 1987). PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 4

BASIC ECOLOGY

Ecology is the science which describes the interactions among biological organisms and between the organisms and their physical environment. An ecosystem is the whole comprised of groups of organisms which share an environment, and includes the environment itself. The individual organisms--plants and animals--lie at the heart of the ecosystem. The individuals are grouped into species based upon their ability to reproduce among themselves.

All ecosystems require a source of energy for the growth and maintenance of its organisms. In most natural ecosystems the source of energy is the sun, which is fixed by green plants. The green plants are termed primary producers. The biological productivity of an ecosystem may be measured in terms of the mass of plant material produced. For example, a healthy salt marsh has been found to produce about nine tons of biomass per acre per year. This can be compared to an average of one and a half tons produced by a one acre wheat field in a year [ 11.

All other organisms ultimately depend on the primary producers for their food. Thus the primary producers may be considered to form the base of a hierarchy, or chain, of dependencies known as the food pyramid. The successive levels going up the pyramid include herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores, and primary and secondary predators. At each step up the pyramid the size of the population decreases because of the energy lost at each step. As a result the higher organisms require a large base of primary producers

to supportaa them. This also makes them more suscentibleI to disturbances in the ecosystem.

Food energy may also be imported into an ecosystem from outside primary producers. A relevant example is the addition of sewage pollution into a waterway. Organic matter in the waste may support the growth of organisms up the food chain. Examples of such chains are:

BacteriaQmicroscopic animals(=>fish~birds or Household garbageerats and seagulls PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 5

Thus it can be seen that although an ecosystem may be supported by pollution, the organisms which benefit might not include man.

The complex dependencies among organisms in an ecosystem can be more accurately described as a food web, as shown in Figure 1 [l]. The two food webs shown illustrate one of the important effects of pollution--a decrease in the species diversity. Biological diversity is an indication of the health of an ecosystem. Figure 1 compares a healthy salt marsh ecosystem to a severely impacted one. Several formulae exist to compute diversity indexes, which may be used to compare diversity of different ecosystems. These indexes may be based both on the number of species present, and on the number of individuals of each species found.

In this report, the number and type of species present are used as indicators of biological health. Certain species are considered to be indicators of a stressed environment, by virtue of their tolerance of conditions that exist in a perturbed environment such as the presence of contaminants, or the limited availability of essential physical features such as dissolved oxygen in the aquatic environment.

Urban Ecosystems As an area is developed the destruction of habitat has a profound effect on the organisms that inhabit the area. For example, when residential housing and commercial building is initiated trees are cut, wetlands are filled in and fields are plowed under. Shoreline is often secured with bulkheads, piers and docks are built, and channels are dredged to keep waterways navigable. The original habitats are built on and paved over. Yards and other green areas are landscaped and planted with grass and ornamental species of trees and shrubs and flowers.

Heavy human use changes the complexion of undeveloped areas within a city. Isolated natural areas may be preserved in the form of parks or overlooked as vacant land, but the development of the surrounding areas has an impact on the remaining natural areas. These areas have the characteristics of islands and generally support a lower diversity of plant and animal life. Larger animals require a minimum amount of space to maintain a population large enough to survive and reproduce. Extinctions occur more easily in these areas due to their isolation. Much of the original wildlife will not survive. PAGE 6 PART II -- BIOLOGIC& SYSTEMS UNPOUUED ~=HIUfUARY ‘ll=lE ECOLOGY OF AN /-

’ THE ECOLOGY OF THE HACKENSACKMARSH/ESTUARY

REOWWG BLACKBIRO GRACKU YAMOW I VaLow LEG

. ILLUSTRATED SCHEMATIC THE HACKENSACK _ moo - -TAT AM0 NESTING )(I- 0 l ~WICIM TO Mm MARSH/ESTUARY Figure 1. The food web of an ecosystem [l]. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 7

. All organisms have a specific range of conditions under which they can exist. A mature ecosystem is usually characterized by a great diversity of organisms, many of which can sun&e only in a very narrow range of physical and biological conditions.

These organisms can be referred to as specialists and are very sensitive to changes in their environment. A young ecosystem, one which is in an early stage of succession, is usually characterized by organisms that can survive and reproduce over a wide range of adverse conditions. These organisms are referred to as generalists. They aggressively colonize disturbed areas and therefore can be referred to as opportunistic species.

Typically, in urban habitats, diversity is much lower than that in all but the harshest . natural environments. The frequent disturbances allow opportunistic species to colonize open areas because all competition from other organisms with more specific requirements has been eliminated. When a region is disturbed, physical destruction causes loss of areas for animals to nest and seek shelter. The loss of topsoil, the presence of toxic chemicals, or changes in the pH of the soil from building debris, such as concrete and mortar, allow only the most tenacious of plant species to survive, thus limiting the food source for the animal population.

The species that survive under these types of conditions are the opportunistic R- selected species, those that produce a great many young with a low survival rate. These are species that, in the absence of competition from other organisms, can rapidly become significant pests such as rats, mice and, among the plants, common weeds such as ragweed.

Urban habitats usually have lowered species diversity, compared to natural systems, although the overall abundance of plants and animals may be similar. These surviving species are often less desirable than the original population.

An example of the change that occurs in the plant community in urban areas is the change from birch-beach-sugar maple forests to fields of herbaceous plants such as ragweed and goldenrod, tree of heaven (ailanthus) and sumac. Another is the change from white cedar swamps or salt marshes to fields of phragmites.

In estuaries the dredging of channels disturb and sometimes eliminates colonies of benthic (bottom dwelling) organisms. In both fresh and salt water environments algal . PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 8

. blooms from increased nutrients found in storm water runoff and sewage discharges can cause anoxic (oxygen deficient) conditions due to increased biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) caused by decomposition of the algae. Decomposition of domestic sewage and garbage by bacteria can also lower the oxygen content of the water.

Fish populations, including commercially important species, do not survive in the absense of dissolved oxygen. Many commercially important fish are anadromous, that is they live most of their lives in salt water but move up the estuary toward fresh water to breed. Therefore the estuary is vital as a spawning area and nursery ground for a large percentage of commercially important fish. Unfortunately, as a result, the pollution found in urban estuaries thus causes a threat to life in the oceans. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 9

ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS

An estuary is a water body where salt and fresh waters mix. Jersey City is located at the heart of the Hudson estuary (see map 2). The Hudson estuary consists of a number of brackish water bodies, several of which form Jersey City’s boundaries. These include the Hackensack River, Newark Bay, Upper New York Harbor and the Hudson River.

HUDSON RIVER/NY BAY

Phytoplankton The primary producers in an estuary are the phytoplankton -- microscopic plants including algae and diatoms. Phytoplankton were sampled in 1980 in the lower region of the Hudson between Manhattan and Jersey City and the upper New York Harbor [2]. Fifty-one taxa were found, (see table l), including 17 chlorophytes, and 22 bacillariophytes. Cyanophyta, crysophyta, and pyrrophyta accounted for 12 taxa. Occurrence of phytoplankton varies seasonally, dependent on temperature, nutrient availability and intensity of sunlight. Sixteen taxa were considered common, defined in the study as comprising at least 5% of total phytoplankton availability, during one or more months. Five of these taxa were chlorophyta and six were diatoms.

The population of diatoms was at its lowest in spring and gradually increased to comprise 80% of the sample population in winter. Dinoflagellates showed less seasonal fluctuation. Numbers were low in winter and spring but increased slightly to account for 10% of the summer sample. A bloom of chryptophyta, 80% of the sample, occurred in the spring, decreasing to 39% in summer and 4.6% in winter.

Differences in the community structure were evident between the fresher up-river areas, the lower Hudson River and the upper bay. The more saline downstream area is less diverse and more heavily dominated by marine diatoms and brown algae that occur in great abundance in summer and are fairly infrequent in winter. Green algae and bluegreens are more abundant than dinoflagellates and chryptophyta. The nutrient levels are high and the productivity tends to be greater than that of the river. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 10

Twenty seven dominant species of phytoplankton and other species in smaller numbers were identified off shore of . The dominant species was the diatom Skeletonema costatum which made up 40.5% of the mean annual total[3]. The Texas Instruments study [ ] found 18 species of diatoms, 10 species of green algae, 4 species of dinoflagellates and 3 species of blue green algae (see table 1). This study also agreed that diatoms were the dominant species and noted that green algae increased in the fall and early winter and that blue green algae were only found in very small numbers except in late summer. Chryptomonads and dynoflagellates were most significant in spring and summer. The total number of individuals was highest in summer and lowest in fall and winter, probably related to temperature and availability of . light. .

Although the New York Bay system is well supplied with nutrients, primary productivity is limited by the availability of light [2]. Sewage discharges and dredging cause turbidity which limit light penetration. Due to the large number of industrial and domestic sewage discharges and the contaminated runoff from the urban shoreline there is reduced species diversity. The phytoplankton population is limited to pollution tolerant forms. There is a danger of anoxic conditions developing due to increased biological oxygen demand (BOD) associated with the decomposition of plankton formed when blooms occur due to excess nutrient influx. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 11

Zooplankton Zooplankton are small or microscopic animals which function in the ecosystem as primary and secondary consumers feeding on phytoplankton or smaller zooplankton.As do the phytoplankton, they may fluctuate on a seasonal basis depending on food sufiply and temperature. They are distributed by current and tidal patterns.

In the lower Hudson River and upper bay area in the 1980 study referenced above, microzooplankton were observed at a spring high of greater than 100,000 organisms/cubic meter (m3) [2]. This declined during the summer to 10% of the spring population, showing a slight rise in September. The lowest yearly abundance occurs mid-fall through early winter, with a rise to greater than 20,000 organisms/m3 in mid- winter.

In spring copepods were present at greater than 10,000 organisms/m3, then decreased to less than 1,000 organisms/m 3 . Copepods were estimated at 45% composition of zooplankton in spring, 80% in summer, 66% in fall and 14% in winter.

Thoracia was counted at 42% of the total composition, or 20,000 organisms/m3 for the sample population in spring, 21% in summer and almost 0% in winter. Rotifera made up 12% of the sample composition in spring and decreased to zero by mid- summer. In late summer the population of the rotifers increased through fall when they were estimated at 27% and continued to increase through to January and February when the maximum population was estimated at 11,000 organisms/m3 or 96% composition.

The overall community of microzooplankton was stable except for a decline between December and January, even though species abundance and community dominance underwent seasonal variation.

In spring the mysid shrimp, Neomysis americana, averaged 48 1 organism/l,000 m3 which was 42.8% of the total composition of the spring sample. They comprised 54% of the summer sample, 35% of the fall sample and 52% of the winter sample.

Cumacea was found to be present at 10 to 100 organisms/1000 m3. In spring through late summer the population increased 100 times and declined through mid- winter. Cumacea comprised 6% of the sample population in summer, 4% in winter and 48% in the fall. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 12

Amphipods were present at 10-100 organisms/l0 m3 in the spring. The population was lowest in number in late fall, then increased to a December peak with a sudden drop in numbers afterward.

Balunas (barnacle) larvae were commonly found in the interpier area along the shore, obviously due to the fact that piers serve as areas for attachment for adult barnacles. The copepod and rotifer population was found to be lower in the interpier areas, possibly due to reduced water quality associated with algal blooms triggered by nutrient runoff.

, Benthic organisms The Benthos are the organisms that make up the bottom community. Common stresses to benthic environment in urban areas are pollutants such as oil from surface runoff, sewage discharges which increase BOD, thus decreasing available oxygen, industrial discharges of toxic chemicals and physical disturbances such as dredging for construction or to deepen channels. Typical of urban areas are localized areas with few or no benthic organisms due to one of the above mentioned stresses and a generally lowered species diversity composed of pollution tolerant organisms. The lowered diversity is not necessarily accompanied by reduced numbers of individuals, however, as the lowered diversity engenders lowered competition, greater numbers of individuals of each species may be present.

In the lower Hudson River/upper bay area spring populations of benthic macroinvertebrates averaged approximately 200,000 organisms/square meter (m2). These numbers decreased in June to less than 5,000 organisms/m2, and increased to 20,000 organisms/m2 in late fall and winter [2].

Nematodes numbered 90,000 organisms/m2 in late spring. Their numbers decreased in early summer and by early winter numbered 700 organisms/m2 with a small additional rise in mid-winter.

Polycheate worms were at their peak numbers in late spring, 90,000 organisms/m2, when along with the nematodes they were the dominant benthic organisms. The Polycheates decreased to 200 organisms/m2 by July then increased to 4000 organism/m2 by mid-fall. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 13

Oligocheates were estimated at 20,000 organisms/m2 in late spring-early summer, their population size decreased until late fall when they began to rise again. During the winter they accounted for 52% composition of the population of benthic organisms.

Amphipoda exhibited seasonal population fluctuation. Their overall abundance was lower than that of oligocheates, polycheates or nematodes. Amphipods numbered less than 30 organisms/m2 through the spring, zero in summer through mid-fall then rose sharply. In early winter they dropped then slowly increased to the spring maximum.

, The overall abundance of benthic organisms appears to be greater in the Hudson River in spring and summer with a steady decline through fall and winter. In the interpier area the benthic organisms are most abundant in spring due to a great abundance of nematodes. The population declines over the summer and drops far below other river sites, probably due to low oxygen availability. During the rest of the year the population is similar to the rest of the river.

Fish Fish range from the lower level of consumers to the top of the food chain depending on the species. The Texas Instrument study [3] identifies 32 species of fish in Caven Cove, in samples taken between August 15, 1975 and July 21, 1976 (see table 2). Summer and autumn catch supplied 90% of the individuals. Young of the year comprised 60% of the individuals in the samples indicating that this area is largely a juvenile nursery area.

Near shore samples taken along the beach at Caven Point [3] found 28 species, 19 of which were young of the year. Six species made up 96% of the annual catch. Atlantic silversides (Menidia menidia) mumichogs (Fundulus majalus), and stripedkillifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) are year round residents. The Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchelli) is abundant only in spring and summer due to their spawning patterns. This area appears to be a nursery area for the striped bass, (Morone saxitalis), as indicated by the presence of juveniles.

Samples taken at a depth of 4-6 feet in depth found 15 species of fish. The following species comprised 85% of the sample: Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod)--a New Jersey threatened species -- striped bass, and American eel (Anguila american). These were taken largely during winter and spring. Seasonal variation in the catch were found. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 14

In May cold water fish -- winter flounder, tomcod and pollock -- were collected. The summer samples yielded warm water species, particularly bluefish, (Pomatomus saltatrix), Atlantic needlefish (Strongylura marina), Jack (Caranx hippos) and mullet (Mugil curema). These species are often present as young individuals. They wander . into the lower Hudson to feed and migrate southward as the water cools and they mature.

Offshore samples were taken at a depth of 7-21 feet. Bay anchovy and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) were the most common. Bay anchovy accounted for 99% of the catch. 98% of the total catch in this area was made during the summer months. The catch per unit effort and the species diversity (10 species) were the greatest at this time.

Offshore ichthyoplankton were sampled and 22 species were identified, again indicating the presence of spawning fish and the use of the area as a nursery ground. Oceanic spawners, specifically, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), Atlantic mackerel (Clupea harengus), Atlantic herring (Brevoortia tyrannus) and Atlantic menhaden were observed in the area of Liberty State Park. Additionally, the upriver spawners Atlantic tomcod and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), were observed.

Texas Instruments also conducted a gut analysis to gain information about feeding habits of the fish in the area of the park [3]. Based on the species found in the analysis it was concluded that many fish were feeding in the area immediately surrounding the park. Near shore species of filarnentous algae, invertebrates-mostly annelids, crustaceans, amphipoda, and polycheata were commonly found.

A 1982 survey with sampling points near , Greenville Yards and Caven Point found 14 species in June and 12 species in September [5]. The bay anchovy was the most abundant, making up 50% of the catch. Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americana), Striped sea robin (Prionotus evolans), and northern pipefish (Sygnathus fuscus) were also present. Seven of the eleven species found in shallow water habitats at Port Jersey were juveniles. Near the Greenville yards, where there are no shallow shoal areas, only Atlantic Tomcod juveniles were found.

The pier habitat along the lower Hudson supports a population of striped bass, white perch (Morone americana), winter flounder, tdmcod and bay anchovy. The endangered PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 15 species, the shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum), only occasionally passes through the deep channels of the lower Hudson.

In 1976, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish, Game and Shellfisheries conducted a survey of the aquatic organisms of Caven Cove. Six species of fish, mostly yearling striped bass were found. The other species, in order of abundance, are mumichog, pipefish, tomcod, silversides, and anchovy. Mumichog and silversides are residents year round. Striped bass and tomcod use the area as a nursery habitat in spring. The other species move in and out of the area, depending on their spawning and feeding habits and temperature requirements.

Claremont Channel is a side channel perpendicular to the main flow of the . The channel is severely stressed. The benthic community is relatively low in abundance and diversity. The channel is not viable for crab overwintering, and an adjacent oyster reef is no longer productive. It supports bay species of fish, winter flounder, silversides, killifish, mumichog, anchovy, striped bass and eels. Tomcod, weakfish (Cyunoscion regalis), bay anchovy and striped bass use the channel as a nursery area. Claremont Channel’s fish population is very similar to the population in the bay [6].

HACKENSACK RIVER

Investigations indicate that although man’s impact on the Hackensack River has been severe, the quality of the river may be improving. Striped bass, white perch and herring, specifically alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), and blueback herring are abundant. The flora and fauna of the Hackensack River should be similar to that of the Hudson, however, the Hackensack River, because of the Hackensack Water Company dam, now receives little freshwater input. Its major flow is due to tidal flushing of water from Newark Bay [7]. This severely limits the presence of anandramous species which require access to the upstream freshwater areas of the river for their life cycle. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 16

In 1976 the Army Corps of Engineers surveyed the organisms in Newark Bay [8]. Samples of the benthos yielded fourteen species. Among them were Nematoda, Polycheata (3 species, including Nereis and Streblospio bendicti), kelp, Balanus, Cyanthuyra polita, Neopanopeterana, Insecta, and the shellfish Mytylus edulus, and Tellina agilis. The most abundant were the Polycheate worm Nerus arenaceodora and the isopod Cyanthurra polita.

A study of Newark Bay conducted in 1985 [8] found that the benthos population followed a distinct pattern. Populations usually decrease in the summer. This is due to the spring rise in temperature causing a rise in the phytoplankton population which in turn cause a drop in dissolved oxygen through the combination of lower solubility and increased BOD due to algal decomposition. However, the 1985 study in Newark bay found greater numbers of species and greater average densities during summer sampling. This was true’in both deep and shallow water samples. Twice as many organisms were found in the.summer than in the spring. Three of the six most common species were dominant year round. These were Streblospio bendiciti, the worms Sabellaria vulgaris, and the shellfish Mya areanaria. All three are indicators of environmental stress and habitat disturbance. They are pollution-tolerant opportunistic species. The spring populations were dominated by the polychaete worms Scollecolepides uridis, Nereis succinea and Polydor ligni. They declined, to be replaced by Spio setosa, Balanus improvisus and Magula manhattanenis in summer.

As is common in a stressed environment, diversity is low but overall population numbers are not decreased, due to reduced competition from other species.

The fish population in Newark Bay is similar to the population in the Hudson Bay.

The 1985 study [8] indicated that winter flounder is common in the Newark Bay in the fall with numbers declining in winter with a slight increase in the spring again declining during the summer until the fall peak. The winter flounder spawns in the winter in shoal areas, but the decreased numbers indicate that spawning does not occur PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 17

: in Newark Bay. Newark Bay does, however, act as a nursery ground for the flounder. Juveniles are found in the spring.

Atlantic tomcod occurs in greatest number in the spring and summer.when juveniles dominate. Other common species found in Newark Bay are anchovy andweakfish (juveniles present in late summer through early fall). Weakfish spawn at the estuary mouth and the juveniles migrate toward fresh water. Few adults are found in the bay. The Bay Anchovy is numerous in Newark Bay, especially in the summer and early fall. They spawn in the Hudson and move through Newark Bay to the deeper waters of the New York Bight in the winter.

There are several migrant herring species that have been found in Newark Bay. Shad, alewife, menhaden, Atlantic and blueback herrings are coastal species that move through Newark Bay.

An important inhabitant of Newark Bay, and also found in the Hudson Bay and Hackensack River, is the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Females are found in brackish water from May to October.. Their population peaks in August and September. Mating occurs once for females while the shell is soft after molting. They move to brackish waters to mate but spend the rest of their lives in the saltier water of the estuary mouth or near-shore ocean. Males can be found in brackish water year round. The blue crab is a pollution-tolerant organism. It can tolerate a wide range of salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen. The crab is a typical R-selected species. The female lays 700,000 to 2 million eggs, and the survival rate for larva is low. The larval stage is found throughout the Newark Bay, Hudson River, Hackensack River, Hudson Bay estuary complex. Young crabs move up river to areas where the salinity is less than 20 parts per thousand.

Pollution Impacts on Estuary Resources The New York Harbor, Hudson River, Newark Bay, and Hackensack River form an important estuary system, however, the system has been highly stressed. Two hundred years of development, farming, fishing, commerce, trade and industrialization has altered this estuary system and resulted in an overall lowering of species diversity.

In August 1984 the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department Of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) ordered a prohibition on the sale and consumption of all fish and shellfish taken from the tidal PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 18

Passaic River, and striped bass and blue claw crabs taken from Newark Bay, the tidal Hackensack River, the Arther Kill and the Kill Van Kull. The action was prompted by the results of a study done by the NJDEP’s Office of Science and Research [9]. The study was conducted during the summer of 1983 after 2,3,7,8- tetra-chlorodibenzo-p- dioxin (2,3,7&TCDD), commonly known as Dioxin, was discovered by the NJDEP at the Diamond Alkali sites in Newark, New Jersey.

The Food and Drug Administrations’s (FDA) levels of concern for 2,3,7,8-TCDD in fish and shellfish are as follows: greater than 50 ppt (parts per trillion) no consumption is allowed, 25-50 ppt no more than one meal/week for infrequent consumers and no more than two meals per month for frequent consumers. At levels of less than 25 ppt there is no limit placed on consumption. The level of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in a mixture of muscle and hepatopancreas of blue claw crabs taken from Newark Bay ranged from 320. 570 ppt. Striped bass taken from Newark Bay ranged from 32-56 ppt. Blue claw crabs taken from the Hackensack River ranged from 270-1063 ppt. Blue claw crabs and striped bass taken from the lower Hudson River showed no detectable levels.

However, in the Hudson River, as well as the upper New York Bay and Newark Bay, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s) in fish and shellfish are well above the FDA’s tolerance level of 2 ppm (parts per million). The mean for striped bass is 3.49 ppm, for white perch 4.87 ppm, for American eel 4.87, ppm for bluefish 3.45 ppm, for Blue claw crab muscle and hepatopancreas mixture 2.08 ppm, and for white catfish 4.87 ppm. N.J.A.C. 7:25-18A. 1 et seq. 1982 closed commercial fisheries and put forth public health advisories for recreational fishermen for the Hudson River, New York Harbor and Newark Bay in response to the elevated PCB levels found [lo]. See maps 3 and 4 for closed and advisory areas. . . \ .

PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 19

SALT MARSH

Hudson and Upper NY Bay Heavy industrialization of the coastline between the and the Statue of Liberty has caused great ecological stress from pollutants on benthos, fishes, plankton, and all aquatic organisms. Undisturbed natural areas are rare. Therefore one of the most valuable environmental resources in Jersey City are the salt marshes of Liberty State Park and Caven Point Natural Area. Salt marshes are vital in the life of the estuary and therefore to the health of our oceans and the important food source they provide to the world’s human population.

Liberty State Park consists of 736 acres of old fields, shrublands, and coastal edges along the Hudson River. The park is located directly opposite the Statue of Liberty and receives thousands of visitors every year. However, the natural areas are not heavily used by the visitors. Most visitors come to see the statue or picnic on the lawns. The wildlife and vegetation in natural areas are left fairly undisturbed [4].

Caven Point Natural Area is located to the south of Liberty State Park. It consists of a small salt marsh and upland beach area. A tidal mudflat extends the full length of the beach. The upland beach is vegetated primarily by Pannic grass (Panicium sp.), beach grass, (Ammophila sp.), and Phragmites. Caven Point Pier is located at the Natural Area’s southern boundary and is frequently used by fishermen and bird watchers. Man’s impact on Caven Point Natural Area has been limited and is probably not permanent [4]. The natural area is protected, it is not a recreation area and therefore is subject to less intrusion by man.

Liberty State Park and Caven Point Natural Area are of great importance because they contain one of the last intact natural estuary areas on the Hudson River. Here is found the northernmost salt bay community on the Hudson River. It covers approximately 3/4 of an acre. Thisnatural coastal edge community consists of salt marsh and tidal mudflats. The salt marsh is characterized by Spartina altemiflora, (cord grass) found in the low marsh which is the area that is regularly inundated by the tides, PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 20 and Spartina patens (salt hay), found in the high marsh which is inundated only rarely by extreme tide or storms.

The mudflats have a sand and mud substrate and are covered with oyster fragments (Crassostrea virginica) and other debris. Eel grass (Zostera sp.) may be present in areas where the mudflat is exposed only briefly at low tide or only during the spring tides c111 .

The salt marsh supports abundant wildlife. It provides habitat for ribbed muscles (h@xliolus demissus), bait fish, young game fish and waterbirds. The marsh at Caven Point is also building, as evidenced by rhizomes extending outward toward the mudflat 141 .

A survey conducted by Texas Instruments in 1975 through 1976 reported 10,783 species of waterfowl [3]. In winter 54,530 canvasback ducks (Aythyaa valisharia), 2334 buffelheads, 714 gadwall (Aras strepera) and 646 black ducks (A. rubripes) were observed. In all, 18 species were sighted (see table 3). Brant (Branta bemicla), canada goose (B. canadensis), mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and greater ( A. marita) and lesser scaup (A. affinus) were also sighted.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP’s) Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife has identified this area as one of the most important habitats along the Hudson River in New Jersey for diving ducks [4]. Also overwintering in the marshes are clapper rails, (Rallus longirosta) northern harriers (Circus hudsonicus), the short-eared owl (Asio flammens), and terns [3]. In the waters around the parks the common gulls great black-backed gull (Laras marinus), herring gull (L. argentatus), ring-billed gull (L. delawaresis), laughing gulls (L. atricilla) and the rare gulls black headed gull, (L. ridibindus) and little gull (L. Minutus) are found.

Small areas of tidal marsh are. present in Lincoln Park (see map 5) [ 121. These areas have been heavily impacted by filling and dumping. They do not provide a significant source of food or shelter for wildlife. Phragmites is the dominant vegetation. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 21

HACKENSACK MEADOWLANDS

A portion of the Hackensack Meadowlands is located within Jersey City (see map 6). The Meadowlands is a severely disturbed marsh community. It is a brackish environment. Many of the organisms which would be expected to inhabit the marsh can no longer survive there. The marsh is heavily industrialized in some areas and its proximity to dense population and heavy industry has led to its use as an illegal disposal area for both garbage and toxic materials. Aggravating the problem is the reduced level of natural flushing due to the construction of the Hackensack Water Company dam. The main sources of water to the meadowlands are urban runoff and brackish water from New York Harbor, Raritan Bay and Newark Bay.

Primary producers, (in a marsh these are mainly marsh grasses), are the base of the food pyramid. When alive, they provide a source of food to insects, snails, and muskrats, and later to benthic organisms after they die and begin to decay. Plant production values for the Hackensack River Marsh estuary have been shown to be high in comparison to estuarine marshlands in Long Island and lower compared to areas in Virginia [7], although this may be due to the longer growing season there.

Secondary consumers have largely ceased to survive in the meadowlands. Many fin fish, shellfish and crustaceans that used to occupy the marsh are no longer present. However, in 1970 blue claw crabs (Callinectes sapidus) reappeared in the marsh [7]. The food pyramid consists mainly of primary producers (plants and phytoplankton) and primary consumers (zooplankton, amphipods, killifish, and shrimp). The marsh also serves as a feeding ground for at least 205 species of birds [7].

Water quality is improving in the Meadowlands, and with the improvement the variety of species present appears to be increasing. The marsh appears to have some capacity for recovering although it can be expected to be a slow process, even with careful management due to the complex nature of the marsh’s chemical and physical cycles.

Table 4 of appendix 2 lists the plant and animal species present in the Jersey City or adjacent sections of the meadowlands. Numerous bird species were found in other areas PART II -0 BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 22 of the meadowlands, as well as many other plant and animal species. Although the reference did not specifically locate those birds near Jersey City, it is possible some may be found there. See reference [ 151 for the detailed information.

TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

The terrestrial ecosystems of Jersey City are typical of urban areas. Wildlife consists of the Norway Rat (Ratticus norvegicus), the grey squirrel (Scuirus carolinnsis), the house mouse (Mus musculus), the cottontail rabbit (Syvilagus floridanus), the muskrat (Odatra zibethica) and the Ringtail Pheasant. Reports have also been made of opposum and raccoons.

Lincoln Park is an important area of open land on the West side of Jersey City. It consists of 273 acres of parkland divided by Route l&9. Lincoln Park West consists of 123 relatively undeveloped acres between the Hackensack River and the highway, and Lincoln Park East forms the remainder. Much of Lincoln Park is filled marsh, although some marsh remains (see map 5). Vegetation in landfilled areas of the park is affected by the presence of combustible gases.

The main vegetation types in Lincoln Park are cultivated grassland, pond vegetation, reed grass (phragmites), meadow tidal marsh, scrub woodland, and old field meadow [ 121 (see map 5). Cultivated grassland, because it does not offer cover, food or nesting places, has little value as a wildlife habitat, although it is suited to human recreation. Phragmites meadow is typical of disturbed areas. The meadow in Lincoln Park varies in density due to varying soil conditions. The area of scrub woodland supports cottonwood (Populus deltoides), ash- (Fraxinus americana), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altisima), mulberry (Morus alba), Chinese elm (Ulmus pumila) and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). Typical oldfield vegetation includes thistle, horseweed, dogberry, goldenrod, switch grass, pokeweed, milkweed, burdock and foxtail. The old field area may provide food for resident and migratory birds.

The former PJP landfill lies along the Hackensack River north of Lincoln Park. Long-burning subterranean fires were finally extinguished in 1987. The entire landfill PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 23

was excavated to below the water table. Hazardous materials which were found were removed. The landfill material was compacted and re-buried, and covered with a clay and topsoil liner, which was re- vegetated. The site probably offers a habitat similar to . well drained areas of Lincoln Park West.

’ Two ponds are present in Lincoln Park. They support a population of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and plant life. Golden carp (Carassius auratus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and pumpkinseed sunfish (Lipomus gibosus) have been found in the ponds. Various species of frogs and toads (Rana sp. and Bufo sp.) have also been observed, as have the common water snake, Matrix sipodon, and the snapping turtle (Chelhydra serpentina) [ 121. The following aquatic insects have also been observed: the backswimmer (Notonecta sp.), the water boatmen (Artocorixa sp.), mosquito larvae (Ades sp.), and dragonfly and damselfly nymphs [13].

The presence of these organisms indicates that the ponds are well oxygenated and fairly healthy. They are typical of ponds in the Northeastern United States. Largemouth bass,and to a lesser extent pumpkinseed sunfish, are popular among sport fishermen. A more thorough inventory would probably find a greater variety of fish than were found in this study.

Penhom Creek, on the other hand, was reported to be consistently anaerobic. The significant turbidity would limit photosynthesis, however mixing by currents should be a source of dissolved oxygen. Either BOD or COD (chemical oxygen demand) from an unknown source must account for the lack of oxygen in the creek. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 24

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I -- REFERENCES

VI “Hackensack Meadowlands Comprehensive Land Use Plan”, Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, October 1970.

121 “Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement,Westside Highway Project”, Volume II, Fisheries Portion, November 1984.

PI “Report on Final Administrative Action, To Use Contingency Fund for Acquisition of Up to 335 Acres for Liberty State Park”, U.S. Dept of Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.

c41 “Port Liberte: An example of Collaborative Planning for a Coastal Development on the Lower Hudson River” by: Joanna Burger and John Clark, October, 1987.

PI “Environmental Report, Coal Transshipment Facility, Port Jersey, Jersey City, Bayonne, New Jersey”, Prepared for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, by Dames and Moore, Inc., June 1983.

161 “Feasibility Report-Claremont Terminal Channel, Jersey City, N.J. Navigation Study on Improvements to Existing Navigation Channel Draft Main--Report and Environmental Impact Statement” by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, May 1986.

VI “Water Quality in a Disordered Ecosystem--A Report on the Water Quality Monitoring Study Performed in the Hackensack Meadowlands 197101975”, by: C.P. Mattson, N.C. Vallario, For Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, 1975.

PI Draft Environmental Statement, Newark Bay--KillVan Ku11 Navigation Project, by: U.S. Army Engineer District, N.J. January 1987. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 25

PI “A Study of Dioxin in Aquatic Animals and Sediments” Office of Science and Research, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, October 1985.

[lOI “A Study of Toxic Hazards to Urban Recreational Fisherman and Crabbers” Office of Science and Research, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and Rutgersu University Dept. of Human Ecology, September 151985.

WI “Environmental Assessment for the Port Liberte Project, New Jersey” Dresdner Associates, for the Spoerry Group Developers and the Ehrenkrantz Group Architects, October 1984.

WI “Lincoln Park West Site Survey Report”, by: Arnold Associates, Landscape Architects, for: Hudson County Dept. of Public Resources, March 1980.

WI “Lincoln Park West, a Unique Inner-City Wilderness” by the Students of “Outdoor Teaching Sites for Environmental Education” Montclair State College, Edited by Deborah A. Simmons.

WI “Water Quality in a Recovering Ecosystem--A Report on Water Quality Research and Monitoring in the Hackensack Meadowlands 1971075”, by: C.P. Mattson, N.C. Vallario, for Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, 1975.

WI “Species Lists of Organisms Found in the Hackensack Meadowlands: Vascular Plants - Mammals”, by: The Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, May 1987. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 26

APPENDIX II - TABLES OF SPECIES

Table 1. Phytoplankton taxon list [2].

Cyanophyta Chroococcales Unidentified chroococcales Oscillatoriales Phormidium sp.

Chlorophyta Volvocales Pvraminmonas sp. Unidentified volvocales

Ulotrichales Unidentified ulotrichales

Chlorococcates Crucigeni;a Jetrapodia ScenedesmuS sp.

Zygnematales Staurastrum sp. Unidentified chlorophyta

Chrysophyta Chrysomonadales Kephvrion spy Bacillariophyta Centrales Rhizosolenia sp. CoscinodiscuS sp. sp.Cvclotella Skeletonema costatum Thallassiosira sp. Unidentified centrales

Pennales Asterionella japonica, Asterionells sp. Cvmbella sp. Gomphonema sp. Naviculaceae 6 closteriumNitzschia . NltZsc hia longissima . NrtZschia sp. Pleurosirrma sp. Thalassonema nw Unidentified pennales PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 27

Cryptophyta Cryptomonadales Rhodomonas sp. Unidentified cryptomonadales PyrrhOPhYta Peridiniales Gonyaulax sp. Unidentified peridiniales Unidentified algae PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 28

Table 2. Fishes collected in ichthyoplankton sampling gear in Liberty State Park studies [3].

Familv Species Common Name

AnguilIidae Anguilla rostraQ American eel

Clupeidae Brevoortia fvrannus Atlantic menhaden harenaClu~ea harenaus Atlantic herring

Engraulidae Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy

Osmeridae mordaxOsmerus Rainbow smelt

Gadidae Enchelvom cimbrius Fourbeard rockling Gadus morhua Atlantic cod Micronadus tomcod Atlantic tomcod

Cyprinodontidae Fundulus heteroclitus Mummichog

Atherinidae Menidiamenidia Atlantic silverside

Syngnathidae Svnnnathus fuscus Northern pipefish

Percichthyidae saxatilisMorone Striped bass

Sciaenidae Bairdiella chrvsura Silver perch

Labridae Tautoa onitis Tautog

Pholidae Pholis gunnellus Rock gunnel

Ammodytidae Ammodvtes sp. Sand lance

Gobiidae Gobiosoma bosci Naked goby

Scombridae Scomberscombrus Atlantic mackerel

Triglidae Prionotus sp. Searobin

Cottidae Mvxoceohalus gctodecemspinosuS Longhorn sculpin

Bothidae Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane

Pleuronectidae Pseudopleuronec tes americanus Winter flounder

Sole&e Trinectes maculatus Hogchoker PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 29

Table 3. Waterfowl found in Liberty State Park [3].

Snecies Common Name

Cygnus olor Mute Swan Olor columbianus Whistling Swan Branta canadensis Canada Goose B. bemicla Brant Chen hyperborea Snow Goose Dendrocygna bicolor Fulvous Tree Duck Anas platyrynchos Mallard A. rubripes American Black Duck A. strepera Gadwall A. ascuta Northern Pintail A. carolinensis Green-winged Teal A. discors Blue-winged Teal Mareca americana American Wigeon Spatula clypeata Northern Shoveler Aix sponsa Wood Duck Aythya americana Redhead A. collaris Ring-necked Duck A. valisineria Canvasback A. marila Greater Scaup A. affiiis Lesser Scaup Bucephala clangula Common Goldeneye B. albeola Bufflehead Clangula hyemalis Oldsquaw Melanitta deglandi White-winged Scoter M. perspicillata Surf Scoter Oxyura jamaicensis Ruddy Duck Lophoclytes cucullatus Hooded Merganser Mergus merganser Common Merganser M. serrator Red-breasted Merganser PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 30

Table 4. Other Organisms Found in the Jersey City Meadowlands [15].

VEGETATION Gramineae - Grass Andropogon scoparius Bluestem Panicum virgatum Switchgrass Phragmites communis Common Reed-grass Salicaceae - Willow Populus de1 toides Cottonwood Salix sp. Willow Cruciferae - Mustard Lepidium sp. Pepper grass Rosaceae - Rose Prunus serotina Black Cherry Simaroubaceae - Ailanthus Ailan thus al tissima Tree-of-Heaven Polvgalaceae - Milkwort Polygala sp. Milkwort Anacardiaceae - Sumac R. glabra Smooth Sumac R. typhina Staghom Sumac Guttiferae - St. John’swort Hypericum sp. St. John’s wort Onortraceae - Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis Evening Primrose Corn_positae - Composite Eupatorium sp. Snakeroot Solidago sp. Goldenrod S. sempervirens Sea-side Goldenrod Baccharis halimifolia Ground4 Bush Gnaphalium sp. Everlasting A. vulgaris Common Mugwort Cirsium sp. Thistle Centaurea sp. Bachelor Button PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 31

FISH Annuillidae - Freshwater Eels Anguilla rostrata American eel CluDeidae - Herrings Alosa aestivalis Blueback herring A. pseudoharengus Alewife A. sapidissima American shad Brevortia tyrannus Atlantic menhaden Dorosoma cepedianium Gizzard shad Enaraulidae - Anchovies Anchoa mitchilli Bay anchovy Osmeridae - Smelts Osmerus mordax Rainbow smelt Cvprinidae - Minnows Carassius auratus Goldfish Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner Ictaluridae - Catfish Ictalurus cattus White catfish I. nebulosus Brown bullhead Gadidae - Cods Microgadus tomcod Atlantic tomcod Merluccius bilinearis Silver hake Urophycis chuss Red Hake Q+yprinodon tidae - Killifishes F. heteroclitus Mummichog Antherinidae - Silversides Menidia beryllina Inland silverside M. menidia Atlantic silverside Gasterosteidae - Sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus Threespine stickle back Percichthvidae - Temperate Basses Morone americana White perch Morone saxatilis Striped bass Serranidae - Sea Basses Centropristis striata Black sea bass ,PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 32

Centrarc hi&el - Sunfish Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill L. gibbosus Pumpkinseed Pomoxis nirgomaculatus Black crappie ‘Percidae - Perch Perca flavescens Yellow perch Pomatomidae - Bluefishes Pomatomas saltatrix Bluefish Carangidae - Jacks Caranx hippos Crevalle jack Sparidae - Porgies Stenotomus chrsops scup Sciaenidae - Drums Leiostomus xanthurus spot Cynoscion regalis Weakfish Labridae - Wrasses Tautoga onitis Tautog Tautogolabrus adspersus Cunner Ammodytidae - Sand Lance Ammodytes hexapterus American sand lance Scombridae - Mackerels Scomber scombrus Atlantic mackerel Stromateidae - Butterfishes Peprilus triacanthus Butterfiih Trinlidae - Searobins P. evolans Striped searobin Cottidae - Sculpins Myoxocephalus aenaeus Grubby Bothidae - Lefteye Flounders Paralichthys dentatus Summer flounder Etropus microstomas Smallmouth flounder Pleuronectidae - Righteye Flounders Pseudopleuronectes americanus Winter flounder Soleidae - Puffers Sphaeroides maculatus Northern puffer PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 33

REPTILES Colubridae - Colubrids Thamnophis s. sirtalis E. Garter Snake

AMPHIBIANS Ranidae - True Frogs R. utricularia S. Leopard Frog

MAMMALS Canidae - Dogs, Wolves, Foxes Canis familiaris Cricetidae - Mice, Rats, Voles Ondatra zibethica Muskrat Leporidae - Hares, Rabbits Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern Cottontail PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 35

APPENDIXIV-MAPS

Map 1. Regional Map. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 36

Map 2. Hudson Estuary. PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 37

Map 3. Closed Areas.

CLOSED FIS AFEk DUE TO P CBS H TISSUE

CLOSED. AREA l Sale of STRIPED BASS and AMERICAN EEL taken - frwra these WLtemp- --* is prohibited.

. .

New Jerrrey . . Closed area includes the foUo+ing waternays and tri’butaries: H&on Rirer Upper New York Bay Nevm~k Bay . Tidal Passaic River . . Tidd Hackensack River Arthudml .mllV~K~ PART II -- BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 38

Map 4. Advisory Areas,

l FISHING ADVISORY 'AREA DUE TO PCBs IN FISH TISSUE

. . . . ADVISORY AREA Aaimyfndfetto limit consmnption of- - -- - STRFED BASS, BLUEFISH, WHITE PERCH, WHITE CATFISH. and AMERICAN EEL

.

. Advisory area inckdcs the fokq watenrap and . l txibutanes: . . . :* . 9 1 ;. . ‘a . l ...... :. . . *a