WALLKILL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Sussex, New Jersey

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1994

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM REVIEW AND APPROVALS

WALLKILL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Sussex, New Jersey

f

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1994

lefu^ e Manager Date 'Associate Maffegerger ReviewReview Date

'/

egional Office A] Date WALLKILL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Sussex, New Jersey

ANNUAL NARRATIVE REPORT

Calendar Year 1994

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM INTRODUCTION

The Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge was established on November 16, 1990 by authorizing legislation P.L. 101-593 Sec. 107 of H.R. 3338. The Refuge has an approved acquisition boundary which surrounds 7,500 acres along the Wallkill River, one of the few north flowing rivers in the world. It is situated predominately in northwestern New Jersey with parcels in Vernon, Wantage, and Hardyston Townships of Sussex County, New Jersey and Warwick Township in Orange County, New York. Acquired lands to date encompass 2,466 acres.

The purpose of the Refuge is to preserve and enhance the Refuge lands and waters in a manner that will conserve the natural diversity of fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for present and future generations; to conserve and enhance populations of fish, wildlife, and plants within the Refuge, including populations of black ducks and other waterfowl, raptors, passerines, and marsh and water birds; to protect and enhance the water quality of aquatic habitats within the Refuge; to fulfill international treaty obligations of the United States with respect to fish and wildlife and their habitats; and to provide opportunities for compatible scientific research, environmental education, and fish ^and wildlife-oriented recreation.

The Wallkill River NWR lies within two physiographic provinces-the Appalachian Valley and Ridge Province which encompasses the Kittatinny Mountain Range to the west and the Highland Ridge System Province to the east. The Wantage and Vernon terrains vary from the relative flatness of the river valley floor with an elevation of less than 400 feet above mean sea level to mountain peaks and ridges in excess of 1,400 feet elevation. Much of Wantage is rolling hills ranging between 500 and 900 feet. Vernon is a more mountainous region characterized by the Pochuck and Hamburg Mountain Ranges which transect the landscape in a northeast-to-southwest direction. The terrain steepens rapidly from the river bed to 1,100 feet above mean sea level about 1/2 mile east of Lake Wallkill in the Pochuck Mountains.

The Refuge will protect 4,200 acres of freshwater wetlands and 3,300 acres of adjacent upland when acquisition is complete. Wetland habitat types include 1,600 acres of palustrine forest, 1,500 acres of emergent marsh, 600 acres of wet meadow, 400 acres of scrub-shrub marsh, and 100 acres of open water. Upland habitat types include 2,500 acres of agricultural land and 800 acres of hardwood forest.

The Wallkill River bottomlands are unique in the large number (19) of State-threatened and endangered species utilizing the area. Few areas in the northern part of the State harbor such a lafge concentration of species in need of protection. Confirmed State- listed species found within the Refuge include the short-eared owl, barred owl, red- shouldered hawk, Cooper's hawk, northern harrier, savannah sparrow, sedge wren, bobolink, great blue heron, red-headed woodpecker, upland sandpiper, wood turtle, and bog turtle. The Refuge also offers excellent potential to support breeding and migrating osprey, a threatened species in New Jersey. Five of the 72 fish and wildlife species designated by the Service as National Resource Plan species also occur within the Refuge boundaries. These include the black duck, wood duck, mallard, American woodcock, and great blue heron.

The Wallkill River bottomlands are one of the few large areas of high quality waterfowl habitat remaining in northwestern New Jersey. During migration, it attracts large numbers of waterfowl including black ducks, mallards, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, wood ducks, Canada geese, common mergansers, hooded mergansers, ruddy ducks, lesser scaup, ring-necked ducks, gadwall, American wigeon, northern shoveler, and buffleheads. Extensive nesting habitat is provided for the black duck, mallard, pintail, green-winged teal, and wood duck. Lesser numbers of blue-winged teal, hooded mergansers, common mergansers, and Canada geese also nest in the bottomlands.

The Refuge straddles two major migration corridors for waterfowl moving between eastern Canada and the Atlantic coast, and the Delaware River and Hudson River corridors. Waterfowl from both corridors stop to rest and feed in the extensive wetlands along the Wallkill River. These migration corridors are particularly important to the black duck.

Colonial water birds encompass a number of species such as the great blue heron £nd their allies, gulls, terns, and skimmers which nest in colonies in a variety of habitats including beaches, marshes, and shrub thickets. The flooded areas of the Refuge, such as the bottomwood shallows and marshes, will provide feeding, nesting, and resting areas for these aquatic feeders.

A great variety of nongame birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians inhabit the diverse habitats of the Refuge as well as game species such as the white-tailed deer, wild turkey, river otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, red fox, gray fox, coyote, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, and ruffed grouse.

Two other species which require large, relatively undisturbed expanses of open space inhabit the Refuge area. These are the black bear and the bobcat. Few tracts remain in northern New Jersey which exhibit the long-range potential to support viable populations of black bear and bobcat. The Refuge is one area where the populations of these species can potentially exist.

The Wallkill River also provides an excellent warmwater fishery for largemouth bass, pickerel, perch, sunfish, and bullheads. MAP I. WALLKILL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - ACQUISITION BOUNDARY

un.TCO SPATES SI SSKX rOl'NTY. NKVV IKHSKY 4. ORANGE COUNTY. NT'A YORK UN.TED STATES DEPAWTMtNT Qf TmE INTERIOR » AND WilOliEE SERVICE

— 41M7 30'

— 41 10 00

74 35 00 COMPILED 1N T«E D'VIS'ON OE REALTY PROM SoRv E v S 8v uS <3 S ANOuS^AWS MEAN ; DECLINATION i9S4

INTRODUCTION Page

TABLE OF CONTENTS i

A. HIGHLIGHTS 1

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS 1

C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title 2 2. Easements NTR 3. Other 7

D. PLANNING ,

1. Master Plan NTR 2. Management Plan 8 3. Public Participation 8 4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates 8 5. Research and Investigations 9 6. Other 9

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel 10 2. Youth Programs NTR 3. Other Manpower Programs NTR 4. Volunteer Program 12 5. Funding 14 6. Safety 16 7. Technical Assistance 17 8. Other 17 F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT Page

1. General NTR 2. Wetlands 18 3. Forests NTR 4. Croplands NTR 5. Grasslands NTR 6. Other Habitats NTR 7. Grazing 25 8. Haying NTR 9. Fire Management NTR 10. Pest Control 25 11. Water Rights NTR 12. Wilderness and Special Areas NTR 13. WPA Easement Monitoring NTR

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity 25; 2. Endangered and/or Threatened Species 26 3. Waterfowl 27 4. Marsh and Water Birds NTR 5. Shorebirds, Gulls, Terns and Allied Species 28 6. Raptors 28 7. Other Migratory Birds 29 8. Game Mammals 29 9. Marine Mammals NTR 10. Other Resident Wildlife 29 11. Fisheries Resources 29 12. Wildlife Propagation and Stocking NTR 13. Surplus Animal Disposal NTR 14. Scientific Collections NTR 15. Animal Control NTR 16. Marking and Banding NTR 17. Disease Prevention and Control NTR

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General 30 2. Outdoor Classrooms - Students NTR 3. Outdoor Classrooms - Teachers NTR 4. Interpretive Foot Trails NTR

ii H. PUBLIC USE continued Page

5. Interpretive Tour Routes NTR 6. Interpretive Exhibits/Demonstrations NTR 7. Other Interpretive Programs 30 8. Hunting 32 9. Fishing NTR 10. Trapping NTR 11. Wildlife Observation NTR 12. Other Wildlife Oriented Recreation NTR 13. Camping NTR 14. Picnicking NTR 15. Off-Road Vehicling NTR 16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation 33 17. Law Enforcement 33 18. Cooperating Associations NTR 19. Concessions NTR

1. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES ,

1. New Construction NTR 2. Rehabilitation 34 3. Major Maintenance NTR 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement 35 5. Communications Systems NTR 6. Computer Systems NTR 7. Energy Conservation NTR 8. Other 35

J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs 36 2. Other Economic Uses NTR 3. Items of Interest NTR 4. Credits 36

K. FEEDBACK NTR

L. INFORMATION PACKET... (inside back cover)

iii A. HIGHLIGHTS

Renee Robichaud joins Refuge staff in June.

Construction begins at Liberty Sod Farm moist soil management site.

Refuge Manager Pelizza transfers to Lake Andes NWR in December.

Refuge acquires three parcels totalling 894 acres.

B. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Extreme weather conditions which distinguished 1993 continued to an even greater extent in 1994. Temperatures for the year ranged from -32 degrees to 101 degrees Farenheit with snowfall totaling over 65 inches and rain over 40 inches. January and February were marked by numerous days of unusually low temperatures ranging between -5 and -32 and frequent snow storms. Snow conditions as severe as in 1994 had not been seen in the local area for at least the past decade.

TABLE 1. TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TOTALS FOR 1994

Month High Low Precipitation Snow (Farenheit) (Farenheit) (Inches) (Inches)

January 55 -32 5.74 18.5

February 61 -12 2.63 37.3

March 67 3 6.96 7.5

April 89 24 1.92 1.3

May 88 30 1.95 0

June 101 38 3.54 0

July 93 51 2.86 0

August 95 45 4.34 0

September 88 39 3.23 0

October 78 25 .78 0

November 79 25 3.71 0

December 58 12 1.36 0

Annual High/Low 101 -32 Totals 40.02 65.60

1 C. LAND ACQUISITION

1. Fee Title

The Wallkill River NWR has an acquisition boundary of approximately 7500 acres. The Refuge's first parcel of land was purchased at the beginning of 1992. To date, Refuge lands have been acquired through simple fee title. Service priority has been placed on the acquisition of upland areas adjacent to wetlands, particularly those parcels with development potential. Because wetlands are provided more legal protection than uplands, it is essential to give upland areas priority in order to ensure long-term protection of the wetland resource.

Purchase monies for Wallkill River NWR are derived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Since FY 91, the following amounts have been appropriated for land acquisition of the Refuge:

Fiscal Year Dollars (in millions) 1991 4.0 1992 0.5 1993 1.5 1994 2.0 1995 1.8

To date, the Service has acquired 2117 acres for incorporation into the Wallkill River NWR. This includes three parcels of land totalling 894.2 acres which were added in 1994.

The first purchase of the year was Tracts 52,52a,-I, better known as the Liberty Sod Farm owned by Kenco Land on April 15. These tracts include 349.5 acres in Vernon, NJ and 147.1 acres in Warwick, NY and marks our first purchase outside of New Jersey. This purchase of over 496 acres is the Service's largest single land acquisition thus far for the Wallkill River NWR. The parcel was an active commercial sod farm, and previous owners Roy and Douglas Kenny were issued a Special Use Permit (SUP) as part the purchase negotiations allowing them to finish harvesting the sod which was planted prior to purchase. The moist soil management capabilities on the Liberty Sod Farm are extremely great. A natural spring is found on the property which sustains a volume of 500 gallons per minute. Underground irrigation pipes run along the eastern boundary of the farm, and irrigation ditches can be found throughout the tract. Reversible water pumps are located in the ditches closest to the River. The entire area is also enclosed by a dike. Very little manipulation of the land would be required to convert this tract into several moist soil management units. Purchase of the parcel included property such as pumps.

2 The second land purchase in 1994 was Tract 57. Realty closed on this 147.8- acre tract owned by Don and Arlene Lott on June 21. This tract consists of upland and wet meadow habitats, and a small tributary of the Wallkill River. Although the Lotts were reluctant to sell to the Service when the Refuge was first established, they approached the Service last year to express their desire to sell their property. A farm house, 5-car garage, and a large dairy barn were included in the purchase. Mr. and Mrs. Lott were issued a SUP on May 31 to continue occupancy of the farmhouse and garage until they relocated within the following nine months. The SUP was one of the conditions negotiated in the sale of their property to the Service.

The final land purchase of the year was on October 13 for Tracts 24, 113. These tracts total 249.8 acres and were owned by Franklin Associates (ie., Raia brothers). This purchase was comprised of two of the three parcels totalling 432 acres for which an option was signed in July with Franklin Associates. Funds were not available to purchase all three sections of the property, and the remainder will be purchased in 1995 if funds are available. The entire parcel consists of approximately 145 acres of wetlands, 160 acres of hardwood forest, and 132 acres of cleared land that was the planned site for a housing development.

One area of concern regarding the third section (Tract 114) of the Raia property is a gravel removal site which exists on the parcel. The site has been illegally used by ATVers and motorcyclists for years, and thus, there will be law enforcement (LE) problems attached to the acquisition of this tract. Negotiations with Franklin Associates have already provided for the reclamation of the area by the present owners before the Service would purchase the property. The Raia brothers have posted a bond with Vernon township to provide for restoration of the area, and reclamation of the site, primarily through hydroseeding, was in progress at the end of the year. Refuge staff visited Tract 114 throughout November to inspect the progress of the hydroseeding. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall and, more importantly, continued illegal use by ATVs had drastically eroded and damaged the restoration attempts made by the landowners.

Contact with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) conservation group was continued during 1994. TPL purchases land directly from the landowner, and holds the parcel until the Service has the funds to acquire the land from TPL. Three of the fifteen parcels purchased by the Service since land acquisition began have been through TPL. RM Pelizza met with Norbert Turek of TPL on May 26 to discuss future acquisitions for the Refuge.

3 TABLE 2. PROPERTIES ACQUIRED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994 (Refer to Map 2 for locations of properties purchased)

DATE OF TRACT § ACREAGE TOWNSHIP & LANDOWNER CLOSING STATE

01-16-92 79, -a 156.2 Wantage, NJ Meadowview Farms

02-27-92 69 30.7 Wantage, NJ NJ Conservation Foundation

04-24-92 51 104.7 Vernon, NJ West Valley Sports Club

07-01-92 22 112.0 Hardyston, NJ Lawrence Mack

07-10-92 15a 29.3 Vernon, NJ TPL (Walter Weslowski)

08-13-92 15b 73.4 Wantage, NJ TPL (Charles Quinn)

09-02-92 22a 32.6 Hardyston, NJ Lawrence Mack

10-27-92 46 290.4 Vernon, NJ Meadow Park/Bart Montalbano

11-12-92 32a 120.0 Vernon, NJ Warwick & Imperator, Inc.

11-12-92 64 51.3 Wantage, NJ Austin Hovey

12-07-92 15 86.1 Vernon, NJ Robert Cline /

02-10-93 15c, R 135.9 Vernon, NJ TPL (Catherine Friend)

11-10-93 86, 86a, -I, R 175.3 Wantage, NJ Leon Charney

12-13-93 74, R, R-l 176.4 Wantage, NJ Parrott Farm

4-15-94 52 349.5 Vernon, NJ Kenco Land/Liberty Sod Farm

52a 147.1 Warwick, NY

6-21-94 57, -I, -II 147.8 Wantage, NJ Donald Lott

10-13-94 24, 113 249.8 Vernon, NJ Franklin Associates

TOTAL ACREAGE: 2,466.50

The Service has a long list of willing sellers within the Wallkill River NWR acquisition boundary, but a shortage of funds for both purchases and appraisals has limited the Service's ability to act on this list. Several landowners made repeated contact with the Refuge to inquire on the status of land acquisition about their property.

Larry Willson, one of the landowners of Tract 88, spoke with RM Pelizza on February t25 and July 11 to reiterate their willingness to sell their property to the Service. The parcel is approximately 123 acres consisting of wet meadows, some emergent marsh, and hardwood forests.

4 MAP 2. WALLK1LL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - ACQUIRED LAND AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1994

UNlTtO STATES SUSSFX COUNTY, NLW JERSEY & ORANGE COUNTY. SUA YORK UNITED STATES DtPARTMENT Of TME IN T E' ISM AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 74 30 00

ME AN DECLINATION T954

Land acquired in 1994 Land acquired before 1994 Marjorie Paling, landowner of Tracts 47, 47a, contacted the Refuge in May to express her interest in selling her parcels which total 88.2 acres to Service.

Ford and Marion Dennis, landowners of Tract 56 which totals 9.9 acres, also asked to be put on the willing seller list in May.

On May 24, RM Pelizza met with landowner Mary Hamming and visited her farm to go over boundary designations. The Service has been working with the Hammings for a number of years to purchase their property without acquiring their house.

Mr. and Mrs. Sal Macri and Ms. Theresa Trapani, landowners of Tract 29, visited the Refuge Office on August 9 to inquire about the land acquisition process. They had received a letter from the Service requesting permission to appraise their property in February and were interested in selling. They also wanted information concerning a right of way through the Refuge to get to their land locked parcel. Tract maps of our adjacent property indicated that a right-of- way was not located on Service land but on private land adjacent to the Refuge. The landowners were advised that they would have to deal with the adjacent landowner as they saw fit. The landowners informed RM Pelizza that they wpuld prefer to sell to the Service, so that they could avoid having to establish a right- of-way through the courts. Information on the meeting was forwarded to Realty.

In August, Mr. VanAlthius, landowner of the 320-acre Tract 23,a,b, contacted the office in regards to the purchase of his property. He was perturbed that the Service was negotiating a purchase with Franklin Associates for the Raia property although he had contacted the Service first. RM Pelizza explained that the Service had been working with Franklin Associates for the past 2-3 years and that developmental threats on the Raia property made it a priority. Mr. VanAlthius was somewhat understanding of the situation, and RM Pelizza contacted Realty to inquire on the status of Tract 23,a,b. Realty Specialist Waldren visited Mr. VanAlthius on August 15 and determined that Mr. VanAlthius was willing to begin negotiations with the TPL.

RM Pelizza spoke with Realty Specialist Will Waldron regarding the Nancy Torres property on May 27. This property is outside the Refuge acquisition boundary, however, it protects a tributary of the Wallkill River. Refuge staff determined that this parcel will assist in fulfilling one of the Refuge objectives: protecting the quality of aquatic habitats. In October, a Preliminary Project Proposal to acquire this parcel was submitted to the Regional Office.

In July, RM Pelizza was contacted by Mildred VanVliet regarding her 40-acre parcel for sale. RM Pelizza and ROS Robichaud visited the site and conducted a preliminary contaminants survey. A memo was forwarded to the Regional Office regarding the acquisition of this property. It is not currently within the

6 acquisition boundary, but could be added through a categorical exclusion. The 40-acre parcel is a nice block of hardwood forest.

3. Other

On May 25 and 27, RM Pelizza delivered revenue sharing checks to Vernon, Wantage, and Hardyston Townships. The townships received $11,907, $6,699, and $1,058 respectively.

Further meetings were held with Mr. and Mrs. Goes during the year. The Goes are adjacent landowners who first contacted the Refuge in March 1992. Their property is not within the acquisition boundary, but they are very much in favor of the Refuge and wish to donate a portion of their property to become part of the Refuge. The donation is a one acre forested upland which would serve as a buffer between the housing development nearby and a brook which flows into the Wallkill River. Mrs. Goes met with RM Pelizza to discuss concerns about an adjacent landowner to their property, Mr. Weslowski. The neighbor had been cutting through a hill on his property close to the border without a retaining wall and felling trees onto the Goes property which had torn down a fence. On ^lay 24, RM visited the property and took photographs of the activities on the next parcel. In August, Realty Specialist Waldren met with Mr. and Mrs. Goes concerning their donations of approximately one acre of land. The Goes were briefed about conservation easements and restrictions. Realty is still working with the Goes to date.

A request to review a corner on Tract 52 was sent to the Regional Office on September 7. Adjacent landowner John Sibirtzeff was quite upset, believing that the Refuge corner marker was placed on his property. He was also concerned about a right-of-way through the Refuge. It is unknown if the right-of-way actually exists. Realty was still evaluating the situation at the end of the year.

RM Pelizza granted an SUP extension to Mr. and Mrs. Consten, former owners of the West Valley Sports Club, Tract 51, to continue residence and operate their soccer business at the Sports Club facilities until March 1995. The original SUP was issued as part of the negotiated purchase deal for their property which was acquired in April 1992. The purchase also provided for relocation assistance for their business by the Service, a situation which is still in progress. They also expressed their wish to have the County spray for mosquitos on the property, but RM Pelizza denied them permission due to concerns about compatibility.

7 D. PLANNING

2. Management Plan

RM Pelizza prepared the annual hunt program for the 1994-1995 season and forwarded it to the Central Zone Biologist (CZB) for review in August.

3. Public Participation

A 30-day public comment period for the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Sod Farm Restoration Project began on July 29. A news release was sent to local newspapers announcing the availability of the EA. Copies were distributed to interested parties and comments were received from several parties.

Public notices announcing the Wallkill River NWR's application for a New Jersey General Freshwater Wetlands Permit (NJGFWP) from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEPE) were printed in several area newspapers. This was done as part of the NJDEPE application process which required we advertise our intent to obtain this permit.

4. Compliance with Environmental and Cultural Resource Mandates

During March, RM Pelizza began working on the NJGFWP for the Refuge. This permit will allow the Refuge to conduct a variety of activities, including wetland restoration and maintenance in wetlands within the Refuge boundary. The completed NJGFWP was submitted in July.

Initially, we hoped that the New Jersey portion of the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project would be included in the NJGFWP. However, due to the large size of the Liberty Sod Farm, the NJDEPE would approve the NJGFWP only with the deletion of the Sod Farm Project. An additional New Jersey Individual Freshwater Wetlands Permit will need to be completed in 1995 for the restoration project.

In August, RM Pelizza contacted the Regional Archaeologist regarding demolition of unwanted barns on the Refuge. The Archaeologists were contacted so that they may determine the historical significance of the buildings. Additional information, including photos of the barns and the homes which they are associated with, was also forwarded to the archaeological staff. To date, no decisions have been received from the archaeological staff regarding the barns' historical significance.

8 5. Research and Investigations

A new management study was instituted on the Refuge in June. Student Conservation Association (SCA) Resource Assistants Harvan and Matak, with ROS Robichaud, began the installation of three grassland small mammal trap arrays to collect baseline data on small mammal populations for the Refuge. Trap array installation was completed in early August.

From August 20-29, Resource Assistant Harvan, along with ROS Robichaud and Office Assistant (OA) Reid, ran the three grassland small mammal trap arrays. Seventy-one rodents were captured and identified to genus. Species included Sorex spp., Pewmyscus spp., Blarina brevicauda, Microtus pennsylvanicus, and Zapus hudsonicus. The trapping effort will continue for one to two more years to obtain baseline data, and will be expanded in 1995 to include three forest habitat arrays.

ROS Robichaud and Resource Assistant Harvan collect small mammals from the Tract 57 trap array. C. Pelizza 8/94

* 6. Other

On November 22, the office was visited by Dave Kingsbury of the SCS (now NRCS ~ Natural Resources Conservation Service). Dave is surveying the Refuge

9 and surrounding area to update local soil maps. The Refuge is looking forward to working with the NRCS in the future.

E. ADMINISTRATION

1. Personnel

The Wallkill River NWR staff: J. Reid, R. Robichaud, and S. Pelizza. Reid, J. 8/94

EMPLOYEE POSITION GRADE EOD STATUS Sylvia R. Pelizza Refuge Manager GS-12 9/8/91 PET Renee L. Robichaud Refuge Oper. Spec. GS-7 6/19/94 PET Julie A. Reid Office Assistant GS-5 12/27/92 PET

* Also stationed at the Wallkill River NWR is Central Zone Biologist Charles Pelizza, a Regional Office staff member with Refuges and Wildlife. The region's three Zone Biologists -- Northern, Central, and Southern ~ are each located at a refuge field station within their respective zones.

10 Central Zone Biologist Charles Pelizza. Reid, J. 1/94

TABLE 4. FOUR YEAR COMPARISON OF REFUGE STAFFING

CALENDAR PERMANENT TEMPORARY TOTAL FTE YEAR USED FULL-TIME PART-TIME

1994 3 0 0 2.53

1993 2 0 0 2.00

1992 2 0 0 1.02

1991 1 0 0 .33

Wallkill River NWR brought on its third employee, Renee Robichaud, on June 19. ROS Robichaud transferred from Montezuma NWR where she was a cooperative education student. ROS graduated in June with a Masters degree in Wildlife Biology and Management with an emphasis on Environmental Communication from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York.

11 RM Pelizza began maternity leave on November 6. RM Pelizza took leave until the end of December 1994, at which time she transferred to Lake Andes NWR in South Dakota, Region 6.

On November 30, Regional Private Lands Coordinator (PLC) Elizabeth Herland, Refuge Manager "elect" of Wallkill River NWR, began a two day visit to the Refuge to discuss ongoing projects and management objectives with RM Pelizza and CZB Pelizza and tour the area. PLC Herland will begin as Wallkill River NWR's Refuge Manager in late January 1995.

On December 28, Terry Villanueva, Primary Assistant Manager at Great Swamp NWR, made her first visit to Wallkill River NWR as Acting Refuge Manager. ROS Robichaud and Volunteer Zicot toured the Refuge with RM Villanueva and discussed current Refuge policies and management. RM Villianueva was scheduled to serve as acting manager at Wallkill River through January 1995.

4. Volunteer Program

Twenty-six volunteers including two SCA Resource Assistants, twelve scouts,^and twelve other Refuge volunteers donated a total of 1,395 hours to the Refuge for 1994. Almost half of these hours were dedicated to maintenance projects including boundary posting and repair of the Refuge office porch. Remaining hours were devoted to resource management activities and assistance with general administrative activities in the Refuge office.

This was the second year SCA Resource Assistants had been funded for Wallkill River NWR. Two Resource Assistants, Brett Matak and Christy Harvan, were stationed at the Refuge during the summer for 12 weeks each. Brett Matak was a senior at West Virginia University majoring in Wildlife Management and a local Vernon Township resident. She arrived at the Refuge on May 16. Christy Harvan, an sophomore at Ohio University majoring in Wildlife Management, arrived at the Refuge on June 19. They contributed 480 hours each to the Refuge and completed the following projects during their stay: prepared a soils map of the Refuge; cleaned, scraped, painted, and repaired the Refuge office porch; boundary posted; built and ran small mammal trap arrays; assisted with numerous errands; washed vehicles; cleaned the office; assisted with a goose banding effort with the NJDEPE and Great Swamp NWR; installed the Refuge weather station; visited the Newark law enforcement office to pick up equipment; cleared brush from the office driveway entrance; weeded around the office porch and created two plant beds on either side of the porch; conducted wildlife surveys on the Wallkill River; assisted with bird surveys; and many other projects!

12 Volunteer Monica Juhasz, who graduated with a degree in Wildlife Management in December 1993, donated more than 145 hours during the year assisting staff in compiling information for the completion of the NJGFWP, tract mapping, wildlife observation, and miscellaneous maintenance/clean up activities. 137 of these hours were donated during the months of February and March.

On May 21, ten members of the Vernon Cub Scouts joined RM Pelizza, Resource Assistant Matak, and Volunteer Kristen Matak to plant buttonbush on the Liberty Sod Farm. Almost 750 seedings were planted.

On July 6, Student Conservation Association Resource Assistants Harvan and Matak; Volunteers Patti Golden, Eric Golden, and Bill Stoehr; and ROS Robichaud assisted NJDEPE (Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife) and Great Swamp NWR in a goose banding effort.

During the summer months, Volunteer Rich Calamusso assisted with the installation of a gate on Tract 63 by providing his tractor and auger and placing ten post holes. Volunteer Stoehr and Resource Assistants Harvan and Matak, with ROS Robichaud, installed the posts, strung wire, and hung a metal gate.

13 Vernon Boy Scouts planting buttonbush. Pelizza, S. 5/94

Volunteer Stoehr was again the primary reason that Refuge boundary signs were correctly placed. Volunteer Stoehr, a professional surveyor, assisted in flagging many miles of boundary, and installing posts and signs with the help of staff, other volunteers, and SCA Resource Assistants, for several additional miles.

Volunteer Calamusso was invaluable during the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration work. Since the Refuge has no maintenance staff, force account operators are forced to work alone. Volunteer Calamusso was called upon several times to assist in getting equipment unstuck and to provide tools to assist Service operators.

Jude Zicot, a new Refuge Volunteer, donated most of his winter break from college to the Refuge. Volunteer Zicot contributed 32 hours during the month of December to such projects as assisting in water level manipulation, office cleanup, boundary posting, and responding to requests for information.

5. Funding »

Total funding for FY 94 was $140,554. This was a 12% increase over the funding during FY 93. Minimum level funding for FY 94 included salaries, utilities, fuel, training, travel, and supplies. Funding was also received for two

14 summer resource assistants from the SCA and a slide file cabinet. Fire supplies and equipment was also funded for the first time. Maintenance funding for the year was increased by 75% over the previous year. The Refuge also had two maintenance individual work projects funded: replacement of a deteriorated deck/back door exit for the Refuge office and attaining wetland permits from the NJDEPE for restoration work. The Refuge also received grants from Ducks Unlimited and the Region 5 Challenge Grant Program totalling $50,000 for the Liberty Sod Farm restoration project.

FY 94 funding breaks down as follows:

Minimum Level (2.28 FTE) $107.3K SCA Volunteers 4.0 Slide File Cabinet 2.0 MMS/Base Maintenance 21.0 Deck Replacement 2.5 Wetland Permits 3.0 Fire Supplies .8

TOTAL FUNDING: $140.6

Total Refuge budget proposed for FY 95 is $209,200, an increase of 49% over FY 94. Funding for FY 95 largely reflects growth and changes in staffing for the Refuge over the previous year.

TABLE 6. FIVE YEAR COMPARISON OF REFUGE FUNDING (in thousands of dollars)

FISCAL YEAR FUNDING CATEGORY 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Minimum Level (1261) 0 19.5 99.3 107.3 161.3

Other Operations (1261) 0 0 7.5 6.0 4.9

MMS/Base Maintenance (1262) 0 0 12.0 21.0 21.0

Other Maintenance (1262) 0 0 7.0 5.5 20.0

Other/Special Funding 0 56.0 0 0.8 2.0

TOTAL 0 75.5 125.8 140.6 209.2

On February 1, RM Pelizza and CZB Pelizza attended a New Jersey Duck Stamp Committee meeting to present the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project Plan and gain funding/support for the project. Everyone enjoyed the presentation and

15 agreed it was a good project. Unfortunately, they did not agree to fund the project.

The Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project was eventually funded through two sources: $25,000 from the Ducks Unlimited MARSH Program and $25,000 from the Region 5 Challenge Grant Program.

During November, ROS Robichaud completed 1995 grant proposals for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and Ducks Unlimited MARSH Program for the continuation of the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration. The Refuge hopes to receive $75,000 total in 1995 from the Region 5 Challenge Grant Program, NFWF, and Ducks Unlimited to complete the restoration.

6. Safety

RM Pelizza, OA Reid, and CZB Pelizza attended a Defensive Driving class on February 26 in Sparta, New Jersey.

On June 23, incident reports were filed for both SCA Resource Assistants. Resource Assistant Matak had come into contact with poison ivy near her eye, while Resource Assistant Harvan discovered an inflamed area on her calf which was attributed to poison sumac. Both received medical attention.

Unfortunately, two more safety related incidents were reported in July. Resource Assistant Harvan contracted a severe case of poison ivy. The rash became infected and warranted a trip to the doctor's office. The poison ivy then spread to her neck and caused a second trip to the doctor. Treatments soon healed this new rash. We worked successfully with the SCA Resource Assistant Program to submit medical claims to their insurance company and SCA to cover these incidents.

On July 19, Resource Assistant Matak and the Refuge's Dodge Ram were involved in a motor vehicle accident with an ambulance. Neither driver was injured, and no passengers were in either vehicle. Minor damages occurred to the Refuge vehicle: the rear tail light was broken and the rear panel dented.

The final incident of the year occurred on October 6. ROS Robichaud received a paper cut on the cornea of one eye while working at the typewriter; medical attention was received.

On November 28, OA Reid and ROS Robichaud hosted a safety meeting. Volunteers Calamusso and Monica Jurhasz were also in attendance. The video "Office Safety" was shown and the "Office Safety Workbook" discussed.

16 7. Technical Assistance

On May 11, RM Pelizza attended a meeting with Terry Caruso of the NJDEPE to discuss the Mt. Bethel Humus site. Mt. Bethel Humus Corporation has submitted a NJ Individual Freshwater Wetlands Permit proposing an expansion of peat mining on land within the Refuge acquisition boundary. RM Pelizza and Ms. Caruso also discussed the possibility of the Service assisting in providing restoration plans for the site. The Vernon Township Planning Board had approved the proposed expansion last year subject to a restoration plan. At that time, the Service was not in favor of providing restoration plan assistance as they did not approve the expansion project.

RM Pelizza presented a tour of the Refuge on June 16 for Dan Van Abe of the NJDEPE, Jim Bale of Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA), Engineering Consultant Tom Varro, and Craig Moore of the ES NJ Field Office. During the same day, Contaminants Specialist Moore and RM Pelizza attended a meeting held by SCMUA regarding the watershed plan.

On November 8, ROS Robichaud was interviewed by Orange County Community College student Mike Holleran for his Environmental Conservation class project.

8. Other

RM Pelizza attended a Wallkill Valley Drainage Improvement Association Meeting on February 22.

RM Pelizza attended an inventory database meeting at Great Swamp NWR on April 6.

Refuge staff attended the Hudson River/New York Bight Ecosystem Team meetings on May 12-13, June 6-7, and August 16-17. The June meeting was hosted by Wallkill River NWR. Afterwards, meeting attenders Dale Coggeshall, Libby Herland, Bill Koch, and Dianna Ellis were given an introduction and tour of the Refuge by RM Pelizza.

OA Reid was on detail in the Regional Office with CGS from August 28 to September 12, assisting with end of year procedures.

OA Reid attended the New Employee Training Session in the Regional Office on March 22-25. * RM Pelizza attended both sessions of LE Refresher being held in Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR during April 10-23. RM Pelizza attended the session as the LE Committee Chairperson and also as a participant during the second session.

17 OA Reid attended an administrative workshop held at the Regional Office on June 13-15.

RM Pelizza attended Visa credit card training held during the administrative workshop on June 14.

On April 26, RM Pelizza attended training on advocacy held in the Regional Office.

RM Pelizza and ROS Robichaud attended the Geographic Information System (GIS) Workshop at Bombay Hook NWR on August 18-19.

RM Pelizza and ROS Robichaud attended the Moist Soil Workshop at Iroquois NWR on September 12-14.

ROS Robichaud attended the Refuge Biological Workshop at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center on September 7-9.

On December 6, ROS Robichaud attended Visa training at John Heinz NWR at Tinicum. ,

F. HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Wetlands

The wetlands of the Wallkill River NWR can be divided into two major ecological systems: (a) riverine and (b) palustrine. The riverine system is limited to the main freshwater river channel and tributary systems. The palustrine wetlands are represented by three major types: (a) emergent wetland, (b) scrub-shrub, and (c) forested wetlands.

Palustrine emergent wetlands (marshes) occur along the margin of the Wallkill River. Common marsh plants characterizing this wetland type include reedgrass, spike rushes, sedges, and cattails.

One of the purposes for which the Refuge was established is to protect and enhance the water quality of aquatic habitats within the Refuge boundary. The Final EA for the establishment of the Wallkill River NWR identified two surface water discharges suspected of degrading water quality — the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority (SCMUA) sewage treatment plant and the Sussex Borough sewage treatment plant. The SCMUA facility is located approximately 1 mile upstream of the Refuge boundary, and the Sussex Borough plant

18 discharges into Clove Brook, a tributary of the Wallkill River. A third point source, the Ames Rubber plant located adjacent to Tract 86, is referenced in the Level II Pre-Acquisition Contaminants Survey dated December 1990.

The New Jersey Division of Water Resources notes that the effects of nonpoint pollution in the Wallkill River watershed are increasing. They also note a shift in nonpoint sources from agricultural sources (i.e., crop production, pasture land, and animal holding yards) to those created by increased urbanization. The agricultural sources cause excessive nutrient loading in Clove Brook and Papakating Creek; the Sussex Borough sewer treatment plant also discharges in Clove Brook. These in turn affect the water quality of the Wallkill River.

Other categories of known/potential contaminant sources to the Wallkill River include: expansion of Routes 15 and 23 through Sussex County causing increased residential, commercial, and industrial development; spraying of the river floodplain by the Sussex County Department of Health for mosquito control; the Elizabethtown Gas Company pipeline along Route 565; mining and quarry operations within the acquisition boundary; and allegations of overuse of pesticides/herbicides on onion/sod farms in the northeast area of the Refuge boundary. ,

The full impact of these point and nonpoint sources is evident by the Division of Water Resources' inclusion of the Wallkill River and Papakating Creek on a list of State impaired waters. The Wallkill River and Papakating Creek are also identified as being fishing and swimming impaired from both point and nonpoint sources.

Meetings had been ongoing during 1993 regarding the State's proposal to reclassify the waters within the Refuge acquisition boundary from Category 2 to Category 1, an anti-degradation classification. SCMUA opposed the upgrade due to the location of their facility upstream of the Refuge boundary and the possibility that it could limit the planned expansion of their facility. The Service stated its support of the proposal as the reclassification would be beneficial to improving the water quality of the Wallkill River. At the end of the past year, the Regional Director sent a letter to the NJDEPE Commissioner supporting the reclassification. On January 5, the State responded with a letter explaining that after consideration of all the information presented, they decided to reject a change to Category 1 in favor of a watershed management plan as suggested by John Hall, an attorney/consultant for SCMUA who felt such a plan "could achieve equivalent ecological and water quality results in a cost effective manner which obviated the need for the Category 1 designation." The Service believed the implefnentation of a watershed management plan was a good step but not a substitution for the Category 1 antidegradation designation, because the watershed plan does not have any regulatory authority.

19 On June 8, RM Pelizza and Senior Biologist Craig Moore of the ES NJ Field Office participated in an initial meeting with representatives from the NJDEPE, SCMUA, State Senator Littell's office, and others regarding the proposed watershed management plan. Biologist Moore clarified that the Service was not merely seeking antidegradation status as a result of the problem with SCMUA's discharge as was perceived by some at the meeting, and that the Service had a history of working with SCMUA. He pointed out that the Service was seeking antidegradation status for waters within the Refuge to protect the future of Refuge resources from point and nonpoint sources as the watershed changes and develops including clay and gravel mining operations in the watershed. Reclassification was also desirable as a matter of consistency with the federal and State definitions for waters within NWRs or State Wildlife Management Areas.

RM Pelizza and Biologist Moore attended a second Wallkill River watershed planning meeting on September 9 at the SCMUA facility in Hamburg, NJ. Representatives from the SCMUA, NJDEPE, local township offices, and local health departments were again in attendance. The purpose of the watershed planning »meeting was to determine point and non-point sources of pollution degrading the Wallkill River. On September 8, a letter was sent from the Regional Director to the NJDEPE Commissioner emphasizing the Service's recommendation for adoption of the Category 1 designation on all NWRs, including the newly designated Wallkill River and Cape May NWRs.

20 RM Pelizza and CZB Pelizza attended a Wetland Restoration Team Meeting on February 28 at the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR.

In order to analyze the feasibility of using water bladders in managing wetlands at the Wallkill River NWR, RM Pelizza accompanied CZB Pelizza to John Heinz NWR in Philadelphia, PA to assist with deployment of these devices at their impoundment sites.

Much of the year was devoted to the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration:

Pre-restoration area of the Liberty Sod Farm. Reid, J. 3/95

RM Pelizza and CZB Pelizza traveled to the Regional Office on March 9 to present the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project to personnel from the Refuges and Wildlife, Engineering, and Surveying Divisions.

On March 15, RM Pelizza and CZB Pelizza attended a meeting with SCS to discuss the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project. They provided much needed information for the NJDEPE General Freshwater Wetlands and Stream Encroachment Permits.

On April 5, RM Pelizza held a meeting on the Refuge with NJDEPE Representatives Terry Caruso and Sandy Adapon to discuss the General Freshwater Wetlands and Stream Encroachment Permits respectively for

21 restoration work to be conducted on the Liberty Sod Farm. A site visit of the Sod Farm was included.

Sod farm restoration project in progress. Reid, J. 10/94

Murray Laubhen from the University of Missouri visited the Liberty Sod Farm restoration site to conduct a moist soil "inspection" of the area on June 20.

RM Pelizza completed the New Jersey General Freshwater Wetlands Permit for the Refuge during July. *

On August 12, the EA for the Sod Farm Restoration Project was sent to the Regional Office for approval and distributed to local interested parties. A news release was sent to local newspapers announcing the availability of the EA.

22 Comments were received from several local interested parties; however, as of year's end, the Regional Office had not returned any comments.

On August 30, Jeff Enlow, force account Operator from Moosehorn NWR, arrived to deliver the Region's John Deere D - 7 bulldozer. The dozer was too large and heavy to be used in the muck soils of the sod farm, and therefore was never unloaded from the trailer. A smaller bulldozer was rented from G&H Services in Newton, NJ.

The following Operators contributed to the 1994 field season of the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project:

Operator Refuge Dates at Wallkill Thomas Seikanic Moosehorn NWR Aug. 29 - Sept. 9 Mel Smith Great Swamp NWR Sept. 3-5, 17-18 Jim Boehm Iroquois NWR Sept. 11-23 Jeff Enlow Moosehorn NWR Oct. 11-24 Don Lima Stewart McKinney NWR Oct. 24-Nov. 5

A contractor was also hired during the period of August 29-September 9 to assist with the project.

Installing a water control structure at former Liberty Sod Farm. Pelizza, C. 8/94

23 Progress on the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project has been astronomical this year! 8 units have been built, including 2.5 miles of dike and 10 water control structures. The many impoundments created by this project will not only allow for management flexibility, but will provide a spectacular moist soil demonstration site.

f

Checking boards in a new water control structure at sod farm restoration site. Reid, J. 10/94

Several individuals, both adjacent landowners and curious individuals, expressed concern bver the sod farm restoration project during the months when construction was taking place. Most were afraid of the Refuge flooding their land, excluding access to hunting areas, and restoring a working farm to "wetlands" that generations before them strived to dewater. RM Pelizza and ROS

24 Robichaud tried to ease their concerns by speaking to them in person or over the telephone. Several have come around to "our" way of thinking.

ROS Robichaud completed grant proposals for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and Ducks Unlimited MARSH Program for the continuation of the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project. The Refuge hopes to receive $75,000 total from Region 5 Challenge Grant program, NFWF, and Ducks Unlimited in CY1995.

On December 28, drawdown of one of the newly created management units on the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Site was begun in order to address adjacent landowners' concerns regarding localized flooding. The newly created units must be worked with carefully and the effects of both filling and drawdowns must be monitored to eliminate effects on neighbors.

7. Grazing

On November 10, Richard Havens was sent his 1994 Special Use Permit for grazing cattle. As a result of Wallkill River NWR's grazing compatibility determination, modifications will be made to the 1995 Special Use Permits (SUP) for grazing. The Refuge is now insisting that rotational grazing, which protects the land from overuse and erosion, be used by grazing Special Use Permitees.

10. Pest Control

RM Pelizza met with Keith Robertson of the Sussex County Mosquito Control Division on June 15. The County normally conducts spraying of the local area, including land which now belongs to the Service. They discussed SUP conditions for spraying on the Refuge. On December 28, a 1995 SUP was sent for signature to Scott Crans, Superintendent of the Division of Mosquito Control in the Sussex County Health Center.

G. WILDLIFE

1. Wildlife Diversity

RM Pelizza met with Jerry Legory of the Cape May Bird Observatory on June 15 to answer questions regarding the Refuge. Jerry conducted bird observations within the Refuge area for the following week as part of his work for a breeding bird atlas.

25 Endangered and Threatened Species a. Federally Threatened and Endangered Species.

In the state of New Jersey, 29 federally listed threatened and endangered species have been noted. None have been found to utilize the Wallkill River NWR. The opportunity does exist, however, for observation of a bald eagle or peregrine falcon during migration. A candidate species, the bog turtle, is found on the Refuge. b. State of New Jersey Threatened and Endangered Species.

Nineteen State-listed threatened and endangered species are known to utilize the Wallkill River bottomlands. Thirteen of these species have been found and confirmed within the Refuge boundary. These species include the short-eared owl, barred owl, red-shouldered hawk, Cooper's hawk, northern harrier, savannah sparrow, sedge wren, bobolink, great blue heron, red-headed woodpecker, upland sandpiper, wood turtle, and bog turtle. Breeding red-headed woodpeckers and migrating upland sandpipers have only been recently reported as occurring on the Refyge.

The barred owl, a State threatened species, is known to nest within the Refuge boundary. The Refuge also offers excellent potential to support breeding and migrating osprey, a threatened species in New Jersey.

26 TABLE 5. NEW JERSEY THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES UTILIZING THE WALLKILL RIVER BOTTOMLANDS

Species Threatened Endangered

Barred Owl (Strix varia) X

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) X

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) X

Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) X

Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) X

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) X

Osprey (Pand ion haleaetus) X

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) X

Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) X

Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) x .

Bobolink (Dolichonyx orzivarus) X

Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) X

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes eryth roeph a I us) X

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) X

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymus podiceps) X

American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) X

Upland Sandpiper (Bart ramia longicauda) X

Wood turtle (Clennnys insculpta) X

Bog turtle (Clem mys muhlenbergii) X

Source: Endangered and Non-game Species Program, New Jersey Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife

Waterfowl

During migration, the Wallkill River bottomlands attract large numbers of waterfowl, including the following:

Black Duck* Green-winged Teal Ruddy Duck Mallard* Blue-winged Teal Lesser Scaup Wood Duck* Canada Goose Ring-necked Duck

27 Gadwall Common Merganser American Wigeon Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Northern Shoveler

""Identifies National Resource Species

The Wallkill River bottomlands were once an important area for the northern pintail, an early migrant. With the planned wetland restoration of the Liberty Sod Farm (see Section F.2) and improved wetland habitat management, the Refuge hopes to attract this species during migration again.

Nesting species include the black duck, mallard, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, wood duck, pintail, hooded merganser, common merganser, and Canada goose.

No formal waterfowl surveys were conducted on the Refuge this year.

RM Pelizza and Resource Assistant Brett Matak attended a waterfowl coordination meeting held on May 19 at the NJ State Assunpink Wildlife Management Area. f

5. Shorebirds. Gulls. Terns, and Allied Species

We hope to increase habitat for these species through wetland restoration of the Liberty Sod Farm.

6. Raptors

A variety of raptor species utilize Refuge habitat resources for nesting and/or feeding. The great horned, barn, short-eared, and screech owl are known to have nested on or near the Refuge acquisition boundary. Long-eared and saw-whet owls are winter migrants.

Red-tailed hawks and American kestrels are the most predominately sighted raptors, most likely because they are resident species. Other raptors include: the sharp-shinned hawk, goshawk, rough-legged hawk, broad-winged hawk, and merlin.

Turkey and black vultures are resident species.

28 7. Other Migratory Birds

The Wallkill River NWR provides important nesting breeding, feeding, and/or migratory habitat for the following National Resource Species: black duck, wood duck, mallard, American woodcock, and great blue heron.

This internal Service designation is used to focus management direction on selected species because of their endangered status, economic value, declining population and habitat trends, public use demands, human/wildlife conflicts, or legal and administrative responsibilities.

The Refuge also provides important nesting and migratory habitat for many passerines and upland bird species of management concern in the northeast. These species include the pied-billed grebe, American bittern, least bittern, golden-winged warbler, and the cerulean warbler.

8. Game Mammals

Furbearers of economic importance inhabiting the Refuge include beaver, muskrat, mink, and raccoon. Muskrat, beaver, and raccoon are plentiful along the Wallkill River and its tributaries. Beaver primarily occupy bank lodges and generally do not create flowages within the Refuge boundary.

Because of the snow depth during this winter, many deer and wild turkey may not have survived. Some local residents, however, did their share to feed "their" backyard deer.

10. Other Resident Wildlife

Numerous small mammals such as voles, shrews, and mice are common in the upland fields and shrub habitat types. These small mammals form a large component of the raptor forage base in the local area.

Black bear and bobcat are also known to occur occasionally on the Refuge. It is felt that animals sighted are usually transitory, traveling between large wooded areas lying to the east and west of the Refuge.

11. Fisheries Resources * Papakating Creek, a tributary of the Wallkill River, is classified as trout maintenance down to the Route 629 bridge in Frankford Township and nontrout for its remaining length down to the Wallkill River confluence. The classification

29 of the waters within the Refuge acquisition boundary are therefore considered nontrout. The Wallkill River does, however, support a warmwater fishery for largemouth bass, pickerel, perch, sunfish, and bullhead.

H. PUBLIC USE

1. General

Historically, consumptive recreational uses of Wallkill's natural resources included waterfowl and deer hunting along with a limited amount of trapping. Fishing activities were limited because of restricted and/or lack of access.

Current non-consumptive recreational uses on parcels within the acquisition boundary include canoeing, wildlife observation, bicycling, photography, horse­ back riding, ATV use, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Regional Office staff Tom Cornish and Sarah Bevilaqua of Refuges and Wildlife's Technical Services were at the Refuge during the week of June 27-29 to assist the Refuge in creation of its public use plan. We hope to open at least some portion of the Refuge to public use in 1995.

On January 25-27, RM Pelizza attended Compatibility Training in Northhampton, Massachusetts. Compatibility determinations and the Secondary Use Questionnaires for vector control, big game hunting, and grazing were completed and forwarded to the Regional Office during August. All three uses were found to be compatible.

7. Other Interpretive Programs

During June, Refuge staff designed and submitted an order for a sign to be placed at the Liberty Sod Farm restoration site. The sign gives information on the cooperative restoration project between Ducks Unlimited and the Service.

RM Pelizza presented a program on the Service and careers within the Service to an Introductory Environmental Science class at Sussex County Community College on April 4.

OA Reid represented the Service and the Refuge by staffing an information table at Vernon Township Environmental Commission's Earth Day event on April 24.

30 RM Pelizza presented multiple programs on the Service and the Refuge at Warwick High School in Warwick, New York on May 24.

On July 22, RM Pelizza and ROS Robichaud presented a "Endangered Species" and "Reptiles and Amphibians" program to participants in the Beaver Lake Day Camp.

From July 23 - 26, RM Pelizza visited Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, to represent the Service and present a program on "Careers in the Fish and Wildlife Service" and "Endangered Species". Props from the Cargo for Conservation Program were used for the endangered species presentation. Twenty Native American high school students representing fifteen different tribes were in attendance. This is the third year RM Pelizza has participated in the Natural Resources Camp sponsored by the Service and the EPA.

ROS Robichaud and sixth grade student at the Orange County Conservation Field Days. Reid, J. 9/94

OA Reid and ROS Robichaud presented "Endangered Species" programs to approximately 450 sixth graders at the Orange County Conservation Field Days in Montgomery, NY on September 28. The event was sponsored by the Orange

31 County Soil and Water Conservation District. The two day event was rained out on September 27.

On October 3, ROS Robichaud gave presentations to two Bear Scout groups, twelve scouts total. Wallkill River NWR, the Sod Farm Restoration Project, and endangered species were discussed. Cargo for Conservation props were used.

On December 1, ROS Robichaud gave a presentation to Orange County Community College's Environmental Conservation class at the Liberty Sod Farm. The USFWS, Wallkill River NWR, and the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration were discussed. Approximately fifteen students were in attendance.

On December 15, ROS Robichaud visited the Fredon School in Newton to present "Endangered Species" to a group of six Bear Scouts. Cargo for Conservation props were used.

Hunting

1994 was the second year hunting was allowed on the Refuge. RM Pelizza^and CZB Pelizza attended a meeting with New Jersey Deer Biologist Sue Predel on February 18. Plans were discussed concerning the 1994-1995 deer hunting season. All agreed that in future years it would be easier to designate Wallkill River NWR as it's own zone. At this time, however, we will continue to work within Deer Management Zone 2 regulations.

Due to limited staff, the Refuge held a very low maintenance hunt without Refuge hunt permits or check stations on the Refuge. Eight parcels on the Refuge were made open to all deer hunters with proper NJ licenses and Zone 2 permits. The Refuge was open only for New Jersey's Zone 2 extended season permits, not for the standard New Jersey Seasons.

Deer hunting at the Refuge in 1994-1995 were open as follows:

November 12-30: Bow Season December 1-3: Bow Season 14-16: Shotgun Season 17-31: Muzzleloader Season January 14-15,21-22: Shotgun Season (all excluding Sundays)

The Refuse was open for hunter scouting on November 5-6 and December 4.

RM Pelizza completed the Refuge 1994-95 hunt regulations and submitted them for publication in the New Jersey Hunt Digest in addition to sending a news

32 release to local papers announcing the annual Refuge deer hunt at the Refuge. Unfortunately, the New Jersey Hunt Digest which is the information guide on hunting in the State misprinted our telephone number. An unlucky local couple whose telephone number matched the misprinted number was inundated with calls from hunters for the next two months despite the corrections the State had printed in local papers in an attempt to remedy the error. When the couple contacted the Refuge to identify themselves, they were extremely good natured and understanding about the situation, and informed Refuge staff that they had given our correct number on their answering machine's outgoing message and was letting it pick up all of their calls. In spite of the misprint, the Refuge received many telephone calls and visits from potential deer hunters requesting information on the Refuge's 1994-95 deer hunt season. Almost 150 maps and regulations were mailed or given out.

Very little activity was received during the January shotgun split seasons (January 14-15, 21-22). Snow depth at this time was averaging between 2 1/2 to 3 feet.

Wallkill River NWR's only LE officer, RM Pelizza, was on maternity leave in November followed by her transfer to another station in December. Therefore, all LE at the Refuge during both the extended seasons and the NJ firearms seqson during which the Refuge was closed was provided by staff from Great Swamp NWR, John Heinz NWR, Long Island NWR, LE Field Office in Newark, NJ, and NJ State Conservation Officers (See Section H.17). Their assistance was invaluable and much appreciated.

16. Other Non-Wildlife Oriented Recreation

A unique aspect of the Refuge is that the Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses the northern section of the Refuge at the edge of the Liberty Sod Farm. RM Pelizza attended an Appalachian Trail Management Committee Meeting on March 30 to discuss upcoming work activities for the Trail. On May 11, RM Pelizza and representatives from the Appalachian Trail Committee met and canoed a portion of the Wallkill River in order to discussed the location for a replacement trail bridge across the Wallkill River.

17. Law Enforcement

RM Pelizza was designated as the LE Refresher Committee Chair for 1994. In this capacity, she traveled to the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR on January 18- 20 for a T994 LE Refresher Committee meeting, and hosted a LE Refresher Committee meeting on June 23 at Wallkill River NWR. Many additional hours were spent coordinating LE Refresher assignments with Committee members and organizing the upcoming refresher sessions. RM Pelizza attended both sessions

33 of LE Refresher being held in Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR during April 10-23 as the LE Refresher Committee Chairperson and also as a second session participant. RM Pelizza completed a memo from the Committee regarding successes, problems, and suggestions for next year's LE Refresher Committee, and forwarded it to the Regional Office.

RM Pelizza was interviewed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Investigation on October 10 regarding her background check for LE authority. By the end of the month, she received word that she had passed the "examination".

The following Refuge Officers assisted Wallkill River NWR during the deer hunt seasons at the Refuge:

Mike McMenamin John Heinz NWR at Tinicum Dec. 5-7 Tom McFadden Great Swamp NWR Dec. 8-9 Bill Kolodnicki Long Island NWR Dec. 10 Bruce Marto Long Island NWR Dec. 10 Leigh Zahm John Heinz NWR at Tinicum Dec. 14-16

1. EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

Rehabilitation

Terry Mitchell from the John Heinz NWR at Tinicum visited the Refuge on February 18 and 19 to provide much needed maintenance assistance. Maintenance Worker Mitchell constructed several shelves; replaced/placed bolt locks on office doors; secured the equipment shed, etc. All tools and equipment needed for these projects was brought from Tinicum. There is no equipment available at Wallkill.

During the months of June and July, Resource Assistants Harvan and Matak, and Volunteer Stoehr, cleaned, scraped, and painted the office porch with help from Office Assistant Reid and ROS Robichaud. The front stairway and several windows were also replaced.

On October 24, Volunteer Calamusso picked up Great Swamp NWR's dump truck to use for driveway repair projects. On the same day, the rented backhoe arrived. Volunteer Calamusso repaired the Office driveway, repaired the dirt drive off bf Scenic Lakes Drive, and created a hunt parking area off of Scenic Lakes Drive.

34 4. Equipment Utilization and Replacement

Various heavy equipment was rented or borrowed for the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration, including:

Equipment Rented/Borrowed From: John Deere 550 Dozer G&H Services John Deere 310D Excavator G&H Services Motor-grader Bombay Hook NWR

On November 22, the Refuge's first piece of maintenance equipment, a John Deere lawn tractor, arrived. During the weekend of December 9, Volunteer Calamusso and ROS Robichaud traveled to Montezuma NWR to receive two items of excess property: a pushmower and a small trailer. With these items, the Refuge will be able to completely maintain the lawns surrounding the office and other buildings on the Refuge.

The Refuge's Dodge truck was taken in for body work in December to fix damages incurred during the motor vehicle accident in July (see Section E.6). The opportunity was used to also fix a host of other minor miscellaneous dents, the truck had acquired over the years of regular use in back areas of the Refuge.

8. Other

As usual, many hours were devoted to boundary posting this year. Most Refuge property is now posted along adjacent roads, although the interiors must still be posted. Volunteer Stoehr, and Resource Assistants Matak and Harvan devoted many days to boundary posting.

The October 15-16 was a boundary posting weekend at the Refuge. Refuge boundary, Area Closed signs, and several gates were put up on the Liberty Sod Farm by ROS Robichaud and Volunteers Rich Calamusso, Craig Stephenson, Keith Stephenson, Ron Stephenson, Bill Stoehr, and Willy Main. Additionally, ROS Robichaud and Volunteer Calamusso hung one gate and several more signs on October 16.

Volunteer Calamusso also assisted ROS Robichaud with preparation for hunting and hunter scouting days by constructing and painting parking signs, installing signs and gates, and posting boundaries.

35 J. OTHER ITEMS

1. Cooperative Programs

A meeting was held with Biologist Christine Hafner of the ES NJ Field Office on February 17 regarding stream bank fencing of the Wallkill River. This project is an activity which will incorporate the Partners for Wildlife Program. Biologist Hafner returned on June 1 to meet with Refuge staff and several local landowners to discuss the Partners for Wildlife Program.

ROS Robichaud completed grant proposals for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and Ducks Unlimited MARSH Program for the continuation of the Liberty Sod Farm Restoration Project. The Refuge hopes to receive $75,000 total from Region 5 Challenge Grant program, NFWF, and Ducks Unlimited in CY1995.

4. Credits f The report was written by ROS Robichaud and OA Reid and edited by RM Herland.

Photographs were taken by RM Pelizza, CZB Pelizza, OA Reid, and ROS Robichaud.

36 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

allkill River is one of almost 500 refuges in the rWallkill WNational Wildlife Refuge System administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a network of lands and waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat and repre­ most comprehensive wildlife management program cRpyer sents the in the world. Units of the system stretch across the United States from northern Alaska to the Florida Keys and include small islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific. The charac­ National Wildlife Refuge ter of the refuges is as diverse as the nation itself. The Service also manages National Fish Hatcheries, and provides Federal leadership in habitat protection, fish and wildlife research, technical assistance and the conservation and protection of migratory birds, certain marine mammals and threatened and endangered species.

For further information, contact: Refuge Manager Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 383 Sussex, New Jersey 07461-0383 Telephone: (201) 702-7266

A TDD device is available at the refuge.

This brochure is also available upon request in a largeprint version.

© Julien Beauregard

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Sussex, New Jersey

RL-52610 September 1993 Welcome In addition, the refuge straddles two major migration corri­ dors for waterfowl moving between eastern Canada and the ' stablished in 1990, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge Atlantic Coast, and the Delaware River and Hudson River corridors. Waterfowl from both corridors stop to rest and feed Ejis located along a nine-mile stretch of the Wallkill River in Sussex County, New Jersey, and Orange County, New York. in the extensive wetlands along the Wallkill River. Through ongoing acquisition efforts, this refuge has the poten­ tial to encompass 7,500 acres of fish and wildlife habitat. Habitat types will include 4,200 acres of freshwater wetlands, Wildlife Resources and Management 800 acres of hardwood forest, and 2,500 acres of grasslands and adjacent upland. A I "Te Wallkill River lies within two physiographic provinces JL — the Appalachian Valley and Ridge Province which encompasses the Kittatinny Mountain Range to the west and the Highland Ridge System Province to the east. Because of these features, many migratory birds are "funneled" through the Wallkill Valley. More than 225 species of birds occur on the refuge, includ­ ing 21 species of waterfowl, 32 species of waterbirds, 24 species of raptors, and 125 species of songbirds. Raptors and songbirds are plentiful during the fall and spring migrations.

© Julien Beauregard

Why A Refuge?

' I %e Wallkill River bottomland is one of the few, large areas JL of high quality waterfowl habitat remaining in northwest­ © Julien Beauregard ern New Jersey. It is also unique as a wildlife habitat due to its expansive wetlands and great diversity of species it supports, The most common mammals are cottontail rabbit, gray including nineteen of New Jersey's listed threatened and endan­ squirrel, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, red fox, gray fox, coyote, and gered species and five of New York's listed species. white-tailed deer. Black bear are occasionally observed as they pass through the valley. As a major watershed and wetland complex, the Wallkill River provides migratory and nesting habitat for Atlantic Flyway The Wallkill River itself provides an excellent warmwater black duck populations as well as wood duck, mallard, green- fishery for largemouth bass, pickerel, perch, sunfish, and bull­ winged teal, common mergansers, and Canada geese. heads. flooded extensively, forming a huge lake in the spring. Before it was effectively drained, settlers used the bottomland meadows as pasturage for cattle. As early as 1760, efforts were made to straighten, dredge, and drain the river corridor to make the land dry enough to farm. The effort didn't succeed until 66 years later when a large canal lowered the water table of the river. Mill owners, however, sought to keep the lands flooded, and a battle ensued between the millers and the farmers who wanted the lands drained. These battles were known as the "Muskrat and Beaver" wars. The millers were known as the "beavers". The farmers were known as the "muskrats". The disputes were finally settled in the farmer's favor in 1871.

Activities

Refuge management will concentrate on preserving, restor­ ecreational activities of all types have historically occurred ing, and enhancing the natural diversity of fish, wildlife, plants, Ron and around Wallkill River Refuge. The relatively and their habitats along the Wallkill River. Most of the wetland undisturbed nature of the surrounding area has made it popular areas, if not all, were drained in the past. Restoration activities for hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, and horseback will include restoring some of the areas to their natural state and riding. maintaining others as moist soil units. The grassland and forest The Wallkill River Refuge is, however, currently closed to areas are very important to raptors and songbirds and, therefore, visitor activities, and no facilities exist as of yet. will be maintained and enhanced for nesting and migrating As lands are acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, species. all recreational activities will be evaluated to determine their compatibility with refuge purposes. Generally, wildlife-ori­ ented activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, A Unique History and wildlife observation will be encouraged. Additionally, the Service will work to develop a public use program that will ' I "'he Wallkill"River area was said to be known by the Native include such things as interpretive trails, wildlife exhibits, and X Americans as "Twischsawkin", meaning the land where educational workshops. These opportunities will benefit school plums abound. Many prehistoric resources are found in the area. groups of all ages as well as local residents and visitors. A total of eighteen archaeological sites, including six rock Because existing and permitted activities may change, per­ shelters are thought to exist. The Wallkill Valley was an sons interested in visiting Wallkill River Refuge should contact important source of flint and chert for the aboriginal inhabit­ the refuge manager for further information regarding public use ants, who used these stones to fashion their projectile points. regulations. Thus, it appears that the Native Americans not only valued the area for its abundant food resources, but also traveled consider­ Also of interest is the Appalachian Trail, which crosses able distance to exploit its mineral resources. through the northern section of the refuge. Camping facilities are located at the adjacent High Point and Waywayanda State In historic times, an influx of Dutch settlers followed the Parks. Wallkill up from the Hudson River. They dubbed the Wallkill River bottomland "The Drowned Lands" because the valley WALLKILL RIVER National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife of the WALLKILL RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES The remaining species are less abundant and/or only observed during migration. FEDERALLY THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. STATE OF NEW YORK THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. In the State of New Jersey, 29 federally listed threatened and endangered species have been noted. New York State The bog turtle (E), osprey (T), red-shouldered hawk (T), and supports 31 species. Although none have been found to utilize northern harrier (T) are New York listed threatened and the Refuge extensively, the opportunity does exist for endangered species known to exist with the Refuge boundary. observation of a bald eagle or peregrine falcon during f migration. The eastern woodrat (E) and cricket frog (T) have the potential to occur on the Refuge, but have not yet been confirmed. '

WATERFOWL

During migration, the Wallkill River bottomlands attract a variety of waterfowl species, including the following:

American wigeon Hooded merganser Black duck Lesser scaup STATE OF NEW JERSEY THREATENED AND Blue-winged teal Mallard ENDANGERED SPECIES. Bufflehead Northern shoveler Canada goose Ring-necked duck Nineteen New Jersey-listed threatened and endangered species Common merganser Ruddy duck are known to utilize the Wallkill River National Wildlife Gadwall Wood duck Refuge. The species are as follows (T=Threatened, E= Green-winged teal Endangered): The area was also historically important for the northern American bittern (T) Pied-billed grebe (E) pintail. With wetland restoration and improved wetland Bald eagle (E) Red-headed woodpecker (T) habitat management, the Refuge may be able to attract this Barred owl (T) Red-shouldered hawk (T) species again. Bobolink (T) Savannah sparrow (T) Bog turtle (E) Sedge wren (E) Nesting species include the black duck, mallard, green-winged Cooper's hawk (E) Short-eared owl (E) teal, blue-winged teal, wood duck, hooded merganser, Grasshopper sparrow (T) Upland sandpiper (E) common merganser, and Canada goose. Great blue heron (T) Vesper sparrow (E) Northern harrier (E) Wood turtle (T) Osprey (T)

The most common species observed include the barred owl, red-bellied woodpecker, bobolink, grasshopper sparrow, savannah sparrow, and great blue heron. RAPTORS trends, public use demands, human/wildlife conflicts, or legal and administrative responsibilities. A variety of raptor species utilize Refuge habitat resources for nesting and/or feeding. The great-horned, barn, barred, and The Refuge also provides important nesting and migratory screech owl are known to nest on or near the Refuge. Long- habitat for many passerines and upland bird species of eared and saw-whet owls are winter migrants. management concern in the northeast. These species include the pied-billed grebe, American bittern, least bittern, golden- The red-tailed hawk and American kestrel are resident species winged warbler, and the Cerulean warbler. and the most predominately sighted raptors. Black and turkey vultures are also resident species. Raptors which can be observed during migration include: the sharp-shinned hawk, RESIDENT WILDLIFE goshawk, rough-legged hawk, broad-winged hawk, and merlin as well as those on the New Jersey and New York threatened The most common mammals observed on the Refuge include and endangered species lists. the eastern cottontail rabbit, eastern gray squirrel, raccoon, beaver, muskrat, red fox, coyote, and white-tailed deer.

OTHER MIGRATORY BIRDS Furbearers of economic importance that are not as easily observed are the mink and river otter. Approximately 125 species of songbirds are known to inhabit the Refuge. The most common species include:

Bank swallow Least flycatcher Black-capped chickadee Northern cardinal Blue jay Red-eyed vireo Blue-winged warbler Rough-winged swallow Carolina wren Ruby-crowned kinglet Cedar waxwing Scarlet tanager Eastern bluebird Song sparrow Eastern kingbird Swamp sparrow Eastern phoebe Tufted titmouse Numerous small mammals such as voles, shrews, and mice Indigo bunting White-breasted nuthatch are common in the upland fields and shrub habitat types. These small mammals form a large component of the raptor forage base in the local area.

Black bear and bobcat are also known to occur occasionally on the Refuge. The animals sighted are usually transitory, traveling between large wooded ares lying to the east and west of the Refuge.

Ruffed grouse and ring-necked pheasant are observed occassionally while wild turkey are abundant throughout the Refuge.

MIGRATORY SPECIES OF MANAGEMENT CONCERN FISHERIES RESOURCES

The Wallkill River Refuge provides important nesting, Although the waters within the Refuge are considered non- breeding, feeding, and/or migratory habitat for the following trout, the Wallkill River supports a warmwater fishery for National Resource Species: black duck, wood duck, mallard, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, American woodcock, and great blue heron. redbrest sunfish, and brown and yellow bullhead.

This internal Service designation is used to focus management Several species of minnows, shiners, and darters provide a direction on selected species because of their endangered forage base for the great blue heron and other marsh and status, economic value, declining population and habitat water birds.

WALLKILL RIVER NWR, P.O. Box 383, Sussex, NJ 07461 201-702-7266