NATURALRESOURCEINVENTORY
FOR
THE CITY OF BAYONNE c HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Prepared For:
The City of Bayonne Environmental Commission c
Prepared By:
Coastal Environmental Services, Inc. 2 Research Way, Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 987 0966
May 1996 NATURALRESOURCEINVENTORY
FOR
THE CITY OF BAYONNE HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Prepared For:
The City of Bayonne Environmental Commission
Prepared By:
Coastal Environmental Services, Inc. 2 Research Way, Princeton, NJ 08540 (609) 987 0966
May 1996 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
TABLE OF CONTENTS
. . . LISTOFTABLES ...... 111 LIST OF MAPS _.._...... ___...... _...... _...... iV BASEIVW ...... 1 LAND USE / IAND COVER ...... 3 TOPOGRAPHY ...... 5
II) FLOODPRONE AREAS ...... _...... _...... _..__...... 7 BEDROCK G EOLOGY ...... _...... _. 9 FmIR0NlvfENTALLY SENsm AREAS ...... 11 - zkPPENDIX 1 - LAND USE CLASSES ...... 16 APPENDIX 1 - SOURCEDATA ...... 18
ii City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
LIST OF TABLES
L TABLE 1 -- LAND USE / LAND COVER SuMM.ARY ...... 3
. . . 111 L
City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
LIST OF MAPS
BASEMAN ...... 2 LAND USE/ IAND COVER ...... 4 Tommm-rY ...... 6 FLOODPRONE~~WAS...... 8 BEDROCKGEOLOGY...... 10 ENVIRONMENTALLYSENSrnAREAS ...... 15
iv Natural Resource Inventory II City of Bayonne
BASE IYM
The City of Bayonne is located in Hudson County in northeastern New Jersey. The City is bordered on three sides by water - Upper Bay to the east, the Kill Van Ku11 to the South and Newark Bay to the West. Bayonne’s northeastern border is shared with Jersey City. The Upper Bay border is adjacent to Kings County (Brooklyn), New York. The Kill Van Ku11 border is adjacent to Richmond County (Staten Island), New York. The Newark Bay border is adjacent to Essex and Union Counties in New Jersey.
I The City of Bayonne covers a land area of 14.55 square kilometers (5.62 square miles), or 3,596.4 acres. Also within Bayonne’s political boundary is 4.75 acres of Shooter’s Island to the southwest (the remainder of which lies within Union County, NJ and Richmond County, NY).
The New Jersey Turnpike enters the City from the Newark Bay Bridge and crosses the northern end of Bayonne on a northwest - southeast axis. Route 169 travels the length of Bayonne beginning at J.F. Kennedy Memorial Boulevard in the southwest heading east towards Constable Hook, it therrtraverses the eastern side of the City and then turns west just north of the New Jersey Turnpike. Several major avenues run through the city on a southwest - northeast axis. Railroad lines owned by Conrail run parallel to Route 169 with spurs into industrial facilities in Constable Hook, Bergen Point, and into the Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal, a U.S. Naval Reservation in Upper Bay.
SOURCE DATA:
l City of Bayonne; Map of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980; Scale 1:6,000
l NJDEP, Integrated Terrain Unit: Hudson County, 1986 Imagery, Scale 1:24,000
l USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth t Jersey City (NJ-NY) 1981; Scale 1:24,000 I City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
LAND USE / LAND COVER
Land Use I Land Cover was classified using the U.S. Geological Survey’s Land Use / Land Cover classification system. Land Use was adapted from NJDEP’s digital Land Use data, which is derived from 1986 aerial imagery, and fi-om the City of Bayonne’s Zoning Map.
Land Use / Land Cover in the City of Bayonne is primarily urban. Table 1 below summarkes the Land Use / Land Cover that lies within the political boundaries of the City. Land Use Class definitions are located in Appendix 1.
TABLE 1 - LAND USE /LAND COVER SUMMARY
SOURCE DATA:
l City of Bayonne; Map of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980; Scale 1:6,000
l E. Eugene Oross Associates; City of Bayonne Zming Map; May 1995; Scale 1:6,000
l NJDEP, Integrated Terrain Unit: Hudson Coun@, 1986 Imagery Scale 1:24,000
l USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth L Jersey City (NJ-NY) 1981; Scale 1:24,000
3 Natural Resource Inventory I City of Bayonne
T OPOGRAPHY
Contour lines on the Topography map indicate lines of equal elevation. The numbers on the contour lines indicate the elevation in feet above mean sea level (ASL). The shape of the contours can be used to interpret the direction of stormwater surface runoff in areas where artificial storm drainage has not been emplaced. The City of Bayonne is relatively flat with elevations typically less than 30’ ASL. Slope is an expression of rate of change in vertical elevation over a horizontal distance. - Interpretation of the contour lines indicates that slopes are gentle in most areas of Bayonne. There are some steeper slopes along the Newark Bay side of the City and also proximal to Constable Hook. Steep slopes are generally associated with erosion and sedimentation in non-urbanized areas with inadequate stormwater storage and drainage, however, because the City of Bayonne is predominantly urbanized, this should not be a concern. While there is some brush/scrubland in the area of steeper slopes near Constable Hook, the vegetation in these areas should minim& any soil - displacement.
SOURCE DATA:
l City of Bayonne; h4ap of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980; Scale 1:6,000
l NJDEP; Integrated Terrain Unit: Hudson County, 1986 Imagery, Scale 1:24,000
l USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth & Jersey City (NJ-NY) 1981; Scale 1:24,000 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
FLOODPRONEAREAS
Floodplains are arcas of usually flat terrain bordering surf&e water bodies, at or near water surface elevation, which are periodically inundated by flood waters. Widespread flooding can occur after rainstorms of severe intensity, or during periods of prolonged rainstorms. Flooding can - also be caused by rapid melting of snowpacks. Floodplains are areas of high ecological value. Natural vegetative cover and proximity to surf&cc water provide excellent habitat for wildlife. Vegetated floodplains provide physical and biochemical water treatment by filtering out non-point source poMants that would otherwise enter the water bodies.
I Approximately 230 acies of land adjacent to Newark Bay and the Kill Van Ku11 are identified as documented floodprone areas by the U.S. Geological Survey. An additional 1,57 1 acres of undocumented floodprone areas exist along Newark Bay from Bayonne Park north and encompassing Constable Hook, and the Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal. While most of the floodprone areas in Bayonne have been developed, it is desirable (from an I environmental standpoint) to maintain and, if possible, restore as much of these floodplains as possible to protect and enhance the remaining ecological communities.
I SOURCE DATA:
l City of Bayonne; Map of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980; Scale 1:6,000
l NJDEP; Integrated Terrain Unit: Hudson COWI@, 1986 Imagery; Scale 1:24,000
l USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth & Jersey City (NJ-NY) 1981; Scale 1:24,000 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
BEDROCKGEOLOGY
Most of the bedrock geology underlying the City of Bayonne is Diabase (or Basalt). Diabase (TRDB) is a mass of igneous rock formed from an intrusive mass of lava forced between sedimentary beds. Its maximum thichess is estimated to be greater than 300 meters (1000 feet). Diabase is hard and very impermeable, however it is characterized by fractures that facilitate sub- surface channeling of groundwater. The Stockton formation (TRS) is the next most extensive geological formation underlying Bayonne. The Stockton formation consists of light colored arkosic sandstone and conglomerate, with inter-bedded red sandstone and shale. Its thickness is estimated between 700 and 945 meters (2,300 - 3 100 feet).
The bedrock geology under Shooter’s Island belongs to the Brunswick formation (TRB). It consists chiefly of soft, red shale with some interbedded sandstone. Its thickness is estimated between 1,829 and 2,438 meters (6,000 - 8,000 feet). Geologic masses from both the Brunswick and the Stockton formation are primarily derived from the sedimentation of disintegrated crystalline rocks from the southeastern United States.
Lastly, the eastern portion of Constable Island in underlain by Serpentine (SP) masses, which are found in isolated patches of Franklin limestone.
SOURCE DATA:
l City of Bayonne; Map of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980; Scale 1:6,000
l NJDEP; Integrated Terrain Unit: Hudson County, 1986 Imageq Scale 1:24,000
l NJ Department of Conservation & Development; “The Geology of New Jersey”; 1940
l USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth & Jersey City (NJ-NY) 1981; Scale 1:24,000 I City of BayoMe Natural Resource Inventory
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
The areas identified on the Environmentally Sensitive Areas map contain ecologically valuable habitat for terrestrial, aquatic and avian species. These areas were identified and delineated during field reconnaissance by scientists from Coastal Environmental Services.
BAYONNJICITYPARKNORTH
This site on the eastern shore of Newark Bay includes beaches and tidal flats. These features provide stopover areas for migrating shorebirds and could also be utilized as resting areas for selected species of wintering waterfowl.
BAYONNECITYPARKSOUTH
This site is similar to the Bayonne City Park North site, but it is somewhat larger. The area also includes beaches and tidal flats.
BAYONNEPARKNORTH
The site is located on the eastern shore of Newark Bay and contains tidal flats and wetlands. The wetlands are large enough to support breeding passerines and possibly waterfowl such as mallard or black duck. The flats provide a stopover location for migrating shorebirds. The flats may also - be utilized as a feeding area by wading birds such as great egrets, swamp egrets, great blue heron and other birds from Shooters Island.
BAYONNEPARKWETERANSPARK
The area between Veterans Park and Bayonne Park contains a tidal flat, beach and emergent wetland. These habitat types are valuable to migrating shorebirds and wintering waterfowl. Due to the proximity of the site to Shooters Island, herons, egrets, ibis and gulls are likely to utilize the
II site to feed or rest.
BERGEN Porn PLAYGROUND
This site near the western end of the Kill Van Ku11 possesses a man-made beach approximately 1,000 feet long. Exposed beaches such as this provide feeding and resting areas for migrating shorebirds. This is one of the few areas on the New Jersey side of the Kill Van Ku11 that is not bulkheaded.
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CONSTABIX. HOOK
A relatively extensive tidal wetland system comprised of emergent wetland and tidal flat is located on the north side of Constable Hook. Most of the emergent wetland is in the western and southern portion of this site. The wetlands near the water were dominated by smooth cordgrass. Wetland areas further from the water were typically dominated by common reed. Some beaches are located in the eastern portion of the site. Inland of most of these sensitive areas is undeveloped land consisting of field or successional woodland.
Wetlands such as those present at this site would serve as a feeding area for wading birds and a nesting area for waterfowl. The open water areas would provide waterfowl and colonial nesting birds, such as gulls and double-crested cormorants, with a feeding and resting habitat. The tidal flats and beaches provide shorebirds a suitable stopover location during migration.
GLOBAL TERMINAL
This site contains four distinct areas (two within the City of Bayonne) separated from each other by developed land. The largest of the four areas is at the western end of the channel south of Global Terminal. The wetland is dominated by smooth cordgrass. Small areas of beach also exist II) in this location.
The second largest area is located on the north side of Global Terminal. this emergent wetland is also dominated by smooth cordgrass. A small wetland is also present on the south side of the terminal. The uplands adjacent to the site is a migration area designated as least tern habitat. At the eastern end of Global Terminal is a narrow strip of undeveloped made-land that possesses open patches of ground interspersed with ruder-al vegetation. This area is suitable as a loafing area for gulls and terns.
Global Terminal is designated by the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Office of Natural Lands Management, as a Priority site. Priority sites represent some of the most important sites in the state for endangered and threatened plants, animals and ecosystems. According to the Office of Natural Lands Management, those sites should be considered top priorities for the preservation of biologic diversity. The Global Terminal site was designated due to the existence of a relatively large nesting colony of least tern a state-endangered species.
KILLVANKULL
- The Kill Van Ku11 is the waterway that connects Newark Bay to New York Bay. The shoreline of both the New Jersey and Staten Island, New York sides of the Kill Van Ku11 has been extensively developed; however, the open water provides a wintering area for waterfowl.
NEWARK BAY
Newark Bay is an estuary that does not possess any extensive wetland areas along the shoreline and is comprised primarily of open water as a result of extensive land development. The bay does, however, provide a wintering area for waterfowl. A small island at the southern end of the’bay
I supports several species of colonial waterbirds. The bay area serves as a feeding area for the gulls
12 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
and waterfowl that nest on Shooters Island, such as the double-crested cormorant, herring gull and greater black-backed gull.
The bay is also a f&g area for least tern, a species listed as endangered by the NJDEP. Known nesting locations of this species include Global Terminal (identified by the NJ Natural Heritage Program as a Priority site) and Newark Airport (near remote parking lot F in the southern part of the airport). An historic site near the NJ Turnpike bridge in Port Newark may also be active.
PORTJOHNSON
I An emergent wetland and tidal flat exist on the west side of Port Johnson near the eastern end of the Kill Van Kull. The tidal flat could serve as a stopover location for shorebirds and possibly a breeding area for passerines. The flats may be used as a feeding area by herons from Shooters Island.
sHOOTERSk&AND
I Shooters Island possesses a relatively large heron rookery that is managed by the Audubon Society. Annual inventories of birds nesting on the island are conducted as part of a long-term study, the Harbor Herons Project, which is managed by the Manomet Bird Observatory. The species found nesting on the island in the 199 1 survey were cattle egret, snowy egret, great egret, black-crowned night heron, yellowcrowned night heron (a threatened species in NJ), green-backed heron, glossy ibis and, possibly, little blue heron (a species whose breeding status is listed as threatened in NJ).
Shooters Island also provides nesting sites for herring gull, greater black-backed gull, Canada goose, mallard, gadwall, black duck and double-crested cormorant. Several passerine species also nest on the upland portions of the island. Shooters Island is considered by the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program to be a rare habitat type (21 to 100 occurrences) in the state. The New York State Natural Heritage Program designates Shooters Island as a heron rookery and considers it a significant habitat. The beaches and tidal flats that are exposed at low tide provide feeding and resting areas for migratory shorebirds.
UPPER BAY
This surf&~ water system is located in one of the most developed regions of the country. Few natural areas remain as a result of extensive waterfront development; however, this surface water system is still an important. wintering area for waterfowl and an important pathway for migratory fish such as striped bass. Interpier areas provide habitat for fish, mussels and blue claw crabs. An extensive periphyton assemblage is found on piers and jettys in the area. Other organisms found in these habitats include amphipods and isopods, attached algae such as UZva Zactuca, barnacles, bryozoans, limpets, sponges and sea squirts. Peregrine f&on, a species listed by both New York State and the Federal government as endangered, have nested on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. The New York Natural Heritage Program lists the Ve rrazano Narrows Bridge as a raptor nesting area and has designated the area a significant habitat I
13 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
SOURCE DATA:
l City of Bayonne; Map of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980, Scale 1:6,000
l Coastal Environmental Services, Inc.; ESA Delineations; May 1993; Scale 1:12,000
l NJDW, Integrated Temain Unit: Hudson County; 1986 hag-, Scale 1:24,000
l USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth & Jersey City (NJ-NY) 1981; Scale 1:24,000
14 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
APPENDIX 1
LAND USE CLASS DEFINITIONS
RESIDENTIAL
The Residential class includes single-family residences, multiple-unit dwellings and mobile homes. Also included is the mixed residential group, which is comprised of two or more of the above groups.
COMMERCIAL & SERVICES
I Areas which contain structures predominantly used for the sale of products and services are classified as Commercial & Services. The main building, secondary structures and supporting areas (such as parking lots, driveways and landscaped arcas) are also placed in this category.
Military bases and camps, armories, ordinance depots, missile sites, National Guard and Reserve I armories are included in this class.
INDUSTRIAL
The Industrial class encompasses light and heavy industry land uses where the manufacturing, assembly or processing of products takes place. Power generation is included in this class because of its similarity to heavy industry.
The Transportation / Utilities class includes major transportation routes and utilities.
OTHERURBAN
Undeveloped, open lands within urban areas that are not associated with active Commercial, Industrial, Service, Transportation or Utility facilities are included in the Other Urban class. Cemeteries are also included in this class.
16 City of Bayonne NaturaI Resource Inventory
The Recreational class includes those areas which have been specifically developed for recreation activities if these areas are open to the general public.
BRUSHLAND / SCRUBLAND
The Brushland / Scrubland class contains forested areas which are predominantly between 0 and 6 meters (0 - 20 feet) in height. Vegetative communities in these areas may range from early successional species, which are only a few years old, to climax or sub-climax communities, which are many years old. Also included in this category are old fields which are covered primarily by grasses and some shrubs.
SURFACE WATER
This class includes natural and artificial surficial water features such as lakes, streams, reservoirs, bays and estuaries.
BARRENLAND
Barren lands are characterized by thin soil, sand or rocks, and a lack of vegetative cover in a non- urban setting. Vegetation, if present, is widely spaced.
TRANSITIONAL
This class includes lands on which site preparation for a variety of development for Residential, Commercial or Industrial land uses has begun. Also included are areas which are under construction for an unknown land use and abandoned structures.
17 City of Bayonne Natural Resource Inventory
APPENDIX 2
SOURCE DATA
City of Bayonne; Map of the City of Bayonne; Revised 22 July 1980; Scale 1:6,000
Coastal Environmental Services, Inc.; ESA Delineations; May 1993; Scale 1: 12,000
E. Eugene Oross Associates; City of Bayonne Zoning Map; May 1995; Scale 1:6,000
NJDEP; Integrated Terrain Unit: Hudson County; 1986 Imagery; Scale 1:24,000
NJ Department of Conservation & Development; “The Geology of New Jersey”; 1940
USGS; Topographic Quads: Elizabeth & Jersey City (NJ-NY); 1981; Scale 1:24,000
Some of the maps in this Natural Resource Inventory were developed, iu part, usiug New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information Systems digital data in conjunction with Coastal Environmental Services, Inc.‘s work, but this secondary product has not been verified and is not state-authorized.
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