Township of Boonton Environmental Resource Inventory

Prepared by

Boonton Township Environmental Committee

2001 Introduction 1

INTRODUCTION

Boonton Township is rich in natural and cultural resources. The Environmental Committee has assembled information on these resources in this document, Environmental Resource Inventory of Boonton Township (ERI), in order to provide a data base to help protect and preserve them through land use decisions. Wherever possible, the Committee has provided factual information. We look forward to the assistance of Township residents in our efforts to amend and supplement this report through additional research and field studies.

The document is intended to be used as a reference tool by Township officials and by the public. In addition, copies will be distributed to area libraries and to schools.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Environmental Committee is grateful for the help of many of the Township citizens. We thank Daniel Salsberg and Matjorie Ford for their help in submitting information on wildlife and vegetation. We are especially thankful for the editing expertise of Max Schindler. illustrations in the Wildlife section are by J. Lee Gaitskill, and photography is by Diane Nelson, Lloyd Charlton, Max Schindler and Matt Novak.

Boonton Township Environmental Committee Members: 2000

Barry Brantner, Chairman J. Lee Gaitskill Diane Nelson, Vice Chm. Jon Raser Onnolee Allieri Max Schindler Tom Donadio Ann Dixon, Liaison with Jeff Duncan Township Committee Frederick Ernst

Publication has been made possible through financial assistance from the Boonton Township Committee and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Dedication 2

DEDICATION TO OSCAR KINCAID

The Environmental Committee dedicates this report to the memory of Oscar Kincaid, former mayor and planning board chairman, who passed away on November 11, 2000. Oscar Kincaid served Boonton Township for over 33 years. His leadership in open space planning and good government has provided a lasting legacy for all Township residents. Table of Contents 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No. Introduction 1

Dedication 2

Chapter 1 General Information 8

Chapter2 History 11 Bibliography and References 32

Chapter3 Geology 33 Bibliography and References 39

Chapter4 Water Resources 40 Bibliography and References 56 Request for Reclassification of the Rockaway River 59

ChapterS Vegetation 65 Bibliography and References 79 Big Trees of Boonton Township 80

Chapter6 Wildlife 85 Snakes 89 Living with Bears and Deer 91 Bats 93 Birds 97 The Landscape Project 98 Bibliography and References 100 Letter to Environmental Committee - Presence of Indiana Bat 103

Chapter7 Open Space 108

ChapterS Environmental Constraints 119

Chapter9 Land Use Planning 126 Recommendations of Rockaway River Watershed Cabinet 129 Table of Contents 4

Tables

Page No.

Chapter2 History

Table 1 Historic Sites 15, 16

Chapter4 Water Resources

Table 2 Water Quality Analysis 58

ChapterS Vegetation

Table 3 Recommended Drought Resistant Species 71 Table4 Noxious Weeds and Alien Invasive Species 71 Table 5 Mesic Upland and Mixed Hardwood Site Hillcrest Area 72 Table 6 Wetlands, Floodplain, Glacial Bog - Four Comers Area 74 Table 7 Rare, Endangered & Threatened Plant Species 76

Chapter6 Wildlife

Table 8 Fish 87 Table 9 Reptiles and Amphibians 88 Table 10 Mammals 89 Table 11 Birds 95

Chapter7 Open Space

Table 12 Township Owned Undeveloped Properties And Proposed Acquisitions 112 Table 13 Farmland Assessed Properties 114 Table 14 Other Public and Nonprofit Owned Properties 116 Table 15 Properties with Conservation Easements 117 Table of Contents 5

Maps

Page No. Chapter2 History

Map 1 Historical Sites and Iron Mines 17

Chapter3 Geology

Map2 Physiographic Provinces 37 Map3 Fault Lines 37 Map4 Topography 38

Chapter4 Water Resources

Map5 Watersheds, Streams and Waterbodies 46 Map6 Water Resources and Public Wells 48

ChapterS Vegetation

Map7 Location of Inventory Sites and Plant Communities 77 Map 8 Wetlands 78

Chapter6 Wildlife

Map9 Indiana Bat Foraging Area 94 Map 10 Critical Wildlife Habitat (The Landscape Project) 99

Chapter7 Open Space

Map 11 Parks and Other Open Space 118

ChapterS Environmental Constraints

Map 12 Prime Agricultural Soils 121 Map 13 Erodible Soils 122 Map 14 Depth to Groundwater 123 Map 15 Steep Slopes 124 Map 16 Flood Prone Area 125 Table of Contents 6

Photographs

Page No.

Cover Dixon's Grist Mill by Matt Novak Cover

Dedication Oscar Kincaid 2

Chapter 1 General Information Divider Kingsland Road by Lloyd Charlton 8

Chapter2 History Divider Dixon Homestead Historical Marker 11

Photo 1 Jacob Kanouse Homestead 14 Photo 2 Frederick Miller Photo 3 Adam Miller Homestead Photo 4 Cook Homestead, Old Denville Road

Photo 5 Rockaway Valley United Methodist Church 19 Photo 6 William Scott Mansion

Photo 7 1872 School Bell 21 Photo 8 World War II Service Plaque

Photo 9, 10 Harvesting Ice at Dixon Pond 23

Photo 11 Dixon's Grist Mill 25 Photo 12 Powerville Dam Photo 13 Morris Canal Lock No. 11 Photo 14 Canal Stone Pier and Ancient White Pine Tree

Photo 15 PreCivil War Station on Underground Railroad 27 Photo 16 Decker/Kincaid Century Farm Photo 17 Kincaid Farm Fields

Photo 18 Lt. James H. Doolittle Beside NY-2 Airplane 31

Chapter3 Geology 33 Divider Bedrock Outcrop, Tourne Park Table of Contents 7

Photographs Continued

Page No.

Chapter4 Water Resources 40 Divider Well Pump, Rockaway Valley

Photo 19 Rockaway Valley Overlying Prime Aquifer 42 Photo 20 Stony Brook Near Deer Lake Photo 21 Deer Lake Photo 22 Rockaway River at Powerville Dam

ChapterS Vegetation 65 Divider Dogwood Blooms

Photo 23 Significant Tree Species in Boonton Township 84 White Pine Photo 24 Sugar Maple Photo 25 Red Maple on Rockaway River Bank

Chapter6 Wildlife 85 Divider Beaver Habitat

Photo 26 Boonton Township's Backyard Wildlife 102 Newborn Fawn Photo 27 Wild Turkey Photo 28 Box Turtle

Chapter7 Open Space 108 Divider Forest Park

Photo 29 Farmland Assessed (Woods and Fields) 111 Photo 30 Preserved Farmland, Doland's Four Comers Photo 31 Preserved Farmland, Six Cedar Tree Farm Photo 32 Private Open Space, Deer Lake Club

ChapterS Environmental Constraints 119 Divider Wetland near Rockaway Valley Road

Chapter9 Land Use Planning 126 Divider Boonton Township Municipal Building Chapter 1 General Information 8

Kingsland Road Chapter 1 General Information Chapter 1 General Information 9

GENERAL INFORMATION1

Location and Setting and professional fields. Per capita income is above the Morris County median. Boonton Township encompasses approximately 8.6 square miles of a largely rural land character, located in Roads and Highways what is known as the New Jersey-New York Highlands region. The land consists predominately of woodlands, Boonton Township contains wetlands and farmlands. Six approximately 38.1 miles of County and municipalities border the Township. municipal roadways traversing within These are the Town of Boonton to the and through the area. In addition, larger south, the Township of Denville to the highways which are easily accessible southwest, the Borough of Kinnelon to include 1-287, 1-280, Route 46, Route the north, the Township of Montville to 10, Route 23, Route 24 and U. S. 202. the east, the Borough of Mountain Lakes between Boonton and Denville and the Township of Rockaway to the northwest. Wastewater Disposal

Population The majority of residences and other buildings are served by individual septic disposal systems. A portion of the The population of the Township is Township is served by public sewers approximately 4,000. The majority of connected to the Rockaway Valley growth occurred between 1950 and Regional Sewerage Treatment Plant. 1970. The rate of population growth has Areas served include Glenbourne Drive, slowed since that time due to the rural Cairn Court, parts of Birchwood Lane characteristics. The population density and Peach Tree Road, DeCamp Drive, per square mile is very low when Scott Road, St. Clare's Riverside compared to neighboring Morris County Hospital, the Rockaway Valley School, municipalities. and Oak Road from Powerville Road to Spruce Court as well as areas near the Town of Boonton and the Borough of Economic Characteristics Mountain Lakes which include: Elcock A venue, Rock Lane, Lee Road, Hastings Lane, Church Road, Park Road, Boonton Township can be described as a Sheridan Lane, Grove Street, King Street fairly affluent community. Many in the and Highwood Terrace. work force are employed in managerial

1 Source for much of the information in this section has been obtained from the Township Master Plan Chapter 1 General Information 10

Water Supply

Township residences and commercial enterprises rely on ground water sources for their potable water supply. The majority is supplied from private wells. Other sources are from the public water systems of the Town of Boonton, Borough of Mountain Lakes and Township of Denville, which draw water from municipal wells and a small reservorr.

Transportation

Airports: Newark International, JFK International, LaGuardia International, Morristown, Lincoln Park

Rail Service: NJ Transit stations are available in Boonton, Denville and Mountain Lakes, providing access to Hoboken and Mid-town Direct service to New York City.

Bus: Service to New York City is available from stops located in Boonton, Mountain Lakes and other nearby locations.

Schools & Education

Grades kindergarten through eight grade attend public school classes at the Rockaway Valley School, with an enrollment of approximately 509 students. The school was originally constructed in 1959 and expanded and/or renovated in 1967, 1995 and 2000. Grades 9 - 12 currently attend Mountain Lakes High School through a sending relationship that started with the September 1992 school year. Chapter 2 History 11

Dixon Homestead National Register of Historic Places Chapter 2 History Chapter 2 History 12

HISTORY OF BOONTON TOWNSHIP

Boonton Township was put on the map 1965 Earl K yte on Aprilll, 1867, by an act to divide the 1966-69 Bruce Dixon Township of Pequannock in the County 1970-71 Charles J. Spies Jr. of Monis. Old Pequannock was a 1972-74 Frank Spender Jr. widespread region with inadequate 1975-78 Oscar Kincaid representation from its scattered districts. 1979-80 Everett B. Dayton It was felt that the constant demands for 1981-83 Earl Moran new schools and roads would be better 1984-86 Thomas Roepe resolved by those living in the immediate 1987 Alfred E. Weiss area. The name Pequannoc is a 17th 1988-91 Robert W. Busch Jr. century Indian word meaning, according 1992-98 Douglas Cabana to historian William Nelson, "land made 1999- Douglas A. Spender clear for cultivation."

Until municipal offices were permanently established in the former Powerville EARLY SETTLERS School in 1972, Township registers were kept in office holders' homes, and many Boonton Township's recorded history early documents are missing. However, began in the Spring of 1715 when John we can establish the following sequence Budd, James Bollen, Jno. Chapman, of Boonton Township mayors: Joseph Kirkbride and George Ryerson accompanied Surveyor John Reading, Jr., on a proprietary expedition to explore, Record of Mayors: survey and stake out land claims in 1897 Edmund H. Stickle northwestern New Jersey. 1898 John Barrett 1899-1906 William R. Bailey On May 3, 1715, James Bollen located a 1,507 acre piece described as "situate on the forks of Rockaway, with an Indian 1920 Frank Bott plantation on it, by a small brook over 1921-24 F. J. Morgan said River and along the edge of a great 1925-34 John Bott Rocky Hill" (the Tourne). The Millers, 1935-45 Wallace Vanderhoof Stickles, Cooks, Hoplers, Minards, 1946 William Earl Dixons, Van Winckles and Hylers would 1947-49 Frank R. Zayac eventually buy Bollen land parcels and 1950 Nils Sundstrom live within the boundaries of what is now 1951-53 Edward M. Kaiser Boonton Township. 1954 William E. Dayton 1955-58 Lars Erickson The Bollen Tract stretched northward 1959-62 Charles Spies toward Rockaway Valley and bordered 1963-64 Franklin Bott Chapter 2 History 13

3 the 1,430 acre William Penn Lot No. 48 settlement were Scott, Demouth , which was surveyed and recorded on this Kanouse, Gould, Taylor, Kingsland, Van same mission. The latter was settled by Winckle, Van Houten, DeCamp, Estler, the DeMouths, Diefendorfs, Ocobocs, Tucker and Pierson. Millers, Dixons, Stickles, Botts, V anderhoofs, Lozaws and Deckers. The first settler of proper record in what William Penn, founder and sole is today Boonton Township was proprietor of the Province of Frederick Demouth, of French Huguenot Pennsylvania, wanted fertile fields and extraction. His April5, 1748 survey lowlands "fit for raising wheat..." covered 32.5 acres lying north of Old to attract the early Rockaway. By 1758, Frederick landowners who were principally Demouth's Rockaway Valley plantation farmers. Thus, extensive farmland comprised 672 acres, on the land, where acreage was acquired in these two tracts. in the distant future the Stickle, Bott, and Kincaid farms would prosper. No member of the 1715 exploratory party seems to have been impressed by the On May 15, 1748, Frederick Miller craggy stretch of rough hills and primeval purchased 42 acres, also lying to the forest, the cripple2 swamps and falls of north of Old Rockaway. The Millers water which lay to the east of the chosen (from Frankfurt, Germany) bought location. extensive land within the Bollen tract at 13 shillings per acre. Through marriage, Governor Penn died in 1718; and not the Miller tract eventually became the until half a century later, in 1765, did present Dixon property. David Ogden appreciate the prospect of mineral wealth and recognize the Joseph Hopler settled in the central valley growing importance of water power and in the mid-18th century. By 1763, Peter standing timber. Stickle owned 50 acres in the Tourne Valley, adjacent to the Cooks, Scotts, and David Ogden, Esq., distinguished Peers. Newark lawyer, Counsel for the Board of Proprietors, Justice of the Supreme The pre-revolutionary Jacob Kanouse Court, land speculator, Loyalist and homestead at 20 Oak Road is beautifully owner of the Boone-Town iron preserved. Still owned by the family, it is "refinery," bought from Burnet and the oldest frame house in Boonton Skinner the 3,656 acres of wilderness Township. (Photo 1) The remaining which became known as the Great 18th-century structures in the Township Boonton Tract. Extensive parts of today's are handsome stone dwellings built by Boonton Township fell within this the Miller (Photo 2, 3), Hopler and Cook purchase: the Tourne, Powerville, West families (Photo 4 ). The original section Boonton and Taylortown. Among the of Oscar Kincaid's home was also built at early local names associated with its this time. (Photo 16)

(Table 1 and Map 1 - Historical Sites) 2 The word cripple appears in old land descriptions meaning thicket, low growth. 3 Present-day spelling is DeMouthe Chapter 2 History 14

1 Boonton Township's Historic 18 h Century Structures

Photo 1 Pre-Revolutionary Jacob Kanouse Homestead Oldest Frame Dwelling in Township

Photo 2 Frederick Miller Homestead Circa 1764

Photo 3 Adam Miller Homestead Circa 1767

Photo 4 Cook Homestead Circa 1790 Chapter 2 History 15

Table 1 Historic Sites

Circa or Map Index Name or Original Owners Present or Former Owner Dates 1 Rockaway Valley School 1959 2 Powerville School Municipal BuildinQ 1926 3 J. Righter H. Hansen Pre 1853 6 Canal Lock 10 & Powerville Basin 1825-1924 7 P. Young R.Jansen Pre 1868 8 Site of Iron Works 1770 Rockaway Valley United Methodist 9 Church 1842 10 Mt. Zion Baptist Church 11 Powerville Tavern R. Gathagan Pre 1850 Morris County Traction Boonton to 12 Denville Line 1910-1928 13 Hog Pen Hollow 1776 14 William Penn HiQhway 18 Aircraft Radio Corporation 1928 19 Johanson MfQ. Co. 1945 20 RFL Industries 1935 21 Deer Lake Club 1935 22 Valley Sportsmen Club 23 St. Teresa Shrine 1930 24 Cobb/Batt H. Batt 1840 25 Earle/Demouth N. Doland Pre 1868 26 John Decker 0. Kincaid 1797 27 Jacob Decker J. Kincaid 1820 28 Cyrus Dixon B. H. Dixon 1857 29 ForQemasters House B. Dixon 1840 31 J. Earles E. Vanderhoof Pre 1853 32 GeorQe Elcock Pre 1868 33 George Elcock The Park House Pre 1868 34 Ezra Estler R. Langlois 1800 35 E. Estler L. Estler Pre 1853 36 Conrad Happier K. Huyler 1773 37 Jacob Kanouse R. Sims 1768 38 Kanouse C. Klinginer Pre 1853 39 Michael Kelley E. Tucker 1880 40 Adam Miller Dr. S. Hawkes 1767 41 James Miller R. Stockton 1790 42 Frederick Miller H. Dixon 1764 44 J. J. Minard F. Minard Pre 1853 Chapter 2 History 16

45 Pau 1/Hawki ns E. Dayton Pre 1853 46 J. M. Pierson A. HollinQhurst Pre 1853 47 C. A. Righter T. Witty Pre 1868 48 Wm. Scott Mansion Sarah Frances 1826 49 Scott Store W. Callahan 1800 50 Sheridan C. Miller 1858 51 Edmund Stickel A. Wriaht 1864 52 T. Stickel D. Thoner 1863 53 Charles Tucker Bachinsky 1800 54 E. P. Tucker Dr. J. Bider 1860 55 Tourne Cottage 0. Morris 1850 57 E. Vanderhoof J. Leslie 1800 58 Vanderhoof W. Greenleaf 1850 59 J. Vannes J. Capen 1850 60 T. C. Willis W. Harbeson 1820 61 T. C. Willis J. Babbitt 1820 62 Willis R. Kaminsky Pre 1868 63 Decamp H. Geyer Pre 1868 64 J. Gallaher Dr. D. Cook Pre 1853 65 Wm. Kanouse Day/Rebele Pre 1868 66 E. F. Smith Bogue/Delm horst Pre 1853 70 Site of Morris Canal Lock 11 1825-1924 75 Botts Farm Mine 1872-1873 Rockaway Valley Mine (DeCamp 76 Mine) 1820-1880 77 Decker Mine Unk. 81 Rockaway Valley School District #18 1840 82 Demouth Cemetery Rockaway Valley United Methodist. 83 Cemetery. 84 Scott Family Burial Ground 85 Kanouse Family Burial Ground 86 St. Cyril's Cemetery Sources: A Historical Map of Boonton Township. Created for and by The Historical Society of Boonton Township.

Abandoned Iron Mines of Kinnelon, Boonton, Montville & Riverdale Townships, Morris County, N.J. 1992. T. K. Shea and M. R. Pustay. Office of Safety Compliance, N.J. Dept. of Labor.

This is Boonton Township. League of Women Voters. June 1956.

New Jersey Gravestone Inscriptions Locators: Morris County. 1994. Edward J. Raser. Genealogical Society of New Jersey. Chapter 2 History 17

N

NOTE: PLEASE REFER TO HISTORICAL MAP#1 SITES TABLE IN CHAPTER TWO. HISTORIC SITES

0.5 0 0.5 1 Miles BOONTON TOWNSHIP -~------ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 2 History 18

EARLY SCHOOLS AND The second school house, then known as CHURCHES School No.9, stood on the present Lang 4 property , across from the Stickle farm in The region now constituting Boonton the northern part of the Township. It Township was settled by well-educated belonged to Pequannock Township, and was families, and blessed with civic-minded abolished in 1857, when several other area citizens. Over the past two centuries, no schools met the same fate. fewer than seven institutions of learning have been constructed in this small area. In the center of the Township, then named Powerville, the log dwelling of Henrick Van A log school, which stood at the location Houten, a tanner, was converted in 1830 by of the present United Methodist Church civic-minded "iron master" William Scott to ' existed as early as 1783. Munsell's a school house. It stood on "the island" "History of Morris County" declares it to formed by the Rockaway River and the have been one of the earliest in Morris Morris Canal, behind the present 231 and County. It was abandoned around 1842 235 Powerville Road. What an exciting ' when the church was constructed on place for a school; it certainly didn't ease almost its exact foundations. (Photo 5) young teacher John L. Kanouse's job. The church's congregation had been founded 1785 by Jacob Demouth who In 1838, a true "little red school house" was resided at the "Four Comers." built by the Rockaway River on a land wedge, about a third of an acre in size. It This remained the Township's only parish stood nearly across from the present until, in 1918, Reverend David D. Municipal Building, beyond the barn of the Russell founded the Mt. Zion Baptist Dayton farm, now 150 Powerville Rd. congregation. For a decade it met at the Mountain Lakes Community Church, but The "new Powerville School" went up in by 1928 it occupied its own house of 1872, set back from the Road (behind the worship, off Rock Lane in the township's present Municipal Building). Consisting of "West Boonton" section. two large classrooms, it featured a potbelly stove and a bronze bell, now gracing the In 1842, the Township's children utilized town hall's front lawn. (Photo 7) Although two one-room school houses. The first, the upper story of the frame structure was still standing at 1 Split Rock Road, began condemned around 1925, the rest would life as Rockaway Valley District #18 in remain in school service beyond 1932. 1840. It consisted of a 22 x 40ft. room and is said to have originally featured a In 1926, the Consolidated School, a modem rosewood floor and a Franklin stove. By brick-and-concrete structure with stucco­ 1916 neither remained; by then a coal­ front (and modem steam heat!), was built in burning furnace, fed from an outdoor bin front of the frame building. ' kept the pupils comfortable. In 1930, the building became a private residence and has served as a family dwelling ever 4 since. The Lang property borders and is just south of 526 Powerville Road. Chapter 2 History 19

Photo 5 Rockaway Valley United Methodist Church, Valley Road- 1842

Photo 6 William Scott Mansion - Circa 1826 Chapter 2 History 20

The old structure helped accommodate classes and one each for grades 1 to 4. the Township's 100 students and, also, Grades 5/6 and 7/8 ran combined until1953, housed municipal office space. Even the when more space had become available. old outhouse remained in use as home to That year Muller hired Morris County's first a possum clan. The building was finally black teacher, Martha Canady. She was a tom down in 1968 despite its historical favorite of many a generation of Township credentials. children

By 1926, the Township boasted grades As the Township kept growing, the space one through eight. A school bus (driven problem surged as well. A room in the by "Chippie" Tredway) fetched 13 firehouse had to be rented for Kindergarten, students from the foot of Split Rock Road while the Rockaway Valley School (RVS) (previously known as Diefendorf Hill), was rising at Valley Road. The property had and took graduates to Boonton High been obtained around 1957 in a land swap School. Edmund Stickle, who had by Oscar Lindquist, a resident for 50 years supervised the new school construction, and then the school board's business died in 1938; by then he had served the administrator. (His son, Robert E. Lindquist, Boonton Township Board of Education later became Captain of the S.S. for 40 years. Constitution, luxury liner of the American Express Lines.) The biggest changes in Boonton Township after the "iron age" were When the State wouldn't approve the prompted by World War II, when new proposed septic system, a sewer line was industries sprang up and many families built from RVS to the firehouse. Over moved in. The school created new rooms Thanksgiving 1959, teachers and students on the basement floor in 1949, one of could finally move in, except, that is, for which served as the principal's office. In three classes housed in the rented basement 1953, three classrooms and an all­ of the Parish House. Special Education and purpose room were added. All graduates Kindergarten remained behind in the old continued their studies at Boonton High Powerville building until1968, when an School, established 1877. addition to RVS was dedicated. For some years, the Powerville building was rented to Honors for "most memorable Township the Extension Division of Newark State teacher" go to Bertha F. Courter who College. served as teaching principal from 1921 to 1946. In 1943, she also participated in the Presently, most of Boonton Township's dedication of the World War II Service children attend RVS, comprising Plaque, which mysteriously disappeared Kindergarten to Grade Eight. Graduates over the years to be rededicated on continue their studies at Mountain Lakes December 7, 1999. (Photo 8) High.

In 1950, the Board of Education hired After RVS was opened in 1959, the Bill Muller (a township resident until Township's population kept growing at a 1998) as Administrative Principal, lively clip, and an addition was dedicated in presiding over the K- 8 school. There 1968. The enrollment, then 400 were two time- sharing Kindergarten Chapter 2 History 21

Photo 7 1871 School Bell at Municipal Building Site of Old School

Photo 8 World War II Plaque Installed at Municipal Building Chapter 2 History 22 students, continued to head higher, and In the year 1774, Joseph Scott, a native of new land had to be sought for future Ireland, had settled in the area and in 1802 needs. In 1971, in a complex land swap, purchased Conrad Hopler's 19 acres and saw the Powerville School became the mill by the Rockaway for $950. By 1826, Municipal Building, and the Board of his son, William, had expanded the works Education acquired land from the Griffith and built a family mansion that would, a estate. At the time of acquisition, the tract century later, be known as Kenilworth, a rest was considered acceptable by the State camp for the Equitable Life Assurance Department of Education as a future Company. The mansion is now part of the school site. Sarah Frances nursing home, and is included in the Survey of New Jersey's Historic However, just then, industries began to American Buildings. (Photo 6) leave town, resulting in a prolonged enrollment drop from a high of about 500 By 1846, Thomas C. Willis and Elijah Scott to under 300 students. By the time the ran a rolling mill at Powerville. During the student body had outgrown RVS again, 19th century's last quarter, Emmons Decker the land acquired 25 years earlier no ran a sawmill at the dam location, and early longer satisfied state guidelines, and once in the 20th century, a paper mill operated at more (after years of often contentious the site of the old forge and rolling mill. discussions) an addition was approved in 1995. It was completed in May 1996, by The Township offers three other, though which date all Township graduates had relatively minor, power sites. In the early switched from Boonton to Mountain 1800s, Jacob Demouth operated a sawmill Lakes High School. near the Stony Brook bridge, just north of the Four Comers. His neighbor, George As the new millennium dawned, the Stickle, operated a grist mill on Beaver student body again exceeded 500, and Brook, also shown as Stickle Brook on old was projected to climb over 600 by 2002. maps. Still further north, near the Kinnelon Another addition was proposed by the border, the Sawmill Brook powered the Board of Education, and approved by the Parliman Sawmill before 1800, and John public in December 1999. Construction is Decker ran a forge on the site as late as ongomg. 1867.

Along the brook coming from the hills on BEGINNINGS OF INDUSTRY the west, the Dixon family tapped into its bounty. James built a dam in 1830 for his All early settlers were farmers, which forge, and in 1895, his grandson Cyrus B. demanded a range of skills that often Dixon started to harvest ice from the large turned into separate vocations from pond (behind the present Twin Hills Drive). wheelwrighting to blacksmithing. Early This colorful and exciting activity continued on, our streams provided the power to for half a century. (Photos 9 and 1 0) The mechanize some chores. Back in 1794, forge keeper's house, built in 1840, remains Conrad Hopler had already built a forge in the Dixon family. In 1855, Cyrus Dixon, and grist mill at the Powerville Dam. son of James Dixon, moved a century-old grist mill from Chapter 2 History Harvesting Ice at Dixon's Pond 23 1940

Photo 9

Photo 10 Chapter 2 History 24

Montclair to the mill pond. Today it Farber Hill Road was recorded. remains a painters' and photographers' delight. (Photo 11) From 1789 on, Rockaway Valley Road crossed the valley into Taylortown. Split Not all trades needed water power. For Rock Road was built in 1792, as far as example, Captain William Scott made today's Koehler Pond property. In 1819, bricks near the "Clay Hole," a famous Boonton A venue threaded its way through swimming hole at the great bend where Taylortown to Brook Valley and in 1822 Beaver Brook joins the Rockaway River. North Main Street was cut along the Today, the houses at the loop of proposed Morris Canal route. The road from Birchwood Lane, where it approaches the the Four Comers to Hubbard's Pond (now river, hide the site. Lake Kinnelon in the Smoke Rise section) was laid in 1825 as a continuation of About the time of the Civil War, William Demouth Road, now Powerville Road. Scott DeCamp explored and opened the iron shafts on the Mine Ridge in the northern Township. (See Map 1, Historic THE MORRIS CANAL Sites) Activity there ceased after the panic of 1873, and this part of Township The Palladium of Liberty, an early history can only be reclaimed from a few newspaper printed on the Morris-Town preserved archives, recorded memories of Green, declared in June 1822 that "inland residents long gone, and cautious navigation is the parent of internal inspection of the abandoned sites. [Note improvement." During that same year, the A] New Jersey Legislature established a Canal Commission to determine the most suitable Note A: route for a canal proposed by George Perrot A recent publication, "Abandoned Iron Macculloch. A year later, William Scott, Mines of Kinnelon, Boonton, Montville Morris County ironmaster with and Riverdale Townships, Morris entrepreneurial foresight and keen business County, New Jersey" by T. K. Shea, P.E., acumen, cut at his own expense, the high­ and M. R. Pustay, P.E., Office of Safety bank road (now North Main Street) from the Compliance, Trenton, NJ, 1992," Falls of Boonton to his forge and grist mill provides further information. The site of in what was then simply referred to as a the DeCamp excavation is now under the "quiet rill (brook) near Boonton." jurisdiction of the Morris County Park Commission. In 1824, John Scott, William's brother, was As industry evolved, so did the roads. named a Commissioner and Director of the McCaffrey Lane, the oldest recorded newly chartered Morris Canal and Banking thoroughfare in the area, was built in Company. Both men, born in Powerville, 1767 by Samuel Ogden of the Great were well aware of the lucrative water Boonton Tract to get ore from Hibernia power generated by the falls in the river over the Toume to his Old Boonton Iron there. (Photo 12) Works. In 1769, the Beach Glen Road, also called Road to Hibernia, and now Chapter 2 History 25

Photo 11 James Dixon Grist Mill Move to Site 1855

Photo 12 Powerville Dam Rockaway River

Photo 14 Photo 13 Morris Canal Stone Pier for Site of Morris Canal Lock at Mule Bridge Crossing Powerville Falls At Powerville Falls Chapter 2 History 26

William's prescience and initiative were lift lock site. (Guard locks served to protect certainly influenced by established family the canal against river floods.) interests and some inside information. By 1840, the small industrial community The Morris Canal cut a long, meandering was firmly established. The Decker forge in swath through today's Township of the most northerly section of the Township Boonton, in part paralleling William's was sending bars of hammered iron to New own North Main Street. New Jersey's York via the Stephens Condit & Cox line of remarkable 19th Century mountain­ boats. By the Civil War era, Powerville climbing waterway effectively created boasted a sawmill, grist mill, rolling mill the busy little "port" of Powerville, (later the location of a paper mill), forge, giving that secluded riverside settlement blacksmith shop, company houses, and an appropriate name and well earned hotel, all clustered around the falls. A fame for its role in the American brewery and school were close by. Inland Industrial Revolution. navigation had indeed proved to be the "parent of internal improvement." By 1832, water had filled the channel in newly named Powerville, and the Newark The visitor today can drive past the canal's newspapers were advertising an active remains in the blink of an eye. But the canal spring season on the novel watercourse. boats moved very slowly-- three to four In May, the canal boat "Walk in the miles per hour. So unhurried that an Water" laden with Lehigh Coal from unknown, exasperated canal poet composed Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, was the this rough little ditty: first to enter the tide waters of the Passaic through the Morris Canal. In June, the I've got a mule; she's such a fool, Newark Sentinel of Freedom reported She never pays no heed. boats carrying country produce, fish, and I'll build a fire 'neath her tail incidentally it seems, passengers. The And then she'll show some speed. 11th of that month set a record of 23 boats "laden with iron, firewood, etc." Near the "Papermill Bridge," where North moving over canal waters through Main Street meets Powerville Road, Powerville -- a busy day for the tender of riverside Griffith Park occupies the site of locks 9 to 11 East. (Photos 13, 14) the old Scott forge. A celebrated hotel built for both canal and transient trade, dominates In 1833, William Scott, who had by that the scene with a small company house still date built and occupied the large, surviving next door. This establishment, gambrel-roofed manor house (now the now an apartment dwelling (Photo 15), was Sarah Frances Nursing Home) (Photo 6), an important station on the Underground deeded to the Canal Company a piece of Railway in the years preceding the Civil land 66 by 100 ft. above the Powerville War, and its grounds are said to be haunted Basin for new Lock No. 9 East. The by shy, unidentified ghosts. Dr. John Canal was to become a great recreational Grimes, New Jersey Abolitionist, and resource for the region as well, and this particular spot a favorite swimming hole for local youngsters. Today, the Boonton Township Firehouse stands on the upper Chapter 2 History 27

Photo 15 A Station on the Underground Railroad, Preceding the Civil War. Originally a Hotel Built for Canal Transients

Photo 16 Kincaid Century Farm Older Section Dates to 1785

Photo 17 Kincaid Farm Fields Chapter 2 History 28

Charles F. Hopkins, Civil War hero in the river channel by 1995. The Historical awarded the Congressional Medal of Society launched a campaign to save this Honor, are connected to its history. extraordinary structure, with particular attention to the architecture. No record or Remains of the prism (canal bed) at diagram of the pylon has ever been found. Guard Lock No. 11 East are still evident One wonders how it endured for so long on here (Photo 13), and just across North unstable ground, exposed to the rigors of a Main Street there is an overgrown stretch harsh river environment. Thanks to public of canal bed with traces of towpath and support, the Historical Society was able to berm (raised shoulder), a favorite nesting conduct an underwater inspection and place of red-winged blackbirds. The evaluation [Note B]. The engineer's plan ancient, wind-tossed pine silhouetted view clearly illustrates the technical skills of upriver (also visible from Powerville Rd.) the men who met the engineering challenges marks the location of the big slackwater of 19th-century canal construction. basin and lift Lock No. 10 East. This venerable tree is well over a century old. (Photo 14) Note B: The Mule Bridge Pier is a uniquely On the other side of Powerville Road, important landmark on the Morris Canal, south of William Scott's imposing which in 1974 was placed on the National mansion stands his red-brick storehouse, Register of Historic Places, a roster once the area's post office. Although maintained by the National Park Service. In completely renovated, the old structure is August 1998, Senator Anthony Bucca (R. still recognizable. A later store, built by Morris) was instrumental in securing for the John Righter, survives on the upper lock project a grant of $30,000 from the New location just north of the Firehouse on Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Powerville Road. It catered to both canal Rockaway Valley School children, through trade and the general public, and in the their own initiative, gave $1,000 to the early 1900s, served as the community's effort, and Atlantic Engineering of Kinnelon town hall and polling place. donated $6,000 worth of time and labor to the restoration effort. In the center of the Rockaway River, there looms a massive stone pier which shouldered the long wooden mule bridge carrying the towpath from Lock No. 11 THE 20TH CENTURY CHANGES across the river to middle lock No. 10. THE LANDSCAPE The pier is Boonton Township's cardinal landmark, memorialized on the Township With the explosive rise of the Iron Horse, seal. It is believed that William and John the Morris Canal (like most others in Scott had a hand in its construction, a real America) soon turned from asset to burden. accomplishment when we consider that By 1902, no new boat had been built for all work was done by pick and shovel, three years, and by mid -1924, the canal was horse and wagon. (Photo 14) largely drained. By the time the Great War reached America in 1918, all across Morris Reckoned to be at least 165 years old, the County the mournful notes of the barge pier began to lean precariously northward Chapter 2 History 29 captains' conch horns had given way to including in his business the sale of ice and the shrill chords of the steam whistle. wood. In 1917, D. E. Minard was advertising his breeding farm, Wawonaissa, Around that time, much excitement was in the Rockaway Valley. A notable on the aroused by the early movie-making farm that year was his great Percheron companies which used our beautiful stallion, Alphonse. scenery and interesting old houses as settings for their exciting melodramas. The 1930 Census listed seven farms for the Many local residents appeared on the Township, but showed its population as screen as extras. Vernon and Irene 623, down from 684 in 1920! And soon the Castle, Betty Compton and Mae Murray meaning of "Powerville" would be were familiar figures on the local scene. forgotten. With electricity reaching During this period, the "Northwestern everywhere, who needed waterpower? Ranch"5 of R. Lindquist, Proprietor, was advertising its horses as "specially trained But in 1928, as radio broadcasting followed for Motion Pictures," together with the inroads of electricity, a high-tech new "experienced cowboys to go out with all neighbor came to town delivering new picture parties." prosperity, a new way of life, and an influx of new people. Residents admired test pilot Still, our community maintained its Capt. Luff Meredith, for whom Luff Road is bucolic character into the 1920s. The named. When Meredith's Fokker Super Stickle, Bott and Kincaid farms were Universal monoplane hummed overhead, dairy- silage complexes, and the owners everyone looked up to identify the word maintained registered herds of prize RADIO along the fuselage. Holstein and Guernsey cattle on hillside pastures. Wayside Farms, the largest Even more heads turned when Lt. James H. dairy operation, was widely known for its Doolittle, famous flying ace, gave exciting blue-ribbon Guernseys, and in 1927, demonstrations of his own barrel roll, 12 Miss Helen Stickle was named the best loops with an outside loop to finish! His Guernsey Club member in the State. trainer plane was hangared at Aircraft Radio Corp. (ARC) and achieved international The Decker/Kincaid farm, established by fame in 1929. (Photo 18) On Sunday, John Decker in 1824 and active ever September 29, The New York Times since, was honored by the New Jersey reported under the heading "Success of Agricultural Society in 1980 and granted 'Blind' Flying Dooms Danger from Fog:" its Century Farm Award. (Photo 16, 17) At various other times, milk routes were After an experienced team under Lt. run by the Kincaid, Bott, Decker, Estler Doolittle's and Dr. Hull's supervision had and Ryerson families. Hobart Marshall installed the 5pecial ARC radio range also operated a local milk route, receiver and gear which made the historical under-the-hood flight possible, Lt. Jimmy 5 TheN orthwestem Ranch was located on the immediately used Township canopy and the intersection of Valley Road and Powerville Road. local airfield to practice the technique of The 1799 John Tucker homestead on the instrument-only take-offs and landings. property, occupied by the Lindquists for many years, still stands. See Site 53 on Historic Sites Map. Chapter 2 History 30

Today he modestly states that "we'd had become stressed. So, in 1955, Riverside practiced it for a year until it was Hospital was built on the property known as something very simple." the West Boonton Ball Park. It was made possible by contributions from two-thirds of Indeed, during January 1929, a great the families of the immediate area. In 1985, engineering conference had been held at it celebrated its last FanFair weekend on the the Flying Field, and the electronic grounds of the ARC Flying Field before its instruments industry anived in full force 1986 merger with St. Clare's Hospital of to applaud the opening and dedication of Denville. The first pacemaker implant in the the new Radio Frequency Laboratories, County was done at Riverside. With the its Rockaway Valley Aerodrome, and its admission of three patients on June 30, old laboratory in Boonton. The general 1978, the Riverside Hospice opened its public learned that the field comprised residential unit on Rockaway Valley Road in 100 acres of the Wallace Vanderhoof the former Marotta residence. It was the first farm and 25 acres of the Amzi Smith free- standing hospice in the country, tract. The main runway was 2,500 feet operating until1983. long and 1,200 feet wide and was intersected at right angles by another But in the century's final decades, Boonton runway of the same dimensions. Township could not escape the "tooth of time." In 1982, Dr. Lewis M. Hull, former ARC had been incorporated in 1927 as a Chairman of the Board of ARC and a wholly- owned subsidiary of Radio Township resident, died. He had played a Frequency Laboratory (RFL) under the major role in developing the radio beacon direction of chief executive R. W. used in Doolittle's "blind" flight. During Seabury, Sr. The new company was to World War II, Dr. Hull was a consultant to expand research initiated by an the Secretary of War. embryonic RFL in 1922. By 1933, ARC's equipment was installed in the first ARC, which had become Cessna's ARC fighter squadrons of both the Air Force Avionics Division, sold out to the Sperry and the Navy. During World War II, Corp., and in 1984, departed after more than ARC's products were in high demand, a half century as a good neighbor. The and brought new residents to the Breed Corp., manufacturer of automobile air Township. bags, next owned the airfield and building complex. Today it is occupied by Dolan, At war's end (1945), a third company Wohlers, Terwilliger, Inc., a commercial would join ARC and RFL to bolster the printer. Township's world-wide fame in the electronics field: John J. Johanson, The founder of Johanson Manufacturing former Vice President of ARC, founded died in 1981, but the company, with more Johanson Manufacturing Corp. Just than 200 employees, continues as a family outside the Township, Marotta Valve concern dedicated to Mr. John Johanson's had, in 1943, added another bastion to the aim for "accuracy through mechanical region's high- tech citadel -- and more precision." RFL was sold to an English residents to our valley. company, the Dowty Group, and more recently to SL Industries. It now operates as After this much growth, medical services RFL Electronics, Inc. Chapter 2 History 31

While Boonton Township's international reputation as an electronics Mecca may have faded by the end of the century, it remains more than a residential community. Its colorful history, rural charm, and lovingly preserved landmarks blend 18th-century spirit with 21st­ century ambition.

Photo 18 Reproduction of Charles C. Chapman's Painting of Lt. James H. Doolittle

Lt. James H. Doolittle, U. S. Army Corp. Standing Beside His Consolidated NY-2 Airplane Aircraft Radio Corporation Airdrome Boonton Township Chapter 2 History 32

Bibliography and References Lee, James. 1991. Tales the Boatmen Told. Easton, Pa. Delaware Press. A Celebration of Legend, Fact and Spirit. 1785-1985. Rockaway Valley United Lyon, IsaacS. Historical Discourse of Methodist Church. Boonton. 1873. Newark, N.J. Daily Journal Office. Atlas of Morris Co., New Jersey: 1868. Reprinted 1979 and 1990 by Morris Raser, Edward J. 1994. New Jersey County Historical Society and Monis Graveyards and Gravestone Inscriptions County Clerk and Monis County Board Locators: Morris County. Genealogical of Freeholders. Society of New Jersey. New Brunswick, N.J. Boonton Years: 1867 to 1967. 1967. Maudie Fisher, ed. Compiled for the Robinson's Atlas of Morris County, New Boonton Centennial Committee by The Jersey: 1887. Reprinted 1979 and 1990 by Citizen of Morris County. Monis County Historical Society and Monis County Clerk and Monis County Every-Name Indexfor the Atlas of Morris Board of Freeholders. Co., New Jersey: F. W. Beers, A.D. Ellis & C. G. Goule. 1994. Compiled by Stellhorn, Paul A and Birkner, Michael J. Sharon Meeker. Budd Lake, N.J: Legacy 1982. Governors of New Jersey: 1664- of America. 1974. N.J: New Jersey Historical Commission. Trenton, N.J. Outer, Robert P. March 1976. Morris County Master Plan -Historic Stickle, Edmund H. 1897. A True and Preservation Element. Correct History of Boonton Township. Unpublished Manuscript. History of Morris County, New Jersey: 1739-1882. W. W. Munsell & Co. 1882. Thayer, Theodore. 1975. Colonial and Second Reprint by Monis County Revolutionary Morris County. Monistown, Historical Society, New Vernon, N.J. N.J. Compton Press. 1973. This is Boonton Township. 1956. League of Kalata, Barbara N. 1983. A Hundred Women Voters. Years, A Hundred Miles: New Jersey's Morris Canal. Monistown, N.J. Morris Tours in Historic Morris County.1977. County Historical Society. Monis County Historical Society.

Kraft, Herbert C. and John T. 1991. The Willis, Charles E. Scouts of '76. 1976. Indians of Lenapehoking. South Orange, Boonton, N. J. Boonton Historical Society. N.J. Seton Hall University Museum.

Lee, James. 1994. The Morris Canal: A Photographic History. Easton, Pa. Delaware Press. Chapter 3 Geology 33

Bedrock Outcrop, Toume Park Chapter 3 Geology Chapter 3 Geology 34

BOONTON TOWNSHIP GEOLOGY

The geology of Boonton Township is deposited the valley fill. The high point considered to be part of the general in the Township is atop Sheep Hill 6 ridge-and-valley formation of northwest (approximately 920 feet above MSL ; 7 New Jersey. The geology is heavily 1929 NGVD ). The lowest point in the influenced by recent glaciation. The Township is at the base of Sheep Hill as ridges represent areas of harder rock the Rockaway River leaves the which were more resistant to glacial Township (approximately 480 feet above effects than the softer rock or MSL). The central valley (Beaver unconsolidated materials that were Brook) is approximately 500 feet above removed, thus forming the valleys. MSL. The highest point on the western side of the Township is approximately 710 feet above MSL (the end of Cedar Physiography and Topography Court). (Map 4)

Boonton Township lies along the eastern Faults edge of the New Jersey Highlands, one of four physiographic provinces in New Jersey. (Map 2) The New Jersey Three faults have been identified in or Highlands extend from the New Jersey­ adjacent to the Township. (Map 3) The New York border in a southwesterly Mount Hope Fault passes through the direction towards Phillipsburg. It is at southern portion of the Township. Its its widest at the New Jersey-New York alignment places it between Valley Road border (approximately 22 miles) and its and the Rockaway River. This fault narrowest at Phillipsburg (approximately trends east-west (Strike ofN 78° W). Its 8 miles). This unit is part of the Reading average dip is 60° SW. The Ramapo Prong. The northwestern portions of Fault passes southeast of the Township Passaic, Morris and Hunterdon Counties at the base of Sheep Hill (Conrail tracks and the southeastern portions of Sussex approximately pass over the fault line). and Warren Counties are included in the The Ramapo Fault separates the Highlands. Highlands from the Piedmont lowlands. This fault trends NE-SW. The The topography of the Township is Rockaway Valley Fault generally controlled by the structure and type of parallels the Ramapo Fault. This fault underlying bedrock The ridges along runs along the eastern edge of the the northwest and southeast portions of western ridge in the Township. the Township consist of more massive and lower erosion-prone rock than the valley in the middle. The current topography was affected by the 6 Wisconsinan glacier. The glacier Mean Sea Level 7 National Geodetic Vertical Datum Chapter 3 Geology 35

Bedrock Ridge and Valley

The rock found in the Township is Discontinuous valleys divide the dense, and involves steep terrain and Highlands into three subunits: the frequent rock outcropping. The rock Western Highlands, the Central does not have any primary permeability. Highlands, and the Eastern Highlands. Water passing through the rock is found The Western Highlands include the only in fractures. Vernon and Sparta Mountains, and the ridges west of the Musconetcong River. The main ranges in the Western The Highlands lie between the Paleozoic Highland are: Wawayanda, Hamburg, 8 Era (greater than 250 MYBP ), Ridge & Sparta, Allamuchy, and the Upper and Valley unit to the west and the Triassic Lower Pohatcong mountains. The (250 to 208 MYBP) and Jurassic (208 to Central Highlands lie between the 145 MYBP) Period Piedmont Lowlands Western Highlands and the to the east. Generally, ridges trend discontinuous valley from Greenwood northeast- southwest and are separated by Lake (NJ-NY border) to High Bridge, deep, narrow valleys. The ridges in the NJ (near the Spruce Run Reservoir). Highlands tend to be broad, rounded or The main ranges in the Central flat- topped. While most of the rivers in Highlands are: Bearfort, Kanouse, the Highlands follow the ridge-valley Copperas, Green Pond, Bowling Green, trend, notable exceptions are the Schooley, and Musconetcong mountains. Delaware, the Rockaway, and the The Eastern Highlands extend eastward Pequannock Rivers that cut almost from the Central Highlands to the across the trend. Piedmont Lowlands. Towns along the eastern edge of the Highlands include: The Highlands consist mostly of Boonton, Morristown, Bernardsville, and Precambrian Era (approximately 570 Peapack The main mountain ranges in MYBP) gneisses, schists, and the Eastern Highlands are: Ramapo, metasediments. Marble, crystalline Passaic, Trowbridge, and Mine limestone, and intrusive igneous rocks mountains. Many of the ranges in the (mostly subsequently changed to gneiss) Eastern Highlands are broken into more­ may also be found. Paleozoic Era or-less isolated hills. sedimentary strata underlie the valleys between the ridges. The gneisses of the Highlands have been identified as: Glaciation in Boonton Township hypersthene-quartz-andesine, pyroxene­ quartz-feldspar, amphibolite and Glaciation has played an important role pyroxene-amphibolite, and quartz­ in the geology of the New Jersey feldspar- biotite gneisses. Highlands. At least three stages of glaciation have occurred in this region: Jerseyan (2.4 MYBP), lllinoian (150,000 years before present), and Wisconsinan (20,000 years before present). The Wisconsinan glaciation did not extend as 8 Million Years Before Present Chapter 3 Geology 36 far south as the earlier events. till is absent as represented by rock Therefore, only the most recent event outcrops, particularly along steep has left an impact on the northern escarpments and sharp mountain portion of the New Jersey Highlands. summits. Terminal moraine from the earlier events are visible further south. The Wisconsin Stratified drift (glaciofluvial stratified terminal moraine, which extends across deposit) is mainly found in the valleys 9 the Highlands from Belvidere through between the ridges. Kames , kame 10 Hackettstown and Dover to Morristown, terraces , and normal river terraces are is a noticeable topographic feature in the found near the headwaters for the Highlands. The terminal moraine ranges Rockaway River (west of Picatinny from 0.5 to 2 miles wide and 25 to 300 Arsenal). South of the Arsenal, the feet high. Three discontinuous bands of Rockaway River is bordered by a plain soil containing heterogeneous mixtures of gravel. As the river travels east, the of clay, sand, gravel and boulders, were drift forms a gravel plain at Dover that deposited across the Highlands as the spreads out as the river enters Denville. Wisconsinan glacier receded. Glacial East of Denville, the river passes deposits filled pre- glacier drainage through a pitted plain and kames rise features forcing streams, e.g. the above the plain. Drift, in the form of Rockaway River, to cut new channels in terraces and isolated kames, is found in the bedrock. the Beaver Brook Valley, one valley to the west of Boonton Township. And, in Drainage north of the terminal moraine the Beaver Brook Valley passing differs from that south of the moraine in through the center of the Township, the Highlands. North of the moraine, gravel is irregularly distributed. Small drainage is predominantly to the north hills (15 to 25 feet high) of coarse gravel and east. South of the moraine, drainage with some boulders and sand are found generally follows the orientation of the in the valley through the Township. valleys and is to the southwest. Where drift exists in the upland portion of the Highlands, it is usually thin and In New Jersey, most till is locally generally has a close relationship to the derived and, therefore, it is abundant underlying rock. with boulders and stone. Material deposited by the Wisconsinan glacier includes gneissic rock mixed with Soil material originating from the Green Pond Mountain area. Sandstone, slate The primary soil north of the terminal and shale typically display matkings moraine in the New Jersey Highlands is telltale of the glacier's passage. Harder Rockaway. Minerals of the Rockaway rock, e.g. gneiss, does not show these soil include feldspar, quartz, plagioclase, same markings but have been worn and rounded. Till has been found as thick as 60 feet (Bloomingdale) in the Eastern 9 Kames are formed when sediments collect in Highlands. Till thicknesses of 10 to 20 depressions in the glacial ice and subsequently form mounds of sediment when the ice melts. feet are expected to be typical in the 1° Kame terraces are formed as sediment in eastern Highlands. In some instances, glacial meltwater is deposited in the valleys between the Highland ridges. Chapter 3 Geology 37

orthoclase, microcline, and perthite. well drained soils found in the valleys of Hornblende, garnet, epidote, sillimanite, the Highlands. Some poorly drained rutile, biotite, and tourmaline are also soils are also found in the valleys. present. The clays of the Rockaway Isolated pockets of poorly-drained, consist of hydrous mica, kaolinite, stony, mineral soils are found in areas of vermiculite, and clay- size quartz. negative relief such as depressions. Magnetite increases with depth and appears to be in an inexhaustible amount in this soil type. Riverhead soils are the

/

" OHT

, /f / ,I I Map2 I /\/ FAULT LINES Map 3 Fault Lines N MAJOR ROADS BOONTQ\J TOWNSHIP New Jersey Physiographic Provinces 0.5 0.5 1 M ~ es ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCEINVENlDRY Chapter 3 Geology 38

N

1000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 Feet 0 1 Kiometers USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP ~~~--~~~~~ BOONTON- NJ QUADRANGLE CONTOUR INTERVAL20 FEET NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM OF 1929 1954- PHOTOREVISED 1981 NOTE: SCALE SHOWN IS NOT TRADITIONAL 1:24,000USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAP SCALE BOONTON TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

Map4 Chapter 3 Geology 39

Bibliography and References Lyttle, Peter T., Epstein, Jack B. 1987. Geologic Map of the Newark r X 2° Quadrangle, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Canace, Robert; Stanford, Scott D., Hall, and New York. Dept. of Interior, U. S. David W. 1993. Hydrologic Framework Geological Survey. of the Middle and Lower Rockaway River Basin, Morris County, New Jersey. Nichols, William D. Bedrock New Jersey Geological Survey Report Topography of Eastern Morris and GSR33. Western Essex Counties, New Jersey. Dept. of Interior, U. S. Geological Drake, A very A., Jr., Volkert, Richard Survey. Miscellaneous Geologic A., Monteverde, Donald H., Herman, Investigations Map 1-549. Gregory C., Houghton, Hugh F., Parker, Ronald A., and Dalton, Richard F. 1996. Schaefer, F. L; Harte, P.T; Smith, J.A; Bedrock Geologic Map of Northern New Kurtz, B.A. 1993. Hydrologic Jersey. Conditions in the Upper Rockaway River Basin, 1984-86. U.S. Geological Survey Geology and Magnetite Deposits of Water-Resources Investigations Report Dover District, Morris County, New 91-4169. Jersey. 1958. Geological Survey Professional Paper 287. United States Stanford, Scott D. 1989. Surficial Government Printing Office. Geology of the Boonton Quadrangle, ~ew Jersey, Morris County, New Jersey Geology of Selected Areas in New Jersey Map 89-1. New Jersey Geological and Eastern Pennsylvania. 1969 Annual Survey. Meeting of the Geological Society of America. Atlantic City, New Jersey. Stanford, Scott and Ashley, Gail. April 1992. Hydrology of the Glacial Geraghty & Miller, Inc. August 1978. Deposits of New Jersey. An Applied An Evaluation of Ground-Water Field Course. Presented by Cook Resources of the Rockaway River Valley College Office of Professional Within the Communities of Denville, Education. Boonton Township, Town of Boonton, Montville and Mountain Lakes, New Tedrow, J. C. F. 1986. Soils of New Jersey. Jersey. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Robert E. Krieger Gill, Harold E., and Vecchioli, John. Publishing Co.Inc. 1965. Availability of Ground Water in Morris County, New Jersey. U. S. Wolfe, Peter E. 1977. The Geology and Geological Survey. Landscape of New Jersey. Crane, Russak & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y.

11 Publications available for mail order purchases from: DEP Maps and Publications Sales Office, P. 0. Box 438, Trenton, NJ 08625-0438 Chapter 4 Water Resources 40

Well Pump Rockaway Valley Chapter 4 Water Resources Chapter 4 Water Resources 41 3WATERRESOURCES

Introduction

Our local surface and ground water The following subsections of this resources are of critical importance to Chapter provide details on the many the Township's welfare. These resources aspects of Boonton Township related are the primary source of potable water water resources: supplies for Township residents. • The Water Cycle The Township's drinking water comes from many private wells drawing from • Ground Water and the Water Cycle cracks and fissures in the underlying bedrock and from other wells, both • How Ground Water and Surface private and public, pumping water from Waters are Interrelated the major sand and gravel aquifer beneath the Rockaway Valley. • Watersheds -Protecting the Source

The Town of Boonton's well field near • Township Sponsored Ground Water Hamilton Farms in Boonton Township Studies supplies the majority of public water to the Township, although a small portion • Other Ground Water Studies and of the Township receives water from Investigations Boonton's Taylortown Reservoir located in Kinnelon along Boonton A venue. In • Water Quality --A Look at the Past other areas near the Township boundaries, Denville and Mountain • Summary of Results of DEP Lakes supply public water to Monitoring of Individual Wells neighborhoods near Rock Ridge and the Boulevard in Mountain Lakes. • Boonton Township Monitoring of Individual Wells In addition to being of local importance, our water resources are of regional • Additional Steps to Protect Water significance, providing stream flow to Quality Through Education the Rockaway River and to Jersey City's Reservoir located a few miles • How Safe are Boonton Township's downstream of the Powerville Falls. Drinking Water Sources? These same surface waters provide recreational opportunities such as • Adequacy of Well Water Supplies in canoeing, fishing and swimming in the Boonton Township Township's lakes and ponds as well as in the Rockaway River itself. • Pumping Tests to Predict Well Yields

• Surface Water Quality

• Trout as a Water Quality Indicator Chapter 4 Water Resources 42 Boonton Township's Water Resources

Photo 19 Rockaway Valley Pond overlying Prime Aquifer (View of Tourne)

Photo 20 Stony Brook near Deer Lake

Photo 21 Deer Lake

Photo 22 Rockaway River at Powerville Dam Chapter 4 Water Resources 43

The Water Cycle

1. Precipitation 4. Transpiration 2. Runoff 5. Evaporation 3. Infiltration 6. Condensation

The Water Cycle recharge takes place during late winter and early spring when plant activity is at In order to understand the far ranging a minimum. But only a small fraction Gust 15%) seeps into the ground water nature of water resources, it is Aquifer helpful to study a simplified recharge system. The majority of precipitation illustration of the distribution areas are runs off the land's surface into streams, locations is evaporated, transpired by plants and and circulation of water on the where land, in the soil and in the rainwater and then is recycled through the atmosphere. atmosphere. Think of this other In Boonton Township recharge of our precipitation ground waters does not take place system as an endless loop or seep into the the water cycle earth's evenly. Some areas are significantly surface below more efficient than others. For example, the root zone in the Rockaway Valley and along the Ground Water and the to enter an Water Cycle aquifer. base of slopes where a confined aquifer Contrary to outcrops, precipitation readily infiltrates popular through the sandy soils, making these The ground water portion of belief, areas prime aquifer recharge zones. the water cycle is of critical aquifers are not flowing Also, there are other important aquifer concern to Township residents underground recharge zones located in upland forests, since the majority of the area's streams or in isolated wetlands and where shallow water supplies are derived from lakes. The Clean Water soils overlay a network of cracks and individual or municipal wells. Book, N.J. fissures within the bedrock. The aquifers feeding these DEP wells are replenished through precipitation. Much of the Chapter 4 Water Resources 44

In some places, Boonton Township loses a portion of its share of ground water. As illustrated in the Water Cycle, ground This happens whenever local well water water discharges through stream banks is piped to the Rockaway Valley and river bottoms. During extended Regional Sewerage Authority's periods of low precipitation, ground treatment plant below the Jersey Rainfall water keeps streams flowing. But will City Reservoir or surface water percolate conversely, if water levels in streams are is discharged to a storm sewer 4 inches above ground water levels, the streams emptying into the Rockaway into a will recharge the local ground water forested River and its tributaries. This area's soil system. water is permanently lost to in2 Boonton Township. Also, minutes while it Watersheds - Protecting the development-- such as roads, takes 3 Source parking lots, lawns and housing hours for which replaces forested areas-­ rainfall to travel the has a dramatic negative impact same Boonton Township is situated almost on the recharge component in distance entirely within the Rockaway River the water cycle. in a A watershed turfed Watershed (a small portion near is the area of area. Mountain Lakes drains to the Whippany land that How Ground Water and Future drains into a Water River). It is important to note that the particular receiving Surface Waters are Supply Rockaway River watershed is an water body Interrelated Require­ essential part of the New Jersey (e.g. river, ments for lake, stream, Morris Highlands, the source of drinking water bay). It is In upland areas, ground water County for more than 56% of New Jersey's separated from other flows extremely slowly from residents. systems by higher to lower elevations -- ridge-top boundaries. between several feet a day to fractions of In Boonton Township, there are several It includes an inch per year-- following a path subwatersheds, principally the Beaver not only the waterway through crevices in the rock that Brook, also known as Stickle Brook, and itself but also approximates the contour of the land small streams that drain the Powerville, the entire land area that surface. Upland areas overlying the Kingsland and Oak Road region. Within drains to it. Precambrian rock aquifer are recognized the Beaver Brook subwatershed are The Clean as stream source zones for the glacial Koehler's Pond, Dixon's Pond and Deer Water Sole Source Aquifd' in the Rockaway Lake, as well as Lake Rickabear, Payson Book Valley. Lakes and Taylortown Reservoir in N.J. DEP Kinnelon. Beaver Brook enters the Rockaway River below Valley Road at 12 Clay Hole. The flows from Griffith The Rockaway Valley overlies a glacial stratified drift aquifer, part of a regional aquifer Pond, along Kingsland Road, and designated as a Sole Source Aquifer by the U.S. another small tributary within the Hawk Environmental Protection Agency under the Hill subdivision pass under Oak Road authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act of and enter the Rockaway River at 1974. Federally funded projects are required to Rockaway Drive. The Powerville area undergo careful environmental impact review to insure protection of the aquifer. During the last stream, known as the RFL Brook, flows Ice Age, some 20,000 years ago, the aquifer was through the Valley Road Park Pond and formed through deposits of coarse sands and Tumble- In Pond and then through gravels which are capable of holding large wetlands into the Rockaway River in the quantities of water among the particle spaces. Chapter 4 Water Resources 45 vicinity of the Clay Hole area. land development. (For more (See Map 5) information see Chapter 9)

The Township's surface waters enter into In the past, several comprehensive the Jersey City Reservoir at Boonton and studies of the Rockaway River thence to the faucets of urban northeast watershed have been conducted. Of note New Jersey homes and facilities. is the study The Rockaway River and its Treasured Resources - Visions and There is a growing recognition by Strategies for their Recovery, an planning officials that land conservation advocacy plan of the Friends of the in watersheds may be the safest way to Rockaway River, prepared in May 1998 protect drinking water, as well as being by Roy Mann Associates, Inc., river the most cost effective. Watershed lands corridor planners. Prior to this report, are the catch basins that collect, direct, the Upper Rockaway River Watershed and naturally filter sources of water. Association through the Great Swamp What happens on this land determines Research Institute conducted a scientific both quality and quantity of available study of the Rockaway River. This water as well as the potential for report is entitled: An Analysis of the increased future flooding. Ecodynamics of the Rockaway River­ Investigation of its Trout Supporting In New Jersey, there are ongoing Capability. grassroots and governmental efforts to protect watersheds. On a regional level, the Highlands Coalition, consisting of 80 Township Sponsored Ground conservation and public interest groups, Water Studies is working to protect watersheds in the New York-New Jersey Highlands where In the past, the Township's underground major water supply reservoirs are water supplies have been extensively located. Statewide, theN. J. DEP and studied through Township sponsored municipalities are cooperating to investigations. These studies in 1978-79 develop comprehensive watershed by Geraghty & Miller and Geonics have management plans. Boonton Township formed the underpinnings of the and other municipalities within the Township's Master Plan and zoning Rockaway, Whippany and Upper recommendations. Passaic watersheds have been assigned to theN. J. DEP's Watershed In 1978, an area-wide water resource Management Area No. 6. study funded by Community Development was conducted by In March 2000, the Rockaway River Geraghty & Miller. In Boonton Watershed Cabinet, which consists of Township, the prime aquifer was membership from 15 municipalities and delineated and an evaluation was made Morris County, released its Rockaway of the quality of the ground water and its River Sustainable Watershed potential sources of contamination. In Management Plan to restore and protect addition, the study delineated favorable land and water resources of the sites for future water supplies. The Rockaway River watershed. In the study's recommendations included the future, the Cabinet will develop model need to preserve open space and restrict ordinances dealing with stormwater and Chapter 4 Water Resources 46

IN ROCKAWAY WATERSHED EXCEPT

LIGHT GRAY BOUNDARIES INDICATE SUB-WATERSHEDS. I MAP#5 VVATERSHEDS,STREAMS AND VVATERBODIES BOONTON TOWNSHIP ...... ······················· ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY :.:-:.:.:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:.:.:-:-:-:-······················· Chapter 4 Water Resources 47 land development in areas underlain by that contamination of surface waters in stratified drift (the prime aquifer), and to upland areas can adversely affect ground pay particular attention to activities that water supplies in the Valley areas, and might result in contamination of the contamination of any part of the Valley ground water resources because serious areas can adversely affect ground water contamination can take decades, or even quality generally. longer, to flush from the ground-water system. (Map 6) Geonics field investigations confirmed the potential well site in Area 8. A Sources of contamination within the borehole near the brook at Valley Road Township were found to be: landfills, found a water-bearing strata from 120 industrial waste water impoundments, feet to bedrock at 140 feet. (The casing industrial- commercial areas, accidental was left in place.) In Area 5 spills and discharges, runoff from paved (Meadowbrook), testing determined that surfaces, faulty sewers, septic tanks and the aquifer depth ranges from 10 to 130 industrial septics, road de- icing feet. Because of the relatively shallow practices, fertilizer use and cemeteries. depths to bedrock and high density of wells which would be adversely affected Of the eleven sites determined to be if a production well were to be favorable for additional water supply developed, it was recommended that development, two were in Boonton Area 5 should not be developed for a Township: Area 5, north end of Beaver well field and that Area 5 represents a Brook-Meadowbrook area; Area 8, significant recharge and storage area for Beaver Brook-Rockaway River downstream withdrawals. confluence area, where it was noted that upstream contamination from three Area A, located in the Rockaway Valley industries might be of concern. where three industries have existed for many years, was investigated using In 1979, as part of the area-wide study, seismic refraction and electrical field investigations of the Rockaway resistivity methods. Stream sediments in Valley were conducted by Geonics. 13 Beaver Brook and in the RFL Brook The study confirmed significant reserves downstream of Area A were found to be of ground water in valley fill sediments contaminated with chromium, copper, and noted that recharge is supplied from lead, as well as nickel and cadmium. unconsolidated sediments overlying the Area A was determined to be the source aquifer and also from the bedrock of contamination and Geonics aquifer. The report stated that although recommended that the extent and depth these rocks comprise a generally poor of the contamination be determined in a aquifer, they represent a valuable source systematic fashion. of water in the prime valley fill aquifers. Through these investigations, Geonics Recommendations were made for further delineated the location and depth protection of water supplies, explaining of the buried glacial valley. The buried river system was carved into the 13 crystalline bedrock prior to the last Fox, Fred, Project Mgr; Spink, Walter, Ph.D., glaciation. Sediments from glacial melt­ Geology; Paszkowski, Andrew, AIP, Planning. 1979. Water Resource Study, Rockaway Valley, waters partially filled these valleys as the Morris County, N. J. Geonics. Chapter 4 Water Resources 48

N

# PUBLIC WELLS

/\/ PRIMEAQUIFERZONE(2) 0 0.5 1 Miles c=J POTENTIAL GROUNDWATER SOURCE (1) ----~-----­ c=J STATI FlED DRIFT DEPOSITS (1) MAP#G c=J IMMEDIATE RECHARGE ZONE (2) WATER RESOURCES (1) GERAGHTY & MILLER AND PUBLIC WELLS (2) GEONICS BOONTON TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 4 Water Resources 49 glacier moved south. Eventually, the Rockaway River Basin including water glacier overrode the area, blocking samples from Boonton's Well No.5 and surface waterways with terminal two other locations in Boonton moraine, where the glacier ended its Township. One of the test sites was the southward movement in Denville and Geonics bore hole on Valley Road; the Mountain Lakes. other at an up- valley location near Meadowbrook and Brookview Roads. The Geonics study determined that The Geonics well had been drilled to ground water flows in the Rockaway bedrock, while an up-valley well was Valley follow the buried valley channel representative of the glacial aquifer. The and connect to one located in the Valley Road site had a pH of 8.1 southern part of Mountain Lakes near (alkaline) and showed higher levels of Laurel Drive. This connecting buried iron and manganese. In addition phenols channel occurs in the glacial sediments were detected. The Meadowbrook site far below the land surface in the vicinity showed a pH of 6.1 (acidic) and of Pocono Road, Lake Arrowhead and contained relatively high levels of Route 46. The buried valley area in copper with a volatile organic compound Boonton Township represents a tributary detected. Boonton's Well No. 5 also which runs south through the Valley, contained phenols, but in smaller intersecting the main channel at the amounts than the Valley Road site. (See Denville-Mountain Lakes boundary. Table No.2) The location of these buried valley aquifer areas was further explored by the In addition to sampling of water quality, N.J. Geological Survey. the U. S. Geological Survey measured water levels in the Valley Road well during 1985 and 1986. The lowest water Other Ground Water Studies level was recorded at the end of and Investigations September and the highest during December through the first week in In 1993, both the New Jersey and April. U. S. Geological Surveys published studies of the Rockaway River watershed which have added to the Water Quality knowledge of the Township's water A Look at the Past resources. During the early 1980s, both the public TheN. J. Geological Survey reviewed and government officials voiced a 154 well logs in Boonton Township to growing concern about the safety of construct bedrock topography mapping drinking water. Many private wells and geologic cross sections in order to throughout New Jersey were found to be define the hydrogeologic framework of contaminated with industrial wastes and the area. landfillleachates. In 1980, the Borough of Rockaway's water supply and the glacial aquifer that supplies it were Between November 1985 and February found to be contaminated with 1986, the U. S. Geological Survey tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and analyzed 29 wells in the Upper trichloroethylene (TCE), volatile organic Chapter 4 Water Resources 50 compoundS14 (VOCs) and suspected metals were found in stream sediments carcinogens. Other public water supply near Valley Road downstream of wells in Rockaway Township, Dover industrial waste lagoons. As the result of and Wharton were also found to be these preliminary investigations, contaminated with volatile organic Administrative Orders were issued to the chemicals, leading to designation of three companies to cease discharging of these wellfields as Super Fund sites, wastes, to cleanup the waste lagoons and eligible for public funds to clean up the to install monitoring wells. To further contaminants. determine the extent of the groundwater contamination, theN. J. Department of In addition, industrial wastes had Environmental Protection monitored a infiltrated the water supply lines of the number of residential wells in the Town of Boonton where they crossed the vicinity of the three industrial sites 15 Marotta plant site on Boonton A venue . This aqueduct was found to be in Summary of Results of DEP hydraulic communication with the Monitoring of Individual Wells underlying geology. 16 Numerous drinking water wells in Montville in the Of the more than 20 wells sampled, vicinity of Boonton A venue were also contamination was detected in five found to be contaminated. DEP residential wells and two semi-public geologists determined that contaminants wells. The semi-public wells, located at had seeped into the bedrock aquifer with the Parish House and cemetery were contaminant plumes moving in two found to be contaminated with volatile directions, one toward the south and the organic chemicals, rendering them not other toward the north. Significant potable. One also contained nitrates 17 contamination in three water bearing above the maximum allowable limits. zones-- shallow (stratified drift), middle Nitrates can enter the groundwater from (weathered rock zone) and deep bedrock septic wastes, animal wastes, fertilizers, -- was determined. and leachate from dumps. These contaminated wells were closed and new State officials, under new state and wells installed and treatment systems federal clean water laws, initiated were installed on others. The DEP inspections of the local industries in the determined that in the case of the Parish Rockaway Valley. High concentrations House well, the contamination was of known carcinogens were found in coming from an area immediately three drinking water wells at one of the around the well, not from upstream industrial sites and elevated levels of industrial sources. Over the years, the Boonton Township Board of Health has

14 conducted periodic testing of residential Volat1"1 e orgamc. c hem1ca . 1s are man-rna de wells near the industrial facilities. compounds, used in cleaners, solvents, and auto fluids and have been found in many public and private wells in Morris County. 17 Nitrates are not usually harmful to adults, 15 Mallery, Chris. Spring 1988. DEP Northern but may be harmful to young children, causing Bureau of Regional Enforcement. Water the 'blue-baby' syndrome which can have fatal Resource News. results, according to the Township Health 16 Memorandum. Thomas Seckler. N.J. Official (9/24/82) Geologic Survey. 5/6/85. Chapter 4 Water Resources 51 Boonton Township Monitoring low levels of volatile organic chemicals. of Individual Wells Board of Health officials believed that the contamination detected was site Under a grant from Monis County's specific for those wells and that there Community Development Program, the was no evidence of widespread Township sponsored a well sampling contamination in Boonton Township. program which was initiated in January 1983. The purpose of the program was twofold--first to provide free analysis to Additional Steps to Protect low income residents and second to Water Quality Through determine any general patterns of ground Education water contamination in the area that would affect all residents. Residents of With funding from Monis County's Oak Hills were offered these tests at no Community Development Program, the cost since the area qualified under the Township produced educational material Community Development Program's for distribution to all residents. In 1983, income limits. Oaks Hills, originally a a booklet entitled Ground Water: Your summer colony located along the Water Supply- Keep it Clean! was Rockaway River, has many homes on mailed to all residents and to those small lots which had been serviced residents served by individual septic through above ground summer lines by system a copy of Septic System Care, the Township of Denville. When many published by Rutgers Cooperative homes became converted to all- year Extension. residences, the Denville water was discontinued, and individual residential wells were installed. Since these homes How Safe Are Boonton are also served by septics, or older Township's Drinking Water cesspools, the quality of the well water was of concern. The well testing Sources? program was also offered to other Township residents and 22 additional In parts of Boonton Township, ground residential wells were tested. water contains high levels of iron, manganese or hydrogen sulfide. These Thirty- three residential wells in Oak are naturally occurring substances but at Hills were tested for fecal coliform and certain levels may cause a bad taste or volatile organic chemicals. Several were odor. The Town of Boonton filters water also tested for pesticides, especially from the wells located in the Township where homeowners indicated the site for removal of manganese, which can had been treated for termites. No cause brown laundry stains. pesticides were detected in the well samples and one well contained fecal Many areas contain water that is coliform. Volatile organic chemicals corrosive or soft; this tends to dissolve were detected in eight of the wells. In lead solder and copper from pipes and retesting these wells, no volatile organics other plumbing fixtures. For such well were detected in six. In other wells, in water, health officials recommend that in areas outside of Oak Hills, the sampling homes with copper plumbing and lead program found that two wells contained solder the water be run for at least 30 seconds any time water stands in the Chapter 4 Water Resources 52 pipes for four hours or more in order to recommend that well owners test their flush the standing water containing lead wells for coliform bacteria at least from the system. annually, or if flooding occurs. If tests find coliform, corrective action may be Municipal water supplies are regularly needed. This may involve disinfection or tested for harmful chemicals. State law relocating a septic tank. requires that public water supply systems be periodically tested and if In the future, under new legislation violations occur, the supplier is required adopted by the State Legislature, before to notify the public. In addition, the any New Jersey residential property owners of non- public wells serving the served by a well can be sold, the private public, such as restaurants, must also well will be required to be tested for comply with New Jersey's testing parameters such as volatile organics, requirements. When a public water mercury, radium. (Assembly No. 1306) For more supply is found to contain contaminants information contact violating water quality standards, water Information on Interpreting Drinking Bureau of treatment, usually in the form of Water Quality Analysis can be obtained Safe Drinking activated carbon filtration and aeration, from Rutgers Cooperative Extension. or Water, P. 0. is installed, as is the case with the three by downloading this publication from Box 426, Trenton, local municipal suppliers serving the Worldwide Web Site maintained by N.J. 08625 portions of Boonton Township. Starting Garden State Laboratories, (609) 292- 5550; U.S. in 1999, each customer of a public water www .gslabs.com. EPA Safe supplier will receive an annual Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report listing all Also, Rutgers Cooperative Extension Hotline 1- drinking water contaminants detected Service has available a brochure for 800-426- during the calendar year. homeowners entitled: Home-A -Syst for 4791 New Jersey, An Environmental Risk Residential wells are not routinely Assessment Guide for the Home. monitored by any agency, unless there are indications of area-wide ground water pollution. Thus, it is up to the Adequacy of Well Water individual well owner to arrange for Supplies in Boonton Township testing through local water testing laboratories or through the local Board Wells located in the Rockaway Valley of Health. Activated carbon water and along its fringes draw from the treatment systems for homes are glacial sands and gravels of the available that are capable of reducing Rockaway Sole Source Aquifer. This unwanted chemicals, but these systems aquifer contains large quantities of water require maintenance to assure and thus wells in these areas are most effectiveness. When a home is sold, the often high yielding wells. buyer often requires complete analysis of the home's water supply. New wells On the other hand, wells located in the or wells that are altered, must also be hilly areas of the Township draw from tested for potability for such parameters the cracks and fissures of the as coliform bacteria, but at present there Precambrian Rock aquifer. The success are no requirements that testing be of a well tapping the Precambrian conducted for volatile organic aquifer depends on the number and size chemicals. New Jersey health officials Chapter 4 Water Resources 53 of the fractures it intersects and whether Geology. 20 The capability of the well to or not they are connected to a source of meet peak demand and total daily recharge. Fractures often occur demand is evaluated through a two-part randomly in the rock and it is difficult to pump test21 which is more reliable when predict with any certainty the potential performed between June and October yield of a rock well at any particular site. when the water table is generally lower. It is possible for one rock well to have a The method cannot take into account satisfactory yield, while one only a short many physical factors that can influence distance away is running dry. long- term well performance, including Interference effects between two rock seasonal fluctuations in ground water wells tapping the same fracture system availability, drought, permanent can be significant and reduce the yield of dewatering of fracture zones, and 18 each well • In a review of well logs in stresses on the aquifer from nearby the Forest Park section of the Township, wells. the Environmental Committee found that among thirty well records, seven were drilled to depths over 400 feet and Surface Water Quality several were drilled to 600 feet, yielding only one to two gallons per minute. The Rockaway River in Boonton Other wells ranging in depth from 72 Township is a recreational river, used for feet to 148 feet, were predicted by the canoeing, fishing, and occasional driller to yield between 15 and 50 swimming. Trout fishing is especially gallons per minute. Whether the driller's popular. Many years ago river predicted yields have been sustained swimming was enjoyed by residents, over time is unknown. Well interference including visitors to the "Clay Hole" has occurred in the Hillcrest Road area beach on the Rockaway River, near the with installation of additional wells to oxbow bend. With urbanization of 19 service new developments. upstream areas, the quality of river water declined dramatically forcing the closing of area swimming beaches. Pumping Tests to Predict Well Yields In recent years, the quality has improved due to increased policing of illegal Often, a well driller's predictions of the discharges of wastes, as well as the quantity of water that a well will yield is replacement by the Rockaway Valley done without the benefit of a controlled pumping test. A more accurate 20 Hoffman, Jeffrey L. and Canace, Robert. evaluation of a well drilled in rock to 1986. Two-Part Pump Test for Evaluating the supply domestic needs has been Water-Supply Capability of Domestic Wells. developed by the New Jersey Bureau of New Jersey Geological Survey, Ground-Water Report Series No. 1.

21 Board of Health Ordinance 608, amending 18 Geraghty & Miller, Inc. An Evaluation of Chapter 177, requires pump testing in Ground-Water Resources of the Rockaway River accordance with N.J. Geological Survey Ground­ Valley. Water Report Series No. 1 for all new wells intended to serve building lots. A geohydrology 19 Vincent Uhl Associates, Inc. Sept. 1999. report with test wells and observation wells is Hydrological Report Hillcrest Road Area. required prior to subdivision. Chapter 4 Water Resources 54

Regional Sewerage Authority of the old reservoirs and at the downstream ends of leaky Jersey City sewer line which tributaries. Results of chemical and parallels the Rockaway River. But the sanitary water quality monitoring increased capacity of the new sewer line indicate that numerical standards for and treatment facilities have in tum led phosphorus, fecal coliform and possibly to increased urban growth in the metals are generally not met." High upstream watershed resulting in more levels of phosphorous have been linked nonpoint22 pollution of the river. to eutrophication in streams and lakes. Algal blooms in rivers and lakes have Water quality in the Rockaway River is also been attributed to high phosphorus. monitored by the N. J. DEP which has Phosphorus can originate from sewage the responsibility of enforcing federal treatment plants as well as from and state clean water laws and water nonpoint sources such as runoff and quality standards. Monitoring is stormwater contaminated by fertilizers. conducted to evaluate the status and trends of surface water quality relative to the Clean Water Act goals of fishable, Trout as a Water Quality swimmable and potable water. The U. S. Indicator Geological Survey assists the State in the testing for chemicals and other water The presence or absence of trout in a quality parameters at points along the stream is often used as an indication of Rockaway River. This information is water quality. Trout cannot survive in available on the web at: warm waters or waters that are filled http://nj.usgs.gov/ with silt. In an effort to classify surface waters, the state has made a Recently, theN. J. DEP began determination of the suitability of the monitoring the biological health of majority of surface waters to support streams by examining populations of trout during the summer when oxygen bottom-dwelling (benthic) insect larvae content is lower and water warmer. and crustaceans. Previously in 1984-86, Although the state regularly stocks trout the U. S. Geological Survey conducted near the Powerville Dam and in the extensive biological monitoring in the Beaver Brook near Meadowbrook Road, Upper Rockaway River (Water none of Boonton Township's surface Resources Investigation Report 91- waters have been determined to be 4169). Benthic organisms are excellent suitable for year-round trout survival. indicators of stream health because of their sensitivity to environmental stress and their limited mobility. Biological monitoring of the Rockaway Watershed indicates that the headwaters and portions of the mainstem are not impaired. However, impairment does tend to occur at the outlets of lakes and

23 22 Nonpoint pollution, or people pollution, is Highlights of the Initial Watershed contamination that results from activities such as Characterization and Assessment for Watershed fertilizing the lawn, using pesticides, changing Management Area 6. February 1998. N.J. motor oil, disturbing soil on construction sites. Department of Environmental Protection. Chapter 4 Water Resources 55

In 1985, the Upper Rockaway River According to the New Jersey publication Watershed Association sponsored a Basic Information about New Jersey's scientific study of the Rockaway River Trout Waters: by the Great Swamp Research Institute24 which surveyed the river's fisheries "one method of protecting the composition and water quality. The aquatic environment from report, consisting of 228 pages, covered degradation is to protect the most 18 water quality parameters, aquatic and sensitive, significant species riparian plants, benthic within the aquatic community, macroinvertebrates and fish species the assumption being that by composition, and included one site in doing so the entire system is Boonton Township at the Denville protected. Organisms vary boundary which, because of warmer greatly in their sensitivity to water and other characteristics, was not environmental change, but, in considered suitable for trout many cases, fish are one of the maintenance and trout production. But best indicators of how well our trout and one associated species were water resources are being captured in the Rockaway River within managed. Troutparticularly Grace Lord Park in Boonton. The study require high quality waters and formed the basis for petitioning the State are extremely sensitive to to reclassify portions of the Rockaway changes in environmental River to a higher water quality standard. conditions." A nontrout designation by the State sets a lower water quality standard than trout maintenance or trout production designations. (See Appendix's- Request for Reclassification: From Longwood Lake to the Jersey City Reservoir at Boonton)

24 Katz, Harvey M; Edward Samanns; Lisa M. Gonzalez; Anne Harris Katz. May 1987. An Analysis of the Ecodynamics of the Rockaway River. Great Swamp Research Institute. 25 Petition of the Upper Rockaway River Watershed Association. Chapter 4 Water Resources 56 Bibliography and References Katz, Harvey M.; Edward Samanns; Lisa Gonzalez; Anne Harris Katz. May 1987. Annibal, Gary. Sept. 24, 1982. Madison An Analysis of the Ecodynamics of the Dept. of Health. Report Nitrates in Rockaway River. Great Swamp Research Groundwater. Institute.

Cahill Associates, Andropogon Mallery, Chris. Spring 1988. DEP Associates. Rockaway River Sustainable Northern Bureau of Regional Watershed Management Plan. 2000 Enforcement. Water Resource News. (For The Rockaway River Watershed Cabinet.) Mann, Roy and Assoc. 1998. The Rockaway River and its Treasures Federal Register. Vol. 49, No. 16. Jan. Resources: Visions & Strategies for their 24, 1984. 2946-2948. Sole Source Recovery. (In cooperation with Friends Aquifer Designation. of the Rockaway River).

Fox, Fred, Project Mgr; Walter Spink, Morris County Planning Board. April Ph.D., Geology; Andrew Paszkowski, 1956. Future Water Supply AlP, Planning. 1979. Water Resource Requirements for Morris County. Study, Rockaway Valley, Morris County, N. J. Geonics. N. J. Department of Environmental Protection. Site Remediation Program. Geraghty & Miller, Inc.1978. An Bureau of Community Relations. Evaluation of Ground-Water Resources October 19, 2000. Active, Pending and of the Rockaway River Valley. No Further Action Sites in Boonton Township, New Jersey. Hamilton, Patricia L., Wm. P. Minervini. Oct. 1983. N.J. Bureau of Freshwater N. J. Department of Environmental Fisheries. Bureau of Planning and Protection. February 1998. Highlights of Standards. Basic Information About New the Initial Watershed Characterization Jersey's Trout Waters. and Assessment for Watershed Management Area 6. Hoffman, Jeffrey L. and Robert Canace. 1986. Two-Part Pump Test for N. J. Department of Environmental Evaluating the Water-Supply Capability Protection. 11/8/82; 8/11/83. of Domestic Wells. New Jersey Correspondence. Results of Water Geological Survey. Ground-Water Samples, Parish House. Report Series No. 1. N. J. Dept. of Environmental Protection. Johnson, Stephen W. August 11, 1983. May 1997. The Clean Water Book. New Jersey Geological Survey. Correspondence. Rockaway Valley New Jersey Geologic Survey. 1993. Methodist Church, Valley Rd. Hydrogeologic Framework of the Middle and lower Rockaway River Basin, Morris County, NJ. GSR 33. Chapter 4 Water Resources 57

Upper Rockaway River Watershed Association. 1983. Ground Water: Your Water Supply- Keep it Clean! (for Township of Boonton.)

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Home-A-Systfor New Jersey, An Environmental Risk Assessment Guide for the Home.

Schaefer, F.L.; P.T. Harte; J.A. Smith and B.A. Kurtz. 1993. Hydrologic Conditions in the Upper Rockaway River Basin, New Jersey 1984-1986, USGS Water Resources Investigations Report 91-4169. In Cooperation withNJDEP, West Trenton, NJ.

Seckler, Thomas. May 6. 1985. N.J. Geologic Survey. Memorandum.

Shelton, Theodore B., Ph.D. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service. Septic System Care. Extension Bulletin 10.

Shelton, Theodore B., Ph.D. Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service. Interpreting Drinking Water Quality Analysis: What Do the Numbers Mean?

Township of Boonton. June 20, 1983. Special Meeting of Board of Health. Contamination of Ground Water in Boonton Township. Chapter 4 Water Resources 58

Table No.2 U.S. Geological Survey - Analysis of Wells in Boonton Township Source: USGS Report91-4169 mq/L microqrams per liter; uq/L milliqrams per liter; <, less than the qiven value, which is the detection limit

Unconfined Bedrock Aquifer Confined Valley-Fill Aquifer Geonics, Valley Road Valley-Fill Aquifer Charles Cusak Boonton Well No. 5

Date 11/27/85 1/17/86 11/27/85 Temperature, deqrees Celsius 11.5 11.0 11.5 IPH field 6.1 8.1 6.9 IPH lab 6.8 8.5 7.6 Dissolved Solids mq/L 112 120 188 Alkalinity as CaCo3 mq/L field 30 68 110 lab 31 67 83 Bicarbonate mq/L 38 79 138 Dissolved Oxyqen mq/L 5.7 1.3 1.4 Hardness as CaCo3 Total mg/L 58 76 130 noncarbonate mg/L 27 9 44 Sodium mq/L 8.3 10 9.8 Potassium mg/L 0.8 2 1.3 Calcium mg/L 14 22 31 Maqnesium mq/L 5.6 5.1 12 Silica mq/L 20 18 18 Chloride mg/L 7.2 9.2 24 Sulfate mg/L 22 14 20 Fluoride mq/L <0.1 0.5 0.1 Aluminum ug/L <100 <100 <100 Arsenic ug/L <1 <1 <1 Berylium uq/L <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 Cadmium uq/L <1 <1 <1 Chromium ug/L <10 <10 <10 Copper ug/L 41 <1 3 Cyanide uq/L <.01 <.01 <.01 Iron ug/L 7 19 <3 Lead ug/L 1 <1 <1 Manqanese uq/L <1 32 4 Mercury uq/L <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 Nickel ug/L <1 <1 <1 Selenium ug/L <1 <1 <1 Zinc uq/L 14 10 16 Nitrogen Nitrite (as N) mg/L <.01 <.01 <.01 Nitrogen Nitrite+ Nitrate (as N) mg/L 3.5 <.10 0.83 Nitrogen, Ammonia+ organic (as N) 0.6 0.2 0.3 Nitroqen Ammonia (as N) mq/L 0.01 0.02 0.01 Phosphorous mg/L 0.01 0.03 0.02 Phosphorous, Ortho (as P) mq/L 0.01 0.04 0.02 Dissolved Orqanic Carbon mq/L 0.9 1.7 1 Phenols, total ug/L <1 16 2 1,1, 1-Trichloroethane ug/L >0.8 0 0 Chapter 4 Water Resources 59

This summary report has been made possible through a donation made in memory of Marilyn L. Tatka.

Request for Reclassification: the Rockaway River from Longwood Lake to the Jersey City Reservoir at Boonton based on the river's trout supporting capacity and New Jersey's Antidegradation Policy

JANUARY 18, 1988

Unconsolidated Quaternary Aquifer that underlies the Rockaway River area as the sole source of drinking water for more than 90,000 citizens. The Upper Rockaway River Watershed Association is a nonprofit organization In 1985, with strong incorporated in 1978 to help protect the encouragement from members of New rivers and streams in the Rockaway Jersey's Division of Fish, Game and watershed. The Association's officers Wildlife, the. Association initiated a and members are residents of the project to collect data on the water watershed who are deeply concerned quality and trout supporting capacity of about water quality and coordinated the Upper Rockaway River. Major land-use planning to protect water funding consisted of a $15,000 challenge resources. Included among the members grant from the Dodge Foundation, which of the Association are the municipalities was met by a Morris County Community of Boonton, Boonton Township, Development grant and other Denville, Dover, Jefferson, Kinnelon, contributions. The Association then Mine Hill, Mountain Lakes, Randolph , contracted with the Great Swamp Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Research Institute to perform a scientific Township, Roxbury, Wharton, and study of the Rockaway River from the Jersey City. The Association's activities Longwood Lake Dam to the Jersey City have included water quality monitoring Reservoir at Boonton. This report, which and surveillance along the Rockaway took nearly two years to complete, is and its tributaries, environmental now ready and contains substantial education for area residents, and evidence that the river's classification promotion of sound land-use planning should be upgraded. by local government. In 1980, the Association's petition to the U.S. The entire length of the river Environmental Protection Agency from its source to the Jersey City resulted in federal designation of the Reservoir is currently classified as FW-2 Chapter 4 Water Resources 60

Non Trout (see end note for definitions encouraged, or the increasing pressure of classifications). For reasons from development in the area could turn summarized below, the Upper gradual improvement to degradation. Rockaway Watershed Association The primary threats to water quality herewith requests that the division currently appear to be clearing of reclassify the Rockaway River from riverside vegetation and nonpoint source Longwood Dam to the Jersey City pollution by fertilizers, pesticides, and Reservoir as FW-2 Trout Maintenance typical road runoff. Future channelizing (Category one). and point sources may also impact river quality, destroying or degrading both fish habitat and scenic and recreational State Policy. It is the policy of the state uses. of New Jersey "to restore, maintain and enhance the chemical, physical and According to Basic Information biological integrity of its waters, to about New Jerseys' Trout Waters, "one protect the public health, to safeguard method of protecting the aquatic the aquatic biota, protect scenic and environment from degradation is to ecological values, and to enhance the protect the most sensitive, significant domestic, municipal, recreation, species within the aquatic community, industrial, agricultural, and other the assumption being that by doing so reasonable uses of the state's waters. the entire system is protected. Organisms (NJAC 7:9B-1.5) vary greatly in their sensitivity to environmental changes, but, in many The Rockaway River provides drinking cases, fish are one of the best indicators water for thousands of New Jersey of how well our water resources are residents. Not only is the river intimately being managed. Trout particularly connected with a designated sole source require high quality waters and are aquifer and its groundwater system, but extremely sensitive to changes in also it is itself the direct source for the environmental conditions." Jersey City Water Company's reservoir at Boonton. In addition, many sections of the river remain unspoiled, Other classifications within the particularly through the Berkshire Valley watershed but also in areas of Denville and Boonton, providing an important Various areas, tributaries, and segments opportunity for local residents to enjoy of tributaries of the Rockaway are the quiet aesthetic and recreational currently placed in categories higher pleasures of a beautiful riverine than the Rockaway River itself. These environment. As open space dwindles in include: Morris County, the need to protect this facet of the river's importance grows. • The Jersey City Reservoir at Boonton-- FW-2 TM; A review of water quality data gathered over several years suggests that • Stephens Brook, north of the the quality of the Rockaway River water boundaries of the Berkshire has been gradually improving. These Valley Fish and Game improvements need to be protected and Tract-- FW-1; future water quality improvements Chapter 4 Water Resources 61 • That segment of the chain and the intense fishing pressure on Rockaway River within the them, trout appear to be relatively boundaries of the Berkshire plentiful in the Rockaway. In addition, Valley Wildlife Management the study found adequate food, shelter, Area-- FW-2 NT(C1); and water quality necessary to support trout in many parts of the Rockaway • The Hibernia Brook, entire length, except tributary The Rockaway has been stocked described below--FW-2TM· by the Division with brown, brook, and ' rainbow trout for many years. Stocking • Entire length of tributary to is always of adult size (7+ inch fish) and Hibernia Brook at Rockaway occurs in the early spring and sometimes --FW-2 TP(C1); in the fall. Needless to say, most of the thousands of fish put into the river are • Jackson Brook segment quickly removed by sportsmen. Field (Mine Hill and Randolph), evidence strongly suggests, however, source to the boundary of that a reasonable number of fish do Hurd Park in Dover -- FW-2 escape the hook, and that these fish do TP(C1); and survive, and may even breed, in the Rockaway River. For example, at study • Mill Brook segment station 6 in Dover a 4-inch brown trout (Randolph), source to Route was netted, indicating that spawning 10 bridge- FW-2 TP(C1). may take place in the main stem of the Rockaway. In addition, information from One of the best ways to protect the entire the Division on stocking activities watershed from degradation is to during 1985 indicates that a total of only improve protection of the main stem of 10 brown trout were put into the river the Rockaway by means of the higher that year. The study team, however, TM(C1) classification. caught a total of 15 brown trout at 7 sites along the river in August 1985. This Evidence of Trout Support provides strong evidence that the Rockaway supports a brown trout population from year to year. During August 1985 a team of field scientists from the Great Swamp In order to distinguish natural Research Institute used electroshocking fish populations from stocked fish, the equipment to catch and count fish Division uses a procedure known as species in the study area. In most cases "Incidence of occurrence" (110). The sites selected for study approximated Division has determined that an 1/0 of sites that had been previously studied by 20 percent or greater is required to the Division of Fish, Game, and qualify a stream for Trout Maintenance Wildlife. Trout were found at 8 of 11 classification. The average 1/0 of the study stations. segment between stations 2 and 6 is 20.9. (This includes one station where More fish were caught during this study the electrofishing was not particularly than during previous studies by the successful because of deep pools, long Division. When considered with respect riffles, and difficult access. It is likely to their predator position in the food that better data could be collected at this Chapter 4 Water Resources 62 station, thereby increasing the 1/0 of the levels necessary to support the river segment in question.) The 1/0 of designated uses," as it does where the entire length of the river from Rockaway waters exceed the Non-Trout Longwood Dam to the Jersey City standard. Under this policy this higher Reservoir is 19.9; included in this "quality shall be maintained and calculation are some sites with obviously protected." This paragraph also states poor habitat. that "Category One waters shall be protected from any measurable changes Water Quality (including calculable or predicted changes) to the existing water quality. A variety of water quality parameters Water quality characteristics that are were measured by the study team to generally worse than the water quality determine how well the water quality of criteria, except as due to natural the Upper Rockaway matches state conditions, shall be improved to standards for "Trout Maintenance" maintain or provide for the designated waters. Not only does this study uses where this can be accomplished demonstrate that the Rockaway exceeds without adverse impacts on organisms, standards (often by a large margin) used communities or ecosystems of concern." to identifY "Non-Trout" waters, but it also indicates that the water quality of The "Trout Maintenance" request the Rockaway generally meets or is based on NJAC 7:9B-1.11: "A exceeds standards used to identify reclassification for more restrictive uses "Trout Maintenance" waters. In those shall be made whenever: It is few cases for which the Trout demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Maintenance standard for a particular Department that there are existing uses parameter is not met, the differential is of the specific segment that are not slight and the standard is achievable. included in the designated uses; (or) ... it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the The fit between state standards and Department that any uses in Section 101 water quality of the Rockaway from (a)(2) of the Federal Clean Water Act, Longwood Dam through the Berkshire protection and propagation of fish, Valley Wildlife Management area is shellfish, and wildlife, and recreation in very close. This is the portion of the and on the water, which are not included river that has been least impacted by in the designated uses listed in this development. Much of the river here subchapter are attainable" [italics runs through property owned by the added]. Jersey City Water Company or the state. South of Route 80, the river flows Thus reclassification would through a more urbanized landscape, provide both the opportunity to protect although- water quality remains near or current water quality and the stimulus to over standard in most places. In upgrade any aspects of water quality that Boonton, the Rockaway River forms the are slightly less than the criteria for centerpiece of the Grace Lord Park. "Trout Maintenance," which are still attainable on this section of the river. According to NJAC 7:9B-1.5 (d), Moreover, trout do appear to be living in the Nondegradation Policy may be many areas of the Rockaway. invoked "where water quality exceeds Chapter 4 Water Resources 63 Data well below the NT maximum of 27.8-30 degrees. It is interesting A summary of study results as they to note that the lower end of the related to specific criteria for trout river is somewhat cooler than support is presented below: the upper end. It is theorized that • pH-- Mean river pH in August warm temperatures below Longwood Dam are created by 1985 was 7 .2, with a range between 6.7 and 7.6. This is well the substantial removal of within the state's required range vegetative cover and creation of more than 60 water of 6.5 to 8.5. impoundments as well as • Phosphate. (phosphorus)-­ discharge from a sewage Readings were taken at four treatment plant above Longwood stations where suburban runoff Lake. There are many open was most likely to be found. The areas too in this section or the mean concentration here was river, where the water moves 0.13 mg/1, only slightly higher slowly through wetlands. than the state's standard of 0.1 Though these temperatures are mg/1. The phosphorus levels of above the standard lower the river could be improved temperatures might be attainable through better control of (see below); moreover according nonpoint source runoff and to Basic Trout Information these planting of buffer zones or slightly higher temperatures are "nutrient sinks" along the river. not lethal to trout -- certainly not • Dissolved oxygen-- The river for the short time each year ranged from 7.0 to 9.9 mg/1, when temperatures can rise. exceeding the TM standard of 24-hr average not less than 6 • Ammonia ions-- No data was mg/1 and never less than 5 mg/1. collected. It is well over the NT standard. • Suspended solids -- The mean level for all stations checked was 9.4 mg/1, with a range between Habitat Improvements 1.8 and 28.0 mg/1. The high reading occurred only once and A variety of relatively simple is far closer to the TM standard environmental improvements on the of 25 mg/1 than to the NT Rockaway might create substantial standard of 40 mg/1. increases in trout habitat as well as some • Temperature-- This is the general water quality benefits. These activities include planting of nutrient parameter with which the Rockaway has the most sinks and other vegetative cover as well as the removal of debris and other ad hoc difficulty. Readings were taken flow impediments, which slow the water during the hottest part of the and encourage warming, particularly in year and range between 19.2 and the Berkshire Valley segment below 24.4 degrees Centigrade. Although most stations did not Longwood Dam. According to some studies, forest buffers of as little as 100 make the TM standard of 20 feet substantially reduce nonpoint source degrees Centigrade, all were Chapter 4 Water Resources 64 pollution from development. Plantings waters and their tributaries; 3) Surface are also an important way to lower waters classified in this subchapter as temperature.* According to the Great FW2 Trout Maintenance or FW2 Swamp Research Institute survey only Non trout that are upstream of water 26.7 percent of the river has full tree classified in this subchapter as FW2 canopy; 23.7 percent has partial canopy, Trout Production; 4) Shellfish waters of and almost 50 percent has no cover. exceptional resource value; or 5) Other Thus the sun shines directly on the waters and their tributaries that flow river's water in many places, warming it through, or border, Federal State, County significantly. or Municipal parks, forests, fish and wildlife lands, and other special holdings. ENDNOTE (N.J.A.C. 7:9B-1.4 Definitions) "FW-2" means the general surface water classification applied to those Fresh "Category one waters" [Cl] means those Waters that are not designated as FW-1 waters designated ... for purposes of or Pinelands Waters. implementing the Antidegradation Policies in this subchapter; for protection "Nontrout waters" [NT] means fresh from measurable changes in water waters that have not been designated in quality characteristics because or their this subchapter as trout production or clarity, color, scenic setting, other trout maintenance. These waters are characteristics of aesthetic value, generally not suitable for trout because exceptional ecological significance, of their physical, chemical, or biological exceptional recreational significance, characteristics, but are suitable for a exceptional water supply significance. or wide variety of other fish species. exceptional fisheries resources. These waters may include but are not limited to "Trout maintenance waters" [TM] means 1) Waters originating wholly within waters designated in this subchapter for Federal, Interstate, State, County, or the support of trout throughout the year. Municipal parks, forest, fish and wildlife lands, and other special holdings that "Trout production waters" [TP] means have not been designated as FWl in this waters designated in this subchapter for subchapter; 2) Waters classified in this use by trout for spawning or nursery subchapter as FW2 Trout Production purposes during their first summer.

* Data indicate vegetation serves as an effective buffer against temperature extremes; shaded streams are cooler in summer and warmer during winter. Increases in summer water temperatures of 5.5-9.0 degrees Centigrade result when vegetation which shades agricultural drainages is removed." - Basic Information about New Jersey Trout Waters. Chapter 5- Vegetation 65

Dogwood Comus florida Chapter 5 Vegetation Chapter 5- Vegetation 66 VEGETATION

Boonton Township's Green Methodist Church and Cemetery. Other Scene trees, like the White Pine (Pinus strobus), which dot the hilltops, and the American Beech (Fagus grandifolia), Most people would agree that Boonton with its low spreading branches, provide Township's woodlands are the most scenic beauty in the sometimes dreary appreciated of all its natural resources. winter scene. These are but a few of the From our green tunneled roads with tree species that have special meaning to arching branches shading the pavement Boonton Township's residents. to our majestic oak-hickory forests, the majority of the Township appears as preserved woodlands, a sight enjoyed by A list of other special trees was residents and visitors alike. compiled by the Rockaway Valley Garden Club as a Bicentennial project. A In early April, the feathery white copy of this document-- '76 Big Trees of blossoms of Shadbush (Amelanchier) Boonton Township-- appears at the end light up the forested roadsides, followed of this chapter. in early May by the blooms of our native Dogwoods (Comus florida) and Redbud (Cercis canadensis). Adding to this Value of our Forests beauty, the Silverbell (Halesia carolina) trees on Powerville Road near the Municipal Building send forth their "A town is saved, not more by the lovely floral display. By mid June along righteous men in it, than by the woods Rockaway Valley Road near Dixon's and swamps that surround it. " Pond, the tall, leafy Catalpas (Catalpa Henry David Thoreau, 1862 bignonioides) burst into bloom. And, along the Rockaway River, the river banks are thick with huge Silver Maples 26 Life on earth depends on green plants . (Acer saccharinum), Basswoods (Tilia Locally, our woodlands modify the dry, americana), Elms (Ulmus) and other scorching effects of summer sun and trees such as the unusual Bladdernut wind, provide homes for wildlife and (Staphylea trifolia) trees. 27 replenish our oxygen supply and help In the fall, the Red Maples (Acer filter the air pollutants, such as auto rubrum), a wetland loving tree, become exhausts, that would otherwise be a blaze of reds and shades of orange. harmful to human health. One such tree upstream of the Powerville Bridge is probably the most photographed Red Maple in Morris County. (See Photo 25, p. 84) Other 26 Healthy forests act as a natural sm. k f or notable sights are the Sugar Maples carbon-based gases that contribute to global (Acer saccharum) in brilliant orange warming. along Valley Road in front of the 27 An acre of forest prov1"d es enoug h oxygen to support 18 people! Chapter 5- Vegetation 67

continued existence of our forests and Forests help to recharge our woodlands. underground water supplies. The trees and the forest understory do this by Recreational Opportunities retarding and retaining rain and snow runoff, allowing the water time to sink According to New Jersey's Partners in into the soil to filter into the water Forestry, forests are the natural bearing rock fractures in the hills and the environment for many types of outdoor sands and gravel aquifers in the valley. recreation --camping, hiking, nature The majority of the ground water study, photography, birdwatching, recharge takes place in the early spring hunting, cross-country skiing, and scenic and fall when plant growth is minimal enjoyment. In our busy urban-oriented lives, we need the relief and Forests were not part of the Township's counterpoint that serene woods can give scene during the latter part of the 19th us -- the joy of brilliant fall colors, the century. In those days, the Township satisfaction found in bird identification, was almost completely deforested due to the pleasure of walking in the woods, the the demands of neighboring iron and opportunity to "recharge our batteries." charcoal furnaces for vast amounts of Woodlands are an outdoor laboratory firewood. But, one hundred years ago, where children and adults alike can learn Boonton Township was largely a horse about nature and the proper management and buggy farming community, with a and use of a sustaining natural resource. population of less than 1,000. Consequently, the environmental Threats to the Woodlands of impacts of the 19th century deforestation Boonton Township were not significant. Today, a similar deforestation would have far-reaching 1. Development deleterious impacts on Boonton Township's population. Consider this: Every lot cleared for new development Now we are totally dependent upon the represents a threat to the wooded nature gasoline engine; we are crossed by busy of the Township. By local ordinance, roads such as Boonton A venue and new developments require a right of way Powerville Road that bring over 20,000 28 width of 50 feet, although many of our vehicles per day into our Township. existing roads are as narrow as 25 feet. Without the present- day forests and trees Tree removals for roads, lot lining our roads, foul air, ozone alerts development and drainage basins cause and exhausted aquifers would be the large scale changes to the landscape. inevitable result of a similar These changes are clearly seen by deforestation. comparing aerial photos taken in 1976 to recent aerials. New residents can help Here in Boonton Township we can thank offset these tree removals by restoring the forests and woodlands for our clean the wooded nature of their personal air and for the water we drink. Our space. By planting native species and healthy future is dependent upon the retaining forest fringes, rather than planting lawns and ornamentals, the homeowner can help keep air and water 28 Morris County Data Book. 1994. supplies clean and plentiful. Chapter 5- Vegetation 68

31 Maple (Acer platanoides), a popular Lawn care accounts for the vast majority shade tree in the Town of Boonton. This of pesticides used in New Jersey, sturdy tree sends out millions of impacting water quality. Lawns also seedlings and spreads into the increase water runoff, thus decreasing woodlands, choking out our native Sugar water to recharge underground water Maples, Oaks and Beeches. See Table 4 supplies. Remember, lawns do not Noxious Weeds and Alien Invasive maintain themselves. They require sweat Species on p.71. and gas. To many people, they are an aggravation and a focus for feelings of social insecurity. If a lawn is desired, Other invasive species, often planted by plant a natural lawn of heat and drought novice gardeners, are Japanese Barberry resistant species not requiring chemical (Berberis thunbergii), Japanese 29 fixes. See Table 3 Recommended Honeysuckle (Lonicerajaponica), Drought Resistant Grass Species on Corkbark Euonymous ( Euonymous p.71. For further information read: alata), and Oriental Bittersweet Noah's Garden- Restoring the Ecology ( Celastrus orbiculatus), all of which can of our Own Backyards by Sara Stein cover acres of woodlands, choking out native species and young trees. Examples of these invaders can be seen 2. Invasive Species along the trails in Tourne Park leading to Birchwood Lake and in Jockey Hollow In nature, forests are not static. Trees and Lewis Morris Park in Morristown. . . 30 d1e, others are blown down m storms Another problem species is Stiltgrass Fires occur. Other trees benefit by (Microstegium vimineum) which has getting more light and grow bigger, invaded our roadsides, almost as though freed from the competition. This is the it was planted for soil erosion natural ecology of the forest. An purposes. The grass moves into new unnatural sequence of events takes place development sites as a fellow traveler on when aggressive alien species are construction equipment tires and thrives introduced which crowd out native on the site's disturbed soils. This species. A few examples are: Norway invasive annual grass species chokes out all other grasses and spreads so many seeds for succeeding years that its dominance is secured. In Morris 29 Eberle, Mark. May 1999."Silent Spring: County, we have observed that wherever Revisited?" Fish and Wildlife Biologist. Field earth is moved Stiltgrass moves in. It has Notes. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. invaded every roadside in Boonton 30 Township. In 1987, a huge windstorm struck Great Britain, splintering 15 million trees. Lost were many of the country's oldest trees. One of the surprising lessons from the storm was that the oldest trees, whose dead centers had rotten out 31 over the centuries, often resisted the wind better The Norway Maple leaf is very similar to than younger ones with solid centers. Classic Sugar Maple, but a broken stem reveals a milky giants four or five hundred years old simply sap. In the fall, the Norway Maple turns yellow, creaked a little in the wind. Associated Press. whereas, the native maples tum beautiful shades Daily Record. May 26, 1999. of red and orange. Chapter 5- Vegetation 69

3. Insects and Disease forests, deer have virtually eliminated the understory, feeding on all native tree Over 20 years ago, an invasion of gypsy seedlings, shrubs and wildflowers. moths struck Morris County, the likes of Ironically, the deer avoid the invasive which had never been seen before. With non-native species such as Japanese no natural predators, the larva of the Barberry and Siltgrass. In some wooded moth happily chewed its way through areas near development, the deer have acres of oak forests, leaving, for the completely transformed mature most part untouched, maple trees. The woodlands into a barren monoculture invasion was fought from every with significant loss of native biological direction, by airplane, helicopter, and on richness. the ground, with mixtures of pesticides, some harmful to humans and aquatic We are partly to blame for the species. Yet, despite years of continued overabundance of deer. By opening up chemical spraying, the only effective the forest and creating roads and control proved to be nature's way. The clearings for large house lots, moth population crashed in the early we have created "forest 1990s, weakened by fungus and disease. edges" where deer love to Now, a predator wasp, reared in state browse. Long term answers laboratories, has been released into the to this problem elude us. environment to keep the gypsy moth While fences can protect populations under control. landscaped areas, how can we conserve our remaining woodlands? The latest insect problem, causing widespread concern, is the Woolly In smaller confined areas, like Fire Adelgid which can suck the life out of Island, deer contraception has succeeded our native Hemlocks (Tsuga in controlling deer birth rates. A deer can canadensis). In 1994, state agricultural be made infertile for a couple of years officials compared the plight of when injected with a vaccine. For areas Hemlocks to the fate of the American like Boonton Township, other Chestnut (Castanea dentata), once the researchers recommend hunting of only dominant tree in Eastern forests, which females as the best way to decrease the was completely wiped out by an size of the herd to an acceptable level. imported fungus. Many large hemlocks The Morris County Park Commission, in Toume Park have already been killed. The Humane Society and other agencies But there is hope that in the future are seeking acceptable solutions. natural predators and parasites will eventually control the mite- size Woolly Adelgid. BOONTON TOWNSHIP'S UNIQUE NATIVE PLANTS 4.Animals

In Africa, elephants destroy native During 1999, several interesting and forests. In Boonton Township, deer do varied plant habitats within the likewise. Both animals eat a lot of vegetation. The local deer herds prune foundation plantings, graze on daylilies and other flowers. In portions of the Chapter 5- Vegetation 70

Township were studied. Resident Daniel for this region refer to the plant data base Salsberg, an expert in environmental maintained by the U. S. Department of resources, submitted a list of plant Agriculture on the internet at: species, as well as animals and birds, http://plants. usda.gov/plants. occuning in the Hillcrest Road area, a mixed hardwood site representative of the mesic uplands of Boonton Township. Rare and Endangered Plant Species See Table 5 Mesic Uplands and Mixed Hardwood Site in the Hillcrest Road In 1989, the New Jersey Legislature Area beginning on p.72. declared that plant species have medicinal, genetic, ecological, In the summer of 1999, Environmental educational, and aesthetic value to the Committee members inventoried field citizens of New Jersey. In 1990, and stream habitats in the Four Comers (amended in 1995) New Jersey officially area and in a remnant glacial bog and adopted a list of 331 plant species that pond site located near the Township are endangered in New Jersey. (N.J.A.C. recreational fields in the Rockaway 7:5C-5.1) There are about 2,700 plants Valley. See Table 6 beginning on p.74. species that are native to the state. The The field and stream habitat area, owned Department of Environmental by Nelson Doland, has been preserved Protection's Office of Natural Lands through Morris County's Agricultural Management through its Natural Preservation Program. Because of the Heritage Database is responsible for unique habitat of the glacial pond and its monitoring the status of many additional environs, the Environmental Committee plants of concern, not included on the urges that this site also be preserved for official list32 . Unfortunate1 y, the states' posterity. The area contains an unusual enabling statute provides no protection combination of sandy and saturated acid for listed species or their habitats. soils that provide habitats for an Species can be lost because their critical astonishing variety of plants. In addition, habitats are destroyed or irreversibly the site contains visual evidence of the altered by direct or indirect human glacial history of the Rockaway Valley, actions, such as changes in hydrology, dating back more than 12,000 years. invasion by aggressive nonnative species. New Jersey must rely on In two areas of Boonton Township-­ concerned citizens and local government Deer Lake and Toume County Park--the to protect our wild plant heritage. Once a Environmental Committee has found plant is gone, it is gone forever. that an early climax forest is developing, Extinction is irreversible. consisting of Sugar Maples, Beech and Hemlock. The seedlings of these trees See Table 7 on p.76 for a list of rare and are able to grow to maturity in the shade endangered plant species native to of the parent tree. Boonton Township.

Plant communities are further described in the section entitled "Vegetation 32 Inventory of Boonton Township" Copies of the New Jersey Endangered Plant beginning on page 71. Species list may be obtained from the Office of Natural Lands Management, N.J. Div. of Parks and Forestry, CN 404, Trenton, N.J. 08625- For more information about native plants 0404, or from Web site: WWW.abi.org/nhp/us/nj Chapter 5- Vegetation 71

Special Wildflower Habitat - Tourne Needle Grass (Stipa spartea) Park Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) Early in 1961, the Rockaway Valley Garden Club decided it was important to Tall Grasses: identifY the abundant varieties of native Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) wildflowers and ferns at The Toume. A Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) Wildflower Trail was established under Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum) the direction of club member and botanist Mrs. Emilie Koehler Hammond, for whom the trail is named. The Trail features nearly 200 wildflowers, ferns, Table 4 and woody plants native to the Boonton Township area and has become a notable outdoor education facility within the List of Noxious Weeds and Alien county park system. Plant lists are Invasive Species Occurring in available from the Club. Boonton Township

Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora Autumn Olive Eleagnus angustifolia Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Crown Vetch Coronilla varia Purple Loosestrife and its cultivar L ythrum salicaria Japanese Bamboo Polygonum cusidatum Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii Winged Euonymous E. alata Jack-in-the­ Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium Pulpit, a wildflower vimineum found in Norway Maple Acer platanoides ToumePark Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus

Table 3

Reconnnended Drought Resistant Vegetation Inventory of Boonton Grass Species Township

Boonton Township is located in the Short Grasses: Famy Highlands which is part of the Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) Highlands physiographic province. The Blue grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) plant commuities that have developed here are based on the geology of the Mixed Grasses: region and environmental factors such as Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius) moisture, slope, light and soil conditions. Chapter 5- Vegetation 72

Several distinct plant communities exist exceptional natural resource. Bogs, within Boonton Township. These areas because of their strongly acidic soils, are depicted on Map 7 Location of support an unusual community of plant Inventory Sites and Plant Communities life such Sphagnum moss, Black Gum, on page 77. Swamp Azalea, and Leatherleaf. These areas occur in glacial depressions and Mixed Oak Forest: These are mesic kettle holes and have no drainage outlet. upland woods with soils that retain Examples of glacial bogs can be found moisture. Mesic refers to soil moisture in the Rockaway Valley near Four conditions that are neither very wet nor Comers and near RFL. As mentioned very dry. The habitat includes slopes, previously, the bog and its environs near ravines and hilltops. When climate and the Recreational Fields should be moisture conditions are similar, the preserved. See Table 6 vegetation is similar. The Hillcrest Area is representative of Boonton Township's Lakes and Streams: These areas Mixed Oak Forest. See Table 5 include Dixon's Pond, Koehler's Pond, Deer Lake, Griffith Pond and their tributaries, as well as the Rockaway Early Climax Forest: Here the River. dominant trees are Sugar Maple and Beech, as well as Hemlock. This is an Fields: If left alone, fields undergo a older forest where early successional gradual change returning to forests. trees have started to disappear, being First, annual plants flourish, and then replaced by tree seedlings that are able perennials, such as goldenrods, take to grow to maturity in the shade of the over. Next, the taller plants invade the parent tree. The woodlands surrounding fields. In Boonton Township, Red Cedar Deer Lake and portions of The Tourne and Grey Birch are the most common are examples of early climax forests. trees that begin the transition from a shrubby low growth field to a woodland. Wetlands and Floodplains: Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, supporting Table 5 large amounts of plant life per acre as well as a great diversity of wildlife. Wetlands in Boonton Township are Mesic Uplands and Mixed Hardwood depicted on Map No. 8, p.78. The largest Connnunity in the Hillcrest Road areas of wetlands are located in the Area Rockaway Valley with smaller wetlands associated with Lakes and Ponds and upland areas. Wetlands in Boonton (Species List Submitted by Daniel Salsberg) Township often provide valuable recharge to our underground water TREES supplies. The vegetation in floodplain (Listed most dominant to least) areas is often very similar to that in a wetland See Table 6, p.73. Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus Red Oak Quercus rubra Glacial Bogs: While this habitat is Black Oak Quercus velutina limited in area, bogs are considered an White Oak Quercus alba Chapter 5- Vegetation 73

Table 5 continued Staghorn Sumac Rhus typhina Blackberries, Raspberries Rubus spp. Black Birch Betula lenta Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata japonica Sassafras Sassafras albidum Arrowwood Viburnum dentatus Gray Birch Betula popufolia Pussy Willow Salix discolor White Ash Fraxinus americana Poison Sumac Rhus vernix Red Maple Acer rubrum Pinxter Rhododendron periclymenoides Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia American Beech Fagus grandifolia Patridgeberry Mitchella repens Flowering Dogwood Cornusflorida American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana HERBACEOUS SPECIES, MOSSES Hemlock Tsuga canadensis AND LICHENS Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana American Elm Ulmus americana Whorled Loosestrife Aralia nudicaulis Tulip Popular Lirodendron tulipfera White Wood Aster Aster divaricatus Black Gum Nyssa sylvatica Rattlesnake Weed Hieracium veosum Mockernut Hickory Carya tomentosa Cow-wheatMelampyrum lineare Black Cherry Prunus serotina Dandelion Taraxacum officinale ShadbushAmelanchier arborea Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis Mullein Verbascum thapsus Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides Indian Pipe Monotropa uniflora Bigtooth Aspen Populus grandidentata Spotted Wintergreen Chimaphila White Pine Pinus strobus maculata Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Chickweed Stellaria 5p. Basswood Tilia americana Bedstraw Gallium 5p. Yew Taxus sp. Yarrow Achillea millefolium American Chestnut Castanea dentata Wild Carrot Daucus carota Plantain Plantago sp. SHRUBS AND VINES Virginia Stickseed Hackelia virginiana Goldenrod Solidago 5pp. Maple-leaved Viburnum Viburnum Violet Viola 5pp. acerfolium Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii Wild Bergamot Monarda fitulosa Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum Thistle Cirsium 5pp. prunifolium Phlox Phlox 5pp. Low bush Blueberry V accinium sp. Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus Highbush Blueberry Vaccinium sp. Squawroot Conopholis americana Fox Grape Vitis labrusca Common Nightshade Solanum nigrum Hawthorn Crataegus sp. Trout Lily Erythrnium americanum Spicebush Lindera benzoin Cinquefoil Potentilla simplex Witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana Hawkweed Hiercium 5pp. Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus Columbine Aquilegia canadensis quinquefolia Common Polypody Polypodium Poison Ivy Rhus radicans virginianum Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora Christmas Fern Polystichum Greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia achrostichoides Chapter 5- Vegetation 74

Table 5 continued Grey Dogwood Comus paniculata Silky Dogwood Comus amomum False Solomon's-seal Smilacina Crab Apple Pyrus 5pp. racemosa Scotch Pine Pinus sylvestris Jack-in-the-pulpitArisaema triphyllum Black Locust Robinia pseudo-acacia Garlic Mustard Alliara petiolata Alder Alnus 5pp. Haircap Moss Polystrichum 5pp. White Moss Leucobryum 5p. Rock Lichens Xanthoparmelia 5pp. Glacial Bog and Environs Dimelaena (Lichen) Dimelaena oreina And many, many more Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata Sugar Maple Acer saccharum Chestnut Oak Quercus prinus Black Oak Quercus velutina Table 6 Black Cherry Prunus serotina Black Birch Betula lenta Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Plant List Wetlands, Floodplain, Glacial Bog Connnunities Four Corners Site and Glacial Bog SHRUBS AND OTHER WOODY Site near Recreational Fields and RFL PLANTS

Both Sites: TREES Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Both Sites: Meadowsweet Spiraea latifolia Arrowwood Viburnum dentatus Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana Pin Oak Quercus palustris Mapleleaf Virbumum Viburnum White Oak Quercus alba acerfolium Red Maple Acer rub rum Pinxter Azalea Rhododendron Flowering Dogwood Comus florida nudiflorum ShadbushAmelachnier 5p. Swamp Azalea Rhododendron Red Osier Dogwood Comus stolonifera Highbush Blueberry V accinium Red-Panicled Dogwood Comus corymbosum racemosa Barberry Berberisjaponica Red Cedar Juniper virginiana Virginia Creeper Parthenocissus Grey Birch Betula populifolia quinquefolia Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus Sassafras Sassafras albidum orbiculatus Black Ash Fraxinus nigra Grapevine Vitis 5pp. Willow Salix 5pp. Poison Ivy Rhus radicans

Four Corners Site:

American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana Chapter 5- Vegetation 75

Table 6 continued Four Corners Site: Four CorneiS Site:

Common Elderberry Sambucus Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris canadensis Butterfly-weed Asclepias tube rosa Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra White Milkweed Asclepias variegata Swamp Rose Rosa palustris Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa Goldenrod Solidago 5pp. Field Rose Rosa carolina Blue Vervain Verbena hastata Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora Spotted Joe-Pye-weed Eupatorium maculatum Glacial Bog and Environs: Bulrush Scirpus validus Cattail Typha latifolia Maleberry Lyonia ligustrina Showy Tick-Trefoil Desmodium Holly !lex opaca canadense Holly !lex decidua Hyssop Skullcap Scutellaria integrifolia Privet Ligustrum vulgare St. Johnswort Hypericum peiforatum Greenbrier Smilax spp. Butter & Eggs Linaria vulgaris Winterberry !lex verticillata Mullein Verbascum thapsus Smooth Winterberry !lex laevigata Daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum Nannyberry Viburnum lentago Daylily Hemerocallisfulva Northern Arrowwood Viburnum Dodder Cuscuta 5pp. recognitum Red Clover Trifolium pratense Broadleaf Spirea Spiraea latifolia Queen Anne's Lace Daucus carota Blackberry Rubus occidentalis Cinquefoil Potentilla canadensis Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera Yarrow Achillea millefolium japonica Bedstraw Galium 5pp. Partridgeberry Mitchella repens Strawberry Fragaria virginiana Little Bluestem GrassAndropogon HERBACEOUS PLANTS scoparius Deer Tongue Grass Panicum Both Sites: clandestinum Spurge Euphorbia 5pp. Skunk Cabbage Symplocarpus foetidus Blackeyed Susan Rudbeckia serotina Indian Poke Veratrum viride Mountain Mint Pycnanthemum 5pp. Indian Cucumber Medeola virginiana Onion Allium vine ale Solomon's Seal Polygonatum biflorum Heal-all Prunella vulgaris False Solomon's Seal Smilacina Chicory Cichorium intybus racemosa Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Dogbane Apocynum 5pp. Tall Meadow Rue Thalictrum Whorled Loosestrife Lysimachia polygamun quadrifolia Deadly Nightshade Solanum carolinense Fringed Loosestrife Lysimachia ciliata Horseradish Armoracia lapathifolia Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgaris Royal Fern Osmundus regalis Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella Jewelweed Impatiens capensis Bladder Campion Silene cucubalus Deptford Pink Dianthus armeria Sedge Cyperus 5pp. Chapter 5- Vegetation 76

Table 6 continued

Glacial Bog and Environs:

Marginal Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea Ebony Spleenwort A5plenium platyneuron Table 7 New York Fern Thelypteris noveboracensis Bracken Fern Pteridium aquilinum Rare, Endangered and Threatened Spinulose Woodfern Dryopteris Plant Species 5pinulosa Boonton Township Environs Hay- scented Fern Dennstaeditia punctilobula Mosses Sphagnum 5pp. Wood Lily Lilium philadelphicum Canada Mayflower Maianthemum American Ginseng Panax quiniquefolius canadense Tall Cinquefoil Potentilla arguta Pursh Pyrola Pyrola elliptica Purple-fringed Orchid Platanthera Sedum Sedum 5pp. psycodes Periwinkle Vinca Vinca minor Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia Pokeweed Phytolacca americana Canada Violet Viola canadensis Spatterdock Nuphar advena Redbud Tree Cercis canadensis Pepperweed Lapidium virginicum Wild Bleeding Heart Dicentra exima Lupines lupinus perennis Twinleaf Jeffersonia diphylla Purple Milkwort Poly gala viridenscens Puttyroot Aplectrum hyemale Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia Rhodora Rhododendron canadense Bowman's Root Gillenia trifoliata Rosy Twisted stalk Streptopus rose us Round-leaf Sundew Drosera filiformis Three Birds Orchid Triphora (historical) trianthophora Purple Fringed Orchid Habenaria fimbriata (historical) Chapter 5- Vegetation 77

N

INVENTORY SITES CD 1. Hillcrest Area 2. Four Corners Area 3. Remnant Glacial Bog and Pond LAND COVER TYPES MIXED OAK FOREST .. 0.5 0 0.5 1 Miles CJ EARLY CLIMAX FOREST ------WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAINS MAP#7 CJ GLACIAL BOGS LOCATION OF INVENTORY SITES LAKES AND STREAMS .. AND PLANT COMMUNITIES FIELDS CJ BOONTON TOWNSHIP .. SCHOOL, HOSPITAL, ETC. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 5- Vegetation 78

0 0.5 Miles

WETLANDS LEGEND c=J AGRICULTURAL WETLANDS ., IIIII STREAMS AND WATERBODIES , _ 4>~ c=J DECIDUOUS WOODED WETLANDS ~------~ IIIII CONIFEROUS WOODED WETLANDS MAP#8 BOG WETLANDS WETLANDS c=J HERBACEOUS WETLANDS DISTURBEDWETLANDS BOONTON TOWNSHIP c=J ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY c=J MANAGED WETLANDS Chapter 5- Vegetation 79

Bibliography and References Stein, Sara. 1993. Noah's Garden- Restoring the Ecology Campbell, Faith Thompson, Ph.D. and of Our Own Back Yards. Scott E. Schlarbaum, Ph.D. 1994. Houghton Mifflin Co. Fading Forests, North American Trees and the Threat of Exotic Pests. U. S. Office of Technology Assessment, Natural Resources Defense Council. Sept. 1993. Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States. Gleason, Henry A and Arthur Cronquist. 1994. The Natural Geography of Plants. Columbia University Press. A Poem by Gleason, Henry A and Arthur Margaret Pithoud Buser Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants ofNortheastern United States and Thank You Woods Canada. The New York Botanical Gardens. You are the renewal of my strength A reason for being Lipkis, Andy and Kate, Tree People. A reason for seeing 1990. The Simple Act of Planting A Tree. You are the depth of my heart Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. The bottom of my soul The part that makes me whole Newcomb, Lawrence. 1977. Newcomb's You are my everlasting mystery with Wildflower Guide. Little, Brown and Co. every changing day I pray to God you're here to stay. Petrides, George A 1972. A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs. Houghton Mifflin Company. (Poem from Tom's Creek Woods located in the Delaware National Recreation Pohl, Richard W. 1968. How to Know Area) the Grasses. Wm. C. Brown Company.

Provey, Joe and Kris Robinson. 1999. Better Lawns Step by Step. Creative Homeowners Press.

Robichaud, Beryl and Murray Buell. 1973. Vegetation of New Jersey. Rutgers University Press. Chapter 5- Vegetation 80

1976 Big Tree List Publication of Rockaway Valley Garden Club A Bicentennial Project Chapter 5- Vegetation 81

"Man's life, his origins, his uniqueness of Judy Lewis, Powerville Road, has and perhaps even the continuation of his special historical significance. Judy very existence, are inextricably tied to Lewis has a photograph of this tree the life of trees. Had there been no trees, along with a barge going through the it seems more than likely that the human canal. race would never have come into being; should the trees die, it is not From our survey, White Oaks and Sugar inconceivable that man too would Maples seem to be Boonton Township's become extinct." most prevalent Big Trees. Feininger

Few traces remain of Boonton Township's 1776 forest. Wooded areas were cleared for farming and industry. Beech, American Fragus grandifolia Logging tracks are still visible in the 9'6"- Sarah Frances Hogpen area and Miller tract, and some 8'6" - Tourne Park of these logging trails are now used for Forest Fire Service. Industries which Fir, balsamAbies balsamea devastated the forest were the Sawmills 10'8" - Sarah Frances and Iron Forge, which used tremendous 7'7" - Split Rock Rd., Becky Koehler amounts of charcoal. 6'8"- Split Rock Rd., Ben Koehler

The survey of Boonton Township's BIG Hemlock, eastern TREES was conducted by the 9'7"- Hogpen Hollow, Rock Ridge Rockaway Valley Garden Club as a Bicentennial project. We believe the Maple, silver Acer saccharinum survey will create an awareness and 19'5"- North Main St., Richard Gill appreciation of these stately, beautiful 9'10"- Powerville Rd., Helen Bott trees. Trees have intangible values-­ values to lift the spirit and refresh the Maple, sugar Acer saccharum soul. The preservation of our trees and 11'7"- North Main St., J. R. Babbitt the continued planting of new trees will 10'3" - Powerville Rd., Sarah Frances provide a living heritage for future 9'5"- Oak Rd., Mabel Cook generations. 9'5"- Powerville Rd., R. J. Angley 9'4"- Valley Rd., B. Hoff All measurements were made at a point 9'3" - Powerville Rd., Lena Estler 4-1/2 feet above the ground. The biggest 9'3" - Powerville Rd., Helen Bott tree measured was a Silver Maple, 19'5", 9'2" - Oak Rd., F. Hohmann on the property of Richard Gill, 5 North Main Street. The largest number of Big Oak, black Quercus velutina Trees was found on the property of the 12'4"- Old Denville Rd Hamilton Sarah Frances Nursing Home, Farms Powerville Road. The original owner of 9' - Kingsland Rd., Daniel Vanderhoof the property and mansion was William Scott, 1826.

The unusual White Pine on the property Chapter 5- Vegetation 82

Oak, red 9'- Kingsland Rd., Daniel Vanderhoof Kentucky Coffee-Tree Gymnocladus dioica, which has big broad pods Oak, white Quercus alba containing a half dozen hard seeds. The 17'2" - Powerville Rd., A.G. Lang first settlers in Kentucky, cut off from 13'1"- Holly Lane, George Washburn coffee, ground up these seeds for a good 11 '8" - Tourne Park coffee substitute. 11'5"- Powerville Rd., Max Wien 10'8"- James Rd., Peter D'Agostino Magnolia M macrophylla 3' in 10'3"- N. Main St., Robt. Jansen circumference. This species of magnolia has the largest single leaves of any tree Pine, eastern white Pinus strobus in the world, measuring up to 30" long. 10'8" - Powerville Rd., Lewis Hull The flowers are in proportion, 12" 7'5" - Powerville Rd., Judy Lewis across.

Red Cedar, eastern Juniperus Silverbell trees Halesia. The oldest virginiana silverbell tree is 4' in circumference. It 3'11"- Hillcrest Rd., Allen Nelson is the granddaddy of many more in the area. Spruce, Norway Picea orientalis 9'3" - Old Denville Rd., M. L. Sims The trees on the Hull property were planted by Dr. Wm. E. Geyer, previous Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua owner of the property (1895). Dr. Geyer 8'5"- Powerville Rd., Lewis Hull was Professor of Chemistry at Stevens and also conducted a nursery on his Sycamore Platanus occidentalis farm. He was interested in unusual trees 12'5"- Rockaway Valley Rd., Stockton and plants. Dr. Geyer had a great love 11'9"- Rockaway Valley Rd., Stockton for trees, and to encourage the planting of trees, he sold many of his trees Tulip poplar Liriodendron tulipifera inexpensively. His trees were widely 12' - Powerville Rd., Sarah Frances distributed in Boonton Township and the 9'5"- Kingsland Rd., Daniel Vanderhoof surrounding area. Dr. Geyer died in 1935, leaving his trees as a living Walnut, black Juglans nigra heritage. 8'8"- Old Denville Rd., Stanley Myers A Sargeant's Weeping Hemlock and an Umbrella Pine are located at Koehlers, Split Rock Road. These trees were Unusual Trees of planted by Herman Koehler, Boonton Boonton Township Township's well known naturalist, about 50 years ago. The following unusual trees are located on the property of Lewis Hull, Dawn Redwood Metasequoia Powerville Road: Canoe birches, Betula glyptostroboides (2). One is located on papyrifera, the largest measures 4'5" in the grounds of Riverside Hospital and circumference. Three large Copper the other on the property of Max Wien, beeches Fagus sylvatica, v. atropunicea. Powerville Road. This redwood was not The biggest one is 9'8" in circumference. known except as a fossil in this country. Chapter 5- Vegetation 83

During World War II, it was found growing in China. Seeds and 1 Linden Tree planted in memory of propagated cuttings were brought to this Walter Babbitt, Boonton Township's country. The Wiens donated the one young Vietnam war casualty - 1969 located at Riverside.

In addition to Boonton Township's big Liberty/Arbor Day Trees 1976 trees and unusual trees, the natural beauty of Rockaway Valley is enhanced One Liberty Tree, the Red Oak (our by its many flowering native dogwoods. State tree), was planted on New Jersey The dogwood is a smaller tree but it is Day, April17, 1976, at Griffith Park as known as America's most decorative part of the Liberty Tree project for the tree. Bicentennial sponsored by Morris County Soil Conservation District and their cosponsor. Three dogwood trees and flowering shrubs were also planted TREES DONATED BY THE to start the beautification of Griffith ROCKAWAY VALLEY Park, Powerville Dam. The planting was GARDEN CLUB done with the cooperation of the Township Committee and Boy Scouts. 3 Red Oaks along driveway of Riverside The dogwood trees and shrubs were Hospital - 1956 donated by Rockaway Valley Garden Club. 1 Pink Dogwood, Powerville School, now Municipal Building - 1950's On May 7th, another Liberty Red Oak will be planted on the Municipal 1 Dogwood and 2 Holly trees - grounds. There will be a special Rockaway Valley Parish House- 1950's Bicentennial ceremony for the planting of this tree. Rockaway Valley School

7 Dogwood trees, 2 Sweet Gum Trees, 14 Hemlocks, 1 Tulip Tree, 1 Sycamore, 1 Red Oak- 1964-67

1 Crimson King Maple planted in memory of Mayor Bott - 1964

1 Pink Dogwood planted for Armed Forces Day - 1966 Chapter 5- Vegetation 84

Photo 23 Photo 24 White Pine Near Hillcrest Road Sugar Maple, Rockaway Valley Road

Photo 25 Red Maples on Rockaway River at Powerville Chapter 6 Wildlife 85

Beaver Habitat Chapter 6 Wildlife Chapter 6 Wildlife 86

WILDLIFE

Boonton Township exhibits a number of Fragmentation occurs when vegetative different ecosystems which attract and tracts are broken up by development support a wide variety of animal species. related activities such as roads, houses, Ecosystems are influenced by latitude, even hiking and biking trails. The edge climate, geology, hydrology, vegetation dwellers such as raccoons and cowbirds and man. Wildlife finds its appropriate prey on or parasitize other animal niche and hopefully maintains a healthy species which results in a decreased population. Wildlife is considered a success rate of deep woods breeding gauge of the health of an ecosystem. For species such as many wood warbler example, in our area, the acorn species, thrush species, barred owl, red production in a particular year will tailed hawk and turkey. Large mammals directly effect next year's populations of such as bear, fox and coyote also suffer deer, wild turkey, blue jay and other when their ranges are interrupted, animal species. Environmental changes making them unwelcome visitors in our may be more subtle and their results may back yards. Or if enough destruction not be seen for many years. The long occurs these predators are driven out term and far reaching effects of DDT are resulting in an overabundance of their a perfect example. usual prey such as mice, moles, chipmunks, and deer. The checks and Barring some natural disaster, man has balances have been disturbed resulting in the most influence on the health of our disturbance to man's peace of mind and town's natural environment. For pocket book. example, our use of pesticides and herbicides not only rid us of the pest The 1998 New Jersey's Environment species but directly affect all species up (Page 17) states that nearly one third of the food chain. We create a vicious New Jersey's invertebrate species are cycle once the natural predators are classified as either rare or endangered. removed, more and more chemicals are Other disturbing facts noted in Audubon needed. It behooves us to limit our use (Nov/Dec 1999) more than fifty percent of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to of the wetlands in the U.S. have been preserve healthy waterways, meadows lost in the last 200 years. Worldwide, and forests and to keep our food chains since the 1600's, destruction of habitat intact. Plant native species whenever has caused 36% of all extinction. Man is possible (refer to vegetation section). a powerful force but he does not need to These native plants are hardier, require be a destructive force. With knowledge less maintenance and cost less. Leave and care we can live with and enjoy dead and decaying trees and forest nature. debris. These provide food to microbes, insects and larger animals while also Of the lists that follow, the birds and providing shelter and nest sites. Leave large mammals are fairly complete. The meadows undisturbed during the spring small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and summer breeding and nesting and fish are partial lists. Animals that seasons. Finally, limit the destruction are on the New Jersey Department of and fragmentation of our forests. Environmental Protection list as Chapter 6 Wildlife 87 endangered and threatened are marked Thank you to all the interested and with an ''E" or "T', respectively. No list knowledgeable people who contributed of spiders or insects is included, that their expertise and observations and would be a massive undertaking, but it is although they may not be specifically important to remember that without the named, numerous long time residents microbes and insects there would be no and new residents helped compile the vegetation or animal life. following data.

Matjorie Ford- Brookview Wildlife Center (Orphaned & Injured Small Mammals) J. Lee Gaitskill William Gallagher - Wildcat Ridge Hawk Watch Diane Nelson Daniel Salsberg

Table 8 FISH

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Bluegill Sunfish Leptomis macrochirus Pumpkinseed Sunfish Leptomis gibbosus Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Yellow Perch Perea flavescens Eastern Mudminnow Umbra pygmaea Yellow Bullhead Ictalurus natalis Brown Bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus Rainbow Trout Salmo gairdneri Brown Trout Salmo trutta Brook Trout - E Salve linus fontinalis Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris Spottail Shiner Notropis hudsonius White Sucker Catostomus commersoni Creek Chub sucker Erimyzon oblongus Chapter 6 Wildlife 88

Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus Tessellated Darter Etheostoma olmstedi Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus Shiner Notemigonus spp.

Table 9 REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

Eastern Box Turtle Red-backed Salamander

Northern Ringnecked Snake Diadophis punctatus edwardsi Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis Northern Water Snake Nerodia sipedon sipedon Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis sauritus sauritus Black Rat Snake Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta Northern Black Racer Coluber constrictor constrictor Eastern Hognosed Snake Heterodon platyrhinos Worm Snake Carphophis amoenus amoenus Red-bellied Snake Storeria occipitomaculata Eastern Milk Snake Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum Timber Rattlesnake - E Crotalus horridus horridus Five-lined Skink Eumecesfasciatus Dusky Salamander Desmognathus 5pp Red-backed Salamander Plethodon cinereus Eastern Red- spotted Newt/Red Eft Notophthalmus viridescens Wood Turtle - T Clemmys insculpta Eastern Box Turtle Terrapene carolina carolina Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata Snapping Turtle Chelytra serpentina Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta Red-eared Turtle Chrysemys scripta Bull Frog Rana catesbeiana American Toad Bufo americanus Wood Frog Rana sylvatica Northern Leopard Frog Rana pipiens Pickerel Frog Rana palustris Green Frog Rana clamatan melanota Northern Spring Peeper Hyla crucifer Spring Peeper Chapter 6 Wildlife 89

SNAKES

Snakes are a misunderstood group of and may not as easily escape an animals. Perhaps a snake's sudden, observant eye. silent appearance and our fear of being bitten is the cause of our discomfiture Snakes hibernate in groups at denning and dislike. Statistically, however, the sites below the frost line. Between early chances of being bitten by a venomous summer through fall snakes lay eggs or snake are less than being struck by give birth. Both the timber rattlesnake lightening. and garter snakes give birth to live young. All other New Jersey snakes lay Also, the chance of seeing a snake is eggs. slim. Although they have no auditory sense they can sense vibration such as We should appreciate the carnivorous foot falls. Their sight is keen to snakes for helping to rid our gardens and movement and an excellent sense of lawns of unwanted insects and their smell forewarns a snake, naturally shy to larvae and the small rodent populations. humans, to silently slither away. After a large meal or in cooler temperatures this coldblooded animal is relatively sluggish

Northern Ringnecked Snake

Table 10 MAMMALS

Black Bear Ursus americanus RedFox Vulpes vulpes Grey Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus Coyote Canis latrans Raccoon Procyon lotor Opossum Didelphis virginiana Woodchuck (Groundhog) Marmota monax Bobcat- E Lynx rufus White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Chapter 6 Wildlife 90

Beaver Caster canadensis Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis Grey Squirrel Sciurus caroliniensis Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Chipmunk Tamias striatus Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus flo ridanus Field Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Whitefooted Mouse Peromyscus leucopus Star-nosed Mole Condylura cristata Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Long tailed Weasel Mustelafrenata Vole Microtus 5pp Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus Northern Short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevicauda Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus Big Brown Bat Epte sic us fugus Northern Long-eared Bat Myotis septentrionelis Eastern Pipistrellis Pipistrellis subflavus Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis Hoary Bat Lasiurus cenerus Indiana Bat - E Myotis sodalis Eastern Small-footed Bat Myotis leibii Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans

Muskrat Chapter 6 Wildlife 91

Living with Bears and Deer

Part of the pleasure of living in Boonton Township is observing nature first hand. Sightings of turkey, coyotes, bears and deer are common. These animals are fascinating to watch and can learn to coexist successfully with man. However, to man, they can become a nuisance and a costly one at that. If we understand the natural behaviors of these animals and take certain precautions, the nuisance factor can be reduced. Below is a brief description of the behaviors and needs of bears and deer and some precautions and deterrents to use.

Ursus americanus_or black bear is the A bear's natural diet is fruit, nuts and species of bear found in the eastern insects; however, they are opportunists United States. Despite its name, its color and will eat small mammals and carrion. can range from black to brown or They will also become habituated to man cinnamon to gray. Black bears range in if food is made available -- for instance, size from 200-600 pounds with the male garbage cans, bird feeders, feeding being 2-3 times the size of the female. stations for pets, bee hives, chickens and Bears tend to be solitary animals except rabbits. when mating in June-July or when with young (generally, there are two cubs per To prevent bears from becoming a litter). Bears' home ranges are 5-15 miles problem with livestock, electric fences in radius with the male having the largest are the best deterrent. Information on range. They are nomadic, meaning they construction of fencing can be obtained won't habitually visit an area unless a from the Division of Wildlife Control constant supply of food is available like a Unit at (908) 735-8793. dump site or a bird feeding site that has not been bear-proofed. The most active To prevent bears from becoming a time of day is dawn and dusk, but they nuisance around the home, use proper move all day long. Black bears do sanitation. Garbage must be stored in hibernate, although it is not a "deep" airtight containers, then placed in a hibernation and thus can be roused from secure area well away from outside it. It is during hibernation that cubs are doors. Bears have an excellent sense of born at about 6-8 weeks. Hibernation smell; they will break down a door if they times and durations depend on how cold scent garbage or food on the other side. it is. Denning may start anywhere from Put garbage cans out the morning of the October to January and last through pick up, not the night before. Containers March to May. The males den the should be washed out with disinfectant shortest period of time. Cubs stay with once a week. If pets are fed outside, their mother for 18 months. bring in feeding containers, particularly Chapter 6 Wildlife 92 at night. Hang out birdseed and suet only Deer are habitual and will follow the during the day and well out of reach of same path every day. They particularly bears--over eight feet off the ground. If like to graze along forest borders where bears are in your neighborhood, these few they can quickly escape into the forest. precautions should reduce your contact Deer thrive best in cut over forest where with them. If you have a problem bear, the browse layer reaches only eight feet contact the Research Unit of the New high. Native Americans used to burn Jersey Division of Fish & Game at (908) over areas of the forest to attract the deer 735-7040. which they would then kill for food. Deer are opportunistic eaters and, when Deer in our backyards are not as faced with starvation, will eat normally intimidating as a bear; however, the unpalatable and non- nutritious foods such financial damage and the frustration they as rhododendrons and red cedars. They cause is significant. Again, understanding will starve to death on these "stuffer behavior and needs of the white- tailed foods." deer (Odocoileus virginianus) will make living with them easier. Our yards are perfect deeryards. We have forest borders and well- watered and White- tailed deer in northern forests like fertilized browsing plants. In providing ours are larger than their southern all this food, we create our deer relatives. A buck or male deer averages problems. As long as the deer are there, in weight 200 pounds, while the female they will eat whatever is accessible. So, or doe weighs on the average 160 to deter deer, the best means is an eight to pounds. A deer is fully mature at about ten foot high fence. The nylon deer four years. Only males grow antlers. netting is the least conspicuous and can The antlers start to grow in May and are be temporarily placed in winter when shed in mid- winter after the mating deer are most in need of food. Some deer season. Young are born in spring and are sprays or powders have varying usually twins. White- tailed deer spend effectiveness and need to be reapplied their lives in an area of about one square after rainfall. Talk to neighbors and the mile, leaving, not for food, but if weather local garden club to determine what to conditions become too severe for them. plant in your area. Plant trees that are ten The deer's most active times are dawn years old or older; they can survive deer and dusk when they heavily graze. They browsing. Also, watch the placement of eat 10-12 pounds of vegetation daily. your plantings. For instance, avoid When not grazing, they lie down in a planting at forest borders and near known secluded spot and regurgitate the hastily deer paths. A little study, time and acquired meal and chew the "cud," patience and perhaps acceptance will preparing it for further digestion. reduce our annoyance with the white­ tailed deer. Chapter 6 Wildlife 93

BATS

We should make particular note of bats. Bats can live up to 30 years but give As seen on Map No. 9, Boonton birth to usually only one pup a year. Township is within the five mile radius Although they mate in the fall, the determined to be the Indiana bat's female stores the sperm until spring and foraging area. The Indiana bat is a gives birth and raises the young May federally marked endangered species and through July. Maternity roosts are under specific recommendations have been put loose bark of the shagbark hickory or forward by the United States Department dead and dying trees, in hollows of trees, of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service under shutters, etc. The bat caves in in a letter sent to Barry Brantner October Rockaway Township are particularly 6, 1999 and included in this report. important to the hibernating species (Exhibit 1 at the end of this chapter) from October through March. Some species hibernate in tree hollows or in We have nine species of bat in our town, buildings. one of which is endangered and another, the small-footed bat, is presently being People that are looking to rid their attics investigated for its endangered status. of bats can easily do so by locating and Bats comprise one quarter of all blocking up any openings into the attic; mammalian species. They are the only do so at night when the bats will be out major predator of night-flying insects feeding. To be most effective, close up and are thus highly beneficial to man's openings in the months of late July, comfort. In one night a bat eats at least August and September to be sure the one half of its body weight in insects. flightless young have not been closed in. That means one bat will eat a minimum of 3,000 insects (that is the bat that Bats have been much maligned in weighs 3 grams, we have some that literature and cinema. Instead we should weigh as much as 30 grams.) be thanking them for ridding us of mosquitoes and other annoyances.

Mosquito Little Brown Bat Chapter 6 Wildlife 94

LEGEND 2

# BATH IB ERNACULA CJ 5 MILE RADIUS MAP#9 INDIANA BAT FORAGING AREA CJ BOONTON TOWNSHIP BOUNDARY BOONTON TOWNSHIP MUNICIPALITIES CJ ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 6 Wildlife 95

Table 11 BIRDS

Common Loon Spotted Sandpiper Pied-billed Grebe American Woodcock Double-crested Cormorant Ring- billed Gull Great Blue Heron Rock Dove Great Egret Mourning Dove Green-backed Heron Eastern Screech Owl Black-crowned Night Heron Great Homed Owl Mute Swan BarredOwl T Snow Goose Common Nighthawk Brant Chimney Swift Canada Goose Ruby- throated Hummingbird Wood Duck Belted Kingfisher American Black Duck Red-bellied Woodpecker Mallard Yell ow- bellied Sapsucker Gadwall Downy Woodpecker Ruddy Duck Hairy Woodpecker Ring- necked Duck N orthem Flicker Lesser Scaup Pileated Woodpecker Bufflehead Olive- sided Flycatcher Hooded Merganser Eastern Wood Peewee Common Merganser Yell ow- bellied Flycatcher Black Vulture Least Flycatcher Tmkey Vulture Eastern Phoebe Osprey- T Great Crested Flycatcher Bald Eagle - T Eastern. Kingbird N orthem Harrier - E Northern Rough-winged Swallow Sharp-shinned Hawk Purple Martin Tree Swallow Cooper's Hawk - E Barn Swallow Northern Goshawk- T Blue Jay Red- shouldered Hawk - T American Crow Broad-winged Hawk Common Raven Red-tailed Hawk Black-capped Chickadee Golden Eagle Tufted Titmouse American Kestrel White-breasted Nuthatch Merlin Brown Creeper Peregrine Falcon Carolina Wren Ring- necked Pheasant House Wren Ruffed Grouse Winter Wren Wild Turkey Golden Crowned Kinglet Killdeer Ruby Crowned Kinglet Chapter 6 Wildlife 96

Blue Grey Gnatcatcher Fox Sparrow Eastern Bluebird Song Sparrow Veery Bobolink Gray-cheeked Thrush White-crowned Sparrow Swainson's Thrush Dark-eyed Junco Hermit Thrush Red-winged Blackbird Wood Thrush Eastern Meadowlark American Robin Rusty Blackbird Gray Catbird Common Grackle Northern Mockingbird Brown-headed Cowbird Brown Thrasher Northern Oriole Cedar Waxwing Purple Finch Northern Shrike House Finch European Starling Common Redpoll Solitary Vireo American Goldfinch Yell ow- throated Vireo House Sparrow Red-eyed Vireo Blue-winged Warbler Scarlet Tanager Tennessee Warbler Northern Cardinal Northern. Parula Warbler Rose-breasted Grosbeak Yell ow Warbler Indigo Bunting Chestnut-side Warbler Rufuous- sided Towhee Magnolia Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Yell ow- romped Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Blackburnian Warbler Eastern Prairie Warbler Screech Owl Palm Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Cerulean Warbler Black-and-white Warbler American Redstart Worm-eating Warbler Ovenbird Louisiana Waterthrush Common Y ellowthroat Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler Chapter 6 Wildlife 97

Pileated Woodpecker

Birds

In the depth of February, when there seems no ends to the cold, grey Mammal, reptile, and amphibian dampness of winter, the promise of populations remain fairly constant spring whispers on the air as a White­ throughout the year, however, the bird throated Sparrow experiments with his population is in a constant state of flux. breeding call-- "old-sam-peabody­ New Jersey is one of the top five states peabody-peabody" and the Tufted with the greatest number of bird species Titmouse challenges with his call -­ recorded in a day. This is due in part to "peter-peter-peter." The sudden loud our coastal location and ridge geography drumming of the Pileated Woodpecker both of which act as visual guides to proclaiming his territory shatters the migratory birds. Also, New Jersey tranquility. If we listen at night we will overlaps the northern and southern hear the deep hooting of the Great ranges of both animal and plant species. Homed Owl as its mate prepares to sit Boonton Township has a wide variety of on her eggs. The longer days have terrains and vegetation. Although birds increased the hormone production that flit from place to place, they do have stimulates the avian gonads, vocal cords, very specific needs. The short grass plumage, and breeding behavior. Soon fields of RFL support a population of the White-throated Sparrow, Dark-eyed Killdeer and grassland species of Junco, Bufflehead, and other winter sparrows. The fields also provide residents will travel to their northern hunting grounds for birds of prey like breeding grounds and our summer Red-Tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, residents will make their boisterous Kestrels, and Great Homed Owls. The arrival. And all of this happens in our Beaver Brook/Stickle Brook that crosses own backyards! Valley Road supports dense, low shrubs Chapter 6 Wildlife 98 that provide protection and nesting sites migrating bird species. By preserving for Yell ow Warblers, Y ellowthroats, our forest, meadows, and wetlands and Song Sparrows, Wrens, Phoebes, and limiting our impact with smart land Catbirds. The many ponds in town management and minimal development provide food and nesting sites for Wood destruction, we can continue to boast an Ducks, Mallards, Canada Geese, Great impressive list of bird and animal Blue Herons, Green-backed Herons, species. Kingfishers, Flycatchers, and Swallows. The fields at "Four Comers," where The Landscape Project Rockaway Valley Road crosses Powerville Road, are a great place to We are fortunate that scientists with bird. This area offers an unobstructed New Jersey's Endangered and Nongame view of the ridge flyway. During the fall Species Program have mapped critical migration, eagles, buteos, falcons, and wildlife habitats and ranked them as to accipiters soar individually or in huge their priority. The mapping, known as kettles on their way south. On any day 'The Landscape Project,'33 has identified Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures and ranked all significant patches of patrol the skies in search of roadkill. forest, wetland and open field. The goal They have roosts nearby. These fields of the project is to protect biological provide a plentiful insect supply which diversity by maintaining and enhancing then provides us with a great display of rare wildlife populations within healthy, the aerial acrobatics of the Tree and functioning ecosystems. We hope The Barn Swallows. Eastern Bluebirds nest Landscape Project will provide citizens in the boxes found in the fields. The and municipal officials with the Bluebirds are year round residents and conservation tools needed to protect rare can be seen in our winter backyards species habitat at the local level. The plucking the red berries off the holly and Landscape maps can be combined with spice bush. The forests provide a variety Geographic Information System (GIS) of habitats that accommodate a varied data layers, such as roads and developed number of bird species. The deciduous areas. hardwood forest is home to thrushes, warblers and woodpeckers. The tent See Map 10- The Landscape Project's caterpillars and other insects as well as Critical Wildlife Habitat Map for the the seeds produced provide food for the Boonton Township area. migrating and resident species of birds. The dense coniferous forest provides protection for nesting owls and other birds of prey. The pine cones provide food for Chickadees, Pine Siskin and Grosbeaks.

Because Boonton Township has a wide 33 variety of ecosystems, a large number of Niles, L. J., J. Myers, and M. Valent. 1999. bird species are attracted to our town. The Landscape Project for the Protection of Rare Species. Project Report. Endangered and We are also an important stop over and Nongame Species Program, New Jersey refueling area for a multitude of Department of Environmental Protection. Pp. 26. www .state.nj. us/dep/fgw /ensphome.htm Chapter 6 Wildlife 99

0.5 0 0.

Pn MAP 11 0 - gn r CRITICAL HABITAT - NJDEP ANDSCAPE PROJECT Chapter 6 Wildlife 100

Bibliography and References

Robbins, C.S., B. Bruen and H.S. Zim. Audubon. Nov/Dec 1999. Resolutions A Guide to Field Identification. Birds of for a new millenium. National Audubon North America. Golden Press, NY. Society, New York, NY. 152 pp. 1992. Black Bear: Nuisance and Damage Robichaud, B. and J. Buell. 1973. Prevention. New Jersey Division of Fish Vegetation of New Jersey. Rutgers and Wildlife. Department of University Press. New Brunswick, NJ. Environmental Protection. 340 pp. Harvey, M.J. 1992. Bats of the United Rue III, Leonard Lee. 1962. World of States. Arkansas Game and Fish the White-tailed deer. J.B. Lippencott Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas. 46 Company. New York. 134 pp. pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. August Herpetological Associates, Inc. 1996. A 1998. Habitat Conservation Plans. U.S. Natural Resource Inventory and Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Endangered, Threatened and Rare Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 29 Species Survey of the Farny Highlands, pp. Morris County, New Jersey. 106 pp. . October 6, 1999. Letter of Litton, Bernice. Bug Busters: Poison ---- technical assistance regarding presence Free Pest Control for Your House and of the Indiana Bats (Myotis sodalis) Garden. Every Publishing Company. within Boonton Township. U.S. Fish and 254 pp. Wildlife Service, Pleasantville, NJ. 5 pp. and map. National Geographic. Feb 1999. Biodiversity, The fragile web. National . Songbird Population Losses Geographic Society, Washington, DC. ---- Tied to Fragmentation of Forest Habitat. 143 pp. New York Times. April4, 1995. C-4. New Jersey's Environment 1998. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research.

New Jersey Outdoors. Spring 1993. Gardening with Deer.

Raver, Anne. Deer in the Garden? Try Changing the Menu. New York Times. March 9, 1997. Chapter 6 Wildlife 101

LIST OF FIELD GUIDES AND IDENTIFICATION BOOKS:

Audubon Society Field Guide Series. Golden Press Field Guides Alfred A. Knopf, NY. North America Birds/Eastern Region A Guide to Field Identification Birds Butterflies of North America. C.S. Robbins, B. Fishes, Whales & Dolphins Bruun & H.S. Zim. Golden Press, NY. Insects and Spiders 1992. Reptiles and Amphibians A Golden Guide to Pond Life (North Bats of the Eastern United States, M.J. America). G. K. Reid. Golden Press, Harvey. Arkansas Game & Fish NY. Western Publishing Company, Inc. Commission. 1992. Racine, WI. 1967.

Bull, John; Edith Bull, Gerald Gold Other Golden Field Guides: and Pieter D. Prall. 1985. Birds of Butterflies and Moths North America, Eastern Region. Fishes Macmillan Field Guides. Macmillan Insects Publishing Co., Inc. NY. Mammals Reptiles and Amphibians National Geographic Society, Spiders and their kin Washington, DC. 1983. Field Guide to Birds ofNorthAmerica the Birds of North America. Reptiles of North America

Peterson Field Guides, Houghton MifDin Company, New York, NY. Birds (Eastern), R. J. Peterson INTERNET SITES Butterflies (Eastern), Opler & Malikul Mammals, Burt & Grossenheider Garden for Wildlife. Animal Tracks, Murie http://magazine.audubon.org/backyard/ Reptiles and Amphibians (Eastern & native Central North America), Conant & Collin Morris Land Conservancy. Insects (America, North of Mexico), http://www .morrislandconservancy.org Barron & White Fresh Water Fishes (N. America North New Jersey Conservation Foundation. of Mexico), Page & Burr www.njconservationorg Chapter 6 Wildlife 102

Boonton Township's Backyard Wildlife

Photo 26 NewBorn Fawn

Photo 27 Wild Turkey

Photo 28 Box Turtle Chapter 6 Wildlife 103

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Forest Park Chapter 7 Open Space Chapter 7 Open Space 109

OPEN SPACE

As articulated in the Township's Master Preserving agriculture also helps to keep green 34 Plan , "Boonton Township's major concern space in the Township. Farmland assessment continues to be one of preserving open space with nominal real estate taxes, while not as a means of protecting its present assuring permanent preservation, helps to environment and avoiding adverse impacts on relieve the land owner's financial burden, environmentally sensitive areas, including particularly for those who wish to preserve steep slopes, woodlands, wetlands, flood their woodlands and farm fields. The current plains and ground water recharge areas." farmland assessed acreage in the Township totals 1,391 acres, or 25% of the land area. In November 1990, Boonton Township voters Table 13 lists properties with 1999 farmland approved a special municipal tax to be assessment. (Photo 29) reserved for acquisition of open space. A five member Open Space Committee was Two farms in Boonton Township-- the established by ordinance to review candidates Doland Four Comers Farm (Photo 30) and the and to prioritize the lists of properties that the Weiss Six Cedar Tree Farm (Photo 31) -­ Township should acquire. The funds have been permanently preserved through the accumulated in this reserve may be utilized for purchase of the property owner's development acquisition of land or development rights in rights by the Morris County Open Space and land or as a down payment for issuance of Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. The bonds for the same purpose. At a tax rate of 2 Meyer Farm is currently under consideration. cents per $100 of appraised valuation, the These properties are located in fund initially accumulated $36,500 annually, environmentally sensitive areas, helping to rising to $110,000 in 1999 for a total balance preserve and protect the prime ground water of $597,000. In November 2000, voters aquifer. approved the doubling of the open space tax to 4 cents per $100 of appraised valuation. Other significant areas of open space include the private 184 acre Deer Lake Club (Photo The municipal open space funds can be used 32) and the Conklin Boy Scout property off to leverage other sources of funding, such as Farber Hill Road. These parcels and others the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund or owned by other public and nonprofit agencies local Green Acres dollars. To aid in this effort, are listed in Table 14. the Township has asked for help from the Morris Land Conservancy. With the enactment of state statutes aimed at preserving wetlands and their transition zones, Six properties have been acquired with many wetland areas within the Township can municipal open space funds and one be considered protected. These wetlands and application is pending. These parcels and their transition areas qualifY for the highest other undeveloped properties owned by the degree of protection as "exceptional resource Township are listed in Table 12. wetlands" because they provide documented habitat for state endangered and threatened species, such as Barred Owl, Red-Shouldered 34 1995, Master Plan, Page III-15, Community Facilities Hawk, and Wood Turtle. Exceptional resource and Open Space Plan wetlands are protected with a transition area Chapter 7 Open Space llO surrounding the wetland of 150 feet. When • No dumping or placing of trash, waste or properties containing wetlands and transition unsightly or offensive materials shall be areas are subdivided, the final plans on file in permitted. the Township and in the Monis County Court House designate the location of the protected • No surface use is permitted except for area. purposes permitting the land or water areas to remain predominantly in its In addition, when the State issues transition natural condition. area waivers, New Jersey's Wetland Regulations require deed restrictions that • No activities detrimental to drainage, flood provide that no prohibited activities will occur control, water conservation, erosion in modified transition areas. Prior to control or soil conservation, or fish and construction, the deed must be recorded. The wildlife habitat preservation shall be restrictions on activities in the modified permitted. transition area run with the land and are binding upon successors in interest in the In addition, the language of the easement shall premises. permit the Township the right of entry for inspection purposes upon 48 hours notice and In October 2000, the Township revised the immediate entry if violation is suspected. Land Use Code (Ordinance 623) requiring conservation easements to be dedicated to the Properties with conservation easements are Township for areas deemed by the Planning listed on Table 15. Board to require protection because of conservation values. The easements shall For locations of these and other parcels see carry the following limitations: Map 10 - Parks and Other Open Space Sites.

• No trees, shrubs, or other vegetation shall be removed or destroyed on lands in the easement, except in accordance with approved forest management practices, subject to the approval of the Township.

• No topsoil, loam, peat, sand, gravel, rock or minerals shall be excavated or removed.

• No buildings, structures, signs, billboards or other advertising of any description shall be erected.

• No dumping or placing of soil or other substances or material as land fill shall be permitted, except as may be required to build a road, and then only after the Planning Board approved the design of such road as part of the subdivision. Chapter 7 Open Space 111 Open Space in Boonton Township

Photo 29 Farmland Assessed Woods and Fields Rockaway Valley

Photo 30 Preserved Farmland Doland's Four Comers

Photo 31 Preserved Farmland Six Cedar Tree Farm Rockaway Valley

Photo 32 Private Open Space Deer Lake Club Chapter 7 Open Space 112

TABLE 12

Township Owned Undeveloped Properties

Block Lot Acreage Address Connnents

11101 4 .86 230 East Glen Road Donation Alex Marton

11105 3 .39 North Road near East Glen Rd.

20501 1 12.79 Fernhollow Rd. Open Space

20502 3 33.96 Audubon Trail Open Space

20601 1.01 15.42 Lone Oak Lane wetlands

20601 3 .7 11 Brookview Road

31101 7 5.8 Valley Road

31201 5 2.2 319 Powerville Rd. Open Space Funds

31301 5 31.45 250 Powerville Rd. (Oak Rd) Open Space Funds

31301 12 4.83 Oak Road Babich Property Open Space Funds

40102 1 5.35 47 Valley Rd. Public Park

40203 5 3.46 15 Valley Rd. Leonard Park

40203 21 11.08 28 Glenbourne Rd. Park

40301 12 0.5 1 Glenbourne Rd. Park

40307 6, 12, 13 4.17 Rockaway Drive Along Rockaway River

40401 1 0.6 180 Powerville/N. Main GreenAcres

40402 12.01 3.28 17 North Main (Willis) Open Space Funds 50 0.08 James Rd. Open Space Funds 52 0.21 19 James Rd. Open Space Funds

40402 39 3.26 16 Dogwood Lane

40402 57 0.66 1 N. Main/Powerville Dam Griffith Park Chapter 7 Open Space 113 TABLE 12 cont.

Block Lot Acreage Address Connnents

40501 1.03 37.86 Oak Road

40701 4 7 20 North Main Griffith Park

40702 14.01, 14.02, Rockaway River 15 .46 Powerville Rd. downstream of North Main Bridge

41205 31.01 3.27 31 Sunrise Rd. Oak Hills

41205 31.02 0.57 35 Sunrise Rd. Oak Hills

41205 36 0.56 17 Overlook Rd. Oak Hills

41205 48 0.17 36 River Road Oak Hills

41301 10 0.22 Pond Hill Drive

41302 3 Pond Hill Drive road strip

50201 1.07 17.7 11 Wildlife Run Open Space

50201 1.15 17.98 Kingsland Road Griffith Pond, Wetlands35

50201 1.16 17.64 6 Old Timber Trail Open Space

50201 1.26 21.35 3 - 7 Old Timber Trail Open Space36

50501 22 0.28 Crestfield Road

50701 6 3.38 290 Ross Drive 8 0.64 280 Ross Drive

Proposed Acquisitions

30102 1.02 8.3 Total Area Proposed 1.03 (part) 25 to be acquired - 82.8 ac. 1.01 (part) 8 31001 7 5.5 RV Airdrome Fields 31103 1 (part) 17 Open Space Funds

35 pending transfer of title 36 pending transfer of title Chapter 7 Open Space 114 TABLE13

PERMANENTLY PRESERVED FARMLAND

Morris County Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund

Owner Block/Lot Acreage Address/Comments

Doland Four Comers 21601117 38 Powerville Road

Weiss 4010111 57 Rockaway Valley Road

Florlas, LLC (Meyer) 4100111.01 49 Old Denville Road I Pending

Properties with Farmland Assessment - 2000 Tax Year

Owner Block/Lot Acreage Address

Mufson 10201/2 10.4 Old Beach Glen Road

JK Associates 1050111.01 142 38 Rockaway Valley Road 1070111, 2, 3 40.3 Split Rock Road

Smith 10801/2 13.8 426 Rockaway Valley Road

Aufzien 10801/4 16 15 Split Rock Rd.

Wawonaissa Partnership 11002/28 10.3 520 Rockaway Valley Rd.

Pond Assoc. 2010111 236 140 Koehler Rd.

Koehler Estate 20101/5 7.2 68 Split Rock Rd.

Est. Edna Johanson 2010311, 2 49 65 Split Rock Rd.

Kincaid 2070111 32.5 600 Powerville Rd.

Haggert 20801/6 8.2 20 Kincaid Road

Kincaid 20901113 43.2 578 Powerville Rd.

Ford 21204/4 7.91 545 Powerville Rd.

Thoner 21401/5 35 499 Powerville Rd. Chapter 7 Open Space 115 TABLE 13 cont.

Owner Block/Lot Acreage Address

Doland 2170111 52 440 Powerville Rd.

Johanson Holding 30201/2 37.6 425 Powerville Rd. Johanson 3040111 10 410 Powerville Rd. Eric Johanson 30501/4 19.2 11 Penny Lane Eric Johanson 30501/5 10.8 Penny Lane Johanson 30601/2 61.33 127 Rockaway Valley Rd.

Haakonsen 30601/7 19.4 111 Rockaway Valley Rd.

Eric Johanson 30701/3 12.8 119 Kingsland Road Johanson Resources 30701/4 12.6 131 Kingsland Road Eric & Donna Johanson 30701/5 9.9 135 Kingsland Road

Marotta, Inc. 3120111.01-3 65.6 Valley Rd., Powerville Rd.

McDonough 31301117 7.4 21 Kingsland Road

Weiss 4010111 51.1 483 Rockaway Valley Road

Shannon 40501/21 10 46 Oak Road

Marshall 4060111 5.19 82 Oak Road

Florlas, LLC 4100111.01 49.7 88 Old Denville Road

Meyer 4100111.03 7.93 Old Denville Road

Detitta 41001/5 16.02 Old Denville Road

Minard 41101118 30 Rockaway Valley Road

Hamilton/Deckenbach 41301/8 12.6 130 Old Denville Road

Galuzzi 41601/26 16 Grove Street

Marshall 50101/9 3.9 83 Oak Road

Vanderhoof 50401/23 13.5 168 Kingsland Road

Nexon37 5060111 59.7 825 Boonton A venue 500701/2 1.67

37 Property also listed on Table 15, Conservation Easement held by New Jersey Conservation Foundation Chapter 7 Open Space 116

TABLE 14

OTHER OPEN SPACE PARCELS

Public and Nonprofit Ownership

Block Lot Acreage Address Comments

10301 3 67.56 37 Farber Hill Road Conklin Scout Reservation, Essex Council BSA

21001 1 32.79 Powerville Rd. County of Morris Park

21801 1 184 Rockaway Valley Rd. Deer Lake Club

41301 1.01 21 Old Denville Rd. Town of Boonton Wells

41401 1 262 McCaffrey Lane Tourne County Park

50701 3,4 36 Sheep Hill Town of Boonton Park Chapter 7 Open Space 117 TABLE 15

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS38

Private Properties

Block Lot Address Comments

20901 7.02 19 Devon Road wetlands 20901 7.03 17 Devon Road wetlands 20901 7.04 526 Powerville Rd. wetlands

30801 1.03 3 Pheasant Run wetlands 1.04 7 Pheasant Run wetlands 1.05 11 Pheasant Run wetlands 1.09 12 Pheasant Run wetlands 1.10 2 Pheasant Run wetlands 1.08 18 Pheasant Run wetlands 2 49 Kingsland Road wetlands 3.02 5 Deer Trail wetlands 3.03 9 Deer Trail wetlands 3.07 8 Deer Trail wetlands

30901 2.03 Powerville Rd. wetlands

50201 1.05 70 Kingsland Rd. wetlands 1.06 10 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.12 12 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.01 1 Old Timber wetlands 1.08 7 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.09 1 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.10 21 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.13 16 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.14 20 Wildlife Run wetlands 1.17 8 Old Timber wetlands 1.28 15 Old Timber wetlands

50601 1 Boonton Avenue New Jersey Conservation Foundation

38 Conservation Easements dedicated to New Jersey are not included in this list. These easements are identified by metes and bounds and if a subdivision is involved are shown on the final plat. Chapter 7 Open Space 118

PARKS AND OTHER OPEN SPACE 0.5 0 0.5 Miles c=J Twp. Owned Parcels incl. Dedicated Open Space (see Table 12) ~­ -~- c=J Twp. Proposed Open Space Acquisition (see Table 12) Mapll .. 01her Public/Non-Profit Open Space (see Table 14)

- Permanenfly Preserved Farmland (see Table 13) PARKS AND OTHER OPEN SPACE

Prop. with Farmland Assessment (see Table 13) c=J BOONTON TOWNSHIP Conservation Easements- Private Property (see Table 15) ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 8 Environmental Constraints 119

Wetland -Near Rockaway Valley Road

Chapter 8 Environmental Constraints Chapter 8 - Environmental Constraints 120

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS

Simply put, environmental constraints are limits to development of the land. The Environmental Committee has digitally mapped many of the environmental constraints applicable to Boonton Township. These maps should serve to 'red flag' certain areas, such as flood plains, wetlands, steep slopes, and prime aquifer recharge areas, where development should be severely restricted. Included in this chapter are maps depicting the following constraints:

Map 12 Prime Agricultural Soils Map 15 Steep Slopes Map 13 Erodible Soils Map 16 Flood Prone Areas Map 14 Depth to Groundwater

As stated in the 1995 Boonton Township Master Plan, environmental constraints should impose limits on the development of land. Restrictions on development and the preservation of open space can avoid a multitude of adverse impacts such as:

Flooding Air Pollution Soil Erosion Destruction of Woodlands Water Pollution Loss of Wildlife Habitats

Other maps of interest are located in these sections of the ERI:

Chapter 2 History Chapter 5 Vegetation Map 1 Historic Sites and Iron Mines, Map 7 Location of Inventory Sites and p.17 Plant Communities, p.77 Map 8 Wetlands, p.78 Chapter 3 Geology: Map 2 Physiographic Provinces, p.37 Chapter 6 Wildlife Map 3 Fault Lines, p.37 Map 9 Indiana Bat Foraging Area, p.94 Map 4 Topography, p.38 Map 10 Critical Wildlife Habitat, p.99

Chapter 4 Water Resources Chapter 7 Open Space Map 5 Watersheds, Streams and Map 11 Parks and Open Space Sites, Waterbodies, p. 46 p.118 Map 6 Water Resources- Public Wells, p.48 Chapter 8 - Environmental Constraints 121

Note: This map was developed using New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection GeograP,ic Information System digital data, but this secondary N product has not been verified by NJDEP and is not state-authorized.

Map12 0.5 0 0.5 1 Miles ----~- - PRIME AGRICULTURAL SOILS c=J PRIME AGRICULTURAL SOILS BOONTON TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 8 - Environmental Constraints 122

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0.5 0 0.5 1 Miles Map13 -~--- ERODIBLE SOILS c=J HIGHLY ERODIBLE SOILS BOONTON TOWNSHIP c=J POTENTIALLY HIGHLY ERODIBLE SOILS ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 8 - Environmental Constraints 123

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0.5 0 0.5 1 Miles

-~------DEPTH TO GROUNDWATER (FT) Map14 .. 0 DEPTH TO GROUNDWATER c=J 2.0 (SEASONAL HIGH) c=J 1.0 c=J >=6 BOONTON TOWNSHIP c=J 1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 8 - Environmental Constraints 124

Note: This map was developed using New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

0.5 0 0.5 1 Miles LEGEND ------c=J 10-15% SLOPES (1) MaplS c=J >15%SLOPES (1)

.. >15%SLOPES (2) STEEP SLOPES

(1) PER SOIL SURVEY CLASSIFICATION BOONTON TOWNSHIP (2) PER USGS DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chapter 8 - Environmental Constraints 125

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0.5::::::::::::-_-- 0 0.5 1 Miles Map16 DOCUMENTED FLOODPRONE AREA c=J FLOODPRONE AREAS UNDOCUMENTED FLOODPRONE AREA c=J BOONTON TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY IIIII WATER BODIES Chapter 9 - Land Use Planning 126

Municipal Building Powerville Road Chapter 9 Land Use Planning Chapter 9 - Land Use Planning 127

LAND USE PLANNING

Planning for a sound, healthy As the result of preparing this ERI, the environment must of necessity include Environmental Committee has the decisions affecting how the environment following recommendations for is used, where roads and buildings are consideration by the Township placed, and how environmentally Committee, the Planning Board and the sensitive lands are to be preserved. Since Board of Adjustment. Several of these New Jersey is a 'home rule state,' we recommendations are supported in the must rely on our local governmental document: Planning for Clean Water, bodies to insure adequate protection of The Municipal Guide, March 2000 water quality, both in our streams and in N. J. Dept. of Environmental Protection, our ground waters. Division of Watershed Planning.

The Township's Master Plan sets the Development Standards and stage and gives direction to local Ordinances decision- makers. The 1995 Master Plan recognized the Township's established character and the need to protect the NEW ROADS: To preserve the natural environment. It is an wooded nature of the Township, change environmentally based plan relying on the requirement to clear and to grade the extensive investigations of the entire 50 foot road right-of-way. Township's physical characteristics and Recommend that clearing and grading environmentally sensitive features. not extend beyond the paved surface unless additional areas are required for Within this framework, the Township's safety reasons. (Roadsides stripped of Environmental Resources Inventory natural vegetation become weed infested (ERI) provides a broader range of with invasive species such as Japanese information, factual and objective, to aid Siltgrass and Barberry that spread into officials, residents and future woodlands choking out valuable native generations in understanding the natural plants) resources and environmental limitations of our Township. In other words, the DRAINAGE FACILITIES: To ERI is a local reference tool. protect water quality and to alleviate downstream impacts, require that In the future, with the availability of predevelopment natural drainage finely detailed computer generated patterns be maintained, using woodlands geographic information system (GIS) and vegetated areas for drainage mapping, the Committee intends to dispersal. Require that these areas be supplement the ERI with environmental permanently deed restricted to preserve data on a tax lot basis. This supplement the area for its intended purpose. will likely be contained on compact Prohibit direct channeling of surface computer disks, now being prepared by water runoff into adjacent water bodies. the Morris County Planning Board. Do not allow diversion of stormwater onto properties of others or to allow Chapter 9 - Land Use Planning 128 construction or grading to result in an from contamination from septic systems increase in existing stormwater onto and chemicals including fertilizers and properties of others. herbicides.

STREAM CORRIDORS: To protect natural vegetation and flow OTHER patterns and for nutrient and pollutant RECOMMENDATIONS removal, require conservation easements adjacent to all perennial and intermittent streams. The buffer zone could range from a minimum of 150 feet to 300 feet OPEN SPACE: Encourage the depending upon existence of wetlands ' permanent preservation of farmland. and steep slopes?9 Do not allow Expand the purchase of open space and accessory structures or septic disposal conservation easements to protect areas within the conservation easement wetlands, endangered and threatened area. species habitat, steep slopes, groundwater recharge areas, wellhead protection areas and forested tracts. To insure preservation of conservation TREE PROTECTION: Require easement areas, create a data base and the retention of the wooded nature of require periodic monitoring of easement properties through the enactment of a areas. strong tree protection ordinance. Require that the Township Forester review and approve or disapprove all proposed tree removals. Applicant's fee should be EVIRONMENTAL based upon the consulting forester's fees. ENFORCEMENT: Create the position of Township Environmental Inspector to assist in setting up a data ZONING: Establish a minimum base on open space and conservation building envelope for construction of easement areas and to assist in enforcing dwelling and associated improvements, environmental safeguards and including septic disposal and accessory restrictions on tree removals, disturbance structures. The building envelope to be within conservation easement areas. free of encroachments or easements that restrict development and any environmentally sensitive features, such as wetlands and transition areas, steep WATERSHED slopes in excess of 15%, open water MANAGEMENT: Adopt the bodies and water courses. Rockaway River Watershed Cabinet's Goals for a Sustainable Watershed DRINKING WATER: Enact Management Plan. These goals and a ordinances to protect wellhead zones copy of the Watershed Cabinet's Action Plan follow:

39 Nieswand, G.H. et al. 1989. Watershed Management Strategies for New Jersey. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Publication No. H-17505-1-89. pp. 79-81. Chapter 9- Land Use Planning 129

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