NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

OFTHE ,

GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED

IN

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ

July Z&1994

Prepared for HA~~ILTONTOWSHIPE~WROA~ENTXL~~~&W~~I~N

PETER P. IC4RAl3ASH~ NJ. PP. #1375 by Peter l? Karabashian 2 7 Gordon ‘s Alley Atlantic City, NJ 05401

(The original copy of this report has been signed and sealed in accordance with the law.) DEDICATION

The Natural Resource Inventorv of the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed in Hamilton Township, Atlantic Countv, New Jersev is dedicated to the citizens of Hamilton Township to assist'them in safeguarding their River and its Watershed. This Inventory, supplementing the Township's original Natural Resource Inventory (1983), is provided for the use of those who would consider the variety of physical environments and natural habitats within the Township and to provide direction to all who would use its land and waters. The Hamilton Township Environmental Commission expresses gratitude to past and present members of the Hamilton Township Committee for their participation in achieving the Great Egg Harbor River's Wild and Scenic River designation and for their support of the Local River Management Plan and this Inventory, both produced through the efforts of members of the Environmental Commission with funding through grants provided by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection & Energy, Office of Environmental Services.

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE Bruce Strigh, Mayor Lorraine Granese John Sacchinelli Noreen McCall Joseph Nickels

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Evelyn Braeunig, Chairman William Christman Michael Dupras Janet Mazzocca John Sacchinelli Dorothy Lodovico James Sacchinelli Michelle Bellinger

JULY 1994 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...... i

II. OBJECTIVE ...... 1

III. DEFINITION ...... 1

IV. METHODOLOGY ...... 1

V. PINELANDSAREAS ...... 2

VI. INVENTORY ...... 8

APPENDMlSOILMAPUSE ...... 46

APPENDIX 2 OFFICE OF NEW JERSEY HERITAGE REPORT

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED AREA ...... 4

FIGURE 2 GEOLOGIC CROSS SECTION OF THE KIRKWOOD-COHANESY AQUIFER IN ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ ...... 10 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE# TITLE

TABLE I NRI PINELANDS MANAGEMENT AREA BREAKDOWN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP . , ...... , . . . . 5

TABLE 2 NRI ATLANTIC COUNTY SOILS DATA . . , ...... 14

TABLE 3 NRI SELECTED SOIL CHARACTERISTICS , ...... , ...... 16

TABLE 4 NRI WETLANDS SOILS ANALYSIS BY PINELANDS MANAGEMENT AREA IN THE GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED: HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ ...... , 18

TABLE 5 NRI WETLANDS VEGETATION ANALYSIS BY PINELAND AREA IN THE GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED: HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ ...... , 25

TABLE 6 NRI MAMMALS OF THE PINELANDS AND THEIR HABITATS ...... 26

TABLE 7 NRI ENDANGERED AND THREATENED BIRD SPECIES IDENTIFIED IN ATLANTIC COUNTY AND THEIR HABITATS ...... 27

TABLE 8 NRI THREATENED AND ENDANGERED REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE PINELANDS AND THEIR HABITATS IDENTIFIED IN ATLANTIC COUNTY AND HAMILTON TOWNSHIP ...... , , . , . . . . 30

TABLE 9 NRI SPECIES REPORTED FROM THE LOWER AND UPPER GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERBEDS . . , ...... 31

TABLE 10 NRI SULPHUR DIOXIDE (in ppm), AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-I 992 ...... 34

TABLE 11 NRI TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES, AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-I 992 (in ug/m3; measured @A.C.) ...... a...... 35

TABLE 12 NRI CARBON MONOXIDE (in ppm) AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-l 992 ...... , . , ...... , . , . . . 36

TABLE 13 NRI INHALABLE PARTICULATES, AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-1992 (in ug/m3; measured # A.C.) ...... 37

TABLE 14 NRI OZONE (in ppm), AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-I 992 . . , ...... , ...... 38

TABLE 15 NRI NJ POLLUTANT STANDARDS INDEX (PSI) SOUTHERN COASTAL REGION (ATLANTIC, CAPE MAY COUNTIES), 1990-1992 ...... 39

TABLE 16 NRI RECORD OF DAYS WHEN PSI EXCEEDED HEALTH STANDARD AT LOCATIONS NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-l 992 ...... , . 40 NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY OF THE GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED

I. INTRODUCTION

In 1983, Peter P. Karabashian Associates, Inc., prepared on behalf of the Hamilton Township Planning Board a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, NJ. This NRI was prepared as an element of the Comprehensive Management Plan (Master Plan) of the Township. The findings of the NRI served to establish an informational base upon which the goals and objectives of the Master Plan and the Development Ordinance regulations were formulated. The NRI, Master Plan and Development Ordinance were prepared by the Township, submitted to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, and certified by that body as being in compliance with the provisions of the Pinelands Commission Comprehensive Management Plan. Although the NRI was originally developed as part of the Township’s compliance effort, data was included on the area of the Township that does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Pinelands Commission. This “non-pinelands” area can generally be described as that portion of the Township located along the tidal portion of the Great Egg Harbor River below the Lake Lenape Dam. This non-pinelands area includes lands that are part of the Pinelands National Reserve (Federal Legislation) but are not designated as being in the Pinelands Protection Area (State Legislation) as well as an area of approximately 1,000 acres that has not been designated as a pinelands area under either State or Federal legislation.

This 1994 update is being prepared and specifically targeted for that portion of the Township that lies within the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed. As shown on Map 1, entitled Great Egg Harbor River Watershed Area, a vast majority of Hamilton Township lies within the Great Egg Harbor Basin area, except for two relatively small areas of the Township that do not drain towards the Great Egg Harbor River. These areas, approximately 391 acres located along the northeast edge of the Township adjacent to Galloway Township, part of the Mullica River Watershed, and of approximately I,61 5 acres located at the eastern corner of the Township, in the Absecon Creek drainage area. Combined, these two areas encompass approximately 2,000 acres (2,006 rt acres) or less than 3% (2.75%) of the total area of the Township (73,600 acres).

This report updates the 1983 NRI inventory through a review of new information received from State and Federal environmental agencies including:

. New Jersey Pinelands Commission; . New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection & Energy (various divisions); . U. S. Geologic Survey: . U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

This document was prepared with the aid of a grant of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection & Energy, Office of Environmental Services. NATURAL RESOURCF INVFNTORY OF THF GRFAT FGG HARROR RIVER WATERSW

II. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Natural Resource Inventory (hereinafter referred to as NRI) is to present a comprehensive inventory and analysis of the natural resources found in that portion of Hamilton Township that lies with the watershed of the Great Egg Harbor River. The documentation of these natural resources js a critical component in formulation of national land use planning data, crucial to preparing a Master Plan and Land Use Ordinance which is consistent with the natural environment.

Accordingly, the N.R.I. is a working document that identifies critical and environmentally sensitive habitat in the Township, thus making it possible to plan with nature,

By developing such compatibility, the land use planning process addresses one of the key components of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Plan, which is to:

l Promote the conservation of valuable natural resources without the degradation of the environment through the improper use of land.

These resources are the basis upon which the Hamilton Township Master Plan and Land Use Ordinance are formulated.

Ill. DEFINITION

The NRI for the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed area of Hamilton Township is the compilation of environmental information relating to the entire Township, and includes data for the following resources: topography and slopes; geology; soils, including prime agricultural soils; vegetation; surface and ground water resources; wildlife habitat; air quality and areas of scenic and recreational importance.

IV. METHODOLOGY

The information used in this NRI was obtained from the following sources: * The New Jersey Pinelands Commission; * NJDEPE Bureau of Air Monitoring; * Cape-Atlantic Soil Conservation District; 4 Federal Aviation Administration; * N.J.D.E.P.E. Bureau of Water Resources; * U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and * NJDEPE Office of Natural Lands Management; * Atlantic County Division of Parks; and * NJDEPE Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife. Calculations of land areas relating to vegetation, soils, etc. were originally made with a compensating planimeter. Accuracy checks made during the course of these measurements show the figures obtained through the use of the planimeter to be within plus or minus 5% range.

The Soils and Vegetation Maps provided by the Pinelands Commission were originally color coded by Peter P. Karabashian Associates, Inc., in 1982 for use in the analysis and presentation of the original NRI of the Township. This color coding system was established to determine not only boundary lines for various types of vegetation and soils, but also for the identification of soil and vegetation types with common properties. In addition, the color coding of these maps facilitated the comparison of the wetlands/upland boundaries on the soils map against the wetlands/uplands boundaries on the vegetation map, thus identifying any discrepancies between the two maps. This map-to-map analysis was included with the original NRI, along with suggested methods for correcting deficiencies.

V. PINELANDS AREAS

For the purpose of consistency, the NRI material will be referenced to the Pinelands land use areas, the locations and boundaries of which are shown on Fig.1. There are six Pinelands Management Areas in Hamilton Township as follows: Forest Area, Agricultural Area, Rural Development Area, Regional Growth Area, Pinelands Village, and Military/Federal Installations. In addition, there is one small area of the Township which is not included in the Pinelands Area, but is included in the CAFRA Zone. Table I-NRI lists the Pinelands Areas as a proportion of the area of the entire Township (excluding the tidal area of the Great Egg Harbor River) and as a proportion of the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed area of the Township. As this table shows, only the Military/Federal area that lies entirely outside of the watershed area.

Although a more detailed analysis of the Pinelands Area designations will be presented in another section of this Master Plan Report entitled -Standards For Land Use . . and Intensmes, it is important to understand the relationship of Pinelands Areas with respect to the existing natural resources of the Township. Since the former ultimately regulates land uses within specific zones and the latter identifies the environmental resources within the Township, a clear understanding of the juxtaposition of natural resources to Pinelands Management Areas is critical if environmental concerns are to play an important role in the development of rational and sensitive land use policies for future growth.

Table I-NRI, Pinelands Areas Breakdown, indicates the acreage allocated within the Township for each of the seven listed categories. Of significance to this analysis is that approximately 11,000 acres of the Township’s land mass is in the portion of the Regional Growth District designated by Pinelands where the greatest concentration of population must be located. Thus, by quantifying and reviewing the Pinelands Land Use categories in the Township, one can relate this information to the following NRI data. 3

A further analysis of Table I-NRI indicates that approximately 55% of the watershed is in the Forest Area, with 21% in a Rural Development Area and another 4Ok1 in an Agricultural District. Cumulatively, approximately 80% of the land within the watershed is restricted to low intensity utilization. FIGURE 1 - GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED AREA .-

Source: TABLE I-NRI

PINELANDS MANAGEMENT AREA BREAKDOWN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

Acres in Total % of GEHR % of Pinelands Area Acres Township Watershed Watershed

Forest Area 40,162 55.3 39,771 55.1

Agricultural Area 2,660 3.7 2,660 3.8

Rural Development 14,921 20.5 14,061 21.1

Regional Growth’ 12,285 16.9 12,230 17.3

Pinelands Village 877 1.2 877 1.2

Federal Land 700 1.0 0 0

CAFRA 1,075 1.5 1,075 1.5 .- TOTAL 72,680’ 100.1* 72,680 100.0

Source: Hamilton Township Map of Pinelands Management Areas (Zoning Map #2)

Peter P. Karabashian Associates, Inc.

*Rounding. NRI-3

I Includes 11,055 acres located in the Pinelands Protection Area regulated by the Pinelands Commission and 1,2 15 acres in the Pinelands National Reserve, which, falls under CAFRA project review jurisdiction.

2 Land area calculated through planimetering. The acreage difference between the area above and the official area of the Township (73,600 acres) is the area beneath the Great Egg Harbor River below the Lake Lenape Dam. NATURAL RFSOURCE INVENTORY

In subsequent pages of this report, this base information will be evaluated in order to correlate environmental parameters with established land use districts and their respective capacity to withstand development pressure. Thus, soil characteristics, vegetation types, wildlife habitat, geologic conditions, air quality, and water quality establish environmental parameters that collectively influence the land use districting of the Township.

A summary of each of these environmental base categories is listed as follows:

A- ToDoarar>hv Topographic conditions are evaluated to identify the general lay of the land and to also identify any areas that have steep slopes. Steep slope areas are important areas where development and disturbance should be minimized in order to avoid erosion of materials leading to the deposition of sediment into wetlands and waterbodies.

B. Geoloav A summary of the geologic conditions of the Township is presented to orient the reader with base information that is suggestive of other environmental data, specifically the aquifers which supply the Township with and others potable water.

C. Soils The soils of Hamilton Township will be evaluated to ascertain their suitability for development, and classified into groups displaying similar characteristics. These classifications, mapped in specific color codes, will be correlated with vegetation mapping to more clearly distinguish developable and non-developable areas in the watershed area of the Township.

D. Veaetation The vegetation groupings found within the Township are another index in determining land development capacity. Combined with soils information, vegetation groups are an important indicator in identifying areas to be recommended for preservation or development.

E. Wildlife An evaluation of wildlife species is necessary to establish which species can be found in the variety of habitats existent in the Township. Ultimately, this information will be useful in developing wildlife management plans within the open space corridors established throughout the Township. 7

F. Air Qu&Iy Air quality information is an important index of environmental purity, particularly as the Township grows. Therefore, this evaluation will indicate the present quality of air to the extent possible from existing information. By creating a base level of data, future variations in air quality may be carefully monitored and appropriate assessments made as part of a comprehensive and continuing environmental assessment.

G. Water Qualitv Water quality is an important index of environmental conditions. As such, it deals with surface waters and sub-surface (ground water) waters that exist in or pass through Hamilton Township. Of the two categories, the surface waters of the Township, namely the Egg Harbor River and its tributaries, must be monitored on a regular basis as the Township grows to assure quality.

Ground water becomes important by virtue of its potability. Thus, the Master Plan document is concerned with any potential point-source pollutant that may contaminate this resource. Since Hamilton Township is the site of one known toxic waste dump, appropriate monitoring and land use regulations should be initiated to control this condition.

H. Areas The extensive stream corridors of the Great Egg Harbor River System and adjacent land areas offer a variety of scenic and recreational opportunities. The identification of these areas will help ensure that the natural qualities are protected and our appreciation of these qualities is enhanced. VI. INVENTORY

A. ToDowhv and Steeo SloDeS

The objective of this section of the NRI is to assess the topographic conditions of the Township and to identify area with steep slopes or other topographic conditions that may affect the use or development of land.

This section of the NRI is based on a review of the topographic information provided on the following USGS 7.5 Minute Quad maps; Egg Harbor City, Dorothy, Mays Landing, Newtonville and Pleasantville. A composite of these maps has been assembled and is used as the Base Map of Hamilton Township.

The topography of Hamilton Township can generally be described as a gently sloping landscape that is typical of the Outer Coastal Plain of New Jersey, with the landforms sloped towards the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries. The highest elevation in the Township is 110 ft. (near Mizpah) and the low elevation is 0 on the tidal portion of the Great Egg Harbor River. The topography in the Township generally results in broad areas of wetlands located adjacent to rivers and streams.

As shown on enclosed Map 2, entitled “Topography and Steep Slopes”, areas of steep slopes are limited to locations where the waterways are immediately adjacent to upland areas. Examples of steep slopes are identified at: Indian Branch Park, Cherry Lane Estates, along the shores of Lake Lenape and at the confluence of the Great Egg Harbor and Gravelly Run, among other areas.

Summarv The topography of the Great Egg Harbor River watershed is a gently sloping landform typical of Southern New Jersey. The topography results in relatively few areas of steep slopes. The areas of steep slopes that exist are found in areas where uplands are immediately adjacent to a waterway.

B. Geoloav

The objective of this report is to briefly describe what lies beneath the geologic strata of Hamilton Township and its importance in the local environment.

Methodoloay Information used in this report is based on information presented in the New Jersey Pinelands Commission Management Plan and the Cape Atlantic Soil Conservation District’s Soil Survey of Atlantic County. 9

Hamilton Township is located within the Atlantic Coastal Plain geologic formation. This formation consists of many layers of unconsolidated geologic material which has been formed over the last 170 - 200 million years through deposition and erosion. The material that was laid down during what is geologically referred to as Tertiary Age, or 65 to 1.8 million years before present (MYBP), is extremely important since it includes the Kirkwood formation and Cohansey formation, which are major aquifers for Southern New Jersey. Figure 2 is a typical geologic cross section of the Kirkwood Cohansey aquifer in Atlantic County.

The Cohansey aquifer, or Cohansey sands, underlies most of Hamilton Township and outcrops at the surface within the Township. The Cohansey aquifer is composed primarily of quartz sand with some thin strata of clay or gravel. The depth of the Cohansey formation and its underlying deposits, range between 100 and 200 feet below Hamilton Township. Because the Cohansey is a surface aquifer, the water table is typically very shallow. The Pinelands Commission reports it to be generally less than 10 feet below the surface.

The depth of the seasonal high water table is controlled by the volume of water found in the Cohansey formation. In order to insure proper recharge conditions, it is important that stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces is minimized and controlled. It is also important to preserve existing wetlands to aid in the natural recharge process.

The Kirkwood formation is a much deeper aquifer, below 200 feet in depth. This formation is an important source of deep water, especially to communities located along the Atlantic coast. The outcrops for this formation are found in the Camden and Gloucester County area and, therefore, are subject to development impact in that region.

As shown on Figure 2, the lower section of the Kirkwood formation is separated from the upper area by a confining clay bed. This confining bed begins approximately six miles west of Mays Landing at a depth of 200 ft. and dips towards the east. This lower section is known as the Atlantic City 800 foot sand and is the source of water for many communities located on the barrier islands.

In Hamilton Township portions of the Cohansey sands are overlaid by two more recent geologic formations: the Bridgeton formation and the Cape-May formation. The materials in the Bridgeton formation were deposited during the same geologic age (Tertiary) as the materials in the Cohansey formation, while the materials in the Cape May formation were deposited during the Pleistocene (Wisconsin) glaciation period (approximately 1.8 MYBP) of the Quaternary geologic age. There are two fairly large deposits of materials from the Bridgeton formation in Hamilton Township. -3 . P D

Pleasantvllle Egg Harbor City Hammonton Atlantic City sea level * ...... * ** . * . . e ,- l . . . . . - . . . . . l * . * * , . * :*. * . , . ..I . -* . . .

- 200’

- 400’

- 600’

,; 800’ ! . .

Figure 2 - Geologic Cross Sbction of, the Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer j in Atlantic County, New Jersey

n.t.s. ?

Source: Atlantic County Division, Atlantic County Master Plan (September, 1988.)

Pctcr P. Karabnshh Associalcs, Inc, Erofcssional Plmncrs, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (GO’)) 347-03 11 11

Findinas cont’d The first extends into the Township at the intersection of the boundaries with Galloway and Egg Harbor Townships and covers an area approximately to the Atlantic City Racetrack and down further along the Egg Harbor Township boundary. This area is not in the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed area. The second deposit is in the western part of the Township and extends into the Township along and just north of Route 40 between Richland and just west of Mays Landing. Several other smaller deposits of the Bridgeton formation materials are scattered throughout the Township including deposits in the CAFRA zone. The Bridgeton formation is an important source of both sand and gravel which are important mineral resources in the area.

The deposits from the Cape May formation are located primarily in the drainage basin of the Great Egg Harbor River between Weymouth and the southern Township boundary. This formation consists of four components (clay, silt, gravel and sand) which have been eroded locally from the Bridgeton and Cohansey formations. Within Hamilton Township this formation has, like the Bridgeton formation, been mined for the minerals which it contains. However, these Cape May formation deposits also serve an important hydrologic function. Through the ability of these deposits to absorb and transmit water through to the underlying aquifers, the Pinelands Commission considers them to be part of the Cohansey/upper Kirkwood aquifer system.

Summarv Hamilton Township is located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, a geologic formation consisting of many layers of unconsolidated materials. In its immediate surficial geology, there are three geologic formations within the Township: Cohansey sands, Bridgeton formation and Cape May formation. Cohansey sands overlay most of the Township extending to depths of between one and two hundred feet and are an important aquifer both locally and regionally. The Bridgeton formation which overlays the Cohansey sands can be found on opposite sides of the Township and serve as an important source of sand and gravel. The Cape May formation, which also overlays the Cohansey sands is located along the Great Egg Harbor drainage basin between Weymouth and the southern Township boundary. This formation consists of materials eroded from the Bridgeton and Cohansey formations and is considered by some to be part of the Cohansey and upper Kirkwood aquifers.

C. Soils

The soils of Hamilton Township will be evaluated to ascertain their suitability for development, and classified into groups displaying similar characteristics. These classifications, mapped in specific color codes, will be correlated with vegetation mapping to more clearly distinguish developable and non-developable areas in the watershed area of the Township. 12 Methodoloav of Soils Analysis Soils in Hamilton Township were identified, classified and color coded using the following five-step procedure:

First, all soil mapped in Hamilton Township by the Soil Conservation Service were grouped by their soil series.

Second, the soil series and phases were matched with the soil properties table provided to the Township by the Pinelands Commission (Soils Properties Table for Atlantic County shown in Table 2-NRI). This Table rated the following soil properties: . Soil drainage class - very poorly drained to excessively drained; . Hydrologic soils groups - rating of the runoff-producing characteristics; . Permeability - measurement of the rate at which soils transmit water while saturated. . Close depth of seasonal high water table.

. Septic tank limitations - factors restricting use of conventional septic tanks and soil absorption fields. . Agricultural soils. . Soil pH - and the underlying conditions.

The complete listing prepared by the Pinelands Commission describing the soil properties evaluated herein and the individual ratings within each property can be found in Appendix I.

Third, soils were then grouped according to a combined rating of two of the soils properties; septic limitations and hydrologic soils groups. The analysis of the soils was based on these groups for the following reasons.

I. All of the soils found in Hamilton Township, with the exception of the tidal marsh, are naturally occurring acidic soils with pH ratings which generally range between 3.6 and 5.5. The pH of the tidal marsh series ranges between 6.6 and 7.3.

2. Generally, the soils in Hamilton Township have been rated as being either prime agricultural or non-classified soils. The exceptions to these ratings are: Aura ironstone variant and Klej series soils which have been rated as soils of Statewide importance, and Berryland sand and Muck soils that are rated as unique agricultural soils.

3. Analysis of the soil properties together shows the following correlations: (4 The higher rated the soil’s hydrologic group is, the better the drainage of the soil is rated. In fact, the drainage of the soil is one of the factors considered in the determination of the hydrologic soil grouping (see Appendix I). 13

lb) Septic tank limitations to permeability, depth to seasonal high water table and drainage classifications. Comparison of the Table shows that soils with a moderate rate of permeability, deep seasonal high water tables and considered to be well-drained, have the least restrictions as far as placement of septic tanks in reach fields. All three of these factors are critical in these ratings, and the variations of one factor is oftentimes important in the rating of these limitations.

The soil properties used in this analysis (hydrologic soils group and septic suitability) were then rated on the following development scale:

Septic tank placement limitations - one, poor; two, poor/fair; three, fair; four, fair/good; five, good; six, excellent.

Hydrologic soil groups - a, good; b, excellent; c, fair; d, poor.

The soil phases were then placed in four development potential groups based on the combined ratings of the soil characteristics described above. The four groups are rated as: not suitable for development; developable with sewers and site engineering; developable - may need sewers or site engineering; and developable as is. Table 3-NRI lists the soil groups, the rating guidelines for each group, the soil phases in each group, and the soil properties analyzed for each group.

It should be noted that all soils in Group One (not suitable for development) have been classified by the Pinelands Commission as Wetlands soils. In future comments, soil phases in Group One will be referred to as Wetlands soils, and the soil phases in the other three groups will be referred to as upland soils.

4. Soils groups were then color coded onto the soils map of Hamilton Township, using various shades of brown to distinguish among the various development groups.

Additionally, borrow pits for gravel mines and fill land were also color coded onto the map so that they may be quickly identified. Using a compensating polar planimeter, the amount of Wetlands soils (in acres) for each of the Pinelands Land Use Areas and the Non-Pinelands Areas of the Township, was calculated. The results of these calculations are discussed below. ) fk 1 -NRI J ATLANTIC COUNTY SOILS DATA

AGRI- iOlL SERIES DRAINAGE HYDROLOGIC PERMEABILITY DSHWT* SEPTIC TANK CULTURAL Soil Phase CLASS SOILS GROUP (INIHR) (Fn LIMITATIONS SOILS PH

rTSlON Sand PD & VPD D 2.0-6.0 o-1 2 N 3.6-5.0

WD B 0.2-2.0 6.0+ 3.6-5.0 Loamy Sand, O-5% & 2-5% Slope 6 P Sandy Loam, O-2% Slope 6 P Sandy Loam, O-5% 81 2-5% Slope 6 P

4lJRA IRONSTONE VARIANT WD B 0.2-2.0 6.0+ Soils, O-5% Slope 5 S

SERRYLAND VPD D 2.0-6.0 o-o.5 O-l 2”-3.6-4.4 12” +-4.5-5.0 Sand 2 U Sand, Flooded or Frequently Flooded 1 N

;OASTAL BEACH-URBAN LAND V&U V&U V&U V&U 5 N ;OMPLEX

IOWNER WD B. O-6-6.0 6.0+ 3.6-5.0 Loamy Sand, O-5% & 2-5% Slope 4 P Sandy Loam, O-2% Slope 4 P

IVESBORQ ED-SED A 2.0+ 6.0+ 3.6-5.0 Sand, O-5% Slope 3 N Sand, Clayey Substratum, 0.5% Slope 6 N

-ILL LAND V&U V&U V&U V&U V&U V&U Fill Land Over Tidal Marsh

-0RT MOTT Sand, O-5% Slope

O-3% 84 O-5% Slope Clayey Substratum,

oam, O-2% & O-3% Slope

l Depth to Seasonal High Water Table

14 T -NRI ATLANTIC CuJNTY SOILS DATA (Continued)

HYDROLOGIC SOIL SERIES DRAINAGE SOILS PERMEABILITY DSHWT* SEPTIC TANK AGRICUL- Soil Phase CLASS GROUP (INIHR) (FT.) LIMITATIONS TURAL SOILS PH !g&J MWD-SPD B 2.0 1.5-2.0 3.6-5.0 Loamy Sand, O-2% & O-3% Slope 2 S Loamy Sand, Clayey Substratum, O-3% Slope 2 S

LAKEHURST MWD-SPD A 6.0-2.0 1.5-3.5 3.6-5.0 Sand, O-3% or O-5% Slope 2 N

LAKEWOOD ED A 0.6-2.0 6.0+ 3.6-5.0 Sand, 0.5% Slope 3 N Sand, 5-10% Slope 3 N

MATAWAN MWD C 0.06-0.6 2-3 4.5-5.5 Sandy Loam, O-5% & 2.5% Slope 6 P

MUCK V&U V&U V&U V&U Shallow 1 U

POCOMOKE VPD D 0.6-2.0 o-o.5 3.6-5.5 Sandy Loam 2 N

SASSAFRAS WD B 0.6-6.0 6.0+ 3.6-5.5 Sandy Loam, O-2% Slope 4 P Sandy Loam, 2-5% Slope 4 P

TIDAL MARSH V&U D 6.0 0 6.6-7.3 Deep 1 N Moderately Shallow 1 N Shallow 1 N

WOODSTOWN MWD C 0.6-2.0 1.5-2.5 3.6-5.5 Sandy Loam, O-2% Slope 2 P

* Depth to Season High Water Table

SOURCE: NEW JERSEY PINELANDS COMMISSION SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE SOIL SURVEY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY COMPILED BY PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC.

Note: Details of the Soils Classifications are in Appendix 1

15 16

TABLE 3-NRI SELECTED SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

HYDROLOGIC

Poor-Poor Fair, Poor-Fair)

IPoqr Fair-Fair, loor Fair-Excellent)

Good-Excellent, ixcellent-Excellent)

“I Rated as variable and undeterminable

Key to rating of septic limitations and hydrologic soil grouping is located in Appendix I.

Source: New Jersey Pinelands Commission Peter P. Karabashian Associates, Inc. 17

NATURAL RESOURCE ANA1 YSIS (Cont’d.)

C. Soils (Cont’d.) Methodology of Soils Analysis (Cont’d.)

Findings

Based on the information and methodology previously discussed, the Township’ s planning consultants have calculated that approximately 36% or 25,551 acres of the Township are Wetlands soil. Almost all of the wetlands soils (25,290 acres or 99O/b) are found in the Great Egg Harbor River watershed area.

The greatest concentration of Wetlands soils in the watershed are located in the Forest Area, where, out of a total land mass of approximately 40,010 acres, 16,590 acres, or 41.5% are mapped as Wetlands soils. This compares to 4,250 acres calculated in the Rural Development Area; 2,100 acres in the Regional Growth Area; 582 acres in the CAFRA Zone; 1,800 acres in the Agricultural Area; and 50 acres located outside of the watershed in the Military/Federal Area (FAATC). The complete breakdown of the Wetlands soils found in each land use area is shown on Table 4-NRI.

An analysis of the Hamilton Township soils map (Map 3) shows that most of the Wetlands soils in the Township are located around or adjacent to the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries. These Wetlands are very valuable in the ecosystem of the Great Egg Harbor River, since they serve as: a natural flood control system by holding a great deal of water and gradually releasing it into the river system; wildlife habitat; natural greenbelts and open space buffering the actual watershed areas, etc. From a planning perspective, these solls are not suitable for development and must be preserved within the hierarchy of open space. They are a valuable environmental resource and must be appropriately protected. 18

TABLE 4-NRI

WETLANDS SOILS ANALYSIS BY PINELANDS MANAGEMENT AREA IN THE GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED: HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ

ACRES OF AREA ACREAGE IN WETLANDS % OF AREA WATERSHED SOILS

FOREST AREA 39,771 16,664 41.9

AGRICULTURAL AREA 2,660 1,800 67.7

RURAL DEVELOPMENT AREA 14,061 4,250 30.2

REGIONAL GROWTH AREA 12,230’ 2,100 17.2

PINELANDS VILLAGE 877 0 0

MILITARY/FEDERAL 0 0 0

CAFRA 1,075 582 54.1

Source: New Jersey Pinelands Soils Maps (Egg Harbor City, Dorothy, Mays Landing, Newtonville and Pleasantville Quads)

Compiled by: Peter P. Karabashian Associates, Inc.

NRI-17

1 Includes Regional Growth Area, Reserve Growth Area and area designated as the Pinelands National Reserve located outside the New Jersey Pinelands Protection area. 19 flATURAL RESOURCE ANALYSIS (Cont’d.)

C. (Cont’d.)Soils

Findings (Cont’d.)

Further analysis of the soils map of Hamilton Township shows that the Group 3 soil phases are the dominant upland soil types. Based on the soils property information published by the Pinelands Commission, this would indicate that most of the land in the Township with the exception of the Wetlands areas may have a very high potential for development when judged solely upon soil properties.

However, it must be pointed out that development potential is evaluated upon a composite of environmental and other considerations and not solely upon soil characteristics. Thus, soil characteristics must be weighed with other elements to properly evaluate the development capacity of the land.

D. VeaetatioQ

Obiective This report was prepared to present a detail analysis of the wetlands vegetation communities which are found in Hamilton Township. This information is a critical part of the Township’s Natural Resource Inventory since vegetation communities are an important index in the process of determining land areas suitable for development or preservation. Thus, the mapping of wetlands vegetation types combined with soils information form an important basis for determining development capacity.

. . . efrnrtrons For the purposes of this NRI, the vegetation groupings that are presented are those defined herein by the Pinelands Commission.

I. Upland vegetation - As presented in the Hamilton Township Vegetation Map, upland vegetation types consist of either a Pine/Oak Forest or an Oak/Pine Forest, which are differentiated as follows: a. Pine/Oak Forest - This forest type is dominated by the pitch pine (Pinus rigida) with also the potential presence of short leaf pine (Pinus echinate). Oak trees (tree form) which occur in this habitat as a non-dominant specie are: black oak (Quercus velutina),white oak (CL alba), scarlet oak (Q. coccinea), chestnut oak (Q. prinus), southern red oak (Q. falcata), and post oak IQ. stellata). Shrub oaks such as blackjack (Q. marilandica) and bear oak (Q. ilicifolia) also occur in association with pine in a Pine/Oak Forest habitat. Common understory shrubs in the Pine/Oak Forest include: scrub oak, lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium vacillans), and black huckleberry (Gaylussacia bacata). b. Oak/Pine Forest - These forest areas consist primarily of the tree form oaks such as: southern red, chestnut, scarlet, white and post. Pitch pine occurs as a non-dominant specie within this forest grouping. Shrubs in this type of forest environment consist primarily of: lowbush blueberry, black huckleberry, and mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia). 20

Given specific sub-regions within this type of forest area, other less dominant shrub species may also be found.

2. Wetlands Vegetation

a. Cedar Swamps - These areas are dominated by Atlantic White Cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) and support one or more of the following species of trees: red maple (Acer rubrum); sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana); and black gum (Nyssa sylvatica). Shrubs and other plant material that exist in this habitat include: dangleberry (Gaylusssia frondosa); highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum); swamp azalea (Rhodendrum viscosum); fedder bush (Leucothoe racemosa); sweet pepper bush (Clethera alnifolia); ink berry (llex glabra); pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) sun dew (Drosera spp); cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamonea); royal fern (0. regalis); and sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp).

b. Hardwood Swamps - Hardwood swamps are dominated by red maple, black gum or sweet bay and support many of the following tree species: grey birch (Betula populifolia); pitch pine; Atlantic white cedar; and sweet gum (Liquidambar styracifula). In Hardwood swamps associated with lowland forest habitat, one or more of the following tree species may also be found: pin oak (Quercus palustris) and willow oak (Q. phellos). Shrub and plant species that occur are: sweet pepper bush; high bush blueberry; swamp azalea; fedder bush; leather leaf (Chamaedaphne cayculata); dangleberry; cinnamon fern; chain fern (Woodwardia spp); and rushes (Juncus spp).

C. Pitch pine lowlands - Lowland areas dominated by pitch pine (Pinus Rigdia) and support one or more of the following species of trees and shrubs: red maple; black gum; grey birch; leather leaf; dangleberry; sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia); high bush blueberry; sweet pepper; and wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).

d. Marsh - Marshes are areas of coastal wetland subject to tidal inundation which are capable of supporting the following plant species: salt meadow grass (Spartina patens); spiked grass (Oistichlis spicata); black grass (Juncus gerardi); salt marsh grass (S. alterniflora); saltworts (Salicornia europaea and S. bigelovii); sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum); salt marsh bullrushes (Scirpus robustus and S. paludosus var. atlanticus); fan Sperry (Sperguliria marina); switch grass (Panicurn virgatum); tall cord grass (Spartina pectinata); 21

Marsh (Cont’d.) high tide bush (Iva frutescens var. oraria); cat tails (Typha angustifolia and T. latifolia); spike rush (Elocharis rostellata); chairmakers rush (Scirpus americanus); beds grass (Argostis palustris); sweet grass (Hierocholoeo odorata); wild rice (Zizania aquatica); alneys three square (Scirpus olneyi); marsh-mallow (Hibiscus palustris); salt reed grass (Spartina cynosuroides); common reed grass (Phragmites communis); pickeral grass (Pontederia cordata); arrow heads (Sagittaria spp); spatter docks (Nuphar variegatum); red maple; and Atlantic white cedar.

e. Inland marsh - Inland marshes are areas which are dominated by hyrophidic grasses and sedges (Gramineae spp. and Carex spp.) and which include one or more of the following plants: pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata); arrow arum (Peltandra virginica); cat tails and rushes.

f. Bogs - Bogs are wetland areas dominated by hydrophydic shrubbery vegetation, including: cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon); leather leaf; sheep laurel; high bush blueberry; swamp azalea; sweet pepper bush; dangleberry or stagger bush (Lyonia mariana). Herbaceous plants such as sphagnum moss, pitcher plants, sun dew and sedges are also found in bogs.

3. Developed Land - Areas that have been subject to disturbance or alteration by human.

4. Agricultural Land - In Hamilton Township this consists of areas that are currently in active agriculture use or have been in active agriculture use up until recently. Agricultural uses include the growing and harvesting of blueberries and cranberries, orchards, vineyards and vegetable farming.

5. Non-forest Areas - These areas have been identified as non-forest areas on the map prepared by the Pinelands Commission. A cross reference with the soils map for Hamilton Township shows that most of the non- forest areas are identified as borrow pits.

6. Untyped Areas - On the vegetation map prepared by the Pinelands Commission, the areas identified as untyped are areas for which the Commission has insufficient data regarding the dominant vegetative species on the site. 22

Methodoloav

The vegetation inventory of Hamilton Township is based on an analysis of a composite vegetation map of Hamilton Township consisting of the Vegetation maps prepared by the Pinelands Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Maps. The analysis was carried out in the following manner:

I. The vegetation map was color coded pursuant to the vegetation groupings defined above so that clear vegetation groupings could be distinguished in conjunction with specific districts within the Township.

2. The Pinelands management areas were superimposed onto the vegetation map to identify yet another relationship.

3. The area of wetlands vegetation type defined above in each of the Pinelands management areas was calculated by using a compensating polar planimeter which through past experience is accurate to within 5%.

Based on the research methodology described above and a detailed analysis of the vegetation map of Hamilton Township (Map 4) the Planning Consultants have determined that just over one third of the area of Hamilton Township that is located within the Great Egg Harbor River watershed area consists of wetlands vegetation. As is shown on Table 5-NRI, entitled “Wetlands Vegetation Analysis by Pinelands Area in the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed”, approximately 27,426 acres or 37.7% of the 72,680 acres of the Township in the watershed consists of wetland vegetation associations.

An analysis of the individual Pinelands management areas show that the greatest concentrations of the wetlands vegetation (67% of all wetlands vegetation) are located in forest areas of the Township. The wetlands vegetation follows the drainage basin of the Great Egg Harbor River in a pattern which is similar to that of the wetlands soils discussed earlier in this report.

An overlay comparison of the wetlands soils and wetlands vegetation reveals areas where there are discrepancies between the two maps. These occur primarily in the vicinity along the Township’s boundary line with Mullica and Galloway Townships. A comparison of the total amount of wetlands soils and wetlands vegetation shows that the wetlands vegetation in the Township exceeds the wetlands soils by 1,900 acres or approximately 8%. This discrepancy can partially be attributed to the inclusion of Lake Lenape and Makepeace Lake in the wetlands vegetation analysis, but not the wetlands soils analysis. Combined, these two water bodies consist of approximately 700 acres, leaving 1,200 acres (1.6% of Hamilton Township’s land area) of excess wetlands vegetation unaccounted for. This discrepancy can be attributed to many factors, including errors in one or both of the maps, planimeter calculations, or the existence of wetlands vegetation in areas that are classified as uplands soils types. 23

When various vegetation groupings were compared with respective Pinelands Districts, it was demonstrated that 70% of the wetlands vegetation groupings were located in the Forest District, thus justifying the low density designation for these areas. Ninety-three percent of the agricultural land masses were located in the Rural Growth or Forest District, thus demonstrating further compatibility of Districts with existing vegetation characteristics. Of concern, however, is the location of wetland vegetation groupings in the Regional Growth Corridor where 51% of the Township’s development presently exists. Given the mandate that the Regional Growth Area absorbs the proposed development of the Township, it becomes apparent that the sensitive wetland vegetation groupings be appropriately protected in what is potentially a suburban setting. Thus, the delineation of sensitive vegetative groupings becomes an important tool in defining buildable versus non-buildable land, stipulating functional open space areas, and maintaining wildlife habitat.

C.

This section of the NRI is to inventory the wildlife species in Hamilton Township. The purpose of the inventory is to identify species and correlate known information with respect to the projected geographic location of habitat. This information will be utilized in the evaluation of development impact upon the various wildlife species identified herein.

Methodoloav

This report was prepared through the compilation of wildlife information presented in the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan and in the NJDEPE Office of Natural Lands Management Database search of endangered and threatened species in the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed area of Hamilton Township. Site specific information was not utilized. Accordingly, in specific cases, wildlife inventories may be required as part of the environmental impact assessment of a particular project.

Findings

Mammals

As shown on Table 6-NRI, the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan identifies 35 species of mammals which can be found in the Pinelands areas. Two native species such as the black bear and the bobcat have been eliminated from the Pinelands area. While most species are common to the Pinelands area, a few, such as the woodchuck and the short tail shrew, are rarely found. One species, the eastern coyote reaches the periphery of its range in the Pinelands corridor. 24

The Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan reports that 299 species and 3 sub- species of birds regularly occur within the Pinelands area. One hundred sixty-three of these species are known to breed in the pinelands area. Table 7-NRI lists the endangered and threatened bird species which have been identified in Atlantic County, and their habitats. As can be seen from this Table, within Hamilton Township can be found habitats suitable for five of the seven endangered species and twenty of the twenty-two threatened species. 25

TABLE 5 - NRI WETLANDS VEGETATION ANALYSIS BY PINELAND AREA IN THE GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED: HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ

WETLANDS PINELANDS MANAGEMENT AREA ACREAGE IN ACRES IN I Oh OF AREA

FOREST AREA I 39,771 1 18,471 1 46.4 AGRICULTURAL AREA 2,660 486 18.3

RURAL DEVELOPMENT AREA 14,061 4,049 28.8

REGIONAL GROWTH AREA 12,230’ 3,900 31.9

PINELANDS VILLAGE I 877 1 01 0

FEDERAL LAND I 01 Ol 0 CAFRA 1,075 520 48.4

TOTAL I 70,674 1 27,426 1 38.8

Source: New Jersey Pinelands Vegetation maps (Dorothy, Egg Harbor City, Mays Landing, Newtonville and Pleasantville Quads)

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory (Mays Landing Quad)

Compiled by: Peter P. Karabashian Associates, Inc.

1 Includes lands in the Regional Growth Area, Reserve Growth Area and the area designated as Pinelands Natioanl Reserve that is located outside of the New Jersey Pinelands Protection area. 26

TABLE 6 - NRI MAMMALS OF THE PINELANDS AND THEIR HABITATS

SPECIES

’ Potential habitats exist for these extirpated species. 27

TABLE 7 - NRI ENDANGERED AND THREATENED BIRD SPECIES IDENTIFIED IN ATLANTIC COUNTY AND THEIR HABITATS

Cistothorus platensis

3obolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus . . . .

Savannah sparrow Passerculus snadwichensis TABLE 7 - NRI (continued) 28

-phrwr t nfpi i 0 i P S o i a i 0 i e e ani wo ml I r n I r kenad a m t e e d b e m s r a u S b s e 1 Pw s r r t a a 0 a h s a e r W m h I d r ;

Black Rail Latterallus jamakensis . . .

.oggerhead shrike . . . . Lanius Ludovicianus migrans lellow crowned night heron

+ Listed as endangered by the U.S. Department of the Interior. 29 . . ReDtiles And AmDhlblans

In addition to mammals and birds, Hamilton Township contains habitats used by many species of reptiles and amphibians, which are collectively called herptiles. The Pinelands Commission has identified 59 species of herptiles which are found in the pinelands area. Twenty-nine of these species are considered to be common, while nine species (shown on Table 8-NRI) are classified as endangered or threatened. Seven species of herptiles are limited in their distribution in New Jersey to the pinelands area only.

Of these 59 species of herptiles recorded in the Pinelands area, 44 have been identified in Atlantic County including six of the nine threatened or endangered species as shown on Table 8-NRI. Table 8-NRI also notes that within Hamilton Township, two of the endangered, or threatened species, the northern Pine snake and the Pine Barrens tree frog have been identified many times.

The Great Egg Harbor watershed provides a necessary habitat for many herptile species. As is shown on Table 9-NRI, the Great Egg Harbor watershed provides habitat for 17 of the 31 species of herptiles which were intensely studied by the Pinelands Commission. Of these species, 15 were found along the lower Great Egg Harbor watershed and 16 were identified along the upper watershed (above Lake Lenape). With only three exceptions, most of the species identified have been recorded in both sections of this river. The exceptions are the ground skink (lower), and the marble and eastern tiger salamanders (upper).

Arthrooods

Arthropods, which include insects, spiders and mites, make up a minimum of 75 percent of all the plant and animal species found in the Pinelands. The distribution of the arthropods in the Pinelands area is dependent on suitable habitat, primarily food plants, and the pH of the Pinelands soils. Many arthropod species face extinction. The pinelands Commission has recommended that these receive threatened or endangered species status.

The Township’s vast uninhabitated areas provide critical habitat for many wildlife species. Most of the animal, reptile and amphibious animal populations reported in the Pinelands may also be found in Hamilton Township. Accordingly, the developmental regulations of the Township should include provisions to encourage preservation of the existing habitat to the maximum extent practicable. The Township should also work with Federal and State wildlife management agencies, non-profit conservation organizations and local sportsmen in the acquisition of undeveloped land for habitat preservation purposes. 30

TABLE B-NRI

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF THE PINELANDS AND THEIR HABITATS IDENTIFIED IN ATLANTIC COUNTY AND HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

SPECIES

3 .

.

.

.

Eastern mud salamander Pseudotriton m. montanus .

Southern (Cope’s) gray treefrog . Hyla chrysoscelis .

. q 31

TABLE 9-NRI

SPECIES REPORTED FROM THE LOWER AND UPPER GREAT EGG HARBOR RIVER WATERSHED

Black Rat Snake Southern (Cope’s)

Sources: 1 Zappalorti (1980) 2 Conservation and Environmental Studies Center, Inc. (1980) Pinelands Commission 32

ENDANGERED AND THRFATENED SPECW

QBJECTIVE This section of the NRI has been prepared to identify known sites and the general location of sites or habitat used, frequented by, or important to rare, endangered and threatened species of plants and wildlife.

METHOD01 OGY The information presented in this section is based on data that is on file with the NJDEPE Office of New Jersey Heritage, which maintains a computerized database of known data. A copy of the ONJH report for the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed, including maps and lists of species identified in Hamilton Township, is enclosed as Appendix 2. The areas identified in the ONJH report are shown on Map 5, entitled “Endangered and Threatened Species Areas.”

FlNDlNGS Natural Heritage Priority Sites - These sites represent some of the most important sites in New Jersey for endangered and threatened plants, animals and ecosystems.

In Hamilton Township, there are two locations that have been identified as priority sites: the Laurel Street Pond and the Reega sandpits.

The Laurel Street Pond is described as an intermittent coastal plain pond in an upland pine-oak forest. This site contains” a good occurrence of a globally rare wetland natural community and good populations to two globally rare plant species.” The Laurel Street Pond is rated as having a high biodiversity significance.

The Reega sandpits are a series of abandoned sand pits in a pitch pine lowland that function like a vernal pond. This site is rated as being of very high biodiversity significance. This site is recorded as the largest known occurrence of a federally listed threatened plant species (Knieskern’s beaked rush).

Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species and Natural Communities - The ONJH report identifies that in the watershed area of Hamilton Township there have been 30 historic reports of 16 different animal and plant species and ecosystems considered to be rare, endangered or threatened. This list includes four species of vertebrates (Pine Barrens Treefrog, Pine Snake, Barred Owl and Southern Bog Lemming), nine species of vascular plants (including Parker’s Pipewort, New Jersey Rush, curly grass fern and fragrant ladies-tresses) and three ecosystems (brackish tidal marsh complex, vernal pond and freshwater tidal marsh complex).

In addition to the specific sightings in Hamilton Township, ONJH also identifies that in Atlantic County an additional 27 vertebrate species are known to occur or there is habitat suitable for the occurrence. 33

AIR NJAL~TY

E. Qbiective The objective of this section of the NRI is to determine how clean the air is in and around Hamilton Township.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy does not maintain an air quality monitoring station in Hamilton Township. For this reason, the data taken at five (5) nearby sites are used to assess the air quality of the Township. These monitoring stations are located at: Atlantic City (two different locations), Nacote Creek (in the Brigantine Wildlife Refuge), Somers Point, and the Ancora State Hospital. The pollutants monitored at these sites, respectively, are as follows:

Atlantic City (2100 Pacific Avenue) - Carbon Monoxide; Atlantic City (Missouri & Baltic Avenues) - Lead; Total Suspended Particulates: Trace Minerals; Benzo (a) pyrene; Sulfates and Nitrates; Nacote Creek - Sulfur Dioxide; Ozone; Somers Point - Sulfur Dioxide; Ancora State Hospital - Sulfur Dioxide; Carbon Monoxide; Ozone; Smoke Shade

The air quality data recorded at these sites, and presented in the 1990, 1991 and 1992 “Air Quality Report”(s) (published by NJDEPE), are used to evaluate the air quality of Hamilton Township.

As shown on Table lo-NRI, none of the monitoring stations exceeded the primary or secondary standards for sulphur dioxide on three hour average, twelve month average, twenty-four hour average, or daily average. For total suspended particulates as shown on Table 1 I-NRI, only one measurement (recorded in 1992) exceeded a published standard, the twenty-four hour secondary standard; this one exceedence did ~KX constitute a violation, as a minimum of two exceedences is required in order to be considered a violation. As shown on Tables 12-NRI and 13-NRI, there were no exceedences of the standards for either carbon monoxide or inhalable particulates.

In the measurements of ozone, however, substantial air quality violations are revealed. As indicated on Table 14-NRI, the daily maximum one-hour average was exceeded up to five times per year; the hourly maximum was exceeded at least 64 times per year over the three years studied. In 1991, the hourly maximum was exceeded approximately 300 times.

Table 15-NRI outlines the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) for Atlantic and Cape May Counties. The PSI serves as a daily air quality summary and forecast. Table 16-NRI is a listing of days on which the PSI, as measured near Hamilton Township, was unhealthful. A PSI of 100 or greater indicates that at least one pollutant has exceeded a primary ambient air quality standard; the higher the PSI, the greater the amount of pollutant. In each case, the pollutant exceeding a primary standard was ozone. 34

TABLE IO - NRI

SULPHUR DIOXIDE (in ppm), AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-1992

STATION 3-HR. MAX/#VIOL.

ANCORA

NACOTE CREEK

SOMERS POINT

STATION 24-HR.STD 24-HR. MAX/#VIOL

PRI SEC 1990 1991 1992

ANCORA .I4 .lO .022/o .020/o .030/o .I4 .017/o .019.0 .024/O

NACOTE CREEK .14 .I0 .017/O .017/O .023/O .I4 .013/o .014/o .019/o

SOMERS POINT .14 1 .049/o 1 .021/o 1 .031/o 35

TABLE 11 - NRI

TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES, AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-1992 (in ug/m3; measured @ A.C.)

SOURCE: NJDEPE ” 1990 AIR QUALITY REPORT” ” 1991 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1992 AIR QUALITY REPORT”

COMPILED BY: PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC.

* There were 12-month periods ending in 1990, with averages as high as 65.2 and therefore in violation of secondary (i.e., State) standards.

** The secondary (i.e., State) standard was exceeded once; a minimum of two exceedances is required in a twelve month period, in order to be considered a violation. 36

TABLE 12 - NRI

CARBON MONOXIDE (in ppm) AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-1992

SOURCE: NJDEPE ” 1990 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1991 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1992 AIR QUALITY REPORT”

COMPILED BY: PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. 37

TABLE 13 - NRI

INHALABLE PARTICULATES, AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-I 992 (in ug/m3; measured # A.C.)

SOURCE: NJDEPE “1990 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1991 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1992 AIR QUALITY REPORT”

COMPILED BY: PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. 38

TABLE 14 - NRI

OZONE (in ppm), AS MEASURED NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-I 992

HIGHEST DAILY MAX I-HR. AVE I-HR MAX/ # HRS.

STATION

ANCORA

NACOTE CREEK

SOURCE: NJDEPE ” 1990 AIR QUALITY REPORT” ” 1991 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1992 AIR QUALITY REPORT”

COMPILED BY: PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC.

* VIOLATIONS OF N.J. AND NATIONAL STANDARDS

** VIOLATIONS OF NATIONAL STANDARDS

a VIOLATIONS OF NJ STANDARDS 39

TABLE 15 - NRI

NJ POLLUTANT STANDARDS INDEX (PSI) SOUTHERN COASTAL REGION (ATLANTIC, CAPE MAY COUNTIES), 1990-l 992

AVAILABLE

SOURCE: NJDEPE ” 1990 AIR QUALITY REPORT” ” 1991 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1992 AIR QUALITY REPORT”

COMPILED BY: PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. 40

TABLE 16 - NRI

RECORD OF DAYS WHEN PSI EXCEEDED HEALTH STANDARD AT LOCATIONS NEAR HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, 1990-l 992

It DATE PSI*

UNHEALTHFUL

UNHEALTHFUL 1 OZONE I ANCORA II UNHEALTHFUL 1 OZONE NACOTE CREEK 11

UNHEALTHFUL 1 OZONE NACOTE CREEK 11

6/l 7/91 140 UNHEALTHFUL 1 OZONE NACOTE CREEK i

6/20/g 1 131

6/21/91 123

5123192 146

5124192 160 UNHEALTHFUL I OZONE NACOTE CREEK 11

SOURCE: NJDEPE “1990 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1991 AIR QUALITY REPORT” “1992 AIR QUALITY REPORT”

COMPILED BY: PETER P. KARABASHIAN ASSOCIATES, INC.

* THE HIGHEST PSI VALUE, RATING, POLLUTANT AND LOCATION ARE SHOWN FOR THE PARTICULAR DAY. 41

Recommendations Although the existing air quality in and around Hamilton Township generally meets State standards, ongoing development within the Township’s Growth Area, as well as increased traffic demands on the regional highway system, mandates that specific air quality monitoring stations be established at designated “hot spots” to provide localized base information for use in obtaining funding for highway improvements and alternate forms of transportation.

F. Water Qu,z&y

Obiective This section of the Natural Resource Inventory has been prepared to provide information concerning the quality of both the surface and ground water in Hamilton Township.

Findinas I. Surface Water

Two waterways which are important in the Atlantic County area flow through Hamilton Township. The larger waterway is the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries; Deep Run, Mare Run, Watering Race Branch, Makepeace Stream, South River, Babcock Creek, Gravely Run, and Miry Run; form the major drainage basin within the Township. The other waterway located in Hamilton Township is the South Branch of the Absecon Creek, the LA headwaters of which are located near the intersection of the Atlantic City Expressway and Wrangleboro Road. Although the Absecon Creek only has a very small drainage area within Hamilton Township and a very small total drainage area, this waterway has been impounded into two reservoirs which serve as a source of water for Atlantic City.

The Great Egg Harbor River has been dammed at Mays Landing, forming Lake Lenape and dividing the river into its upper and lower portions. As a result of this impoundment, the upper portion of the river is not subject to tidal influence and salt water intrusion as is the lower portion of the river.

Of the entire 304~square-mile Great Egg Harbor River drainage arear*, it was estimated in 1980 that approximately 67% of the land was forested, 22% agricultural and 11% used for suburban development3. It is this relative lack of development along the Great Egg Harbor River which resulted in the waterway being designated in the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan as a special scenic corridor. As a result of these conditions, a total of 129 miles of the Great Egg Harbor River system was found by the National Park Service as being eligible for inclusion in the Wild and Scenic River system. In Hamilton Township the River is designated as a recreational river.

2 Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan

3 T. Lloyd Associates 42

The portions of the Great Egg Harbor River located within the Pinelands National Reserve have been designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency as Outstanding National Resource Waters that are to be protected from any change in water quality. To protect water quality, the Pinelands Commission has adopted development regulations that prohibit the construction or expansion of facilities that discharge directly into surface waters. In compliance with this requirement, the HTMUA ceased operation of the sewage treatment plant, located on Babcock Creek, and now pumps all municipal sewage to the Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s City Island sewage treatment plant via the Coastal Interceptor Pipeline.

Monitoring of the water quality on the main river is conducted by the USGS, which has a monitoring station located upstream from the Township in Folsom and a monitoring station in the Weymouth section of the Township.

The Pinelands Commission, in conjunction with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, monitors the tributaries of the river at the following locations within the Township: * Makepeace Stream at the Makepeace Lake Dam * Deep Run at Weymouth Road (C.R. 559) * Cedar Brook at the Harding Lakes outlet * Watering Race Branch at Route 50 * Babcock Creek at Route 322 * Gravelly Run at Ocean Heights Avenue

The records of both the USGS and Pinelands monitoring programs have been reviewed in detail. This review has found that the stream and river quality meets all appropriate water quality standards adopted by the Pinelands Commission and NJDEPE.

In August of 1990, the Pinelands Commission issued a report entitled “AN ASSESSMENT OF THE HYDROLOGIC IMPACT RESULTING FROM DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGIONAL GROWTH AREAS IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, ATLANTIC COUNTY”. This report which was issued prior to the construction of the Coastal Interceptor sewer line studied the potential hydrological effects of ground water supply development on several stream basins in the Township. This study found that the combination of wastewater export (estimated at 5.825 mgd) and use of the Kirkwood/Cohansey Aquifers for water supply will deplete stream flows in the study basins (Babcock Creek, Gravelly Run, Cedar Brook Miry Run and the Great Egg harbor River). The study recommended for further evaluation three alternate sources of water that may have less impact on stream flows than indicated in the study. The alternates are:

1. The Atlantic City BOO ft. sand aquifer; 2. Supply wells in hydrologic connection with the Great Egg Harbor River or Lake Lenape; 3. The surface waters of the Great Egg Harbor River or Lake Lenape; 4. Ground Water. 43

II. Groundwater

As was explained in the geology report of this Natural Resource Inventory, the primary sources of ground water in Hamilton Township are the Cohansey and Kirkwood Aquifers. Of these two aquifers, the most widely used is the Cohansey since it occurs at or relatively near the edge of the surface and does overlay the Kirkwood formation.

The Cohansey is a water table aquifer and has at least three natural and environmental considerations for water supply: (a) The Cohansey ground water provides all the base flow for Hamilton Township and Atlantic County’s streams and rivers and is vital in the maintenance of the productivity of the local estuaries. lb) The high water table found throughout most of the Cohansey is a necessary environmental condition for certain unique and valuable vegetation of the Pine Barrens. (cl The Cohansey aquifer has a high rate of permeability and no buffering capability which makes the water supply vulnerable to contamination from human activities such as waste disposal and on-site sewerage disposal.

The Kirkwood Aquifer, which lies below the Cohansey, occurs in Hamilton Township approximately 400 to 1,000 feet below the surface. Because the Kirkwood is not a surface aquifer, it is not subject to the same development considerations as the Cohansey. Potentially the Kirkwood Aquifer could also be a valuable source of water supply for Hamilton Township.

In Hamilton Township potable ground water is supplied by two sources: the Hamilton Township Municipal Utilities Authority water distribution system, or private wells.

The Hamilton Township MUA water system serves the Mays Landing area, the Regional Growth Area designated by the NJ Pinelands Commission, and the Belcoville section of Weymouth Township.

The MUA water supply system consists of 4 wells -- 3 primary wells (#Is 5,6 and 8)and 1 standby well (#7). Combined, the active wells have a peak flow of 3100 gallons per minute (gpm) or 4.5 million gallons per day (mgpd). The existing standby well, which may be abandoned by the MUA in the future has a capacity of 100 gpm or 0..144 mgpd. Well 5 draws water from the boundary of Kirkwood and Cohansey aquifers, well #6 draws from the Kirkwood aquifer and well 8 from the Cohansey aquifer. The MUA is proposing the development of a new well to replace well #7. A test well is being drilled at the proposed well site located near Cates Road adjacent to Egg Harbor Township.

The quality of the ground water found in Hamilton Township generally meets Board of Health standards for potability. The Atlantic County Board of Health reports that a few wells do not meet the County’s standards for potability; however, there is generally a high iron content which in most cases can be treated through a filtration system. 44

To identify those areas within the Great Egg Harbor River basin that reflect recreational and scenic qualities that are of importance to residents of Hamilton Township and the surrounding region.

Methodoloav

Review of existing documentation consisting of: the Hamilton Township Great Egg Harbor River Management Plan (Karabashian Assoc., t993); the Great Egg Harbor River Wild and Scenic River Study (National Park Service, 1991); Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (NJ Pinelands Commission, amended thru 1992); and the Hamilton Township Historic Areas Zoning Map (1984)

Findinas

Under the provisions of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP),all paved public roads in the Forest and Rural Development Areas are considered to be scenic corridors and that portion of the Great Egg Harbor River that flows through the Township is classified as a special scenic corridor (NJAC 7:50-6.103). Pinelands regulations require all new development to be set back at least 200 ft. from the centerline of a scenic corridor and for all structures within 1,000 ft. of the centerline of a special scenic corridor to be designed to avoid adverse visual impacts as viewed from the river. The purpose of the CMP scenic corridor program is to ensure that development will take advantage of and enhance the complex of environmental values that is the definable visual character of the Pinelands. The Local River Management Plan recently prepared for Hamilton Township recommends that the special scenic corridor classification be expanded to include all tributaries of the Great Egg Harbor River that flow through the Township. This plan, which was prepared for the Environmental Commission, has been forwarded to the Planning Board for adoption and recommendation of zoning amendments to the Township Committee.

The “Great Egg Harbor River Wild and Scenic River Study” prepared by the National Park Service (NPS), designated eligible segments of the Great Egg Harbor River system in Hamilton Township as a Recreational River Area. The NPS classification of a recreational river is:

“Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that have some development along their shores, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past.”

The eligible segments of the river system include: the mainstream of the Great Egg Harbor River, excluding Lake Lenape; South River: Mare Run; Deep Run; Makepeace Stream below Makepeace Lake; the mainstream of Babcock Creek (this excludes Watering Race Branch, Man Killer Branch and Jack Pudding Branch); Gravelly Run below the former railroad bed; and Miry Run below Ocean Heights Avenue.

As reported in the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan (New Jersey Pinelands Commission 1980); 45

“Some of the region’s most often mentioned scenic qualities are associated with the presence of water. The many rivers and streams which meander through the pines are sources of aesthetic and recreational enjoyment.”

These findings by the Pinelands Commission are an affirmation of the inclusion of the Great Egg Harbor River as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. Of the entire Great Egg Harbor River system in the Township, probably the area of greatest importance from both a scenic and a recreational perspective, is the entirety of the main branch of the river (including Lake Lenape). This is based on the accessibility, both direct and visually, of the main river and Lake Lenape, which is available to the general public. Direct accessibility is provided through the Atlantic County Park System (Weymouth Furnace, Lake Lenape and Gaskill Park), Hamilton Township (the cove on Lake Lenape) and private entity (Lenape Amusement Park) which afford the public a variety of contact recreation options (e.g., canoeing, swimming, boat launch/docking facilities, etc.).

Summary

There are numerous scenic and recreational resources in the Great Egg harbor River Watershed areas of Hamilton Township. Perhaps the most prominent of these resources is the Great Egg Harbor River and Lake Lenape, which provide many opportunities for direct and visual access, thus enhancing the scenic and recreational qualities. APPENDIX I

SOIL MAP USE APPENDIX I SOILS MAP USE

Identify soil symbol for parcel Of land from soils map. Refer to Table I to identify soil type (be careful not to confuse counties).

Once soil type is identified refer to Table II for soil properties.

Soil properties listed are:

A. Soil Drainage Class - relative soil drainage classes are described based on classes of runoff; permeability and internal soil drainage as follows: i. Verv Poorlv Drained (VPD Water table remains at or near the surface a greater part of the time. ii. Poorlv Drained (PD) - Soil remains wet much of the time with the water table seasonally near the surface for prolonged intervals. . . . III. Somewhat Poorlv Drained (SPD) - Soil is wet for significant periods, but not all the time, usually because of slowly permeable layer or high water table. iv. Iv Well Drained (MWD) - Soil profile is wet for a small but significant part of the time, usually because of a slowly permeable layer within or beneath the solum, a relatively high or intermittently high water table, surface additions of water by runoff from areas upslope or a combination of these conditions. V. Well Drained (WD) - Water is removed from the surface readily but not rapidly. vi. Somewhat Fxcessivelv Drained (SED) - Water is removed from these soils rapidly. vii. bcessivelv Drained (ED) - Water is removed from these soils very rapidly.

B. Hvdroloaic Soils Grouo 5, Grouping of soil according to their runoff-producing characteristics as follows:

C. Permeability: A measure of the rate at which soil transmits water while saturated: Very Slow less then 0.06 inches per hour Slow 0.06 - 0.2 Moderately Slow 0.2 - 0.6 Moderate 0.6 - 2.0 Moderately Rapid 2.0 - 6.0 Rapid 6.0 - 20.0 Very Rapid More than 20.0

D. Death to Seasonal Hiah Water Table; The level to which ground water seasonally rises in most years. 48 . . . E. Seotic Tank Llmwons ; Those soils factors which restrict the use of conventional septic tanks with soil absorption leach fields. These are: Class I - Most restricted; occasional to frequent flooding frequency Class 2 - Wet soil conditions; seasonal High water table less than 5 feet and drainage classes; very poorly, somewhat poorly and poorly drained. Class 3 - Excessive drainage-; permeabilities greater than 6 inches per hour and drainage classes excessively and somewhat excessively drained. Class 4 - Moderate drainage; permeabilities greater than 2 but less than 6 inches per hour. Class 5 - Modified soil; soil conditions are variable and undeterminable. Requires on-site investigation. Class 6 - Least restricted; soils which do not fall in classes i-5 and which have permeabilities greater than 0.2 and less than 2 inches per hour.

F. Aaricultural Soils P = Prime Agricultural Soils S = Soils of Statewide Importance U = Unique Agricultural Soils N = Non-Classified

G. Soil oH - unlimed conditions

NOTE: V&U symbol is used when the soil is modified and does not accurately reflect the characteristics of the original soil. In all cases on site investigation is necessary to determine soils characteristics. APPENDIX 2

OFFICE OF NEW JERSEY HERITAGE REPORT L : -, -

StateofNewJersey DepartmentofEnvironmentalPro~tionandEnergy Division of Parks and Forestry Office of Natural Lands Management CN 401 Trenton New Jersey 085254?402 Scott A. Weiner (609) 9E-G1339 Thomas F. Hampton Commissioner FAX (6!B) g&1-1427 Administmt0r

April 16, 1993

Philip C. Sartorio Peter P. Karabashian Associates, -Inc. 27 Gordon's Alley Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Re: Great Egg Harbor River Study Area (PPK +5211.00)

Dear Mr. Sartorio:

Thank you for your data request regarding rare species information for Hamilton Township, Atlantic County.

Enclosed is a list of rare species and natural communities which may be present on, or in the immediate vicinity of the study area. Additionally, enclosed is a list of rare vertebrates of Atlantic County together with a description of their habitats. If suitable habitat is present within the study area, these species would have potential to be present. If you have questions concerning the wildlife records or wildlife species mentioned in this response, we recommend .you contact the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

The Natural Heritage Program reviews its data periodically to identify priority sites for natural diversity in the State. Included as priority sites are some of the State's best habitats for rare and endangered species and natural communities. Although none of these sites are located within the study area, two sites are just outside the river corridor boundary. Please refer to the enclosed Priority Site Map of the Mays Landing USGS quadrangle for the locations and boundaries of these sites. Also attached are reports describing the significance of each Priority Site, and the rare species and natural community documented from within the site. You may find the site biodiversity significance ' rating to be useful if you need to prioritize between the sites in your environmental assessment.

In order to red flag the general locations of documented occurrences of rare and endangered species and natural communities, we have prepared computer generated Natural Heritage Indes Maps. Enclosed please find these maps for the Dorothy, Egg Harbor City, Mays Landing, Newtonville, and Pleasantville USGS quadrangles. If individual projects are to be located in the shaded areas of these maps, the Natural Heritage Program can be contacted for additional information. ;/ -\’ ’ ‘? , I + .: ,’

PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED 'CAUTIONS AND PJSTRICTIONS ON NHP DATA'.

Thank YOU for consulting the Natural Heritage Program. The attached invoice details the payment due for processing this data request. Feel free to contac; us again regarding any future data requests.

Sincerely, .

Thomas F. Breden Coordinator\Ecologist Natural,Heritage Program

cc: Lawrence Niles Thomas Hampton NHP File No. 93-NJATLA 1 .

I- N I nnngr?mant nf Environmental Protection . Division of Parks & Forestrv I .- ‘. -- _ _, . ...: _ _ :. _.., .. _ ...... ,_ :_.__ __... _ _. : _ .- _-__ NATURAL.HERlTAGE...... _ ._.- r..-. _.. '." ." -.'. . _...... :. .I PRIORITY SITE MAPS . .._-.-. ..-.. . - _-;,...,.-.__ -. -. _' _ .- . . - _ :_ . . . . '-. . ._.. ..-- _-._ - _ _ . .- .: _ .' _- :---.. . . -_. . : - . . ". . . _ ___. .:..:._ . .- -.:..:-... __-I -. -_ __ _..-._I'_-.__ _-. :---- _". : : , . : _ ._ '- ... .-. .- :.::::.- -..:. _:__ .: .._ -,:...... : : . . : - .... ,Th& .Pritirity.Site Maps .:ihen'Lify-.bo&daries ..of..some i.of the most . _ . ; important sites in the -State" for..:.@ndangered .and, -threatened _ . .-. _ plants, animals and.ecoqktems. .::These maps.do not.contain all-of, .__..z ..____ -* : .: ___.: : -...:;the~','i.mpo,+ant L - -zreas : in~-3&e prostate--~for.'-~:endangered-:-;-biological- ': - ..L..:...... ~-.~.~ div&-sity~. .Y ,They‘...bnly::'dep'ic=.-~e'.boui;darie's..- of- :'priority.' sit%.-: -_ .. . ,. -_ _- ..-:. ..A.'-:..:- - -- .-which "have ..been .t'delineated :.-by :-the Y' Office : pf Natural Lands - .. . .- _-.- --I- c -to:'date:-(,~~'These'-ueas khould.be'coxkidered to .be:top- 5 . . 'ManagemenL ._ ._ -...' priorities-Ifor, the :I-preservation";of "bi'ological-.diversity. If .. . ~ - .' .- .:- -'-"'these areas-.are allowed to 'be.degraded or'destroyed; we may-lose -.-.--i..-e .-..L..--....:-.,-some -_. .of --the .most unique ;,Fomponents .of..our. naturallheritage. ._ _- 1..- . . .-:.:.. .: .- .. _ a_. -. .- . . _ . . .' _ ,.,_ ., : _ _:-._ .- _ : . _ : _-... :--.1. -2 .- -- ._.- ._ -- .__. _ . .-‘--.‘:I. T 1--':t '~-.:e:...:T . _.._._ ~.- _ :. ..-_ _- I .-. '_ ..; .:..:y--=. -~~::..-L:; ___i___ _ _-_--._ :. - I : 1: -. - _ _. ---1: .._ _._.. z- __.__.._i _.. __ __-_ --.-- -r;;t:ey.=_ . . :-~z~~~,‘- - _ . . ;=;. ..--.-- ._ _ ,_. 2: ; '- -:-. _. .:'e:; r. t .,:.-.-- -‘ . . ..-. . ----.:::-Te-- __ T ------y-(...-.- -:-- : --77-.:=._. ---:::y<-::-~L. __,_._ ,_ __.._. _-.. ..- :'.., __ _ -- .__,: ---..,. -,.. .:-.. . . . -' . _ - _* -_.. .._- _ ._._-_ -.. : .. ‘,. _.. . _. . .: . ._-______.._ 1 _- : _ ,..___.. . ._.-.. -:: .: ; . ., ._ _ - _ .- .-. -. - . 1. . . ._ . - _ . ._ - .-. _ .--. . .- . ...--- '. -. - . -,.,_-_ L.L.1. ___.::.* . ..___ - .- . . .." m-7._ -.---y ___...... 2. ---?--7Ym----. . -- ._. , -L-.-____ -.--:. _:. _-. -- _: ., .;: r.----- I _: .-- . . . .__ I:. ____ . __ __._- ___~_. ._.. ..-. _... . _ -;---.,. _. -.---.- _-._.. .--- -_...-._ - - -. ___ -- -- .__ . ._. __-_ -. _ __.._._ _ __..- .i.,. .._._ __:._.__. .._ -.______I. . _. _ __. I...:....,_ 7 __- . ._: . . : _ ._.. : . . _ r .-- ____ _'-" -.. ._ . . . - .:. - 1._-.;. -. :- __,_ _' "z;:-. _ _. .j _ _ ._ __. . _ _ . -*. .:.,. ::, : :-.. - _ - _. : _.__. - ,. .. -_- : ., '_ . . : - .:- _i . . -._.. . . - :. __ .'- . ._ . .. .a -2 __.._. >‘ ..- -.. -- . .._..-_ - _ . . . .. -._---__ . _. .*_..__._.' _._ . ._.. .._._.-. . . , - -. -. -. . ---*- _.F_ : -_. _ ...... Y_. -- _ ___ . . . _ . - r-' ..- - .- -.

N.J. Depafiment of Environmental Protecticn l Division of Farks 8, Fxestry STANDARD SITE EOUNDARY LINE (sites smaller than 3,200 acres)

HACROSITE BOUNDAiY LINE (sites larger than 3,,200 acres)

SITE LOCATOR JOT :

LOCATOR DOT FOR SITES SMALLER THAN DOT

. I-L-.“-- -I- -.--w--L- I- L--m.----- . I -,-. t-.--,.w i- - . - - - - - .- -4- m----m.,,- I . . - C- I”*--- i',, ----.---- C-I”” ---t---w -.--I~ -I-.- Y ------I.--- =c9 -----.---..-.-. -_-c---.------.-..- -- NATURAL HERITAGE PRlORlTY SITES CUADRAfdGLE PAP KEY

SITE LOCATOR SITECCOE SITEHAHE HUHBER

tUADltAME*** HAYS LANDING ’ 0I S.USHJR21'119 BILL HENRY POND

02 S.USHJHPl*320 LAUREL STREET POND

03 S.USHJHPl'456 REEW

.*_:. .-- 16 APR 1993

Site Report LAUREL STREET POtiD P- Identifiers: SITECODE: S.USNJH?t * 320 SITENAME: LAUREL STREET POND

Location: COUNTYW'E: WADNAME: Atlantic MAYS LANDING

MUNICIPALITY: HAMILTOH SUP.

Site Descriotion/Desion: DESCRIPTIOH: An intermittent coastal plain pond in an upland pine-oak forest.

BWNDARY JUSTIFICATION: Bounds drawn to include pond and rare plant habitat and to contain a buffer of undeveloped land up.to the road that drains towards the pond.

Site Significance: BICOIVERSITY SIGNIFICANCE: 83 m CWMENTS: The site contains a good occurrence of a globally rare uetland natural tomunity, amI good \ populations of tuo globally rare plant species.

Swcies and Natural Cmities on Site:

HAHE COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGION. CRANK: SRAHK: DATE OBSERVED STATUS: STATUS: STATUS:

COASTAL PLAIN INTERMITTENT POND VERNAL POND G3? S2S3 1985-08-30 COREOPSIS ROSEA PINK TICKSEED LP G3 s2 1985-08-30 MUHLENBERGIA TORREYANA PINE BARREN SMOKE GRASS 3C LP G3 s3 1985-08-30 Site Report REEGA

Identifiers: SITECODE: S.lJSNJHPl * 456 SITENAME: REEGk

Location: CWNTYHAME: QUADWE: Atlantic MAYS LANDING

MUHICIPALITY: HAMILTON TWP.

Site Descriotion/Design: DESCRIPTIOH: Series of abandoned sand pits in pitch pine lowland. Pits function like a vernal Ford.

BWNDARY JUSTIFICATION: Boundaries include known extent of rare ptant species and adequate buffer.

Site Significance: BIOOIVERSITY SIGNIFICANCE: 82

CCWENTS: Largest known occurrence of a federally listed threatened plant.

Swcies and Natural Ccxmmities on Site: P

NAME COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGION. CRANK: SRANK: DATE OBSERVED STATUS: STATUS: STATUS:

CALAMOVILFA BREVIPILIS PINE BARREH REEDGRASS 3c LP G3' 53 1985-09-02 CAREX BARRATTII BARRATT'S SEDGE 3C LP G3 s3 1985-05-04 EUPATORIUH RESINOSUH PINE BARREN BONESET c2 E LP G2 s2 1985-08-22 RHYNCHOSPORA KNIESKERNII KNIESKERN'S BEAKED RUSH 11 E LP Gl Sl 1985-09-02 RHYNCHOSPORA KNIESKERNII KNIESKERN'S BEAKED RUSH LT E 'LP El Sl 1988-10-13 RHYNCHOSPORA HICROCEPHALA SMALL-HEADED BEAKED RUSH E G? 57 1985-??-?? RHYNCHOSPORA HICROCEPHALA SMALL-HEADED BEAKED RUSH E G? Sl 1985-??-?? RHYNCHOSPORA PALLIDA PALE BEAK RUSH G3? s3 1984-10-22 BIODIVERSI’T-Y SIGNIFICANCE 91/01/15

A rating that describes the significance of the site in terms of its biological diversity.

Bl - Outstanding significance, generally of a “last of the least” type, such as only known occurrence .’ of any element (species or natural community), the best or an excellent (A-ranked) occurrence of a Gl element, or a concentration (4+) of high-ranked (A or B ranked) occurrences of Gl or G2 elements. Site should be viable and defensible for elements and ecological processes contained.

B2 - Very high significance, such as the most outstanding occurrence of any community element (regardless of its element rank). Also includes areas containing any other (B, C, D ranked) occurrence of a Gl element, a good (A or B ranked) occurrence of a G2 element, an excellent (A ranked) occurrence of a G3 element, or a concentration (4+) of B ranked G3 or C ranked G2 elements.

BS - High significance, such as any other (C or D ranked) occurrence of a G2 element, a B ranked occurrence of a G3 element, an A ranked occurrence of any community, or a concentration (4-F) of A or . B ranked occurrences of (G4 or G5) Sl elements. -. \ B4 - Moderate significance, such as a C-ranked occurrence of a G3 element, a B ranked occurrence of any community, an A or B ranked or only state (but at least C ranked) occurrence of a (G4 or G5) Sl element an A ranked occurrence of an S2 element, or a concentration (4+) of good @ ranked) S2 or excellent (A ranked) S3 elements.

B5 - Of general biodiversity interest or open space. ._ -2 . .

AI’R 1973 ON OR IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF PROJECT SITE RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMHUNlTlES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE

HE COMMON NAME FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL CRANK SRANK DATE OBSERVED IDENT. STATUS STATUS STATUS

* Vertebrates LA ANDERSON11 PINE BARRENS TREEFROG 3c E G4 s3 1981-06-06 Y t A AHDERSOHI l PINE BARRENS TREEFROG 3c E G4 s3 1979-09-02 Y LA AIIDERSOHI l PINE BARRENS TREEFROG 3c E G4 s3 1975-07-10 Y LA ARDERSOHI I PINE BARRENS TREEFROG 3c E G4 s3 1980-06-14 Y LA ANDERSON1 l PINE BARRENS TREEFRdG 3c E G4 ’ s3 1975-??-17 Y 1 A AMDERSOHI I PINE BARRENS TREEFROG 3c E G4 s3 1903-05-25 Y LA ANDERSONI I PINE BARRENS TREEFROG 3c E G4 s3 1983-05-25 Y TllOPHl S HELANOLEUCUS PINE SNAKE T G5 53 1975-SUMMR Y TIJOPHI S HELANOLEUCUS PINE SNAKE T G5 53 1979-08-29 Y RIX VARIA BARRED OUL T/T G5 53 1990-01-31 Y RIX VARIA BARRED OWL T/T G5 53 1991-05-27 Y lWAPTDMYS COOPERI SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING U G5 s2 1893-05-29 Y

‘* Ecosystems lACKlSH TIDAL MARSH COHPLEX BRACKISH TIDAL MARSH COMPLEX G4 S2? 1’973-07-25 IASTAL PLAIN INTERMITTENT VERNAL POND G37 S2S3 1985-08-22 Y IND RESIWATER TIDAL MARSH COHPLEX FREdWATER TIDAL MARSH COMPLEX G47 s37 1971-10-17 7 2ESllWATER TIDAL MARSH COMPLEX FRESHWATER TIDAL MARSH COMPLEX G4? S3? 1977-77-77 7

‘* Vascular plants 4HLX EAWRATTI I BARRATT’S SEDGE 3c LP G3 s3 1905.06-07 Y RREX BARRATTII BARRATT’S SEDGE 3c LP G3 s3 1985-06-07 Y RIOCAULON PARKER1 PARKER’S PIPEWORT 3c G3 s2 1971-10-14 Y RIOCAULON PARKERI PARKER’S PIPEUORT 3c G3 s2 1971-10-14 Y 7 lOCAll 011 PARKER I PARKER’S PIPEUORT 3c ‘G3 s2’ 1971-10-14 Y JPATORIUH RESINOSUM PINE BARREN BONESET c2 E LP G2 s2 1922-00-04 Y 4PH 1933 ON OR IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF PROJECT SITE RARE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES PRESENTLY RECORDED IN THE NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE DATABASE

.

t COHMON NAHE FEDERAL STATE REGIONAL GRANK SRANK DATE OBSERVED IDENT. STATUS STATUS STATUS

,ATORIUH RESIMOSUH PINE BARREN BONESET c2 E LP - G2 s2 fa93-08-20 ICIJS CAESARIEMSIS NEW JERSEY RUSH c2 E LP G2 s2 1909-07-15 ILEHEERCIA CAPILLARIS LONG-AUNED SMOKE GRASS E G5 Sl .1897-09-03 'HCHOSPORA WlCROCEPHALA SMALL-HEADED BEAKED RUSH E G? Sl 1922-08-26 fHCHOSPORA PALLIDA PALE BEAK RUSH G3? s3 1916-08-14 fHCHOSPORA PALLIDA PALE BEAK RUSH G3? 53 1960-08-10 IIZAEA PUSILLA CURLY GRASS FERN 3c LP G3 S3 1909-07-15 IKAIITHES ODORATA FRAGRANT LADIES’-TRESSES G-3 s2 1912-09-12

Records Processed 2

NATURAL HERITAGE INDEX MAPS

The Natural Heritage Database contains several thousand records of individual occurrences of endangered and threatened species and ecosystems. Many of these occurrences either have not been documented in recent years or have not had habitat boundaries delineated. Because much work remains to be done to delineate habitat boundaries and determine current status for these o&ur- rences, Natural Meritage Index Maps were devised to red flag general areas in which the occurrences are located. The index maps are meant to be used as a tool to point to areas which may be of significance for endangered biological diversity. These (*L maps do.not depict all endangered species.habitat in the State, but merely general areas which contain documented occurrences. Many additional areas may contain unidentified or poorly documented occurrences. The maps have been produced using a computer generated grid which shades a grid cell approximately 330 acres in size if .an endangered or threatened species or ecosystem has been documented anywhere within the cell. To use these mans, we suggest that you first find the location to be checked bn the Fad may and then refer to the same grid location of the Natural Heritage Index Maps. The Natural Heritage Program can be contacted for additional information as qecific projects are planned.

1 NJ. Degartmeti of Envionmentd Protection . Diviqinn nf Parke Q cnr,,+,. .

DOCUMENTED LOCATION DOCUMENT ED LOCATIO~I KNOWN PRE’kISELY tiNOYIN WITHIN 1.5MI.

i G H - F ------I

1

.

6

8 .,‘.’ ,_ - L-e----‘----- ;- ‘, -.------I.- / -- ,Y.L-- %...._ ..----a--- --b .w, - - -- ,“- -- .._.I ,. 1

---.e-.-. ‘i ..--. ,....--. -*...- --C.*---- .,_-. a.--- .-_,r..-m-U.-+-.I- . mm. ------..-.r- .L DOCUMENTED LOCATION DOCUMENTED LOCATIO~I

KNOWN PRECISELY )(NO’t’It~ WITHIt 1.5MI.

6

8

MAY 19SS

UPDATED SELIIANNUALL~ _I ,_, ““7EC JTITL:

LI - I-.-&“lY k --“VU ‘. --a..------0 . . /i’+ L---e------

D O CUMENTED LOCATION DOCUMENTED LOCATION y,NOWN PRECISCLY KNOWN Y,‘ITHI~~ 1.5~1.

I J A B C D ------I

1.

t

2

6

8 --S%-

-_-- Y------

0 .,h G--

1.1, U”ol”O II 1 ---- .Y,,-...I.I*

--.m-- J 3‘. I DOCUMENTED LOCATION DOCUMENTED LOCATION

KNOWN PRECISELY KNOWN WITHIt 1.5Mi.

G I ---xl

1:

2

3

4

5

8 ,’ : ,’

8

9 -

I I DOCUMENTED LOCATION DOCUMENTED LOCATIOti

KNOWN PRECISELY. KNOV~r~ WITHIN I.~IJ,I.

I J

1.

2

3

6

MAY 1988

UPDATED SEhllAhNUALLY b--I.-- ---s.-----.------,C..--I-.--..- NEW JERSEY NATURAL HERITAGE PRoG~? POTENTIAL THREATENED AND ENDANGEPZD VERTEBRATE SPECIES IN ATLANTIC COUNTY AMERICAN BITTERN FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY BOTAURUS LENTIGINOSUS STATE STATUS: LT oCCUWZNCE: V HABITAT COKKENTS Fresh water bogs, swamps, wet fields, cattail and bulrush marshes, brackish and saltwater marshes and .:eadows. BALD EAGLE FEDERAL STATUS: LELT COUNTY HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: W* HABITAT COMMENTS Primarily near seacoasts, rivers, and large lakes. BARRED OWL FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY STRIX VARIA STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Dense woodland and forest (conif. or hardwood), swamps, wooded river valleys, cabbage palm-live oak hammocks, especially where bordering streams, marshes, and meadows BLACK RAIL FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY IATTERALLUS JAMAICENSIS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: B HABITAT COMMENTS Salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes, wet meadows, and grassy swamps. BLACKSKIMMER FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY RYNCHOPS NIGER STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: B HABITAT COMMENTS Primarily coastal waters, including bays, estuaries, lagoons and mudflats in migration and winter. BOG TURTLE FEDERAL STATUS: C2 COUNTY CLEMMYS MUHTLENBERGII STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Slow, shallow rivulets of sphagnum bogs, swamps, and marshy meadows: sea level to 1200 m in Appalachians. Commonly basks on tussocks in morning in spring and early sunmer. Hibernates in subterreanean rivulet or seepage-area.

1 5\18\87 BROOK TROUT FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY SALVELINUS FONTINALIS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: Y IFABITAT COMHE~TTS Clear cool well-oxygenated streams and lakes. May move from streams into lakes or sea to avoid high temps. in summer. COOPER'S HAWK FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY ACCIPITER COOPER11 STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: W* HABITAT COMKENTS Primarily mature forest, either broadleaf or coniferous, mostly the former; also open woodland and forest edge. CORN SNAKE FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY ELAPHE GUTTATA STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Rocky hillsides, meadows, along stream courses and river bottoms, canyons and arroyos, barnyards, abandoned houses and ranch buildings, near springs, in caves, wooded areas. Terrestrial, arboreal, and subterranean. Stays hidden by day. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY AMMODRAMUS SAVANNARUM STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Prairie, old fields, open grasslands, cultivated fields, savanna. GREAT BLUE HERON FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY ARDEA BERODIAS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Freshwater and brackish marshes, along lakes, rivers, bays, lagoons, ocean beaches, mangroves, fields, and meadows. LEZST TERN FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY STERNA ANTILLARUM STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: .B HABITAT COMMENTS Seacoasts, beaches, bays j estuaries, lagoons, lakes, and rivers. LOGGERHEAD SBRIRE FEDERAL STATUS: C2 COUNTY IANIUS LUDOVICIANUS MIGRANS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: W HABITAT COMMENTS "Open country with scattered trees and shrubs, savanna, desert scrub and, occasionally, open woodland, often found on poles, wires or fenceposts (Tropical to Temperate zones)."

2 5\18\87

MERLIN FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY FALCO COLUMBARIUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: W HABITAT CO1Q4ENTS During the breeding season inhabits coniferous or deciduous open '. woodlands, wooded prairies. At other times of the year found in a wide variety of habitats including: marshes and deserts, seacoasts, open woodlands, fields, etc.

MUD SALAMANDER FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY PSEUDOTRITON MONTANUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: ? HABITAT COMMENTS Muddy springs, slow floodplain streams, and swamps along slow streams. Nonlarval forms usually found beneath logs and rocks, in decaying vegetation, and in muddy stream-bank burrows. Occasionally disperses from wet muddy areas.

NORTHERN HARRIER FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY CIRCUS CYANEUS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Marshes, meadows, grasslands, and cultivated fields. ground or on stumps or posts. Perches on

OSPREY FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY PANDION HALIAETUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: B HABITAT COMMENTS Primarily along rivers, lakes, and seacoasts occurring widely in migration, often crossing land between bodies' of water. PEREGRINE FALCON FEDERAL STATUS: LE COUNTY FALCO PEREGRINUS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS "A variety of open situations from tundra, moorlands, steppe and seacoasts, especially where there are suitable nesting cliffs, to high mountains, more open forested regions, and -even human population centers...ll.

PIED-BILLED GREBE FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY PODILYMBUS PODICEPS STATE STATUS: LE OCcuRRE!?cE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Lakes, ponds, sluggish streams, and marshes; in migration and in winter also in brackish bays and estuaries.

3 : .’ .._ *’ r 5\18\87

PINE BARRENS TREEFROG FEDERAL STATUS: C2 COUNTY - HYLA ANDERSON11 STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Streams, ponds, cranberry bogs, and other wetland habitats. Post- breeding habitat the woodlands bordering these areas.

PINE SNAKE FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY PITUOPHIS MELANOLEUCUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Lowlands to mountains: desert, prairie, brushland, woodland, open coniferous forest, farmland, marshes. Terrestrial, fossorial, and arboreal. Underground in cold weather. PIPING PLOVER FEDERAL STATUS: LELT COUNTY CHARADRIUS MELODUS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: B HABITAT COMMENTS Sandy beaches, especially where scattered grass tufts are present, sparsely vegetated shores and islands of shallow lakes, ponds, and impoundments. In migration and winter also mudflats, flooded fields.

RED-HEADED WOODPECKER FEDERAL> STATUS: COUNTY MELANERPES ERYTHROCEPHALUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: Y A@- HABITAT COMMENTS Open woodland, especially with beech or oak, open situations with scattered trees, parks, cultivated areas and gardens. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY BUTEO LINEATUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: W* HABITAT COMMENTS Moist and riverine forest, and in e. N. Am. in wooded swamps, foraging in forest edge and open woodland. ROSEATE TERN FEDERAL STATUS: PEPT COUNTY STERNA DOUGALLII STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: ? HABITAT COMMENTS Seacoasts, bays, estuaries.

4 5\18\87 SAVANNAH SPARROW FEDERAL STATUS:' COUNTY PASSERCULUS SANDWICHENSIS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRENCE: W* H4BITAT COMMENTS "Open areas, especially grasslands, tundra, meadows, bogs, farmlands, grassy areas with scattered bushes, and marshes, including salt marshes in the BELDINGI and ROSTRATUS groups (Subtropical and Temperate zones)ll. SEDGE WREN FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY CISTOTHORUS PLATENSIS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: ? HABITAT COMMENTS Grasslands and savanna, especially where wet or boggy, sedge marshes, locally in dry cultivated grainfields. In migration and winter also in brushy grasslands. SHORT-EARED OWL FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY AS10 FLAMMEUS STATE STATUS: LIE/S OCCURRENCE: W* HABITAT COMMENTS Open country, including prairie, meadows, tundra, moorlands, marshes, savanna, dunes, fields, and open woodland. Roosts by day on ground or on low open perches. TIGER SALAMANDER FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY AMBYSTOMA TIGRINUM STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Found in virtually any habitat, providing there is a body of water nearby suitable for breeding. --.. Terrestrial adults primarily subterranean. TIMBER RATTLESNAKE FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY CROTALUS HORRIDUS STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: ? HABITAT COMMENTS Wooded rocky hillsides in north: swampy areas, canebrake thickets, and floodplains in south. Near streams in late summer in some areas. Often hibernates in burrows and crevices of rock outcroppings. UPLAND SANDPIPER FEDERAL STATUS: COUNTY EARTRAlfIA LONGICAUDA STATE STATUS: LE OCCURRENCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS Grasslands, especially prairies, dry meadows, pastures, and (in Alaska) scattered woodlands at timberline; v=-Y rarely in migration along shores and mudflats.

5 .-. / ‘)

5\18\87

VESPER SPARROW FEDERAL STATUS: POOECETES GPJJlINEUS COUNTY STATE STATUS: LE OCCUlZtNCE: Y HABITAT COMMENTS IlPlains, prairie, dry shrublands, savanna weedy pastures, fields sagebrush, arid scrub and woodland cleari;gs". I

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON' FEDERAL STATUS: C.OUNTY NYCTICORAX VIOLACEUS STATE STATUS: LT OCCURRZNCE: B HABITAT COMMENTS Marshes, 'swamps, lakes, lagoons, and mangroves.

6 , ---c j i>‘. .-/

DEFINITION OF ACRONYm

FEDERAL STATUS LE=listed endangered. LT=listed threatened. PE=proposed endangered. PT=proposed threatened. C2=candidate for listing. STATE STATUS LE=listed as endangered. (short-eared owl winter pop. listed as stable:S) LT=listed as threatened. COUNTY OCCTJRRENCE Y=present year-round, breeds. N=present year-round, not recorded breeding. B=present during the summer, breeds. W=present during the winter. T=present as a transient. ?&present status undetermined. *=indicates that the county is within the species known breeding range. EXPLANATIONS'Oi CODES USEDIN NATURALHERITAGE REPORTS e

FEDERAL STATUS CODES

The following U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, categories and their definitions of endangered and threatened plants and animals have been modified from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (F.R. Vol. 50 No. 188; Vol. 55, No. 35; F.R. 50 CFR 17.1 1 and 17.12). Federal Status codes reported for species follow the most recent listing.

LE Taxa formally listed as endangered.

LT Taxa formally listed as threatened.

PE Taxa already proposed to be formally listed as endangered.

PT Taxa already proposed to be formally listed as threatened.

Cl Taxa for which the Service currently has on file substantia1 information on biological vulnerability and .threat(s) to support the appropriateness of proposing to list them as endangered or threatened species.

Cl* Taxa which may be possibly extinct (although persuasive documentation of extinction has not been made--compare to 3A status).,

c2 Taxa for which information now in possession of the Service indicates that proposing to list them as endangered or threatened species is possibly appropriate, but for which substantial data on biological vulnerability and threat(s) are not currently known or on file to support the immediate preparation of rules.

c3 Taxa that are no longer being considered for listing as threatened or endangered species. Such taxa are further coded to indicate three subcategories, depending on the reason(s) for removal from consideration.

3A Taxa for which the Service has persuasive evidence of extinction. rc4 3B Names that, on the basis of current taxonomic understanding, do not represent taxa meeting the Act’s definition of “species”.

3c Taxa that have proven to be more abundant or widespread than was previously believed Natural Heritage Report Codes Page 2

and/or those that are not subject to any identifiable threat.

S/A Similarity of appearance species.

E;TATE STATUS CODES

Two animal lists provide state status codes after the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act of 1973 (NSSA 23:2A-13 et. seq.): the list of endangered species (N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.13) and the list defining status of indigenous, nongame wildlife species of New Jersey (N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.17(a)). The status of animal species is determined by the Nongame and Endangered Species Program (ENSP). The state status codes and definitions provided reflect the most recent lists that were revised in the New Jersey Register, Monday, June 3, 1991.

D Declining species-a species which has exhibited a continued decline in population numbers over the years.

E Endangered species-an endangered species is one whose prospects for survival within the state are in immediate danger due to one or many factors - a loss of habitat, over exploitation, predation, competition, disease. An endangered species requires immediate assistance or extinction will probably follow.

EX Extirpated species-a species that formerly occurred in New Jersey, but is not now known to exist within the state. !

I Introduced species-a species not native to New Jersey that could not have established itself here without the assistance of man.

INC Increasing species-a species whose population has exhibited a significant increase, beyond the normal range of its life cycle, over a long term period.

Threatened species-a species that may become endangered if conditions surrounding the species begin to or continue to deteriorate.

Peripheral species-a species whose occurrence in New Jersey is at the extreme edge of its present natural range. / I

2 i.: .:,

Natural Heritage Report Coda Page 3

j S Stable species-a species whose population is not undergoing any long-term increase/decrease within its natural cycle. I

. ifE U Undetermined species-a species about which there is not enough information available to , determine the status.

atus for animals separated by a slash(/) indicate a duel status. First status -refers to the state or ceding population, and the second status refers to the migratory or winter population. t i:

, rnt taxa listed as endangered are from New. Jersey’s official Endangered Plant Species List N.J.S.A. m :.i lB-15.151 et seq. - I’0 it’ E Native New Jersey plant species whose survival in the State or nation is in jeopardy.

;“\ I -3IONAL STATUS CODES FOR PLANTS I /

LP Indicates taxa listed by the Pinelands Commission as endangered or threatened within eci I their legal jurisdiction. Not all species currently tracked by the Pinelands Commission are I tracked by the Natural Heritage Program. A complete list of endangered and threatened I Pineland species is included in the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Management ta, Plan.

PLANATION OF GLOBAL AND STATE ELEMENT RANKS

e Nature Conservancy has developed a ranking system for use in identifying elements (rare species 1 natural communities) of natural diversity most endangered with extinction. Each element is ranked :ording to its global, national, and state (or subnational in other countries) rarity. These ranks are :d to prioritize conservation work so that the most endangered elements receive attention first. finitions for element ranks are after The Nature Conservancy (1982: Chapter 4, 4.1-1 through I. 1.3-3). - m or ver i ._ j’

Natural Hcritagc Report Coda Page 5

area of the state. Also included are elements which were formerly more abundant, but because of habitat destruction or some other critical factor of its biology, they have been demonstrably reduced in abundance. In essence, these are elements for which, even with intensive searching, sizable additional occurrences are unlikely to be discovered. s2 Imperiled in New Jersey because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences). Historically many of these elements may have been more frequent but are now known from very few extant occurrences, primarily because of habitat destruction. Diligent searching may yield additional occurrences. s3 Rare in state with 21 to 100 occurrences (plant species in this category have only 21 to 50 occurrences). Includes elements which are widely distributed in the state but with small populations/acreage or elements with restricted distribution, but locally abundant. Not yet imperiled in state but may soon be if current trends continue. Searching often yields additional occurrences. s4 Apparently secure in state, with many occurrences.

S5 Demonstrably secure in state and essentially ineradicable under present conditions.

SA Accidental in state, including species (usually birds or butterflies) recorded once or twice or only at very great intervals, hundreds or even thousands of miles outside their usual range; a few of these species may even have bred on the one or two occasions they - were recorded; examples include european strays or western birds on the East Coast and visa-versa.

SE Elements that are clearly exotic in New Jersey including those taxa not native to North America (introduced taxa) or taxa deliberately or accidentally introduced into the State from other parts of North America (adventive taxa). Taxa ranked SE are not a conservation priority (viable introduced occurrences of Gl or G2 elements may be exceptions).

SH Elements of historical occurrence in New Jersey. Despite some searching of historical occurrences and/or potential habitat, no extant occurrences are known. Since not all of the historical occurrences have been field surveyed, and unsearched potential habitat remains, historically ranked taxa are considered possibly extant, and remain a conservation priority for continued field work. Natural Heritage Report Codes rage 6

SN Regularly occurring, usually migratory and typically nonbreeding species for which no significant or effective habitat conservation measures can be taken in the state; this . . category includes migratory birds, bats, sea turtles, and cetaceans which do not breed in the state but pass through twjce a year or may remain in the winter (or, in a few cases, the summer); included also are certain lepidoptera which regularly migrate to a state where’they reproduce, but then completely die out every year with no return migration. Species in this category are so widely and unreliably distributed during migration or in winter that no small set of sites could be set aside with the hope of significantly furthering their conservation. Other nonbreeding, high globally-ranked species (such as the bald eagle, whooping crane or some seal species) which regularly spend some portion of the year at definite localities (and therefore have a valid conservation need in the state) are not ranked SN but rather Sl, S2, etc.

SR Elements reported from New Jersey, but without persuasive documentation which would provide a basis for either accepting or rejecting the report. In some instances documentation may exist,.but as of yet, its source or location has not been determined. A SRF Elements erroneously reported from New Jersey, but this error persists in the literature.

su Elements believed to be in peril but the degree of rarity uncertain. Also included are rare taxa of uncertain taxonomical standing. More information is needed to resolve rank.

sx Elements that have been determined or are presumed to be extirpated from New Jersey. All historical occurrences have been searched and a reasonable search of potential habitat has been completed. Extirpated taxa are not a current conservation priority.

sxc Elements presumed extirpated from New Jersey, but native populations collected from the wild exist in cultivation.

T Element ranks containing a “T” indicate that the infraspecific taxon is being ranked differently than the full species. For example Stachys palustris var. homotricha is ranked “G!?T? SH” meaning the full species is globally secure but the global rarity of the var. homotricha has not been determined; in New Jersey the variety is ranked historic.

a Elements containing a “Q” in the global portion of its rank indicates that the taxon is of questionable, or uncertain taxonomical standing, e.g., some authors regard it as a full species, while others treat it at the subspecific level. Natural Hcritagc Report Codes Page 7

.I Elements documented from a single location.

Note: To express uncertainty, the most likely rank is assigned and a question mark added (e.g., G2?). A range is indicated by combining two ranks (e.g., Gl G2, SlS3).

IDENTIFICATION CODES

These codes refer to whether the identification of the species or community has been checked by a \ reliable individual and is indicative of significant habitat.

Y Identification has been verified and is indicative of significant habitat.

BLANK . Identification has not been verified but there is no reason to believe it is not indicative of significant habitat.

? Either it has not been determined if the record is indicative of significant habitat or e . the identification of the species or community may be confusing or disputed.

--