 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (www.state.nj.us/dep) is the state agency primarily responsible for habitat maintenance, species protection and monitoring, and almost all of DEP's programs and units are at least peripherally involved in habitat and species protection and monitoring, land use review, and land preservation. All of DEP's program websites are worth reviewing for anyone interested in environmental protection in general. However, for our purposes here, we will only be highlighting the units and programs that produce the bulk of the state's biodiversity and habitat information, assistance, guidance, data, or resources.
Furthermore, because habitat and biodiversity protection are such broad subjects that tackle multiple issues, there are many agencies that are involved in this work, including the state Department of Community Affairs and a number of Federal agencies. These programs are also highlighted below.
State Resources
Natural Heritage Program & Database
http://www.natureserve.org/nhp/us/nj/
This database is the New Jersey's most comprehensive and centralized source of information on plants, animals, and natural communities in the state. This program, managed by the state Department of Environmental Protection, provides New Jersey with a comprehensive inventory of the state's biological diversity. It identifies the state's natural areas and provides an inventory of the state's rare plant and animal species. Using the data from the inventory, the Natural Heritage Database compiles information on the distribution, biology, status, and preservation needs of species and communities. The database contains information collected by the Office of Natural Lands Management on rare plants, animals, and natural communities as well as data on rare animals provided by the Endangered and Nongame Species Program. As advertised on its website, the database "is available to assist individuals in the preservation of habitat for rare species and natural communities."
- Information available from the database includes:
- Status of more than 1,000 species of plant and animals and more than 50 natural communities that are exemplary, rare, or imperiled at the state or global level
- More than 7,000 records of locations for rare plants, animals, and natural communities
- Detailed information to help make land-use decisions
- Officially listed endangered species from the Federal Endangered Species Act, the State Endangered Species Act, the State Endangered Plant Species List Act, the State Endangered and Nongame Wildlife Act, and additional rare species that have not been listed officially.
- Rare species and natural community lists by county
- Help in the preparation of environmental impact assessments
- identify the highest quality areas for natural diversity and those areas in most need of protection
- Supplement field surveys conducted to assess project impacts on natural areas
- Plan government, commercial and residential development
- Foresee potential problems related to development in specific areas before commitments are made by planners, developers, and government
- Minimize adverse impacts on the environment
- Avoid unnecessary conflicts and costs
For more information, visit the website or call the Natural Heritage Program at 609-633-2765.
Special Plants of New Jersey
http://www.natureserve.org/nhp/us/nj/njplant1.htm
This list, maintained by the Office of Natural Lands Management within the Division of Parks and Forestry within the Department of Environmental Protection, uses data from the Natural Heritage Database to provide information on the status of New Jersey's endangered and plant species of concern and to document the existence of New Jersey's native plants. The list includes both Endangered Plant Species as well as Plant Species of Concern (those plant species considered to be of conservation concern for New Jersey). It is hoped that this list will be used to facilitate the conservation and protection of New Jersey's endangered and plant species of concern.
In 1989, the New Jersey Legislature declared that "plant species have medicinal, genetic, ecological, educational, and aesthetic value" and directed the Division of Parks and Forestry within the DEP to develop a list of plant species that are endangered in New Jersey. The Act defined an endangered plant species as "any native plant species whose survival in the State or nation is in jeopardy" The Endangered Plant Species List was adopted on June 4, 1990.
To view the entire list of Endangered Plant Species and Plant Species of Concern, visit http://www.natureserve.org/nhp/us/nj/njplantlist.txt.
Special Animals of New Jersey
http://www.natureserve.org/nhp/us/nj/intro.htm
This list, maintained by the Division of Fish, Game, & Wildlife within the Division of Parks and Forestry within the Department of Environmental Protection, uses data from the Natural Heritage Database to show special animal species that are tracked as elements of natural diversity. Included in this list are all native New Jersey animal species that are listed or candidate species on the Federal Endangered and Threatened Wildlife List, species listed as endangered or threatened on the State Endangered and Nongame Wildlife List, and additional species considered to be rare in New Jersey.
To view the entire list of New Jersey's endangered and threatened species, visit the Department of Environmental Protection's endangered and threatened wildlife web page: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/tandespp.htm
Endangered & Nongame Species Program
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensphome.htm
The mission of this program, within the state DEP, is to "actively conserve New Jersey's biological diversity by maintaining and enhancing endangered and nongame wildlife populations within healthy, functioning ecosystems." ENSP is responsible for all of New Jersey's wildlife protection, and works to restore both wildlife and habitats. Information and technical assistance is also available.
Division of Fish & Wildlife
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/
The Division of Fish & Wildlife's mission is to "protect and manage the State's fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term biological, recreational, and economic values for all New Jerseyans." DFW's goals include biodiversity maintenance, habitat protection, and educating the public on the importance of biodiversity.
The Landscape Project
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/lndscpe.htm
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/landbro.pdf
The Landscape Project, a project of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program, is a landscape-level approach to species and habitat protection in New Jersey. The program's goal is to protect the state's biodiversity by "maintaining and enhancing rare wildlife populations within healthy, functioning ecosystems" and to identify critical wildlife habitats within large landscapes.
Historically, species protection has focused on the preservation of individual locations where rare species are found. But because we now know that species protection needs to involve not only those individual locations where species are found but also entire landscapes and that habitat fragmentation can be as detrimental as habitat destruction, the Landscape Project focuses on maintaining the health of entire landscape regions.
The project divides the state into five "landscape regions" (Skylands, Piedmont/Plains, Pinelands, Coastal, and Delaware Bay) that are ecologically similar with regard to their plant and animal communities. Within each region, the Landscape Project identifies and maps areas of critical habitat for species. These maps provide a basis for habitat protection within each landscape.
The project uses satellite maps, species location, and land cover information to identify critical wildlife habitats that need preservation.
As noted by the Endangered and Nongame Species Program:Because the Landscape Project shows which land needs protection at a local level, the maps can be important tools for municipalities to plan for habitat protection. From these maps, towns can construct habitat protection ordinances, habitat protection zoning laws, management guidelines for rare species protection, and land acquisition projects. The maps can also be used to prioritize which land should be acquired through programs like Green Acres, Farmland Preservation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge system.
"the critical habitat information that the Landscape Project products provide can be used for planning purposes before any actions, such as proposed development, resource extraction (such as timber harvests) or conservation measures, occur. Proper planning with accurate, legally and scientifically sound information will result in less conflict. Less time will be wasted, and less money spent, attempting to resolve endangered and threatened species issues."
Endangered and Nongame Species Program staff are available to assist municipalities, private landowners, and others to develop best management practices for the long-term conservation of local ecosystems. For maps, assistance, and more information, visit the website.
Green Acres Program
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/greenacres/index.html
The goal of the Green Acres program is to "achieve, in partnership with others, a system of interconnected open spaces, whose protection will preserve and enhance New Jersey's natural environment and its historic, scenic, and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment." While the program is not specifically assigned to protect biodiversity, it is committed to land conservation, which is intimately linked to biodiversity and habitat protection.
Community Forestry Program
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry/community/home.html
The New Jersey Community Forestry Program, administered by the DEP's State Forest Service, is responsible for the planning, design, and management of vegetation on public lands in and around communities to maximize their visual, social, and environmental benefit. The staff of the Community Forestry Program advises and assists counties, municipalities, and local organizations in developing and implementing forestry activities, including tree selection, ordinance development, and long-term strategies for local resource planning. They also offer grants designed to assist communities in developing their own community forestry programs.
Land Use Regulation Program
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/landuse/index.html
The Land Use Regulation Program is a unit within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Land Use Management and Compliance Division. The Program's main task is reviewing applications for permits to build or develop on environmentally sensitive land such as freshwater wetlands, coastal areas and floodplains.
Bureau of Land Management
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/blmhome.htm
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for maintaining the State's Wildlife Management Area System, which are designed to preserve biodiversity through habitat improvement. The Bureau is also continually involved in acquiring new open space for preservation through the State's Land Acquisition Program.
Office of State Planning
http://www.state.nj.us/osp/osp.htm
The Office of State Planning, through the State Plan, works to "improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of land development and infrastructure in New Jersey"
In 1985, the New Jersey Legislature adopted the State Planning Act (N.J.S.A. 52:18A-196 et seq.) in order to: "conserve [New Jersey's] natural resources, revitalize its urban centers, protect the quality of its environment, and provide needed housing and adequate public services at a reasonable cost while promoting beneficial economic growth, development, and renewal"
While municipalities retain control over their land use and are not legally bound to abide by the State Plan, the Plan does provide an opportunity for municipal planners to coordinate with other municipalities, counties, and state agencies and implement local planning that meets the goals and objectives of the State Plan.
With respect to biodiversity and habitat protection, one of the Plan's ten goals is to make sure that our growth does not damage our environmental resources and habitats:
"Protect the environment by planning for growth in compact forms, at locations and intensities of use that make efficient use of existing and planned infrastructure and by increasing infrastructure capacities and growth potential in areas where development will not damage water resources, critical habitats, or important forests and will make transportation alternatives to the automobile feasible to help achieve and maintain air quality standards."The Plan also calls for the designation of identified Critical Habitats located outside Environmentally Sensitive Planning Areas as Critical Environmental sites during the preparation of municipal plans to ensure coordination of planning efforts and to support state and local resource protection efforts. Critical Environmental Sites are described as "environmentally sensitive features of less than one square mile, such as wetlands and ponds, wellhead protection areas, ravines, endangered and threatened species habitats, stream corridors, steep slopes, historic sites, and scenic vistas." The Plan says that such sites should be locally identified and mapped to ensure protection similar to protection afforded by an Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area.
|
The New Jersey State Plan & Redevelopment Plan defines "critical habitats" as:
"biologically diverse areas containing habitats of endangered and threatened plant or animal species, as determined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; pristine waters designated by the NJDEP as Category I waters and their watersheds within and above their pristine water segment; trout production and maintenance waters and their watersheds, as designated by the NJDEP; contiguous freshwater wetland systems, defined as the zone of biological diversity primarily supported by wetlands, and wetland systems; prime forested areas, including mature stands of native species; ridgelines, and grasslands." |
"Critical Environmental Sites are defined in the plan as places of natural or environmental value that should be recognized and mapped as such in a community's master plan, ordinances, or county plan. While these recognitions do not necessarily have regulatory significance, the Office of State Planning points out that when these Critical Environmental Sites are identified and mapped, "they do shed light on opportunities or problems that may be expected when a project or investment is conceived or designed. This information will help to avoid costly procedures and delays."The Office of State Planning also provides a State Plan Policy Map of the state that identifies the different Planning Areas and Environmental Sites. The map can be downloaded at http://www.state.nj.us/osp/ospmaps.htm.
Federal Resources
Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
This agency's primary objective is the protection of endangered and threatened species and the restoration of these species to a secure status in the wild. FWS's responsibilities include listing species under the Endangered Species Act, overseeing recoveries for listed species, providing protection of important habitat, and providing grants to states to assist with their endangered species conservation efforts.
Bureau of Land Management
http://www.blm.gov/
Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov/
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the steward of the country's 192 million acres of national forests and rangelands, and it is the country's largest conservation agency, encouraging voluntary efforts to protect soil, water, and wildlife on private lands.
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/) has a number of programs and resources related to habitat protection, including:
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/NRCSProg.html). The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife primarily on private land. WHIP provides technical assistance and up to 75% cost-share assistance to establish and improve wildlife habitat. WHIP provides assistance to conservation-minded landowners who are unable to meet the specific eligibility requirements of other USDA conservation programs.
PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov/). This Database is a single source of standardized information about plants in the United States. The Database includes names, checklists, automated tools, identification information, species abstracts, distributional data, crop information, plant symbols, plant growth data, plant materials information, plant links, references, and other plant information.
Backyard Conservation (http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/Backyard.html). This website provides information for the average citizen on conservation practices that can be carried out in your own backyard. "conservation practices on nonagricultural land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality, inspire a stewardship ethic, and beautiful the landscape." Detailed information on how to create a wildlife habitat in your yard is also provided.
Forest Service
http://www.fs.fed.us/
The U.S. Forest Service, within the Department of Agriculture, manages public lands in national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service is also the largest forestry research organization in the world, and provides technical and financial assistance to state and private forestry agencies. Many Forest Service programs relate to habitat protection, including:
Forest Service, Northeastern Area (http://www.na.fs.fed.us/index.htm). The mission of this program, which focuses on the states in the northeastern United States, is to "benefit people by helping manage their trees and forested landscapes through expert advice, innovative technology, and financial assistance."
Urban & Community Forestry Program (http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/ucf_general.htm). This program offers technical assistance and funding to communities interested in preserving or maintaining forests in an ecologically-sound way.
Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, Rare Plants & Soil (http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/).
Landowner Assistance Program (http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/loa.htm). This program helps private landowners protect and restore privately-owned forest lands. The Forest Legacy Program protects private lands from being converted to non-forest uses; the Forest Stewardship Program helps private forest landowners develop plans for the sustainable management of their forests, and the Stewardship Incentives Program provides financial assistance to private landowners to carry out their forest stewardship plans.
Ecoregions of the United States (http://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/ecoreg1_home.html). This site is a good way to visualize the land we live from a regional perspective, and helps us recognize that because our natural resources extend beyond municipal and state boundaries, we all have to take some responsibility in protecting natural resources. You can click on the eco-region that New Jersey falls into (http://www.fs.fed.us/colormap/ecoreg1_provinces.conf?724,217) and see descriptions of the different types of topography, vegetation, soils, fauna, and species that exist in our region.
Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the maintenance and protection of a vast array of environmental resources. Much of EPA's work that focuses on habitat monitoring and preservation is doled out to its ten regional offices around the country. New Jersey falls into EPA's Region 2 (http://www.epa.gov/region02/).
The EPA has its hands in so many projects and programs that relate to habitat monitoring and protection that it is impossible to list all of them here. However, a few of interest are listed below:
Environmental Atlas http://www.epa.gov/ceisweb1/ceishome/atlas/. This site offers an online environmental map collection, including many interesting maps of existing environmental conditions and trends in Region 2.
State of The Environment Report http://www.epa.gov/region02/soer/. This report evaluates the condition of the Region 2 environment. The report details the programs and initiatives EPA has developed to protect human health and the environment, and highlights regional priorities. The section on land use and ecosystems, at http://www.epa.gov/region02/soer/r2soe98landframe.htm, shows changes in the region's population growth, changes in forest coverage, rates of land conversion, acreage of wetlands, and percentage of species at risk.
Livable Communities Program http://www.epa.gov/region02/cgp/rfp.htm. This funding program seeks projects that, among other things, encourage the "long-term health of ecosystems and humans" including projects that involve community revitalization, smart growth projects, sprawl-mitigation projects, and open space protection projects. USGS has no regulatory or management mandate, so its function is solely that of an information provider.
U.S. Geological Survey
http://www.usgs.gov/
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the "science" agency for the U.S. Department of the Interior (http://www.doi.gov/). It is an independent fact-finding agency that collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems in the United States.
Geospatial Data http://mapping.usgs.gov/nsdi/.
National Biological Information System (http://www.nbii.gov/). The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) is a collaborative program designed to provide increased access to data on the nation's biological resources. The website provides many sources of biodiversity information at http://www.nbii.gov/issues/biodiversity/.
Mid-Atlantic Gap Analysis Project http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/MDGAP/. The Gap Analysis Program (GAP) seeks out the "gaps" in biodiversity and habitat information throughout the country. Species and habitats not adequately represented within conservation areas constitute "gaps" in programs that are meant to prevent species from becoming extinct. The GAP program attempts to prevent biodiversity loss and to provide information on the conservation status of all of the country's species and habitats. GAP provides states with computerized maps of existing conditions as well as maps of these same conditions across contiguous states. The GAP is not a substitute for detailed studies of any particular site; instead, it provides information, focus, and direction for management decisions at the ecosystem level.
The Mid-Atlantic Gap Analysis Project (MID-A GAP) includes Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. The project is developing geographic information system (GIS) data layers that can be used as tools to assist with a wide variety of natural resources-based projects. One component of MID-A GAP is a land cover layer depicting vegetated, urban, water, and agricultural areas. The project's goals include the prediction of all terrestrial vertebrates based on land cover layer, to map the region's vegetation, and to label all of the region's lands in terms of the management of biological diversity. The data may be used for local environmental planning.
Grants & Loans
Financial assistance is available from a number of agencies and organizations to assist municipalities in their efforts to preserve habitat and biodiversity. This list is not comprehensive; the nature of habitat and biodiversity protection is such that it can fall under the jurisdiction of multiple agencies and organizations. However, this list is a good start.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/grantandloanprograms/
Municipal Finance & Construction
Pinelands Infrastructure Trust Financing Program
Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program (Clean Water Financing)
Water Supply Administration
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program
Division of Watershed Management
Nonpoint Source Pollution Control and Management Implementation Grants
Engineering and Construction
Shore Protection Grants & Loans
Green Acres
Green Acres Grants & Loans
Green Acres Nonprofit Acquisition Grants
Coastal Blue Acres Grants and Loans
Division of Parks & Forestry
Historic Preservation Certified Local Government Grants
Green Communities Challenge Grant
New Jersey Tree Planting Grant
Community Stewardship Incentive Program Grant
Environmental Services Program (ESP)
Matching Grants for Local Environmental Agencies
Division of Responsible Party Site Remediation
Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund
Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund
Federal Funding Sources
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal highway funding can be used to mitigate impacts to wetlands and other natural habitats that may include some wetlands planning. Mitigation funds can also be used for road projects that are already completed.
For additional information: Federal Register. Vol. 65, No. 251. Friday, December 29, 2000. Pp. 8291382926. http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a001229c.html
National Marine Fisheries Service: Community-Based Restoration Program
This Program is a federal financial and technical assistance program that funds grass-roots, community-based activities that restore living marine resources and their habitats.
For additional information: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/community/feb9
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
This program assists private landowners in restoring fish and wildlife habitat. Interested landowners may contact the Service and receive advice and financial assistance to restore degraded habitats. The program helps landowners restore wetlands, native prairies and grasslands, riparian areas (streamside areas), and stream habitat on private lands.
For additional information: http://partners.fws.gov
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Coastal Program
This program helps conserve coastal habitats, including salt marshes, forests, dunes, prairies, mud flats, and stream banks by providing habitat assessments, restoration expertise, and financial assistance to private landowners, state and local governments, conservation organizations, local land trusts, watershed councils, and businesses.
For additional information: http://www.fws.gov/cep/coastweb.html
National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants
This program assists in the preservation of coastal wetlands. Funds can be used for acquisition of coastal lands or waters, and for restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetland ecosystems.
For additional information: http://www.fws.gov/cep/coastweb.html
National Fish Passage Program
The National Fish Passage Program works with local communities, partner agencies, and individuals to restore natural flows and fish migration by removing or by-passing barriers. Project funds are primarily used to retrofit culverts, build fishways, and install fish screens.
For additional information: http://fisheries.fws.gov/DraftFP/index.htm