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Princeton Hydro worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – New York District and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on the development of an acceptable monitoring program that was implemented in 2019. As stipulated in the NYSDEC-issued permit, the monitoring program had to follow the New York State Salt Marsh Restoration and Monitoring Guidelines (Guidelines) established in 2000. Working closely with USACE and NYSDEC and following the program specified within the Guidelines, Princeton Hydro established five transects and eighteen associated 1m2 quadrat locations along the five transects. Each transect represented a cross section of the various ecological communities present between Old Place Creek and the upper extent of the mitigation site. The ecological communities monitored across each transect included low marsh, high marsh, transitional zones between low marsh and high marsh, and scrub/shrub, respectively. [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="19307,19305"] The following metrics were calculated within each 1m2 quadrat: overall percent cover and species composition comprising the observed percent cover. Within each 1m2 quadrat, a 0.25m2 portion of the quadrat was analyzed for stem density and plant height as outlined within the Guidelines. Additionally, the entire mitigation site was investigated for the presence of invasive species with subsequent mapping developed and incorporated into an adaptive management plan. This was then implemented to address the presence of common reed (Phragmites australis). Annual monitoring reports were prepared and submitted to both USACE and NYSDEC detailing the results of the monitoring effort with a focus on the established transects and 1m2 quadrats along each transect. A section of the reports was dedicated to the development of an adaptive management plan to ensure the mitigation site satisfied the requisite 85% vegetative cover comprised of desirable, native species. [post_title] => NYSDEC Wetland Monitoring - Old Place Creek Mitigation Site [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => nysdec-wetland-monitoring-old-place-creek-mitigation-site [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-03-06 13:46:46 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-03-06 13:46:46 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=19292 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 19075 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2026-01-25 03:46:18 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-01-25 03:46:18 [post_content] => In 2007, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) approved Union Township as the Lead Planning Agency for the creation of the Sidney Brook Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), with Princeton Hydro as the subcontractor. The project partners include: Union and Franklin Townships, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA), and NJDEP. The project was funded under the Clean Water Act 319(h) program. WWPs are critical planning documents that outline the management of watersheds to comply with water quality standards and use designation, as well as protect resources and mitigate impairments. Sidney Brook is a Trout Maintenance Category One (C1) stream, which flows into the South Branch of the Raritan River. The 10 square mile watershed has a variety of rural and urban land uses which have contributed to degradation in stream function. Portions of this watershed lie within the Highlands Preservation area and Highlands Planning area, which affects future development. WPPs consist of two main components: an assessment of the watershed and a series of management actions. The assessment included a review of relevant GIS data, regulations, an exhaustive water quality study, fishery and other biological surveys, and pollutant and hydrology modeling. These were used to ascertain the function of the watershed. The impairments identified through the WPP process were recommended to be addressed through a series of management actions and BMPs. These actions are discussed in general terms and also through the inclusion of 40 specific project sites and project concepts forwarded by both Princeton Hydro and NJWSA. Additional implementation guidance was also provided to ensure the WPP is fully implemented. While the watershed earned its C1 status, there were also documented impairments in function, including thermal impacts, excessive nutrient loading, and erosion/ sedimentation. Implementation of the recommended projects was initiated by NJWSA with a demonstration project completed in 2012. Princeton Hydro has worked with Union Township to work to secure additional 319(h) grants to implement the installation of 15 discrete BMPs at four project sites. The WPP was key in seeking this funding. This WPP was formally approved in 2012 and at the time, was one of just 18 approved plans statewide. [post_title] => Sidney Brook Watershed Protection Plan [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => sidney-brook-watershed-protection-plan [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-01-13 00:00:57 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-01-13 00:00:57 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=19075 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 19061 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2026-01-12 21:50:23 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-01-12 21:50:23 [post_content] => From 2001 through 2002 Princeton Hydro collected the necessary field data such as in-situ, bathymetric, and discrete (both water and sediment), and also delineated and modeled the hydrologic and nutrient loads of the watershed for four (4) New Jersey state park lakes: Round Valley swimming area, Lake Absegami, Host Lake, and Hook Creek Lake. This data was then compiled and computed to prepare a Management Plan for each of the individual lakes. [gallery link="none" size="medium" ids="19062,19063,19064"] The plans provided specific objectives and recommendations for the short and long-term management of each Lake and its watershed. Both in-lake and watershed management techniques were provided in the plan. In-lake techniques tended to focus on symptomatic problems such as algal blooms and the accumulation of sediments, while watershed techniques tended to focus on reducing pollutant loads through the use of structural and non-structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Green Infrastructure (GI) techniques. The management techniques were priority ranked, with these rankings being dependent upon applicability, regulatory constraints, technical feasibility, degree of effectiveness, initial implementation costs, and operations and maintenance costs. In-lake restoration techniques were designed to improve the water quality and/or aesthetics of the waterbody by alleviating the specific impacts of pollution. Although these measures typically provide only short-term relief without controlling the source of the pollutants, they can substantially improve the aesthetics of a lake while the long-term, watershed-based management practices are being implemented. In contrast to in-lake restoration techniques, watershed-based techniques focused on the causes of eutrophication rather than the effects. Watershed techniques were not as visible as in-lake techniques and tended to take more time to produce their desired results. However, they were absolutely vital in reducing the pollutant load, as well as producing and sustaining long-term improvements in surface water quality for each of the lakes. [post_title] => New Jersey State Park - Diagnostic Feasibility Lake Studies [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => new-jersey-state-park-diagnostic-feasibility-lake-studies [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-01-12 21:52:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-01-12 21:52:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=19061 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18800 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-12-02 20:22:29 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-12-02 20:22:29 [post_content] => The New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (NJDMAVA) retained Princeton Hydro to implement ecological services at the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center in the Borough of Sea Girt, Monmouth County, New Jersey. To facilitate portions of the 2025-2029 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), Princeton Hydro conducted a series of tasks such as delineating the extent of the northern and southern dune protection areas, where suitable habitat for the federally threatened, state endangered piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is present and confirming the extent of wetlands associated with a prior Letter of Interpretation. The project team also conducted an ecological assessment of the existing ecological communities with a focus on identifying the presence/extent/type of invasive species present to inform future targeted habitat management efforts identified within the INRMP and procured, on behalf of NJDMAVA, a Letter of Interpretation – Line Verification, Freshwater Wetlands General Permit 16 – Creation, restoration, and enhancement of habitat and water quality functions and values, and Coastal Zone Management General Permit 24 – Habitat creation, restoration, enhancement, and living shoreline activities. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="large" ids="18801,18803"] [post_title] => Sea Girt Nation Guard Training Center Habitat Enhancement Project [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => sea-girt-nation-guard-training-center-habitat-enhancement-project [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-12-08 21:44:33 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-12-08 21:44:33 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=18800 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18036 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-08-05 17:20:25 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-08-05 17:20:25 [post_content] => The Gloucester County Solid Waste Complex (GCSWC) was required to implement a grassland bird habitat and hibernacula mitigation and maintenance plan, totaling 71.34-acres, within an undeveloped southern portion of GCSWC land (Site). This mitigation and maintenance plan was required to offset an expansion of the existing landfill into an area which presently provides suitable grassland bird habitat. In addition to the creation of grassland bird habitat, the Permit Modification also required the implementation of periodic grassland bird surveys to document the development of the grassland and to ensure that suitable grassland habitat has been created which supports breeding grassland bird species. Princeton Hydro assessed the existing ecological communities within a portion of the undeveloped land within the GCSWC, which was being targeted for the creation of grassland bird habitat and a hibernacula mitigation and maintenance plan. This effort identified the existing ecological communities, documented plant species, provided recommendations for grassland habitat enhancement within the existing ecological communities where warranted, provided guidelines for hibernaculum creation, and provided seed mix recommendations to create quality grassland bird habitat. This report, the “Grassland Habitat Ecological Communities Analysis”, served as the basis for the habitat creation efforts on-Site. Concomitant to the implementation of the recommended restoration measures outlined in the Grassland Habitat Ecological Communities Analysis document, Princeton Hydro developed a systematic monitoring plan for the avian species on-Site, titled “The Grassland Bird Species and Hibernacula Monitoring Plan”. In 2023, the recommended management measures were implemented, including the application of the recommended upland and wet meadow seed mixes installed within a 70-acre portion of the Site. The seed mixes were selected to include native, desirable grassland flora which are preferred by grassland nesting avifauna. In addition to the creation of grassland bird habitat, approximately 1.34-acres of wildlife hibernacula, designed by Princeton Hydro, were installed. Subsequent to habitat implementation measures, it was determined in early 2024 that the grassland seed mix had germinated successfully, and in response, the grassland bird species monitoring was initiated for the 2024 breeding season. Results of the first monitoring of the grassland indicate that it has developed quality habitat in its initial growing season. Additionally, the created habitat was supporting a number of grassland obligate and grassland edge breeding bird species. Point count and incidental avian surveys of the Site documented the presence of grassland and grassland edge breeding birds throughout the breeding season. These species included New Jersey State Threatened Breeding Species Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, and American Kestrel, and Special Concern Breeding Species Field Sparrow, Bank Swallow, and Brown Thrasher. In addition to these species which possess a New Jersey State listing designation, a number of additional grassland obligate, open country, and grassland edge species were documented, including a rare New Jersey breeding species in Dickcissel, along with Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, and Eastern Kingbird. Confirmations of successful breeding (i.e. nests, fledged young, feeding young, etc.) were observed in many of these species, indicating that the Site is already productive for the targeted grassland avifauna. [post_title] => Development of Grassland Bird Species and Hibernacula Monitoring Plan/Grassland Bird Surveys [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => development-of-grassland-bird-species-and-hibernacula-monitoring-plan-grassland-bird-surveys [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-08-05 17:22:43 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-08-05 17:22:43 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=18036 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [5] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 18033 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-08-05 16:02:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-08-05 16:02:32 [post_content] => The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) received a grant for this project from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation. Grantees were charged with providing increased resilience to natural infrastructure that will in turn increase the resiliency of coastal communities in the face of future storms like Hurricane Sandy. Due to the need to maintain navigation channels and assist in the adaptation of tidal marshes to sea level rise and subsidence, the project was completed to investigate and assess the use of dredged material disposal placement, and the effectiveness of this method in maintaining marshes at an elevation that supports native marsh vegetation to reinforce the subsoils and protect the local community. One of the metrics analyzed was the impact, if any, of the placement of dredged material on the community composition, abundance, and distribution of avian species within the two dredged material placement sites, one proximal to the Atlantic Ocean in Avalon, New Jersey and the other proximal to Delaware Bay Fortescue, New Jersey. [gallery link="none" size="large" columns="2" ids="18032,18028"] Princeton Hydro, in conjunction with the Fish and Wildlife Service, Wetlands Institute, and The Nature Conservancy, developed a monitoring plan that utilized the BACI (before, after, control, impact) study design and the protocols from the “Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocols” developed by Courtney Conway in 2012 for both the Fortescue and Avalon sites. Surveys were implemented over a period of four years, 2014-2017, occurring during the spring, summer, and fall periods to capture the avian community composition changes both seasonally and year over year at both sites with seven survey areas at Fortescue and nine at Avalon. Post thin layer placement surveys indicated that (1) avian species richness increased at Avalon, but was negligible at Fortescue; (2) species guild assemblage experienced a shift, with an increase in shorebirds coinciding with a decrease in waders and passerines at Avalon, while there was an increase in gulls and waders and a decrease in passerines at Fortescue; (3) loafing by shorebirds and gulls increased at Avalon, while Fortescue had negligible changes in loafing. Over time, loafing activities at both sites decreased with an increase in foraging observed and the communities of both sites shifted from gull/shorebird dominated to passerine/wader dominated as the marsh vegetation developed. [post_title] => Avian Monitoring of Coastal Salt Marshes [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => avian-monitoring-of-coastal-salt-marshes [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-08-05 16:03:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-08-05 16:03:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=18033 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [6] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 17485 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-05-03 21:05:05 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-05-03 21:05:05 [post_content] => Mercer County’s John A. Roebling Memorial Park offers residents in the surrounding area a freshwater marsh with river fishing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife-watching. The park contains the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River, Abbott Marshland. Tidal marshes, like the 3,000-acre Abbott Marshlands, contain valuable habitat for many rare species like River Otter, American Eel, Bald Eagle, and many species of wading birds. Unfortunately, the Abbott Marshland has experienced a significant amount of loss and degradation, partially due to the introduction of the invasive Phragmites australis (Phragmites). [caption id="attachment_3485" align="aligncenter" width="1380"] Second "Capture the Change" view[/caption] For the Mercer County Park Commission (MCPC), Princeton Hydro put together a plan to reduce and control the Phragmites to increase biodiversity, improve water quality, broaden recreational opportunities, and enhance the visitor experience at the park. This stewardship project replaced the Phragmites with native species with a goal to reduce its ability to recolonize the marsh. Once the restoration was completed, these areas gave way to native flora, enhanced tidal function, and incredible viewscapes. Princeton Hydro also conducted a Floristic Quality Assessment to identify invasive areas and an Evaluation of Planned Wetlands to identify key wetland functions/values to be enhanced/restored, as well as performed hydrologic monitoring to understand tidal stage elevations. [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="17039,3810"] Phase 1 of the restoration process included multiple herbicide applications in Spring and Fall to eradicate the Phragmites. We led the permit application process, which included securing a Flood Hazard Area (FHA) General Permit #4, Freshwater Wetlands (FWW) General Permit #16, and Coastal (CZM) General Permit #24. Our field operations crew applied the herbicide Imazapyr using our amphibious Marsh Master vehicle and airboat as well as on foot with a backpack sprayer. Following herbicide treatment, the Marsh Master was be equipped with a steel lawn roller with a welded angle iron to roll over and crush/snap the common reed stalks. The stalks would be rolled in opposite directions to break and mulch the stalks and expose the native seedbank. One year later, we documented a dozen “volunteer” native species growing in the marsh. During the project, Princeton Hydro worked alongside MCPC to keep the public informed and engaged through public meetings and outreach. MCPC launched the “Capture the Change” initiative to help document the visual changes seen in the park as the restoration progresses by sharing photos on social media using #BagthePhrag. [post_title] => John A. Roebling Memorial Park Tidal Wetland Restoration [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => john-a-roebling-memorial-park-tidal-wetland-restoration [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-03 21:05:05 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-03 21:05:05 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=17485 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [7] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 17402 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2025-04-01 20:17:08 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-01 20:17:08 [post_content] => In 2012, Hurricane Sandy left numerous NJ communities with storm damage to homes and infrastructure including Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, which incurred approximately $50M in installation damages that not only impacted mission readiness, but also impacted neighboring communities, where the majority of the installations’ military and civilian employee population resides. It is expected that NWS Earle and its surrounding communities may experience increased frequent flooding from tidal waters and storm surge, adversely affecting ecosystems and presenting challenges to installation resilience and readiness. In response to these past occurrences and the threat of future related coastal hazards, Monmouth County, in cooperation with NWS Earle and the 13 municipalities that surround it, published a Joint Land Use Study in 2017, which defined several goals related to adapting to sea level rise and improving resiliency from future storm events. In 2019, the cooperative published the Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay Coastal Resilience Planning Study (Bayshore Study) which identified potential coastal resilience projects within the region that could improve sustainability and resiliency from current and future coastal hazards and sea level rise. In 2021, Monmouth County commissioned Princeton Hydro to advance the goals of the Bayshore Study through the Bayshore Coastal Resilience Design Study. The goal of this study is to develop conceptual coastal resilience designs for two of the Bayshore Study projects located on coastal wetlands along Whale Creek in Aberdeen Township and Flat Creek in Union Beach Borough. We conducted site assessments that included desktop investigation, bio-benchmarks, and hydrologic monitoring; completed hydrodynamic modeling to assess the impacts of storms and sea level rise; and developed conceptual restoration designs for both sites. Restoration strategies included removal of invasive species, planting of native species, enhancement of hydrology, and fostering marsh migration. Conceptual designs were presented to a Technical Advisory Committee to solicit feedback for further project development. This project provided an opportunity to work closely with Monmouth County on an effort to address the threat of future coastal hazards through marsh restoration. The project resulted in the development of conceptual designs for restoration of the tidal marsh ecosystems at Whale Creek and Flat Creek as well as a detailed study report to support those designs. [post_title] => Monmouth County Bayshore Coastal Resilience Design Study [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => monmouth-county-bayshore-coastal-resilience-design-study [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-04-01 20:18:16 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-01 20:18:16 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=17402 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [8] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 15996 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2024-12-02 15:28:32 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-12-02 15:28:32 [post_content] => The Spring Creek (North) Ecosystem Restoration Project is located in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York. In the early 1900’s, the salt marsh community of Spring Creek was part of the extensive coastal wetland community of Jamaica Bay, known for the abundance and diversity of its shellfish as well as its ecological importance as a nursery and feeding ground for countless species of birds and fish. The intertidal salt marsh and uplands have since been degraded by historic placement of dredged spoils and municipal waste, the construction of a sanitary sewer trunk line, ditching of the marsh, and urbanization of the watershed. When completed, the project will restore approximately 43.2 acres of degraded habitat to 0.7 acres of low marsh, 12.9 acres of transitional and high marsh, 5.2 acres of scrub shrub wetland and 24.4 acres of maritime upland in an overall project footprint of 67 acres. Primary construction activities will include excavating and re-contouring uplands to intertidal elevations, thin layer placement of sand on the marsh platform to restore areas of degraded tidal wetland, removing invasive plant species, and replanting with native plant species. The overall project purpose is to improve the environmental quality (water, diversity, and wildlife habitat) of Spring Creek and its associated salt marshes as part of the overall Jamaica Bay Ecosystem. [gallery link="none" ids="15997,15998,16000"] Princeton Hydro was contracted by the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District to lead the design and engineering. To inform the design development, a variety of site-specific data was collected including topographic, bathymetric, utility and tree surveys. Wetland delineation and vegetation characterization were performed, along with a bio-benchmark survey to establish marsh habitat boundaries; hydrodynamic data; and geotechnical borings. The data collected was analyzed and incorporated into the design, including a sea level change analysis; slope stability analysis; development of a hydrologic model and an unsteady 1-D hydraulic model; stormwater design; and wetland restoration design. A concept design was developed in coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers and New York City Parks, and the design was advanced via the preparation of 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100% design plans and technical specifications. Additionally, the required local, state, and federal permits were obtained, and a detailed construction cost estimate was developed. [post_title] => Spring Creek North Ecosystem Restoration Project [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => spring-creek-north-ecosystem-restoration-project [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-12-02 15:29:53 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-12-02 15:29:53 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=15996 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [9] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 15396 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2024-06-17 17:46:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-06-17 17:46:11 [post_content] => Evergreen Environmental, LLC retained Princeton Hydro, LLC to provide scientific, engineering, permitting, herbicide treatment, and construction oversight support to deliver compensatory wetland mitigation credits required for the expansion of the Garden State Parkway in southern New Jersey. [gallery link="none" size="medium" columns="2" ids="15395,15392"] Princeton Hydro was responsible for completing hydrologic assessments, conducting wetland delineations and habitat surveys, coordinating regulatory agency involvement for sensitive species occurrence, developing wetland mitigation concept designs, obtaining permits for final design plans, issuing contractor bid specifications, and overseeing project implementation. The project also required regular interactions with members of the New Jersey Wetland Mitigation Unit of the NJDEP. To compensate for wetland disturbances associated with widening of the Garden State Parkway, Princeton Hydro developed a mitigation plan for an 8.4-acre former Christmas tree farm. The mitigation design included a hydrologic study, a water budget, wetland delineation, a swamp pink survey, and a flood hazard permit. The mitigation design included elements of wetland preservation, enhancement, creation, and restoration. After the first growing season, the mitigation site possessed 92% cover and 97% survivorship of woody plant material. The site also possessed a vernal habitat component that supported several frog species. Upon completion, the mitigation site was conveyed to U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to become part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. [gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="15391,15393"] [post_title] => Garden State Parkway Gunning River Freshwater Wetland Mitigation [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => garden-state-parkway-gunning-river [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-11-20 15:49:11 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-11-20 15:49:11 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://princetonhydro.com/?post_type=project&p=15396 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => project [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 10 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 19292 [post_author] => 1 [post_date] => 2026-03-06 13:46:46 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-03-06 13:46:46 [post_content] => The Goethals Bridge Replacement Project resulted in unavoidable impacts to 4.929 acres of wetlands and open water associated with the Arthur Kill, requiring the creation of 15.39 acres of mudflat, low marsh, high marsh, and scrub/shrub habitat; and preservation of 3.91 acres of existing low marsh/high marsh and open water habitat. Princeton Hydro worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – New York District and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on the development of an acceptable monitoring program that was implemented in 2019. As stipulated in the NYSDEC-issued permit, the monitoring program had to follow the New York State Salt Marsh Restoration and Monitoring Guidelines (Guidelines) established in 2000. Working closely with USACE and NYSDEC and following the program specified within the Guidelines, Princeton Hydro established five transects and eighteen associated 1m2 quadrat locations along the five transects. Each transect represented a cross section of the various ecological communities present between Old Place Creek and the upper extent of the mitigation site. The ecological communities monitored across each transect included low marsh, high marsh, transitional zones between low marsh and high marsh, and scrub/shrub, respectively. [gallery link="none" columns="2" ids="19307,19305"] The following metrics were calculated within each 1m2 quadrat: overall percent cover and species composition comprising the observed percent cover. Within each 1m2 quadrat, a 0.25m2 portion of the quadrat was analyzed for stem density and plant height as outlined within the Guidelines. Additionally, the entire mitigation site was investigated for the presence of invasive species with subsequent mapping developed and incorporated into an adaptive management plan. This was then implemented to address the presence of common reed (Phragmites australis). Annual monitoring reports were prepared and submitted to both USACE and NYSDEC detailing the results of the monitoring effort with a focus on the established transects and 1m2 quadrats along each transect. A section of the reports was dedicated to the development of an adaptive management plan to ensure the mitigation site satisfied the requisite 85% vegetative cover comprised of desirable, native species. 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The Goethals Bridge Replacement Project resulted in unavoidable impacts to 4.929 acres of wetlands and open water associated with the Arthur Kill, requiring the creation of 15.39 acres of mudflat, low marsh, high marsh, and scrub/shrub habitat; and preservation of 3.91 acres of existing low marsh/high marsh and open water habitat. Princeton Hydro worked with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – New York District and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on the development of an acceptable monitoring program that was implemented in 2019. As stipulated in the NYSDEC-issued permit, the monitoring program had to follow the New York State Salt Marsh Restoration and Monitoring Guidelines (Guidelines) established in 2000. Working closely with USACE and NYSDEC and following the program specified within the Guidelines, Princeton Hydro established five transects and eighteen associated 1m2 quadrat locations along the five transects. Each transect represented a cross section of the various ecological communities present between Old Place Creek and the upper extent of the mitigation site. The ecological communities monitored across each transect included low marsh, high marsh, transitional zones between low marsh and high marsh, and scrub/shrub, respectively.
The following metrics were calculated within each 1m2 quadrat: overall percent cover and species composition comprising the observed percent cover. Within each 1m2 quadrat, a 0.25m2 portion of the quadrat was analyzed for stem density and plant height as outlined within the Guidelines. Additionally, the entire mitigation site was investigated for the presence of invasive species with subsequent mapping developed and incorporated into an adaptive management plan. This was then implemented to address the presence of common reed (Phragmites australis). Annual monitoring reports were prepared and submitted to both USACE and NYSDEC detailing the results of the monitoring effort with a focus on the established transects and 1m2 quadrats along each transect. A section of the reports was dedicated to the development of an adaptive management plan to ensure the mitigation site satisfied the requisite 85% vegetative cover comprised of desirable, native species.
In 2007, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) approved Union Township as the Lead Planning Agency for the creation of the Sidney Brook Watershed Protection Plan (WPP), with Princeton Hydro as the subcontractor. The project partners include: Union and Franklin Townships, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA), and NJDEP. The project was funded under the Clean Water Act 319(h) program. WWPs are critical planning documents that outline the management of watersheds to comply with water quality standards and use designation, as well as protect resources and mitigate impairments.
Sidney Brook is a Trout Maintenance Category One (C1) stream, which flows into the South Branch of the Raritan River. The 10 square mile watershed has a variety of rural and urban land uses which have contributed to degradation in stream function. Portions of this watershed lie within the Highlands Preservation area and Highlands Planning area, which affects future development. WPPs consist of two main components: an assessment of the watershed and a series of management actions. The assessment included a review of relevant GIS data, regulations, an exhaustive water quality study, fishery and other biological surveys, and pollutant and hydrology modeling. These were used to ascertain the function of the watershed.
The impairments identified through the WPP process were recommended to be addressed through a series of management actions and BMPs. These actions are discussed in general terms and also through the inclusion of 40 specific project sites and project concepts forwarded by both Princeton Hydro and NJWSA. Additional implementation guidance was also provided to ensure the WPP is fully implemented.
While the watershed earned its C1 status, there were also documented impairments in function, including thermal impacts, excessive nutrient loading, and erosion/ sedimentation. Implementation of the recommended projects was initiated by NJWSA with a demonstration project completed in 2012. Princeton Hydro has worked with Union Township to work to secure additional 319(h) grants to implement the installation of 15 discrete BMPs at four project sites. The WPP was key in seeking this funding. This WPP was formally approved in 2012 and at the time, was one of just 18 approved plans statewide.
From 2001 through 2002 Princeton Hydro collected the necessary field data such as in-situ, bathymetric, and discrete (both water and sediment), and also delineated and modeled the hydrologic and nutrient loads of the watershed for four (4) New Jersey state park lakes: Round Valley swimming area, Lake Absegami, Host Lake, and Hook Creek Lake. This data was then compiled and computed to prepare a Management Plan for each of the individual lakes.
The plans provided specific objectives and recommendations for the short and long-term management of each Lake and its watershed. Both in-lake and watershed management techniques were provided in the plan. In-lake techniques tended to focus on symptomatic problems such as algal blooms and the accumulation of sediments, while watershed techniques tended to focus on reducing pollutant loads through the use of structural and non-structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Green Infrastructure (GI) techniques. The management techniques were priority ranked, with these rankings being dependent upon applicability, regulatory constraints, technical feasibility, degree of effectiveness, initial implementation costs, and operations and maintenance costs.
In-lake restoration techniques were designed to improve the water quality and/or aesthetics of the waterbody by alleviating the specific impacts of pollution. Although these measures typically provide only short-term relief without controlling the source of the pollutants, they can substantially improve the aesthetics of a lake while the long-term, watershed-based management practices are being implemented.
In contrast to in-lake restoration techniques, watershed-based techniques focused on the causes of eutrophication rather than the effects. Watershed techniques were not as visible as in-lake techniques and tended to take more time to produce their desired results. However, they were absolutely vital in reducing the pollutant load, as well as producing and sustaining long-term improvements in surface water quality for each of the lakes.
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (NJDMAVA) retained Princeton Hydro to implement ecological services at the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center in the Borough of Sea Girt, Monmouth County, New Jersey. To facilitate portions of the 2025-2029 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), Princeton Hydro conducted a series of tasks such as delineating the extent of the northern and southern dune protection areas, where suitable habitat for the federally threatened, state endangered piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is present and confirming the extent of wetlands associated with a prior Letter of Interpretation.
The project team also conducted an ecological assessment of the existing ecological communities with a focus on identifying the presence/extent/type of invasive species present to inform future targeted habitat management efforts identified within the INRMP and procured, on behalf of NJDMAVA, a Letter of Interpretation – Line Verification, Freshwater Wetlands General Permit 16 – Creation, restoration, and enhancement of habitat and water quality functions and values, and Coastal Zone Management General Permit 24 – Habitat creation, restoration, enhancement, and living shoreline activities.
The Gloucester County Solid Waste Complex (GCSWC) was required to implement a grassland bird habitat and hibernacula mitigation and maintenance plan, totaling 71.34-acres, within an undeveloped southern portion of GCSWC land (Site). This mitigation and maintenance plan was required to offset an expansion of the existing landfill into an area which presently provides suitable grassland bird habitat. In addition to the creation of grassland bird habitat, the Permit Modification also required the implementation of periodic grassland bird surveys to document the development of the grassland and to ensure that suitable grassland habitat has been created which supports breeding grassland bird species.
Princeton Hydro assessed the existing ecological communities within a portion of the undeveloped land within the GCSWC, which was being targeted for the creation of grassland bird habitat and a hibernacula mitigation and maintenance plan. This effort identified the existing ecological communities, documented plant species, provided recommendations for grassland habitat enhancement within the existing ecological communities where warranted, provided guidelines for hibernaculum creation, and provided seed mix recommendations to create quality grassland bird habitat. This report, the “Grassland Habitat Ecological Communities Analysis”, served as the basis for the habitat creation efforts on-Site.
Concomitant to the implementation of the recommended restoration measures outlined in the Grassland Habitat Ecological Communities Analysis document, Princeton Hydro developed a systematic monitoring plan for the avian species on-Site, titled “The Grassland Bird Species and Hibernacula Monitoring Plan”. In 2023, the recommended management measures were implemented, including the application of the recommended upland and wet meadow seed mixes installed within a 70-acre portion of the Site. The seed mixes were selected to include native, desirable grassland flora which are preferred by grassland nesting avifauna. In addition to the creation of grassland bird habitat, approximately 1.34-acres of wildlife hibernacula, designed by Princeton Hydro, were installed. Subsequent to habitat implementation measures, it was determined in early 2024 that the grassland seed mix had germinated successfully, and in response, the grassland bird species monitoring was initiated for the 2024 breeding season.
Results of the first monitoring of the grassland indicate that it has developed quality habitat in its initial growing season. Additionally, the created habitat was supporting a number of grassland obligate and grassland edge breeding bird species. Point count and incidental avian surveys of the Site documented the presence of grassland and grassland edge breeding birds throughout the breeding season. These species included New Jersey State Threatened Breeding Species Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, and American Kestrel, and Special Concern Breeding Species Field Sparrow, Bank Swallow, and Brown Thrasher. In addition to these species which possess a New Jersey State listing designation, a number of additional grassland obligate, open country, and grassland edge species were documented, including a rare New Jersey breeding species in Dickcissel, along with Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Orchard Oriole, and Eastern Kingbird. Confirmations of successful breeding (i.e. nests, fledged young, feeding young, etc.) were observed in many of these species, indicating that the Site is already productive for the targeted grassland avifauna.
The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) received a grant for this project from the National Fish and Wildlife Federation. Grantees were charged with providing increased resilience to natural infrastructure that will in turn increase the resiliency of coastal communities in the face of future storms like Hurricane Sandy. Due to the need to maintain navigation channels and assist in the adaptation of tidal marshes to sea level rise and subsidence, the project was completed to investigate and assess the use of dredged material disposal placement, and the effectiveness of this method in maintaining marshes at an elevation that supports native marsh vegetation to reinforce the subsoils and protect the local community.
One of the metrics analyzed was the impact, if any, of the placement of dredged material on the community composition, abundance, and distribution of avian species within the two dredged material placement sites, one proximal to the Atlantic Ocean in Avalon, New Jersey and the other proximal to Delaware Bay Fortescue, New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro, in conjunction with the Fish and Wildlife Service, Wetlands Institute, and The Nature Conservancy, developed a monitoring plan that utilized the BACI (before, after, control, impact) study design and the protocols from the “Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocols” developed by Courtney Conway in 2012 for both the Fortescue and Avalon sites.
Surveys were implemented over a period of four years, 2014-2017, occurring during the spring, summer, and fall periods to capture the avian community composition changes both seasonally and year over year at both sites with seven survey areas at Fortescue and nine at Avalon. Post thin layer placement surveys indicated that (1) avian species richness increased at Avalon, but was negligible at Fortescue; (2) species guild assemblage experienced a shift, with an increase in shorebirds coinciding with a decrease in waders and passerines at Avalon, while there was an increase in gulls and waders and a decrease in passerines at Fortescue; (3) loafing by shorebirds and gulls increased at Avalon, while Fortescue had negligible changes in loafing. Over time, loafing activities at both sites decreased with an increase in foraging observed and the communities of both sites shifted from gull/shorebird dominated to passerine/wader dominated as the marsh vegetation developed.
Mercer County’s John A. Roebling Memorial Park offers residents in the surrounding area a freshwater marsh with river fishing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife-watching. The park contains the northernmost freshwater tidal marsh on the Delaware River, Abbott Marshland. Tidal marshes, like the 3,000-acre Abbott Marshlands, contain valuable habitat for many rare species like River Otter, American Eel, Bald Eagle, and many species of wading birds. Unfortunately, the Abbott Marshland has experienced a significant amount of loss and degradation, partially due to the introduction of the invasive Phragmites australis (Phragmites).
For the Mercer County Park Commission (MCPC), Princeton Hydro put together a plan to reduce and control the Phragmites to increase biodiversity, improve water quality, broaden recreational opportunities, and enhance the visitor experience at the park. This stewardship project replaced the Phragmites with native species with a goal to reduce its ability to recolonize the marsh. Once the restoration was completed, these areas gave way to native flora, enhanced tidal function, and incredible viewscapes. Princeton Hydro also conducted a Floristic Quality Assessment to identify invasive areas and an Evaluation of Planned Wetlands to identify key wetland functions/values to be enhanced/restored, as well as performed hydrologic monitoring to understand tidal stage elevations.
Phase 1 of the restoration process included multiple herbicide applications in Spring and Fall to eradicate the Phragmites. We led the permit application process, which included securing a Flood Hazard Area (FHA) General Permit #4, Freshwater Wetlands (FWW) General Permit #16, and Coastal (CZM) General Permit #24. Our field operations crew applied the herbicide Imazapyr using our amphibious Marsh Master vehicle and airboat as well as on foot with a backpack sprayer. Following herbicide treatment, the Marsh Master was be equipped with a steel lawn roller with a welded angle iron to roll over and crush/snap the common reed stalks. The stalks would be rolled in opposite directions to break and mulch the stalks and expose the native seedbank. One year later, we documented a dozen “volunteer” native species growing in the marsh. During the project, Princeton Hydro worked alongside MCPC to keep the public informed and engaged through public meetings and outreach. MCPC launched the “Capture the Change” initiative to help document the visual changes seen in the park as the restoration progresses by sharing photos on social media using #BagthePhrag.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy left numerous NJ communities with storm damage to homes and infrastructure including Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, which incurred approximately $50M in installation damages that not only impacted mission readiness, but also impacted neighboring communities, where the majority of the installations’ military and civilian employee population resides. It is expected that NWS Earle and its surrounding communities may experience increased frequent flooding from tidal waters and storm surge, adversely affecting ecosystems and presenting challenges to installation resilience and readiness. In response to these past occurrences and the threat of future related coastal hazards, Monmouth County, in cooperation with NWS Earle and the 13 municipalities that surround it, published a Joint Land Use Study in 2017, which defined several goals related to adapting to sea level rise and improving resiliency from future storm events. In 2019, the cooperative published the Raritan/Sandy Hook Bay Coastal Resilience Planning Study (Bayshore Study) which identified potential coastal resilience projects within the region that could improve sustainability and resiliency from current and future coastal hazards and sea level rise.
In 2021, Monmouth County commissioned Princeton Hydro to advance the goals of the Bayshore Study through the Bayshore Coastal Resilience Design Study. The goal of this study is to develop conceptual coastal resilience designs for two of the Bayshore Study projects located on coastal wetlands along Whale Creek in Aberdeen Township and Flat Creek in Union Beach Borough. We conducted site assessments that included desktop investigation, bio-benchmarks, and hydrologic monitoring; completed hydrodynamic modeling to assess the impacts of storms and sea level rise; and developed conceptual restoration designs for both sites. Restoration strategies included removal of invasive species, planting of native species, enhancement of hydrology, and fostering marsh migration. Conceptual designs were presented to a Technical Advisory Committee to solicit feedback for further project development.
This project provided an opportunity to work closely with Monmouth County on an effort to address the threat of future coastal hazards through marsh restoration. The project resulted in the development of conceptual designs for restoration of the tidal marsh ecosystems at Whale Creek and Flat Creek as well as a detailed study report to support those designs.
The Spring Creek (North) Ecosystem Restoration Project is located in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, New York. In the early 1900’s, the salt marsh community of Spring Creek was part of the extensive coastal wetland community of Jamaica Bay, known for the abundance and diversity of its shellfish as well as its ecological importance as a nursery and feeding ground for countless species of birds and fish. The intertidal salt marsh and uplands have since been degraded by historic placement of dredged spoils and municipal waste, the construction of a sanitary sewer trunk line, ditching of the marsh, and urbanization of the watershed.
When completed, the project will restore approximately 43.2 acres of degraded habitat to 0.7 acres of low marsh, 12.9 acres of transitional and high marsh, 5.2 acres of scrub shrub wetland and 24.4 acres of maritime upland in an overall project footprint of 67 acres. Primary construction activities will include excavating and re-contouring uplands to intertidal elevations, thin layer placement of sand on the marsh platform to restore areas of degraded tidal wetland, removing invasive plant species, and replanting with native plant species. The overall project purpose is to improve the environmental quality (water, diversity, and wildlife habitat) of Spring Creek and its associated salt marshes as part of the overall Jamaica Bay Ecosystem.
Princeton Hydro was contracted by the US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District to lead the design and engineering. To inform the design development, a variety of site-specific data was collected including topographic, bathymetric, utility and tree surveys. Wetland delineation and vegetation characterization were performed, along with a bio-benchmark survey to establish marsh habitat boundaries; hydrodynamic data; and geotechnical borings. The data collected was analyzed and incorporated into the design, including a sea level change analysis; slope stability analysis; development of a hydrologic model and an unsteady 1-D hydraulic model; stormwater design; and wetland restoration design.
A concept design was developed in coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers and New York City Parks, and the design was advanced via the preparation of 30%, 60%, 90%, and 100% design plans and technical specifications. Additionally, the required local, state, and federal permits were obtained, and a detailed construction cost estimate was developed.
Evergreen Environmental, LLC retained Princeton Hydro, LLC to provide scientific, engineering, permitting, herbicide treatment, and construction oversight support to deliver compensatory wetland mitigation credits required for the expansion of the Garden State Parkway in southern New Jersey.
Princeton Hydro was responsible for completing hydrologic assessments, conducting wetland delineations and habitat surveys, coordinating regulatory agency involvement for sensitive species occurrence, developing wetland mitigation concept designs, obtaining permits for final design plans, issuing contractor bid specifications, and overseeing project implementation. The project also required regular interactions with members of the New Jersey Wetland Mitigation Unit of the NJDEP.
To compensate for wetland disturbances associated with widening of the Garden State Parkway, Princeton Hydro developed a mitigation plan for an 8.4-acre former Christmas tree farm. The mitigation design included a hydrologic study, a water budget, wetland delineation, a swamp pink survey, and a flood hazard permit. The mitigation design included elements of wetland preservation, enhancement, creation, and restoration. After the first growing season, the mitigation site possessed 92% cover and 97% survivorship of woody plant material. The site also possessed a vernal habitat component that supported several frog species.
Upon completion, the mitigation site was conveyed to U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to become part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge.
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