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Oct. 27, 2003

STREAM RESTORATION WORKSHOP NOV. 1 IN HUNTERDON COUNTY

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with the North Jersey Resource Conservation & Development Council, NJ State Council of Trout Unlimited, The Watershed Institute, USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service and South Branch Watershed Association, will host a stream restoration workshop on Saturday, Nov. 1 in Hunterdon County. First held in 1998, this will be the fifth time this popular and informative workshop is offered.

The "Restoring Our Streams" workshop emphasizes restoration using live plants and similar low cost techniques. The result is a natural streamside appearance and improvement in the health of the stream and its banks. It is highly recommended for streamside landowners, environmental commissioners, public works departments, conservation organizations, fishing club members, environmental regulators, landscapers and concerned citizens.

Combining both classroom education and hands-on field experience, participants will understand the fundamentals of restoring and enhancing streams. During the morning session held at the Whitehouse Firehouse on Rt. 22, speakers will discuss how to evaluate a stream site for restoration work and choose proper restoration techniques, plant materials and tools. Techniques for improving in-stream fish habitat and information on permit requirements as well as sources for technical assistance and funding will also be covered. In the afternoon field session, participants will have a hands-on opportunity to apply various stream restoration techniques at several locations along Pleasant Run in Somerset County.

The organizations sponsoring the workshop are all committed to the conservation and protection of New Jersey’s natural resources. Trout Unlimited uses a grassroots perspective to protect rivers and fisheries through education and restoration projects; The Watershed Institute provides advice, workshops and lectures to watershed organizations and acts as a clearinghouse of information for watershed groups; The North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council’s main mission is to work with communities and regional partnerships to address water quality and protection issues, promote sustainable farming and farm communities and manage natural hazards that impact community planning; the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service provides assistance to private landowners in the conservation and management of their soil, water and other natural resources; the South Branch Watershed Association works to protect the water resources of the South Branch of the Raritan River and its watershed by assisting municipalities, schools, community groups and citizens through education and outreach programs, and the New Jersey DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife manages and protects, through professional wildlife management, all of the fish and wildlife resources of New Jersey.

Past workshops have brought praise from participants who learned valuable information to use in other stream restorations. Quotes from past participants include: “The scope of the program was broad and introduced me to the topics that I had not been familiar with, particularly the changing permitting process:” “Excellent workshop. I learned a lot of practical information that I will use in the future;” and “Thank you for a real learning experience.”

The workshop is limited to 60 participants, and will be held rain or shine from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $30 per person, which includes instruction materials, lunch, and transportation to the field site. For more information, call (908) 735-0733 Ext.110, or visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/strmwrkshp03.htm.


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