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Environmental Commission
Hackensack River Watershed Program
An ordinance creating the Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission was established to study and to make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources, and the protection of flora and fauna in the Village.
This ordinance was approved on January 23, 1996. The Ridgefield Park Environmental Commission held its first meeting on June 27, 1996. All meetings are open to the public and are held at the Village Municipal Building every fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00PM.
ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
Earth Day 2007 Slide Show
EARTH DAY
Pictures from Earth Day 2005: Gator, Snake.
If you were to ask ten different people what “the environment” or “earth day” means to them, it is unlikely that anyone would answer “Ridgefield Park”.
Too often when we think of environmental issues, we think of global issues, such as deforestation, global warming, or depletion of the ozone layer.
The environmental commission would like to remind everyone that the environment is not just the Amazon Rainforest, or even the Jersey Shore. The environment is where you live. In Ridgefield Park, that means our streets, our parks, the Hackensack River, even our backyards.
With this thought in mind, the Environmental Commission hosts a Riverfest Celebration in the Village’s Riverfront Park on Earth Day, in April.
Plans for the day include canoeing, boat rides (weather permitting!) as well as music and hot dogs. The Hackensack Riverkeeper, Captain Bill Sheehan, will be there and all are invited to attend. Admission is free!
The park is located behind the DPW complex, and while it may be an adventure to find, it will be well worth it. Just travel west on Mount Vernon Street, go over the railroad tracks, and make a right. Proceed to the DPW complex on your left. Park past the recycling center and follow the walkway down towards the River.
Hackensack River Watershed
- What is a watershed?
A watershed is an area of land that drains into a lake or river. As rainwater and melting snow run downhill, they carry sediment and other materials into our streams, lakes, wetlands, and ground water.
- The Village of Ridgefield Park is surrounded by water on three sides. The Hackensack River borders the Village on the west and its tributary, Overpeck Creek, forms the town's southern and eastern boundaries.
- The river and creek drain into water supply areas and also into the Atlantic Ocean via Newark Bay
- Healthy Watersheds Are Vital for a Healthy Community, Environment and Economy:
- Like most watersheds, the Hackensack Watershed provides water for drinking, irrigation, and industry.
- Wildlife thrives in and around both the river and the creek. Mammals, birds and fish have been found along the river and creek. Recreational fishing is permitted but limited by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s "Guide to Health Advisory for Eating Fish & Crabs Caught in NJ".
- What is Happening to our local watershed
- The outlook for the Village's share of this vital watershed is hopeful due to the ongoing water quality improvement trends over the past three decades.
- Water pollution comes from many different sources and when it rains all these pollutants are washed down the storm drains, soak into the ground, and flow into the waterways causing damage.
- Sources of Pollutants:
Litter, oil and grease drippings from cars or trucks, fertilizers and pesticides applied to gardens and lawns, dog waste not properly disposed, mothballs, batteries, household cleaners, and antifreeze. Dumping garbage or anything else down storm drains pollutes our waterways.
- Be Pro-Active, Be Concerned
- Recycle (Village Requirement)
- STOP LITTERING
- Dispose of household products properly, if unsure, call the Village DPW at 201-440-4860
- Order a copy of "The Clean Water Book: Lifestyle Choices to Protect Water Resources" which deals with potential sources of water pollution around the home and how to prevent them. Each copy of $4.00 for quantities of less than 12, $2.00 for quantities over 12.
- The Clean Water Book
Maps & Publications Sales Office
Bureau of Revenue
CN 417
Trenton, NJ 08625-0417
WATER IS FOR ALL OF US
PROTECT IT
MEETINGS
ALL MEETINGS TO BE HELD AT 7:30 P.M. PREVAILING TIME ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, UNLESS POSTED OTHERWISE
Public Meetings/Minutes 2010:
JANUARY 28 | FEBRUARY 25 | MARCH 22
APRIL 22 | MAY 27 | JUNE 24 | JULY 22 (IF NECESSARY)
AUGUST 26 (IF NECESSARY) | SEPTEMBER 23 | OCTOBER 28
**NOVEMBER 18 (THIRD THURSDAY)
**DECEMBER -- NO MEETING
Public Meetings/Minutes 2009:
JANUARY 22 | FEBRUARY 26 | MARCH 26
APRIL 23 | MAY 28 | JUNE 25 | JULY 23 | AUGUST 27 | SEPTEMBER 24 | OCTOBER 22
**NOVEMBER 19 (THIRD THURSDAY)
**DECEMBER 17 (IF NECESSARY)
Public Meetings/Minutes 2008:
JANUARY 24 | FEBRUARY 28 | MARCH 27
APRIL 24 | MAY 22 | JUNE 26 | JULY 24 | AUGUST 28 | SEPTEMBER 25 | OCTOBER 23
**NOVEMBER 20 (THIRD THURSDAY)
**DECEMBER 18 (IF NECESSARY)
Public Meetings/Minutes 2007:
FEBRUARY 22
Public Meetings/Minutes 2006:
JANUARY 26| FEBRUARY 23 | MARCH 23 | APRIL 27 | MAY 25 | JUNE 22 | JULY 27
AUGUST 24 | SEPTEMBER 28 | OCTOBER 26 | NOVEMBER 23 (THIRD THURSDAY) | DECEMBER 21 (3rd Thursday IF NECESSARY)
Public Meetings/Minutes 2005:
JANUARY 27| FEBRUARY 24 | MARCH 3 | MARCH 24 | APRIL 28 | MAY 26 | JUNE 23 | JULY 28
AUGUST 25 | SEPTEMBER 22 | OCTOBER 27 | NOVEMBER 17 (THIRD THURSDAY) | DECEMBER 15 (3rd Thursday IF NECESSARY)
Public Meetings/Minutes 2004:
JANUARY 22| FEBRUARY 26| MARCH 25| APRIL 22| MAY 27| JUNE 24| JULY 22
AUGUST 26 | SEPTEMBER 23| OCTOBER 28| NOVEMBER 18| DECEMBER 23
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