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New Jersey’s EV Mandate will Have a Negative Impact on New Jersey’s Economy, Particularly those in Disadvantaged Communities

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association has urged the state Department of Environmental Protection to withdraw its proposal of the ban of new gas-powered cars by 2035 and work with the Legislature on means to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector.

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County of Bergen to Construct Completely Inclusive Playground

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Above: Draft rendering of the proposed inclusive playground at Riverside County Park prepared by MKW Associates

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, County Executive James J. Tedesco, III, the Board of County Commissioners, and the County’s Parks Department are proud to announce that the County of Bergen recently received a matching $1 million grant from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) to construct a completely inclusive playground at Riverside County Park – South, located in the Borough of North Arlington and the Township of Lyndhurst.

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Man Charged With Killing Four Bear Cubs in Ringwood

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file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to NJ Department of Environmental Protection(NJDEP) , a Ringwood man has been charged with the alleged killing of four bear cubs often seen roaming around the borough.

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NJ DEP Says No to Pascack Valley Mayor’s Association Call lower Water level of Woodcliff Lake Reservoir

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Westwood NJ, A plan by mayors in northern Bergen County to reduce flood risks by having the Woodcliff Lake reservoir lowered to 91 feet has suffered a setback after the state Department of Environmental Protection declined to back it.

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Help Protect the Places that New Jersey’s Fish and Wildlife Call Home

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file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, If you’ve ever spent time exploring the natural beauty of New Jersey, then you can easily see why our Wildlife Management Areas attract the wide variety of animals that live there. After all, with more than 358,000 acres of protected meadows, forests, streams, ponds and wetlands, these areas provide the perfect habitat for wildlife to flourish throughout the state.

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BERGEN COUNTY TO HOST GROUNDBREAKING FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF WILD DUCK POND IN SADDLE RIVER COUNTY PARK

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a ceremony to mark the start of an ecological restoration project at the Wild Duck Pond in Saddle River County Park. The project scope includes replacing the pond liner and implementing stormwater best management practices, which will restore the pond’s wetlands and further support native wildlife. Funding for the restoration project comes from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund and a grant from NJ Green Acres.

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NJ’s Draft Climate Resilience Strategy Should be Based Realistic Assumptions Not Fearmongering and Fake Science

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, New Jersey Business and Industry Association today urged state officials to take a more measured approach than the overreaching proposals contained in New Jersey’s 2021 Draft Climate Change Resilience Strategy because the sea-level rise scenarios it uses to guide coastal management decisions are not based on the latest science.

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High Heat and Poor Air Quality till Monday Evening

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory and The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Action Day :

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING JUNE 10, 2020 8:00 P.M.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
VILLAGE COUNCIL
REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
JUNE 10, 2020
8:00 P.M
.

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Valley Hospital Receives Outstanding Achievement Award for Recycling from NJ Department of Environmental Protection

Valley Hospital

Pictured (from left): Maria Mediago, Vice President, Facilities Management, The Valley Hospital; Howard Halverson, Director, Environmental Services, The Valley Hospital; and  Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, Valley Health System.

December 4,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (EPA) has recognized Valley’s commitment to recycling with an outstanding achievement award.

Valley was lauded for its recycling efforts, which include solid waste, medical waste, recycled waste and hazardous waste. The hospital uses a single-stream recycling system and makes a concerted effort to recycle whenever possible. For example, the OR now sends its reports electronically, which is saving hundreds of reams of paper annually. The hospital also recycles items such as old hospital beds and sends certain medical goods to be recycled for use by other institutions.

According to the EPA, “The Department promotes recycling through the annual recycling awards program that is coordinated in conjunction with the Association of New Jersey Recyclers (ANJR). The awards recognize the outstanding recycling achievements of municipalities, counties, businesses and industry and individuals, as well as schools and other institutions and are presented at ANJR’s annual recycling symposium. This program has generated positive publicity for New Jersey’s recycling efforts.”

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Montclair State University Biology Department to conduct study of Clinging Jellyfish for NJ Department of Environmental Protection

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Study aims to determine prevalence of tiny jellyfish with potent sting.

June 30,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The Jersey Shore NJ, The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has authorized a study in partnership with Montclair State University to determine the distribution and prevalence of clinging jellyfish, a dime-to-quarter sized and invasive jellyfish that packs a powerful sting that has been reported mostly in the Shrewsbury River in recent weeks.

The jellyfish, not a New Jersey Native but a native to the Pacific Ocean, is very difficult to spot in the water. A sting can produce severe pain and other localized symptoms and, in some cases can result in the need for hospitalization.

Multiple specimens have been observed and collected in the Shrewsbury River, while a single clinging jellyfish has been confirmed in the Manasquan River. The studies will be conducted in these waterways, as well as northern portions of Barnegat Bay – where the jellyfish has not, as yet, been observed.

Fortunately no clinging jellyfish have been found on coastal beaches, nor are they anticipated, as they prefer to cling to vegetation found in sheltered bay and estuarine waters.

“The DEP, working in partnership with Montclair State University, will initially focus on areas where clinging jellyfish have been observed and reported, as well as other bay and river locations where they could conceivably thrive,” DEP Commissioner Martin said. “While the marine environment is one of change, we hope this important study will help us increase our understanding of the presence of clinging jellyfish in these areas and to ultimately better inform the public.” (DEP press release June 23, 2016)

The DEP has authorized a 30-day study, beginning on June 23, 2016, that will involve systematic trawling of the water to collect any jellyfish that may be present, as well deployment of artificial sea grass mats to see if they attract clinging jellyfish, and genetic analysis. The DEP will release its findings to the public after the study is concluded.

Depending on the results of the initial study, the DEP will evaluate whether to authorize a second phase of work.

“Given that this species has not been recorded in New Jersey, we need to understand the distribution and life history to establish a baseline,” said Dr. Paul Bologna, an associate professor of biology at Montclair. “This will support the development of public education and management strategies.” (DEP press release June 23, 2016)

Areas of focus for the study will include locations that have submerged vegetation, creek mouths and marinas. Any specimens that are collected will be sent to a laboratory for positive identification.

The clinging jellyfish (Gonionemus vertens), is not known to inhabit ocean beaches or other sandy areas, but tends to attach itself to submerged aquatic vegetation and algae in back bays and rivers, areas not heavily used for swimming.

According to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the clinging jellyfish has a red, orange or violet cross across its middle. Each jellyfish can trail 60 to 90 tentacles that uncoil like sharp threads and emit painful neurotoxins. Clinging jellyfish primarily feed on zooplankton.

Both the adult (medusa) and polyp stages of the clinging jellyfish are capable of stinging, a mechanism they use to stun prey and to defend against predators.

DEP encourages the public to exercise common sense and caution in areas where the jellyfish have been discovered for recreation. Anyone wading through these areas, especially near aquatic vegetation should take precautions, such as wearing waders to protect themselves.

If stung by a clinging jellyfish:

Apply white vinegar to the affected area to immobilize any remaining stinging cells.
Rinse the area with salt water and remove any remaining tentacle materials using gloves or a thick towel.
A hot compress can then be applied to alleviate pain.
If symptoms persist or pain increases instead of subsiding, seek prompt medical attention.