We would like to thank all of the Basin Bulletin readers who helped make the Raritan Basin Watershed Alliance’s December 6th conference, “Moving Towards Healthy Watersheds: Watershed Implementation in the Raritan Basin”, a success.  For those of you who didn’t attend, you missed an interesting day, filled with presentations about successful watershed implementation projects and networking opportunities.  

Despite the threat of snow, nearly 100 people were able to attend the conference.  Participants included federal,  state, county, and municipal government employees, as well as representatives from non-profits, environmental consultants, local businesses, the press, and concerned citizens.  

The watershed success stories highlighted at the conference spanned the entire basin, from the Raritan Highlands to the Edison Wetlands and everything in between.  The types of projects represented were also diverse and included planning, physical restoration, and education.  In addition to the eleven projects that were presented, two keynote speakers addressed timely issues.  Ray Zabihach, PP, Morris County Planning Board Director, discussed the topic,  “Watershed Implementation: A Vision for the Future” in the morning.  After lunch, Joe Skupien, PE, PP, Storm Water Management Consulting, LLC President, discussed “Watershed Implementation: How Do We Measure Success?”  

One of the goals of the conference was to gain momentum and support for a directory of successful watershed implementation projects in the basin.  A comprehensive compilation of projects will be a valuable resource for securing funding for future projects, finding project partners, and sharing lessons learned about similar projects.  Because this field is relatively small, we often feel as if we know about everything going on in the basin, but there may be projects or initiatives that you are not aware of.  In fact, many conference participants commented that they learned about projects that they were not previously familiar with.  If you would like to contribute a watershed success story to the directory, please complete this form and return it to Michelle Segal at msegal@raritanbasin.org

In addition to the presentations, conference participants had the opportunity to view informational displays from conference sponsors 

Eco-Bound Inc, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration- Restoration Center, Stormwater 360, and New Jersey Water Supply Authority.  Local non-profits Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association and Upper Raritan Watershed Association contributed displays as well.

Conference sponsors also included Benkendorf Garden Center, Inc., Canfield Spring at John's Farm, Fiddler's Elbow Country Club, John Cilo, Jr. Associates, The Louis Berger Group, Inc, Middlesex Water Company, Morris County MUA, New Jersey American Water, New Jersey State Council Trout Unlimited, R.A.W. Inc., Storm Water Management Consulting, LLC, and TRC Omni Environmental Corporation.