From the headwater streams in the Highland of New York and New Jersey, through vast tracts of wetlands in the central basin, into the heavily urbanized lower valley and out to Newark Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the Passaic River Coalition (PRC) gives valuable assistance and stewardship for the preservation and protection of over 1,000 miles of waterways.
Since our establishment in 1969 and incorporation in 1972, the Passaic River Coalition has faced the challenges of a watershed beset with every conceivable environmental problem.
As guardians of the Passaic River, we focus on positive results, improvements in land-water resource management, and public health issues by working as an advisor to citizens, other environmental organizations, governments, and businesses.
Gathering scientific data and converting it into informed policy is PRC’s mission, one that has led us to apply the latest techniques like Geographic Information System (GIS) software, first used in 1991 to create maps and graphic displays that illustrate the physical, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics of the River and its watershed in our reports, open space plans, and natural resource inventories.
PRC’s visionary programs demonstrate a deep understanding of the watershed. We’ve led important initiatives to protect drinking water, preserve sensitive wildlife habitat, improve water quality, create new open space, and promote natural flood control management.
PRC has been involved in the creation of new surface supply systems such as the Monksville Reservoir and the development of three Water Supply Master Plans for New Jersey. PRC has assisted in plans to restore Greenwood Lake, a primary water source for northern New Jersey and is creating the overall restoration guide for the Lake.
Alone in the area of groundwater management, in 1980, PRC established the Ground Water Protection Committee, which obtained federal recognition for the Buried Valley Aquifer system of the central Passaic and published studies on its contamination and protection. We’ve created a Well-Head Protection Program to keep groundwater hazards out of municipal wells. The next challenge, given the 46 million gallon per day groundwater deficit in the NJ Highlands, is to develop strategies to retain the water that is flowing out of the system today.
As a leader in the environmental community, we’re recognized statewide for our ability to understand complex water resource issues and provide guidance in policy-making decisions. Therefore, we are frequently asked to serve on federal and state committees that are discussing and defining important and technical environmental issues. We have participated in federal and state task forces and project committees such as: Section 208 Northeast NJ Waste Water Management Planning Committee, NJ Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting, New Jersey’s watershed management area (WMA) programs, and the Congressionally sponsored Lower Passaic River Restoration Initiative.
PRC has been the primary agency seeking natural alternatives and cost-effective solutions to reduce flooding conditions. We were instrumental in the creation and passage of the Blue Acres Program in 1995, securing $15 million for the acquisition of residential structures located within floodways, as well as catalyzing the renewal of the program with $12 million as part of the 2007 Garden State Preservation Trust refunding bond act. Getting people out of harm’s way and restoring the floodway to provide natural cleansing functions is a win-win situation.
In 1993, PRC created a Land Trust to acquire properties of ecological significance and unique landscape character for water resource protection. Preservation of land has become a dynamic part of our daily operations. With a policy of offering fair market value, PRC has acquired nearly 1,000 acres of dedicated open space that will NEVER be developed, an amount that will continue to grow. These parcels will become sites for passive recreation like hiking or birding, outdoor research areas for students and scientists, and places for threatened and endangered species to find sanctuary. Documented on paper, the Land Trust holdings will be available for viewing via an interactive mapping program on our Web site.
We’re unique in our coalition building approach – representing all concerned parties while collaborating with them to reach a consensus of understanding to resolve problems through education, research, and public service.
PRC relies on a dedicated Board of Trustees, professional staff, and volunteers. We work closely with our decision-making audiences establishing strong partnerships among industry, government, non-profit organizations and citizens to maintain an adequate financial support to achieve our mission.