Sustainable Blairstown

Numerous community groups will be putting on demonstrations and displays at the Environmental Commission’s second annual Earth Day celebration at Footbridge Park on April 22.

Exhibitors range from the National Park Service to the local wildlife refuge, open space representatives, and Blairstown farmers. Sportsmen can learn from fly fishing experts and those with a touch of the artist in them can participate in a community art project. Also on display will be a community recreation resource board that highlights things to do and see in the vicinity with your chance to add a few more.

The latest list of exhibitors and participants includes:

• NJ DEP Americorps Watershed Management Area #1 Ambassador
• National Park Service – Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Blairstown Open Space Committee
• Ridge and Valley Charter School
• Foodshed Alliance
• Mohican Outdoor Center (Adirondack Mountain Club)
• Antler Ridge Wildlife Refuge
• Trout Unlimited
• Blairstown Youth Baseball
• Agricultural Adventurers 4-H Club
• Blairstown Ambulance Corps
• KG Solar
• Blairstown Dog Park
• Genesis Farm – Community Support Garden

Local Sponsors Make it All Possible

“Local sponsors have pitched in to make the day possible for the community,” said Environmental Commission member Laura Corio. “We’re extending a special thanks to our sponsors: Agens Stone, Blair Academy, First Hope Bank, Jersey Gators, Little Big Farm, Newton Medical Center, and Sanico. Numerous other businesses have donated gift certificates and prizes for the runners and we thank them all.”

BLAIRSTOWN, N.J. (March 17, 2012) – The Blairstown Environmental Commission is gearing up for its second annual Earth Day celebration at Footbridge Park on April 22, 2012. The day’s events incorporate a 5K race and Kids’ Fun Run activities, canoe rides down the Paulinskill, and Earth Day exhibits around the pavilion. The 5K kicks off at noon with canoe rides and exhibits taking place until 4 p.m.

Schedule of Events:

•          11:00 a.m. 5K Race Registration Opens (Kids’ Fun Run registration open until 1:00 p.m.)

•          12:00 5K “Paulinskill River Run 2012” Race Start

•          12:00 Canoe Tours Begin

•          12:00 Exhibits Open

•          1:30 Kids’ Fun Run Activities begin

•          4:00 p.m. Earth Day Activities Conclude

Those interested in the 5K race and Kids’ Fun Run can register by April 1st to secure a free t-shirt, or on the morning of the race to participate. The 5K will be fast and flat as it follows the Paulinskill trail south and returns to finish in the park. The Kids’ Fun Run activities will take place within Footbridge Park itself with shorter sprints and loop races. Run registration fees are $5.00 for students; $10.00 for students over 18; $20 for adults; and $30.00 for a family pass.

“The river, the park, and the trail are just a few of the natural resources that make Blairstown a special place to live.”

Canoe tours are sponsored by Blair Academy. Rides begin at Footbridge Park and end downriver at Sycamore Park. Riders will be ferried back to Footbridge by shuttle. Each canoe will have an experienced paddler who will point out special areas of interest along the river. No experience is necessary for riders. The rides are free but are organized on a first-come, first-served basis.

One of the projects taking place near the pavilion this year is a community earthweave art project. The artwork will be constructed by visitors as the day progresses by weaving natural materials into a large scale loom. Also on display will be a community recreation resource board that highlights all the great places to go and see in the nearby vicinity.

Other exhibitors will be on hand for the day including representatives from the Blairstown Open Space Committee, the AMC Mohican Outdoor Center, Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary, The NJ DEP Watershed Ambassador, local schools and 4-H clubs as well. There will be something for everyone to come out and learn a little about our local environment.

“The river, the park, and the trail are just a few of the natural resources that make Blairstown a special place to live,” said Kevin Doell, chairman, Blairstown Environmental Commission. “The more people come out to enjoy these special places, the more they will value them and want to protect them well into the future.”

Click the Pic for your Registration Form!

To participate in either the “5K” or “Kids’ Fun Run” foot races, please fill out a registration form for EACH participant, make checks payable to “Blairstown Township” and mail registration to:

Blairstown Environmental Commission
106 Route 94
Blairstown, NJ 07825

 Race fees are:

• Students (K-12) $5.00
• Students 18+ $10.00   
• Adults $20.00
• FAMILY PASS $30.00

FREE T-SHIRTS TO THOSE WHO REGISTER BY APRIL 1, 2012!

North Warren Regional High School runner Shawn Conroy Won the 4 mile Paulinskill River Run in 2011

Picture yourself floating down the Paulinskill in a canoe on a beautiful spring day, running alongside your family during a 5K race on a woodland trail, or learning about local hikes to take. Or how about learning something new about your environment and how it affects your family’s health? The Blairstown Township Environmental Commission (EC) invites you to join us for our second annual Footbridge Park Earth Day celebration on April 22.

Our 2012 Earth Day celebration engages the community in activities that highlight the Township’s natural resources. The day’s activities include a 5K foot race, kids fun run activities, canoe trips down the Paulinskill, and educational exhibits. The events will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 22.

Our plans include:

5k and Kids Fun Run Activities 12:00 p.m.

The EC will organize both a 5K run and a Kids Fun Run for elementary students. The race route will start in the Footbridge Park parking lot using a mass start, follow the Paulinskill trail south to a midpoint and return. Prizes donated from local vendors will be awarded to the top runners in a variety of student and adult categories. To register for the race, fill out the registration form and mail it in.

Blair Academy Kayaking Club escorted canoes down the Paulinskill River during the 2011 Earth Day celebration

Canoe Tours 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The EC is coordinating with Blair Academy to once again secure canoes for river tours. The canoes will be placed in the water at Footbridge Park and be paddled downstream to Sycamore Park by experienced canoeists. Naturalists will lead groups of canoes and highlight the flora and fauna, and preserved lands along the river. Participants will be shuttled back to the Footbridge at the end of the ride.

Patti Doell's "Agricultural Adventurers" 4H club provided composting demonstrations at the 2011 Earth Day

Earth Day Exhibits 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

We’re inviting local organizations to our “Pavilion Party” to conduct outreach and educational activities with a focus on fun. One of the activities this year is a Community Earthweave – a large loom-like framework for people to “weave” found pieces of nature into a community art piece. Invitations will be sent to groups such as the AmeriCorps Project Wet team, Foodshed Alliance, Ridge and Valley Conservancy, Pequest Trout Hatchery, Sportsmen Club, Warren County Soil Conservation District and other local environmental commissions. We’ll be organizing fun activities for the kids that teach them how wonderful the place they call home really is. If you know of a group that should be invited, please drop us a note and we’ll add them to our list.

The EC and the Township Committee are very excited about this upcoming event and we hope you will join us. For more information, please call Kevin Doell at 908.798.0294 or send an email to Kevin.doell@gmail.com.

by the Blairstown Township Environmental Commission

Most residents of northern Warren County have never seen GenOn’s Portland Generating Station in Mt. Bethel, Pa. The coal plant is visible almost exclusively from Route 46 while driving only a short distance along the Delaware River. The fine particles emitted by the plant are seen for only a few moments when they hang in the steam over the smokestacks of the plant before they float eastward. Most residents give it little thought or attention. However, the invisible particles heading our way include dangerous toxins such as sulfur dioxide, a toxic gas known to cause lung damage and asthma, and mercury, a heavy metal known to cause nerve damage.

According to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the Portland Power Plant emitted more than 30,000 tons of sulfur dioxide in 2009, which is more than all seven of New Jersey’s coal-fired power plants combined in that year. The plant also has the dubious distinction of being one of the top five generators of sulfur dioxide among power plants in the nation and emits more mercury than all of New Jersey‘s coal fired power plants combined.

According to a map issued by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), residents of northern Warren County have been inhaling these particles in unacceptable amounts for years. Locally, the worst of the particulates come down on Belvidere, White, Harmony, Oxford, Hope, Knowlton, and Blairstown.

GenOn Pollution Map

The GenOn coal plant (previously owned by Reliant Energy) has been operating for about 50 years. Its coal-burners are outdated and do not have advanced pollution controls, such as scrubbers or catalysts, installed to limit emissions. It has been in noncompliance with New Jersey’s air protection laws since 2007, which finally led to a federal ruling against the plant on October 31, 2011. The ruling states that the plant must reduce its emissions of sulfur dioxide by 81 percent over the next three years or close.

Governor Christie, a known asthmatic, celebrated after the ruling, stating, “The EPA made clear that harmful emissions from a Pennsylvania coal-fired power plant will not be tolerated… This is a major step toward our continuing commitment to improving air quality for all residents of New Jersey.”

While this was indeed a huge legal victory for the EPA on behalf of New Jersey, the issue is far from settled. GenOn has already filed an appeal against the EPA ruling to clean up its smokestack emissions in both Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., and in the Third District, which includes Northhampton County where the coal plant is sited. Considering the many legal maneuvers possible to GenOn, it is feasible that the plant will take years to close its operations and/or reduce its emissions.

It is ironic that while the State of New Jersey has dramatically reduced its own coal plant emissions over the last two decades, this part of the state has experienced few of the benefits. Our air pollution comes from over the state line. The particles we do not inhale fall into our waterways and onto our crops, our yards, and our houses.

The question is:  How much longer should New Jersey residents tolerate this injustice?  Unfortunately we cannot build a fence in the air, so other means will be necessary to keep regional power companies from polluting our airspace. Our health depends on it.

Your knowledge and opinions count. The Blairstown Environmental Commission urges residents to stay current with the information and legislation that affects our communities now and into the future. One group, the MAPLE Coalition, (Multi-state Alliance to Promote Clean Energy) is even circulating a petition calling for GenOn to shutter the plant altogether, much in the way they agreed to shutter another of their old plants in Alexandria, Va., which had been in operation for more than 60 years. You can see the petition and a short video at www.portlandcoal.com. For more on MAPLE, contact either Myriam Fallon or Anna Maria Caldara at maplecoalition@gmail.com.

Unfortunately, it is important to realize that the problem with coal-derived energy does not end here. Even if the GenOn Plant ultimately follows the rules and meets EPA emissions standards by installing the necessary technology, the coal toxins “cleaned” from the air will instead drop to the bottom of the smokestack in more concentrated toxicity. It would then become even more imperative that GenOn responsibly disposes of the ash.

RELATED LINKS

• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection “Portland 126 Petition Public Hearing handouts”
• Environmental Protection Agency Information on Sulfur Dioxide
• MAPLE Plant Shutdown Petition
• The Morning Call, “Clock is ticking for power plant”
• MAPLE Facebook Page
• Sierra Club Activist Network Portland/Power Lines Team
• Energy Justice Network
• Quit Coal
  

The Blairstown Environmental Commission (BEC) had its hands full on Saturday, October 1, as it coordinated both a Freecycle event and a volunteer clean up operation in service of the community.

The Commission worked with Jannine Zerres of the Blairstown Warren Freecycle Chapter to set up a “free for all” event down at the Farmer’s Market next to the fire department. About a half-dozen families brought down their extra stuff and willingly donated it for other’s use. There was truly something for everyone – everything from television sets and coffee tables to lamps and toys. Environmental Commission members Laura Corio and Roger Gutzwiller staffed the event booth to help the items make it to their new happy homes instead of the local landfill.

Meanwhile, volunteers from all parts of the community donned bright green shirts emblazoned with the word “CREW” on the back and took to the road to pick up a truckload of trash that had been tossed along Route 94 between the village center and Lambert Road.

Among the stalwart volunteers were:

• Kevin Doell, BEC
• Rob Merrifield, BEC and Blair Academy
• Joe Wargo, BEC
• Jenn Wilson, BEC and North Warren Regional H.S.
• Mike Giambrone, North Warren Regional H.S.
• Elyse Pettaway, Blair Academy
• Devin O’Sullivan, Blair Academy
• Julia Dioguardi, Blair Academy
• Ali Surdoval, Blair Academy
• Henry Doell, Blairstown Elementary
• Lucas Doell, Blairstown Elementary
• Charlie Cannistraci, Ridge and Valley Charter
• Alex Close, Ridge and Valley Charter
• Jack Close, Ridge and Valley Charter
• Jill Ultimo, Blairstown Resident
• Shane Ultimo, Resident
• Cassandra Ultimo, Resident

Thanks to all those who helped out or gave the volunteers a friendly toot to spur them on. And special thanks to Blair Academy for sponsoring the safety shirts that made the volunteers clearly visible as they made the two-mile trek along the cleanup route.

Please watch our video and slide show and think twice about where your garbage goes!

Looks like a rain out, Folks.

Since the ground will be soaked, and the weather really cruddy, we will be pushing our freecycle event back one week to Saturday, Oct. 1.

Please come on down NEXT Saturday to check things out. The long-range forecast looks quite beautiful.

By Laura Corio and Kevin Doell

Some may think of spring when it comes to cleaning, but for Blairstown residents the fall can also be a perfect season to clean out closets, basements, attics, and drawers. After the recent flooding, many will find they are already poised to make a fresh start, so the coming weekends will provide optimal opportunities for making the process easier, greener and fun. The Blairstown “Fall Refresher” Events, sponsored by the Blairstown Environmental Commission (BEC), will take place on two consecutive weekends starting on Saturday, September 24^th, with the Freecycle “Free-for-All” at the Farmer’s Market and ending Saturday, October 1^st, with the Town-wide Cleanup & Litter Pickup. These two events give residents the chance to pass on unneeded items to those who can use them while cleaning out their living space and beautifying Blairstown.

9/24/2011:  Freecycle “Free-for-All” Comes again to the Farmer’s Market – “Pass it, Don’t Trash it!”  

According to Jannine Zerres, Volunteer Moderator of the Blairstown Warren Freecycle Chapter, giving away useful items is recycling at its best, especially considering the current economic climate. While Freecycle usually involves local Internet listings and private pickup arrangements, occasionally the recycling organization takes to the streets with an event such as the one planned in conjunction with the Blairstown Farmer’s Market on September 24th. Kendrya Close, Director of the Foodshed Alliance, is happily hosting the event alongside the usual fantastic farmers and vendors of the market, which is located next to Blairstown Hose Company #1 on Rt. 521.

Participating is easy. First, send an email to blairstownfree@gmail.com or call 908-878-7127 to register. Next, on Sept. 24^th, bring your items (all must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages) and a display blanket or table to the Farmer’s Market entrance on East Avenue, just off Rt. 521. The setup is from 9-10 am. No donation is too big or too small – and you may leave or stay – but nothing can be left behind. All items must be removed between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, after the market closes.

Freecycle (www.freecycle.org) is a national network that promotes the gifting of items instead of selling. Money is never exchanged. The message “Pass it, Don’t Trash it!” is the Freecycle mission, which keeps 750 tons of used items out of landfills every day. Since starting the local Freecycle chapter in 2006, Zerres has grown the group’s membership to more than 600 people. For more information on the Blairstown chapter, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blairstown_Warren_Freecycle.

9/28/2011: Blairstown Town-wide Cleanup & Litter Pickup

If you can’t find a new home for your stuff at Freecycle and really need to get rid of it, Blairstown Township residents can take advantage of the annual free “cleanup vouchers” provided by the township at the Clerk’s Office until September 30^th. Residents with proof of address can claim their voucher that entitles them to drop either two car-loads or one truck-load of garbage at the Warren County Landfill, free of charge. The Warren County Landfill is located at 500 Mt. Pisgah Ave., Oxford, N.J. 07863. The landfill is open Sept. 29^th and 30^th from 7 to 2:30 pm, and on October 1^st from 7 to 11:00 am. Vouchers can be picked up at the municipal building during business hours 7:30-3:30 pm.

Call for Litter Pickup Volunteers! 

As part of Cleanup Weekend, the Blairstown Environmental Commission is issuing a call for volunteers to join a litter pickup brigade on Saturday, October 1st. Enthusiastic students from North Warren Regional High School and Blair Academy will join residents in a joint effort to beautify the Route 94 corridor, from the Village Center at Rts. 94 and 521 to the corner of Lambert Road and Rt. 94. The crews will be removing trash from 11 to 2:00 pm, and rewarded directly afterwards with cider and snacks at the Farmer’s Market. Volunteers should meet at the Farmer’s Market at 10 a.m. and should bring heavy-duty gloves and wear old clothes and sturdy shoes.

To volunteer your much appreciated time and energy, please contact BEC Chairman Kevin Doell at 908-798-0294 or at Kevin.Doell@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.sustainableblairstown.org.

On June 28 at 7:30 p.m. the Blairstown Environmental Commission is sponsoring a joint meeting of Warren and Sussex County environmental commissions located in the Valley and Ridge region of New Jersey. Featured speakers are Nathaniel Sajdak and Ernie Hofer, who are heading the Upper Paulins Kill Watershed Restoration Project. The meeting is taking place at the Blairstown Municipal Building, 106 Route 94, Blairstown, N.J.

The Wallkill River Watershed Management Group has initiated a 40-month project to assess overall water quality and identify restoration and management techniques, which will reduce pollutants and restore the health of the all forms of life in the Paulins Kill Watershed.

Nathaniel and Ernie will discuss the work they have been doing for this project. The public is invited to attend.

Follow the link to view the Project Abstract.