Featuring...Bayshore Regional Watershed Council

     The Bayshore Regional Watershed Council (BRWC) works to protect, preserve, and cleanup waterways in the bayshore region of Middlesex and Monmouth Counties.  BRWC is an all volunteer group, including citizens, scientists, environmental commissioners, and municipal officials from communities from Old Bridge Township to Highlands. 

     BRWC was created in 2000 under the watershed planning initiatives of Monmouth County and the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).  BRWC’s goal is to restore and conserve Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays.  The council has initiated and accomplished many focused projects, including: obtaining over $50,000 in NJDEP grant funds to help decrease sedimentation and runoff in Flat Creek, acquiring over $5,000 in grant funds to mark over 1,200 storm drains with anti-pollution messages, and identifying eight environmentally sensitive areas that are threatened with development and are most valuable for protection.

     Currently, the council is working to obtain a sewage pump-out boat for private boats to discharge waste, pinpoint vernal pools for state protection, and educate people about water quality.

     “We need to defend our waterways to preserve the unique coastal environment in the Bayshore,” said Joe Reynolds, BRWC Co-chair. “The council recognizes the need to work together with organizations, such as COA, toward the shared goal of clean waters.”

     Also, the council is working closely with Clean Ocean Action (COA) to develop an environmentally sound dredged material management plan for the bayshore.  Citizens are invited to provide input on the grant proposal for the plan.  The next meetings will be held on May 11 at 10:30am at the Senior Center in Atlantic Highlands, and at 7:30pm at Borough Hall in Keyport.

     Also, the BRWC meets monthly on the second Thursday at the Aberdeen Twp. Municipal Building at 7:30pm.  Visit www.visitmonmouth.com/area12/.