208 Acres Added to South Branch Preserve! 

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey closed on a 208-acre farm in Mt. Olive Township formerly known as the West King Estates property on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.  The acquisition will permanently protect this tract of watershed land at the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River.  The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has nearly tripled the size of the South Branch Preserve in Mt. Olive Township.  In partnership with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, Mount Olive Township, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant from the Morris County Preservation Trust, the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, the Raritan Headwaters Association and the State of New Jersey, the Conservancy has now preserved 370 acres of land in the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River.  The River provides clean drinking water to more than one and a half million New Jersey residents making it one of the most important watersheds in the state.

"The State of New Jersey deeply values the collaboration between all parties to bring this project to a successful close, providing our residents with secure clean and plentiful supplies of drinking water,” states Lisa Stern, from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program.  “We congratulate The Land Conservancy of New Jersey on its partnership efforts to protect the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River and look forward to future projects together.”

Culminating a year-long effort, this project protects three quarters of a mile of the South Branch of the Raritan River.  “The preservation of the West King property continues our ongoing effort to preserve the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River,” states Mayor David M. Scapicchio of Mount Olive Township. “It is a priority for the Township and region.”

“Morris County is delighted to be a partner in preserving this land as an open space buffer to the South Branch of the Raritan River,” states Ann Grossi, Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  “The South Branch is the drinking water supply for more than one million New Jersey residents.  Using this property as an open space buffer will not only protect the drinking water but also mitigate flooding downstream.”

The Land Conservancy will own the former West King Estates property in partnership with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority.  “The Authority’s water customers enable us to participate in important projects such as this by funding source water protection. Through this unique funding mechanism, downstream users contribute toward headwater protection,” explained Henry Patterson, Executive Director New Jersey Water Supply Authority.

“The preservation of the West King Estates property, which is part of the larger South Branch Preserve, is the perfect example of the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority partnering with other public entities and non-profit organizations to protect and preserve the valuable water resources of Morris County,” highlights Glenn Schweizer its Executive Director and contributing partner to the preservation of the South Branch Preserve.

Far reaching plans are being developed for managing the West King Estates property to ensure it protects the South Branch of the Raritan River and to provide for public enjoyment.  The Land Conservancy will use a $70,000 grant from the National Forest Foundation to restore more than 40 acres of sloping farm fields to native forest, further protecting the river.  Hiking trails will be created on the property and 30 acres of corn fields will be converted to an organic farm.  Other plans include a community garden that will be open for use to area residents, and the availability of two small plots for local schools, allowing students the opportunity to learn how to grow their own food using river friendly organic farming techniques.

“Preserving open space protects water quality.  This property is located in the headwaters of the South Branch of the Raritan River, its preservation is a critical step in protecting clean water for over 1.5 million people in New Jersey who rely on the South Branch for their drinking water,” states Bill Kibler, Director of Policy & Science, Raritan Headwaters Association,

The South Branch Preserve is a great example of efforts to bring together public and private organizations with different interests and resources to preserve lands of regional and statewide significance. The long term vision is to increase the South Branch Preserve to 1,000 acres creating a showcase for watershed restoration; community based organic farming and passive recreation including fishing and hiking.  “The Land Conservancy is proud to have such wonderful partners to help complete this complex transaction,” explains David Epstein, President of The Land Conservancy.  “We look forward to working with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority to manage this critical property to engage the public in helping us provide new recreational access, locally grown organic food, and protection for the headwaters of a river that so many New Jersey residents depend upon for their drinking water.”