Tidal Mitigation Bank Freshwater Mitigation Site
C. Richard P. Kane Tidal Wetland Mitigation Bank and Freshwater Mitigation Site
Category: Existing Restoration/Preservation and/or Mitigation Site
Location: Bordered on the east by the Hackensack River, on the west by Moonachie Creek, and on the south by the western spur of the NJ Turnpike, in Carlstadt and South Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ.
Latitude/Longitude: Tidal Mitigation Bank; 40.8218/-74.0435 Freshwater Mitigation Site; 40.8292/-74.0399
Current Land Use: Tidal Wetland Mitigation Bank and Freshwater Wetland Mitigation Site.
Size: Total of 237.4 acres; the tidal mitigation bank is 217.5 acres and the freshwater mitigation site is 19.9 acres.
Current Ownership: Meadowlands Conservation Trust
Site Description: Prior to 2010 this 237 acre portion of the Richard P. Kane Natural Area (formerly known as the Empire Tract) was dominated by common reed and was not tidally influenced due to dikes along the eastern portion of the site. In 2010 construction of the 19.85 acre freshwater mitigation site and the 217.5 acre tidal wetland mitigation bank began. The freshwater mitigation site was constructed as compensation for freshwater wetlands lost during the installation of runway safety improvements and the realignment of Redneck Avenue at Teterboro airport. The tidal wetland mitigation bank was constructed to provide wetland mitigation for tidal wetlands lost due to approved transportation projects within the Hackensack Meadowlands District.
Existing Site-Specific Data Inventory
A. Survey, Maps, and GIS
HMD regional data exists inclusive of this site. An existing conditions map was developed for a 2002 EIS and the 2009 tidal wetland Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) and freshwater wetland mitigation plan.
B. Real Estate/Ownership
Meadowlands Conservation Trust
C. Site History & Land Use
Site history and land use information is included in various sources, including a 2002 EIS.
D. Biological Studies – Fauna
Baseline studies and an avian survey were conducted in the late 1990’s.
E. Biological Studies – General Environmental
Various baseline data and wetland quality assessments were conducted between 1995 and 2002. A JD was completed in 1997.
F. Geotechnical
Site-specific baseline data collected for the 2002 EIS and the 2009 tidal wetland Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) and freshwater wetland mitigation plan.
G. Hydraulics and Hydrology
Water budget and stormwater management study completed in 2000 and baseline data collected for 2002 EIS and the 2009 tidal wetland Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) and freshwater wetland mitigation plan.
H. Water and Sediments
Water quality analysis completed in 2000 and baseline data collected for 2002 EIS and the 2009 tidal wetland Mitigation Banking Instrument (MBI) and freshwater wetland mitigation plan.
I. Historical/Cultural Resources
Baseline data collected for the 2002 EIS.
J. Restoration/Remediation Design Plans
Conceptual mitigation plans and mitigation impact assessments developed in 1998, 1999 and 2000, and also presented in 2002 EIS. Details on the design and operation of the tidal mitigation bank is presented in the 2009 MBI, and the freshwater wetland mitigation site was constructed according to the 2009 freshwater wetland mitigation plan.
Site Reports
C. Richard P. Kane Tidal Wetland Mitigation Bank and Freshwater Mitigation Site
Category: Existing Restoration/Preservation Site and/or Mitigation Site
Location: Bordered on the east by the Hackensack River, on the west by Moonachie Creek, and on the south by the western spur of the NJ Turnpike, in Carlstadt, Moonachie and South Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ.
Latitude/Longitude: Tidal Bank; 40.8218/-74.0435 Freshwater Mitigation Site; 40.8292/-74.0399
Current Land Use: Tidal Wetland Mitigation Bank and Freshwater Wetland Mitigation Site.
Size: Total of 237.4 acres; the tidal mitigation bank is 217.5 acres and the freshwater mitigation site is 19.9 acres.
Current Ownership: Meadowlands Conservation Trust
Site Description: Prior to 2010 this 237 acre portion of the Richard P. Kane Natural Area (formerly known as the Empire Tract) was dominated by common reed and was not tidally influenced due to dikes along the eastern portion of the site. In 2010 construction of the 19.85 acre freshwater mitigation site and the 217.5 acre tidal wetland mitigation bank began. The freshwater mitigation site was constructed as compensation for freshwater wetlands lost during the installation of runway safety improvements and the realignment of Redneck Avenue at Teterboro airport. The tidal wetland mitigation bank was constructed to provide wetland mitigation for tidal wetlands lost due to approved transportation projects within the Hackensack Meadowlands District.
Existing Site Specific Data Inventory
* – Report repeated under multiple data categories and/or sites.
A. Survey, Maps, and GIS
Relevant survey, mapping, and GIS data for the Meadowlands can be found in the Meadowlands-wide site report under data category A.
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Assesses potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
B. Real Estate/Ownership
Meadowlands Conservation Trust
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Assesses potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
C. Site History & Land Use
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment Permit. 1996. [1a] Multi-permit application package for the Meadowlands Mills project prepared to fulfill the application requirements for NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment permits. Contains project description and project alternatives, summarizes existing site conditions, details project compliance with coastal zone management rules, and provides project checklist for water quality and stream encroachment requirements. Also listed other relevant required permits and application status.
- *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Meadowlands Mills Wetland Mitigation Conceptual Plan: Empire Tract, Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. Empire, Ltd. 1998. [1a] Presents on site mitigation plan associated with the construction of a mall at the Empire Tract. Existing wetlands were assessed and found to be of low value. Discusses site history.
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Assesses potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
D. Biological Studies – Fauna
- Paulus, Sokoloski, and Sartor, Inc. Essential Fish Habitat Assessment of the Empire Tract and Meadowlands Mills Development. November 1999. [4] Reviewed available on-site fish surveys; concluding that the non-tidal portion of the Empire Tract does not provide essential fish habitat for managed species.
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment Permit. 1996. [1a] Multi-permit application package for the Meadowlands Mills project prepared to fulfill the application requirements for NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment permits. Contains project description and project alternatives, summarizes existing site conditions, details project compliance with coastal zone management rules, and provides project checklist for water quality and stream encroachment requirements. Also listed other relevant required permits and application status.
- *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Avian Survey Report: Existing Conditions, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Activities – Empire Tract. Revised October 29, 1998. [1] A report detailing an avian survey, conducted from 1996 to 1997, to determine the overall bird usage of the Empire Tract (through which Moonachie Creek flows). The report also includes a discussion of the potential impacts to the avian community of the affected environment that would result from development and an assessment of the proposed mitigation activities for the Meadowlands Mills wetland mitigation program and its beneficial effect on avifauna.
E. Biological Studies – General Environmental
- *Celebrano, M. A Characterization of Sites in the Hackensack Meadowlands District Experiencing Unexplained Decline of Spartina alterniflora. HMDC. 1995. [1a] Compares soils from the Eastern Brackish Marsh, Western Brackish Marsh, Empire Tract, and Metro Media sites to determine if differing soil characteristics effect the growth of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) seedlings in the first growing season. Soil cores from were analyzed for nutrients, metals, percent organic, grain size, acid-volatile sulfides.
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment Permit. 1996. [1a] Multi-permit application package for the Meadowlands Mills project prepared to fulfill the application requirements for NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment permits. Contains project description and project alternatives, summarizes existing site conditions, details project compliance with coastal zone management rules, and provides project checklist for water quality and stream encroachment requirements. Also listed other relevant required permits and application status.
- *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Meadowlands Mills Wetland Mitigation Conceptual Plan: Empire Tract, Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. Empire, Ltd. 1998. [1a] Presents on site mitigation plan associated with the construction of a mall at the Empire Tract. Existing wetlands were assessed and found to be of low value. Discusses site history
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Assesses potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
- S. Army Corps of Engineers. Jurisdictional Determination: Empire Tract Site (App. No. 1995-07440). 11/3/1997. [2] A jurisdictional determination was performed by the USACE in 1997 for the Empire Site.
F. Geotechnical
- *Celebrano, M. A Characterization of Sites in the Hackensack Meadowlands District Experiencing Unexplained Decline of Spartina alterniflora. HMDC. 1995. [1a] Compares soils from the Eastern Brackish Marsh, Western Brackish Marsh, Empire Tract, and Metro Media sites to determine if differing soil characteristics effect the growth of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) seedlings in the first growing season. Soil cores from were analyzed for nutrients, metals, percent organic, grain size, acid-volatile sulfides.
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Assesses potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
G. Hydraulics and Hydrology
- Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Meadowlands Mills Storm Water Management Report. Empire, Ltd. 2000. [1a] Describes existing conditions regarding stormwater, regulatory requirements associated with development, and proposed stormwater components and provisions at the Empire Tract.
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Water Budget and Water Quality Improvement Function Analysis for the Empire Tract Located in the Borough of Carlstadt and Township of South Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey. 2000. [1a] Includes a water budget for existing conditions at the Empire Tract. Water quality samples were taken during two low and two high flow events. From this data, net imports/exports of BOD, COD, P, N, TSS, and TOC were estimated.
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment Permit. 1996. [1a] Multi-permit application package for the Meadowlands Mills project prepared to fulfill the application requirements for NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment permits. Contains project description and project alternatives, summarizes existing site conditions, details project compliance with coastal zone management rules, and provides project checklist for water quality and stream encroachment requirements. Also listed other relevant required permits and application status.
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Assesses potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
H. Water and Sediments
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Water Budget and Water Quality Improvement Function Analysis for the Empire Tract Located in the Borough of Carlstadt and Township of South Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey. 2000. [1a] Includes a water budget for existing conditions at the Empire Tract. Water quality samples were taken during two low and two high flow events. From this data, net imports/exports of BOD, COD, P, N, TSS, and TOC were estimated.
- *Paulus, Sokolowski, and Sartor, Inc. Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment Permit. 1996. [1a] Multi-permit application package for the Meadowlands Mills project prepared to fulfill the application requirements for NJDEP Waterfront Development Permit, Water Quality Certification, Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination, and Stream Encroachment permits. Contains project description and project alternatives, summarizes existing site conditions, details project compliance with coastal zone management rules, and provides project checklist for water quality and stream encroachment requirements. Also listed other relevant required permits and application status.
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Report assessing potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
I. Historical/Cultural Resources
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Report assessing potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.
J. Restoration/Remediation Design Plans
- Paulus, Sokoloski, and Sartor, Inc. Meadowlands Mills Conceptual Wetlands Mitigation Plan. December 1999. [4] Conceptual wetland mitigation plan for the proposed construction of a mall at the Empire Tract. Includes the enhancement of 221 acres of wetlands dominated by common reed (Phragmites australis) to increase wetland values, as well as the preservation of 29 acres of existing wetlands. The functionality of existing and proposed conditions was assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment methodology.
- Paulus, Sokoloski, and Sartor, Inc. Meadowlands Mills Wetlands Mitigation Project Monitoring and Maintenance Plan. January 2000 (Revised March 2000). [4] Monitoring and maintenance plan for a proposed wetland mitigation project at the Empire Tract. Plan includes recording the progress of the project, monitoring and maintaining the ecological development of the enhanced wetlands, identifying corrective steps to address potential problems, and documenting the monitoring and maintenance activities in annual written reports.
- *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Avian Survey Report: Existing Conditions, Environmental Consequences, and Mitigation Activities – Empire Tract. Revised October 29, 1998. [1] A report detailing an avian survey, conducted from 1996 to 1997, to determine the overall bird usage of the Empire Tract (through which Moonachie Creek flows). The report also includes a discussion of the potential impacts to the avian community of the affected environment that would result from development and an assessment of the proposed mitigation activities for the Meadowlands Mills wetland mitigation program and its beneficial effect on avifauna.
- *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Meadowlands Mills Wetland Mitigation Conceptual Plan: Empire Tract, Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. Empire, Ltd. 1998. [1a] Presents on site mitigation plan associated with the construction of a mall at the Empire Tract. Existing wetlands were assessed and found to be of low value. Discusses site history.
- *USACE. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Meadowlands Mills Project Proposed by Empire Ltd. 2002. [1a] Report assessing potential impacts on the Empire Tract from the proposed construction of a mall, including several different fill and mitigation alternatives. Existing wetlands were assessed using the Indicator Value Assessment method.