{"id":710,"date":"2012-04-03T17:53:52","date_gmt":"2012-04-03T17:53:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/?page_id=710"},"modified":"2018-08-06T20:45:39","modified_gmt":"2018-08-06T20:45:39","slug":"western-brackish-marsh-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/sites\/existing-restoration-preservation-mitigation-sites\/western-brackish-marsh-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Brackish Marsh"},"content":{"rendered":"

Category<\/strong>: Existing Restoration\/Preservation, and\/or Mitigation Site\"Western<\/a><\/p>\n

Location<\/strong>: Bordered on the east by the New Jersey Turnpike \u2013 Eastern Spur, on the west by Mill Creek, on the south by Mill Creek Marsh, and to the north by the Hackensack River in Secaucus, Hudson County.<\/p>\n

Latitude\/Longitude<\/strong>: 40.80331\/-74.03911<\/p>\n

Current Land Use<\/strong>: Tidal Marsh<\/p>\n

Size<\/strong>: 63 acres<\/p>\n

Current Ownership<\/strong>: NJMC<\/p>\n

Site Description<\/strong>: Hartz Mountain Industries restored this site and the Eastern Brackish Marsh in the late \u00a01980’s. The 157-acre restoration effort was mitigation for permitted fill of 127 acres of brackish marsh. Prior to restoration, the site was undeveloped, had experienced little or no direct industrial activities, and supported a dense monoculture of common reed (Phragmites australis<\/em>). Restoration activities included the excavation of the marsh plain to lower its elevation and increase tidal inundation, the creation of small upland islands from out of the excavated material, and planting of native vegetation in the tidal and upland areas. Currently, sections of the tidal marsh support smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora<\/em>), while other sections are dominated by dwarf spike rush (Eleocharis parvula<\/em>). High marsh areas are dominated by Phragmites<\/em>. The upland islands are dominated by grey birch (Betula populifolia<\/em>) and Phragmites<\/em>, and support a variety of other trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation. This site has also been known as the IR-2 Mitigation Site.<\/p>\n

Existing Site-Specific Data Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n

A. Survey, Maps, and GIS<\/strong><\/p>\n

HMD regional data exists inclusive of this site.<\/p>\n

B. Real Estate\/Ownership<\/strong><\/p>\n

Owned by NJMC.<\/p>\n

C. Site History & Land Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

Site-specific site history and land use information collected for 1988 and 1991 reports.<\/p>\n

D. Biological Studies – Fauna<\/strong><\/p>\n

General avian and benthic studies conducted at the site in 1989 and 2001, respectively. Fisheries\/benthic studies were completed in 2001 and 2003 respectively.<\/p>\n

E. Biological Studies – General Environmental<\/strong><\/p>\n

General vegetation and environmental studies were conducted from 1978 to 1995. A wetland delineation and several wetland and habitat quality assessments were conducted in 1990. Wetland assessments were also performed in 2003.<\/p>\n

F. Geotechnical<\/strong><\/p>\n

Soils data was collected at the site in 1995.<\/p>\n

G. Hydraulics and Hydrology<\/strong><\/p>\n

No data obtained.<\/p>\n

H. Water and Sediments<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sediment data collected at the site in 1987 and 2001.<\/p>\n

I. Historical\/Cultural Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n

No data obtained.<\/p>\n

J. Restoration\/Remediation Design Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

Studies monitoring the results of site’s restoration were conducted in 1982, 1986, 1988, and 1991.<\/p>\n

Site Reports<\/h2>\n

Site #10 \u2013 Western Brackish Marsh<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Category<\/strong>: Existing Restoration, Preservation, and\/or Mitigation Site<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong>: Bordered on the east by the New Jersey Turnpike \u2013 Eastern Spur, on the west by Mill Creek, on the south by Mill Creek Marsh, and to the north by the Hackensack River in Secaucus, Hudson County.<\/p>\n

Latitude\/Longitude<\/strong>: 40.80331 \/ -74.03911<\/p>\n

Current Land Use<\/strong>: Tidal Marsh<\/p>\n

Size<\/strong>: 63 acres<\/p>\n

Current Ownership<\/strong>: NJMC<\/p>\n

Site Description<\/strong>: Hartz Mountain Industries restored this site and the Eastern Brackish Marsh in the late 1980\u2019s. The 157-acre restoration effort was mitigation for permitted fill of 127 acres of brackish marsh. Prior to restoration, the site was undeveloped, had experienced little or no direct industrial activities, and supported a dense monoculture of common reed (Phragmites australis<\/em>). Restoration activities included the excavation of the marsh plain to lower its elevation and increase tidal inundation, the creation of small upland islands from out of the excavated material, and planting of native vegetation in the tidal and upland areas. Currently, sections of the tidal marsh support smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora<\/em>), while other sections are dominated by dwarf spike rush (Eleocharis parvula<\/em>). High marsh areas are dominated by Phragmites<\/em>. The upland islands are dominated by grey birch (Betula populifolia<\/em>) and Phragmites<\/em>, and support a variety of other trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation. This site has also been known as the IR-2 Mitigation Site.<\/p>\n

Existing Site Specific Data Inventory<\/strong><\/p>\n

* \u2013 Report repeated under multiple data categories and\/or sites.<\/p>\n

A.\u00a0 Survey, Maps, and GIS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Relevant survey, mapping, and GIS data for the Meadowlands can be found in the Meadowlands-wide site report under data category A.<\/p>\n

B.\u00a0\u00a0 Real Estate\/Ownership<\/strong><\/p>\n

NJMC acquired Western Brackish Marsh on December 20, 1996.<\/p>\n

C.\u00a0 Site History & Land Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Berger, John. The Hackensack Meadowlands. 1991.<\/strong> [2a]<\/sup> <\/strong>A \u201cRestoration Case Study\u201d of the mitigation site for the Hartz Mountain Project. Gives history of Hackensack Meadowlands and both Hartz Mountain mitigation sites (Eastern and Western Brackish Marshes), and describes mitigation methods. Concludes that mitigation activities enhanced habitat heterogeneity, vegetational diversity, and wildlife utilization.<\/p>\n

D.\u00a0 Biological Studies \u2013 Fauna<\/strong><\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Raichel, D. The Influence of Phragmites<\/em> Dominance on Marsh Resident Fish in the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. Rutgers University. 2001.<\/strong> [5]<\/sup><\/strong> Investigates the response of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus<\/em>) to common reed (Phragmites australis<\/em>) vs. smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora<\/em>) and compares invertebrate assemblages in these marsh types.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Raichel, D. L., Ken Able, & Jean Marie Hartman. The Influence of Phragmites <\/em>(Common Reed) on the Distribution, Abundance, and Potential Prey of a Resident Marsh Fish in the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey.” Estuaries 26: 511-521. 2003.<\/strong> [5]<\/sup><\/strong> Analyzed abundance and distribution of the various life history stages of mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus<\/em>) and their invertebrate prey in smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora<\/em>) and common reed (Phragmites australis<\/em>).<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Wargo, J.G. October Avian Species Richness: A Natural Marsh vs. An Enhanced Marsh. Rutgers University. 1989. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong>Avian observations were made in a natural and an enhanced marsh during summer & fall 1987 and spring, summer, and fall 1988. Species richness and species diversity were compared. The results were suggested for use as baseline data for future monitoring & evaluation. Why<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Yuhas, C.E. Benthic Communities in Spartina alterniflora<\/em> and Phragmities australis<\/em> Dominated Salt Marshes. Rutgers University. 2001. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong>Core samples were collected at the creek bank and edge of vegetation in natural & mitigated cordgrass (Spartina)<\/em> marshes and in a common reed (Phragmites australis)<\/em> dominated marsh. A recolonization experiment using sediment from an undisturbed & uncontaminated site was also conducted. The diversity and abundance of benthic communities in the samples were analyzed.<\/p>\n

E.\u00a0\u00a0 Biological Studies \u2013 General Environmental<\/strong><\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Berger, John. The Hackensack Meadowlands. 1991.<\/strong> [2a]<\/sup> <\/strong>A \u201cRestoration Case Study\u201d of the mitigation site for the Hartz Mountain Project. Gives history of Hackensack Meadowlands and both Hartz Mountain mitigation sites (Eastern and Western Brackish Marshes), and describes mitigation methods. Concludes that mitigation activities enhanced habitat heterogeneity, vegetational diversity, and wildlife utilization.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Celebrano, M. A Characterization of Sites in the Hackensack Meadowlands District Experiencing Unexplained Decline of Spartina alterniflora<\/em>. HMDC. 1995. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong> 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)<\/em> seedlings in the first growing season. Soil cores from were analyzed for nutrients, metals, percent organic, grain size, acid-volatile sulfides.<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Enviro-Sciences, Inc. Wetlands Report. 1990. <\/strong>[1a] <\/sup><\/strong>Wetland delineation report for a five-acre parcel located along Industrial Avenue in Little Ferry, which included Block 108.3 Lot 3.01 and Block 82 Lots 17 & 20.<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 *Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. Environmental Impact Statement on a Multipurpose Development. October 1978.<\/strong> [4]<\/sup> <\/strong>Addresses plan to construct a multipurpose development in the HMD. The proposed project included modern retail facilities, office complexes, a residential cluster, and light industrial uses, as well as recreational facilities and corridors of open wetland space.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0 *Kraus, M. L. Wetlands: Toxicant Sinks or Reservoirs? Proceedings of the National Symposium: Wetland Hydrology. Association of State Wetlands Mangers. 1987. [1a]<\/sup> <\/strong>Details a study undertaken to determine the role emergent plants play in the uptake, and thus potential export, of heavy metals out of contaminated estuarine marshes in the Meadowlands. Collected soil and plant (four species) samples from four sites \u2013 Saw Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area, Western Brackish Marsh, and two unidentified sites \u2013 and analyzed the samples for Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb.<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0 *The Louis Berger Group, Inc. Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) Functional Assessment Model and Guidebook for Tidal Fringe Wetlands in the New Jersey Meadowlands. 2003. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong>(http:\/\/merilibrary.meadowlands.state.nj.us\/dbtw-wpd\/FullText\/HGM_guidebook_RVSD.pdf<\/a>) A hydrogeomorphic functional assessment model and guidebook for tidal fringe wetlands in the Hackensack Meadowlands was completed. The HGM model can be used as a tool to help determine wetland functions and values and to approximate compensatory wetland mitigation. Map-based and on-site field data (including amount of aquatic edge, channel density, vegetative cover, habitat, soil texture, and tidal inundation) were collected from the reference wetlands and used to refine data collection forms, calibrate model variables, and improve the conceptual HGM functional models. Reference sites included Skeetkill Creek Marsh, Meadowlark Marsh, Lyndhurst Riverside Marsh, MRI, Western Brackish Marsh, Mill Creek Marsh, Eastern Brackish Marsh, Mori Tract, Walden Marsh, Oritani Marsh, Harrier Meadow, Anderson Creek Marsh, Kearny Brackish Marsh, and Riverbend Wetlands Preserve.<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0 *McCormick, J. M. and F. R. Cantelmo. Investigation of Unexplained Decline of Spartina alterniflora<\/em> in Northern Portions of the Hackensack Meadowlands District. HMDC. 1995. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong> Mainly a literature review on factors that influence survival of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)<\/em>. Contains specific review of history of Eastern and Western Brackish Marshes. A small study on the survivability of transplanted S. alterniflora <\/em>was also done.<\/p>\n

13.\u00a0 *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP): IR-2 Site and Off-Site Mitigation Areas: Evaluation of the Villages at Mill Creek Mitigation Program. October 1990.<\/strong> [2]<\/sup><\/strong> The HEP was used to quantify the habitat value of the proposed IR-2 site (now the Mill Creek Wetland Mitigation Site) and mitigation area (now Western Brackish Marsh), as well as two potential offsite wetland mitigation sites \u2013 Anderson Creek Marsh and South Secaucus (also known as Riverbend Wetlands Preserve).<\/p>\n

14.\u00a0 *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Technical Report on Vegetation Mapping for IR-2, Anderson Creek Marsh, and South Secaucus Wetland Sites. December 1990. [2]<\/sup><\/strong>Presents vegetation mapping with supporting data for the IR-2 site (now the Mill Creek Wetland Mitigation Site), its potential onsite mitigation area (now Western Brackish Marsh), and potential offsite mitigation areas \u2013 Anderson Creek Marsh and South Secaucus (now known as Riverbend Wetlands Preserve).<\/p>\n

15.\u00a0 *TAMS Consultants, Inc. Comprehensive Baseline Studies, IR-2 and Off-Site Mitigation Areas\/Evaluation of the Harmon Meadow Western Brackish Marsh Mitigation Area. June 1990.<\/strong> [2]<\/sup><\/strong> Baseline studies were initiated in 1986 to provide Hartz Mountain Industries with planning information about three proposed mitigation sites – IR-2 onsite mitigation (now known as Western Brackish Marsh), Anderson Creek Marsh, and South Secaucus (now known as Riverbend Wetlands Preserve) \u2013 by documenting existing ecological conditions of the sites and the Hackensack River in their vicinity for a year-long period.<\/p>\n

F.\u00a0\u00a0 Geotechnical <\/strong><\/p>\n

16.\u00a0 *Celebrano, M. A Characterization of Sites in the Hackensack Meadowlands District Experiencing Unexplained Decline of Spartina alterniflora<\/em>. HMDC. 1995. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong> 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)<\/em> seedlings in the first growing season. Soil cores from were analyzed for nutrients, metals, percent organic, grain size, acid-volatile sulfides.<\/p>\n

G.\u00a0 Hydraulics and Hydrology<\/strong><\/p>\n

No data obtained.<\/p>\n

H.\u00a0 Water and Sediments<\/strong><\/p>\n

17.\u00a0 *Kraus, M. L. Wetlands: Toxicant Sinks or Reservoirs? Proceedings of the National Symposium: Wetland Hydrology. Association of State Wetlands Mangers. 1987. [1a]<\/sup> <\/strong>Details a study undertaken to determine the role emergent plants play in the uptake, and thus potential export, of heavy metals out of contaminated estuarine marshes in the Meadowlands. Collected soil and plant (four species) samples from four sites \u2013 Saw Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area, Western Brackish Marsh, and two unidentified sites \u2013 and analyzed the samples for Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb.<\/p>\n

18.\u00a0 *Yuhas, C.E. Benthic Communities in Spartina alterniflora<\/em> and Phragmities australis<\/em> Dominated Salt Marshes. Rutgers University. 2001. [1a]<\/sup><\/strong>Core samples were collected at the creek bank and edge of vegetation in natural & mitigated cordgrass (Spartina)<\/em> marshes and in a common reed (Phragmites australis)<\/em> dominated marsh. A recolonization experiment using sediment from an undisturbed & uncontaminated site was also conducted. The diversity and abundance of benthic communities in the samples were analyzed.<\/p>\n

I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Historical\/Cultural Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n

No data obtained.<\/p>\n

J.\u00a0\u00a0 Restoration\/Remediation Design Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

19.\u00a0 *Berger, John. The Hackensack Meadowlands. 1991.<\/strong> [2a]<\/sup> <\/strong>A \u201cRestoration Case Study\u201d of the mitigation site for the Hartz Mountain Project. Gives history of Hackensack Meadowlands and both Hartz Mountain mitigation sites (Eastern and Western Brackish Marshes), and describes mitigation methods. Concludes that mitigation activities enhanced habitat heterogeneity, vegetational diversity, and wildlife utilization.<\/p>\n

20.\u00a0 *Hix, Stephen & Christine Ross (TAMS Consultants, Inc.) Restoration of a Tidal Marsh in the Hackensack Meadowland Region. 1988. [1]<\/sup><\/strong> Discusses the methods and preliminary results of a 151 acre wetland restoration project (Eastern and Western Brackish Marshes) ordered by the USACE to offset the filling of 131 acres of brackish wetlands in the Hackensack Meadowlands.<\/p>\n

21.\u00a0 *TAMS Consultants, Inc. The Villages at Mill Creek (IR-2) Brackish Wetland Mitigation Concept. May 1986. [2]<\/sup><\/strong> Quantifies the net impact of filling 97.41 acres of USACE-regulated wetlands and enhancing 91.98 acres for the construction of the proposed Villages at Mill Creek.<\/p>\n

22.\u00a0 TERA Corporation. Wetland Values in the Hartz Mountain Project Site, Secaucus and North Bergen, Hudson County, New Jersey. May 1982. [4]<\/sup> <\/strong>This report summarizes further analyses of mitigation alternatives conducted after an initial conceptual plan for mitigation was prepared on the proposed project. It incorporates the suggestion offered by USFWS and USEPA personnel that freshwater habitat be considered in project development.<\/p>\n

K. Bibliographic Updates\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/b><\/p>\n

Site #10: Western Brackish Marsh<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Category: Existing Restoration\/Preservation, and\/or Mitigation Site Location: Bordered on the east by the New Jersey Turnpike \u2013 Eastern Spur, on the west by Mill Creek, on the south by Mill Creek Marsh, and to the north by the Hackensack River in Secaucus, Hudson County. Latitude\/Longitude: 40.80331\/-74.03911 Current Land Use: Tidal Marsh Size: 63 acres Current […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":53,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-710","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/710","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=710"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1643,"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/710\/revisions\/1643"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/53"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meri.njmeadowlands.gov\/mesic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}