Musconetcong

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Watershed Size: 157.6 sq. mi. (Musconetcong River is 42 miles in length) Major Tributaries: Lubbers Run, Mine Brook, Hances Brook, West Portal Brook Location: Northwest New Jersey, WMA 1, encompassing four counties (Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex and Warren) and 25 municipalities Year Incorporated: 1992 Staff: 1 Full-Time, 1 Part-Time Board: 8

Their mission is … "protecting and improving the quality of the Musconetcong River Watershed, including its natural and cultural resources, through:

• Public education and awareness programs
• Scientific research
• Sustainable land management
• Community involvement"

The Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) charted a course of action in 2002, and in the two years since this organization has accomplished many strong and outstanding contributions to enhance and protect their watershed. Below are a few highlights recognizing the efforts of this organization, each tied to their mission.

Planning for the Future: In 2002, MWA developed a three-year strategic plan. A plan is only good if it gets implemented, and MWA's plan is in full swing. In addition to completing and working on aspects of the strategic plan, MWA also evaluated the strategic planning process at the halfway point. Plans have been set in motion for most items under Organizational Growth Goals and Asbury Mill Restoration Goals. Now they are refocusing on their program goals.

Advocating for National Preservation:
MWA is working hard to secure a National Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the Musconetcong River. Being involved from the start of the designation process twelve years earlier, MWA assisted in the completion of the last two steps before federal designation was proposed in Congress: the Musconetcong Wild and Scenic Rivers Eligibility Report and the Musconetcong River Management Plan. The study determined that 28.5 miles of the Musconetcong River are suitable for designation, and the report sets the stage for action. On March 3, 2004, Congressman Scott Garrett introduced legislation to make the Musconetcong River Wild and Scenic Designation a reality! The next stage in this process is a waiting period. The House Committee on Resources Subcommittee, National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands, will review the materials and contact MWA for interviews and questions.

Restoring Rivers and Tributaries: Partnering with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Hackettstown High School, and M&M Mars Inc., MWA restored a stretch of the Bowers Brook located on M&M Mars' property. Close to 800 plants were installed on a 1000-ft stretch of the brook with the help of many volunteers.

Promoting Responsible Recreation: Promoting responsible recreation of the river and surrounding lands, MWA developed the "Musconetcong Waterway Trail Canoe Guide." A useful two-tone colored map outlines access points and highlights areas of ecological significance of the river while encouraging recreational etiquette and safety.

Fostering Local Youth: Every year MWA offers a weeklong comprehensive watershed education program for 5th and 6th grade classes reaching five schools. Students participate in activities such as building a watershed model and demonstrating nonpoint source pollution. They also get their "feet wet" monitoring water quality, conducting macroinvertebrate surveys, and measuring chemical and physical characteristics.

Musconetcong Watershed Association
P.O. Box 113
Asbury, NJ 08802
(908) 537-7060