Bergen County plans to restore approximately 10 acres of the developed island to natural habitat which would include mixed deciduous woodlands, transitional areas and wetlands vegetation. The goal is to provide habitat for a wide range of birds and other wildlife in a natural state with walking tour trails, habitat overlooks, bird watching sites and river access points and canoe and kayak launches. WWC will provide access to the park and facilitate programs in the park and along the Hackensack River.

A. Existing Conditions

Currently, Van Buskirk Island is a concrete island both above and below, as deep as two floors below the ground level throughout the entire island . The two buildings that are visible from the road are but a fraction of the entire structure. It is filled with concrete infrastructure: from the two-football field size Settlement tank which occupies the major portion of the island on the Eastern side ; to the endless caverns and pipes from 5 to 20 feet high of concrete that run from the Settlement Tank to the Filtration Plant, underneath the Filtration Plant, to the Pumping Station and out in many directions all over the island ; to the smaller round settlement tank at the North end of the island; as well as the Filtration Plant, Pump House, and various out buildings and the two stacks.

There are a few old trees on the far western side of the island and a few straggling remnants of trees with a great deal of weed overgrowth on top of concrete areas. Birds have come to use the Settlement Tank almost like a concrete cliff, and there is evidence of a few creatures that venture onto the concrete industrial site to scavenge and hide in the weeds.

The area surrounding the Water Works property is largely dense, residential use and industrial sites. Two schools bookend the property: to the North is St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Church; to the south is New Milford High School with its football field, tennis courts and other playing fields. Also to the south are the Oradell Recycling collection site, the Oradell DPW, and the New Jersey Bus Terminal, among others.

B. Elevation Design, Vegetation and Planting

WWC supports Bergen County’s plan to re-create a natural river habitat on Van Buskirk Island using two criteria as a guide:

· native species that would represent the natural Hackensack River habitat at the various elevations on the island;

· a sensitivity to how the local avifauna and other wildlife have used the site for the last two hundred years.

Wetland scientists, habitat naturalists, and park planners will aid the County in identifying native species for the various elevations which will thrive and create the most natural environment. Some of these species would include: wetlands species - Water Millet, Blue Joint Grass, Tussock Sedge, Red Top, Blue Vervain, Dark Green Bulrush, Lurid Sedge, Soft Rush, Spotted Jewelweed, and Wool Grass; transitional areas - Winterberry, Highbush Blueberry, Swamp Azalea and Northern Spicebush; wooded areas - Red Maple, American Sycamore, Sweetgum and Northern Red Oak.

The landscaping or elevations of the park, particularly in the area of the former Settlement Tank, must take into account the uses that birds and other wildlife are currently making of the site. The environmental park is being designed so that many elevations are represented, from bird watch overlooks to creating gentle slopes and transition areas that lead to wetlands areas.

C. Walking Paths

The paths in the park will be designed to lead visitors to these various habitat areas with the least impact on the habitats themselves. WWC plans programming that will utilize the habitat overlooks, bird watching sites and habitat observation areas where visitors may observe, study, and enjoy the Hackensack River habitat. Material used for the paths will be consistent with the environmental health of the park.

The walking paths will also provide avenues for naturalist classes, environmental studies, research projects and ongoing monitoring of the habitat.

D. Elimination of Invasive Plant Species

With the infrastructure removed and careful, purposeful replanting of native species and reforestation, the island would begin to have environmental value and become representative of natural Hackensack River habitat. WWC also supports a Bergen County plan for selective clearing of invasive species and an ongoing program for eliminating invasive plants from the site. The “taking over” of invasive, aggressive species is one of the biggest dangers of habitat restoration. Examples of such invasive species found in the area include Oriental Bittersweet, Alder Buckthorn, Red Mulberry, Japanese Knotweed, Norway Maple, Weeping Willow, Purple Loosestrife and common reed. With a continuous program of cutting and replacement by native species, the site can be a true environmental restoration of the Hackensack River habitat.