By Eitan Grunwald
Last year the Environmental Commission completed an updated Environmental Resources Inventory (ERI) of Roosevelt. Among the key findings was this:
The forest is changing. The density and frequency of invasive plant species is rising. Trees that have been brought down by strong winds or winter storms have created a high pulse of woody debris. This provides habitat and other wildlife benefits, but a forest management plan that includes a consideration of fire hazards is needed.
There are multiple reasons why forest management is important to Roosevelt:
- The threat of wildfire is increasing due to the growing accumulation of fuel in the forest.
- A healthy forest protects our drinking water. It captures rainfall, provides natural filtration, and stores greater volume in the ground to replenish our supplies of clean drinking water.
- A healthy forest reduces damage from storm water. It absorbs runoff to prevent soil erosion, stream siltation, habitat degradation, and property damage.
- A healthy forest sustains the beauty of Roosevelt. Our woodland greenways are an essential part of the landscape and life of our community. We have a responsibility to preserve them.
While our professional forester will provide technical expertise, a cross-section of Roosevelt citizens will also participate in the planning to reflect community priorities and interests. This group includes residents who feel strongly about the use and preservation of our municipal woodlands; Fire Company personnel to comment on wildfire hazard mitigation; and volunteers with enough science background to understand and consider the ecological implications of any actions proposed by the plan. These advisors will help develop five-year goals for management of our forest, then review and comment on the plan as it is drafted by the forester.
We hope to have the plan ready by sometime in the spring, at which time it will be presented at a public meeting. Following adoption by the Environmental Commission and Borough Council, the CFMP will be submitted to the State of New Jersey Forest Service for approval. Once the plan is approved by the State, Roosevelt will become eligible for grants to fund implementation.
Anyone interested in learning more and becoming involved in this, or any other Environmental Commission activity, is welcome to attend a meeting (every third Wednesday of the month) or contact Eitan Grunwald, EC Chair, at 609-426-4636 or environmental@rooseveltnj.org.