Environmental Commission Volunteers to Protect Raritan River Watershed

RARITAN TWP., N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Raritan Township’s Environmental Commission and Green Team worked to clean up the waterways during Raritan Headwaters Association’s (RHA) 35th Annual Stream Cleanup Event, Apr. 12.

In celebration of Earth Week, RHA volunteers across 70 sites came together to clean up our rivers and streams, working to protect essential water supplies across Hunterdon, Morris, and Somerset counties.

“300 million tons of plastics are produced globally each year, and 91% [are] not recycled ... It's our mistake and our job to do something about it,” David Moutner, chair of the Environmental Commission said during the introductory briefing.

RHA’s annual event reaches beyond our watershed region – the local cleanup efforts not only support safe access to outdoor recreation along our waterways, but also positively impact communities downstream to Raritan Bay and ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean.

Raritan Township Committeeman Scott Sipos, left, Environmental Commission Chair David Mounter, second from right, and volunteers gather for a selfie photo at the Raritan Headwaters Association Walnut Brook site, Apr. 12. (Courtesy photo)

This year, 19 dedicated volunteers from Raritan Township endured the cold and wet spring weather to pick up trash along the portion of Walnut Brook that runs through the Carriage Gate Development.

“Our Environmental Commission proudly partnered with Raritan Headwaters Association in furtherance of our joint venture for everyone to have access to clean water,” Committeeman Sipos said. “Events like the annual cleanup and continued dedication from volunteers are paramount in keeping our environment pristine.”

After two-and-a-half hours of work, local volunteers collected 12 bags of trash and seven bags of recyclable materials from the Walnut Brook site. Some unusual items found during the cleanup were a hand axe, an electric bug zapper, and golf balls.

A portion of the trash collected from volunteers placed in garbage bags following a two-and-a-half-hour effort. (Courtesy photo)

Discarded tires, wooden studs and debris collected from the Walnut Brook site set aside to be picked up by the Raritan Township Department of Public Works. (Courtesy photo)

About Raritan Headwaters Association:

Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) is a registered 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization with the IRS and is headquartered in Bedminster, N.J. with a South Branch office in Flemington. RHA’s area of coverage extends across 38 municipalities in the Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset counties and includes the Garden State’s largest watershed spanning 470 square miles; they are tasked with protecting natural resources in the 470-square-mile Upper Raritan River and beyond into New Jersey’s more urban areas that rely on the water supplies RHA safeguards. Their mission is to engage citizens in conserving land and clean water through education, science, advocacy, land preservation and stewardship. To learn more, visit: https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/.

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