Last updated: October 29, 2020
Article
Designation Origin Stories | Great Egg Harbor
|
Name |
State |
Date Study was Enacted |
Public Law |
Congressional Sponsors |
Date designated |
Public Law |
|
|
NJ |
October 30 1986 |
Bruce Frank Vento (D-MN) |
October 27 1992 |
|
Miles designated |
Congressional Sponsors |
Designated ORVs |
Website |
Outstanding Resources |
|
129 |
William John Hughes (D-NJ) |
Historic, Recreation, Wildlife, Hydrology, Traditional Use |
Threatened and endangered species, resting, breeding and feeding areas for waterfowl, rich history, recreation, and scenic vistas. |
The following information is from the May 2000 Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River.
“In the mid 1980’s, local landowners, environmental organizations, and public officials in twelve municipalities in four counties in New Jersey focused on the future of the Great Egg Harbor River. They were motivated by development pressure, changed patterns of recreational use, threats towildlife and historic sites, and the prospect of substantial withdrawals into public water supply systems.”
“In 1992 Congress passed Public Law 102-536, which designated segments of the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The National Park Service, through the Secretary of the Interior, was given responsibility for “managing the river segments through cooperative agreements with the political jurisdictions within which such segments pass . . . except that publicly-owned lands within the boundaries of such segments shall continue to be managed by the agency having jurisdiction over such lands.” This Bill was signed into Law by President Bill Clinton in 1992.
GEH is a National Wild and Scenic River that has become a unit of the National Park Service. This is unusual, as most Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers have language in their legislation that explicitly limits the management by the NPS and does not create additional federal land ownership or park units. The Great Egg was the first locally managed Wild and Scenic River, it was designated without a management plan and also designated as a unit of the National Park system. The National Park Service conducted an Environmental Assessment with management alternatives after designation, which, along with the Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP), was completed in eight years. The Summary of the CRMP goes on to state that:
“As a cooperatively managed unit in the National Park System, the National Park Service has been closely working with twelve municipalities, as well as other appropriate state, federal, and local organizations to assure longterm protection of the designated river corridor. Over 99 percent of the eligible waterways and adjacent lands are within the boundary of the Pinelands National Reserve, which was established by the United States Congress in 1978. Much of the land within the National Reserve is also within the state designated Pinelands Area and falls under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. Uses of these lands and waters within the Pinelands Area are governed by a Comprehensive Management Plan that is administered by the Pinelands Commission.”
“Remaining acreage outside of the National Reserve but within the Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River boundary is predominantly wetlands and is regulated by state and federal agencies. Over one-fourth of the designated river corridor is publicly owned and isadministered as either state wildlife management areas or county parks. The approximately 129-mile designated river corridor is already substantially protected for future generations.”
“Recognizing that the Great Egg Harbor River would be managed cooperatively, Public Law 102-536 also directed the development of Local River Management Plans by each of the twelve municipalities, as well as the joint development of a Comprehensive Management Plan by the National Park Service.
Here is a historical video clip, narrated by Julie Akers, of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the municipalities.
In this video you hear Bill Hughes, a former NJ Congressman, discussing that the role of the federal government in Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers is not heavy handed. The NPS’s role is advisory; they provide expert advice and direction while the Management Plan implementation remains at the local level.
“The Great Egg CRMP describes 129 miles of the river and its surroundings; identifies river-wide issues along with recommended strategies for resolving them; analyzes the environmental consequences of the plan and presents four management alternatives. Under all management alternatives considered, the National Park Service maintains its role as overall administrator and facilitator assisting local protection efforts.”
Mary Vavra, then NPS contact for the Great Egg, joins a Great Egg Harbor River Council meeting. This role is currently held by NPS Natural Resource Specialist Paul Kenney. This video also illustrates the role of the Council and how the Plan (CRMP) is implemented. Join us in celebrating the designation of the first Wild and Scenic River in NJ!