Environmental resource inventory a report

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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1974

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

A Report Prepared for

Bass River Township

with

the cooperation of the Township's

Board of Commissioners

Planning Board

Board of Adjustment

Environmental Commission
Property of CSC Library

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FOREWORD

The Bass River Township Environmental Commission was created on 1 February
1973. One of its very first tasks was to apply for and obtain grants for matching
f unds; from the State of New Jersey and from the Ford Foundation for the purpose-
of drafting a Natural Resources assessment that would be used ultimately in deve-
loping a master plan for the Township.

The'Natural Resources Inventory was initiated by the Environmental Commission
with the development of maps of the types and characteristics of natural resources
associated with the water, land, soil, vegetation and wildlife. The maps, with abun-
dant pertinent information are now available for guidance and use by the governing
body of the Township and its Planning Board in the task of developing the Master
Plan for Bass River Township.

These Township maps with their accompanying data shall be used to indicate the
difficulties or advantages for various types of land use based on the characteristics
of the natural resources within each area. The information and data gathered for
this Natural Resources Survey are the result of much endeavor by a number of
people who gave much of their time, effort and expertise to produce this report.

To@the Mayor of Bass River Township, Floyd West and the other two members of
the Board of Commissioners, Dr. Jonathon Ashton and Joseph Forgach, the
Environmental Commission is most grateful. Their interest and dedication to the wel-
fare and future of our township is an inspiration calling for our best efforts.in
producing a useful master plan which will provide an optimum of environmental
.quality for Bass River Township.

The Environmental Commission of
Bass River Township

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Environmental Commis 'sion gratefully acknowledges the contributions of members
of.several Township Commissions.

Township Commissioners

Mayor Floyd West
Dr. Jonathon Ashton
Joseph Forgach

Planning Board Board of Adjustment
Richard Bethea, Chairman Ron Criss, Chairman
Harold Sheads, Secretary Donald Mickens
Sarah Sheads, Clerk
John Schmid Building Irispector
Floyd West
Joseph Forgach Robert A. Brown, Jr.
Thurman Seay - Vice Chairman

Environmental Commission

John C. Schmid, Chairman
Dr. Peter Suckling
Thurman Seay
Sarah Guertlef
Mary E. Schmid, Secretary

Associate Members
Marietta Guertler
Dr. Joan Suckling

The research phases for the inventory were carried out by Mr. John Holland, A.I.P.,
consultation planner for Bass River Township and by Dr. V. Eugene Vivian, Executive
Director, the Conservation and Environmental Studies Center, Inc. and Professor of
Environmental Studies, Glassboro State C'oJIege. Dr. Vivian was assisted by Mr. John
Hiros and Mr. J. Donald Zollinhofer of the CESC staff and Mr. Carl Hedley and Mr.,
Clifford Daniels, graduate students at Glassboro State College. Mr. Curtis Read and
Mr. Blaire VanValkenburgh, students at Stockton State College, supplied manuscript
and references at the instance of Dr. Suckling, who played a significant role in organizing
the inventory.

The history of Bass River Township was authored by Mrs. Sara Mathis Guertler, and
several maps were developed and projected by Mr. John Schmid. Mr. Fred Mahn,
Soil Scientist for the Soil Conservation District of Burlington County prepared the
group water map. Mayor Floyd West developed textual materials on housing and
population. John and Mary Schmid prepared extensive lists of fauna and flora.
The printing of all map figures was done by Mr. John Holland and his staff. The logo
for the cover of this report was designed by a local artist Mrs. Margaret S. Johnson.

The entire manuscript was collated and edited by Dr. Vivian. Speci al thanks go to Ms.
Betty Stohrel of the CESC staff who typed the manuscript and the off ice staff of CESC
who reproduced and collated'the inventory.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY

for

BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Chapter 1 Location and Geographic Description 1

Chapter 2 History of the Township 2

Chapter 3 Climate, Geology and Soils 6

Chapter 4 Rivers, Water Supplies and Aquifers 26

Chapter 5 Vegetation and Wildlife 41
Forest Fires and Woodland Environments 70

Chapter 6 Present Land Use 72

Chapter 7 Population Studies 80

Chapter 8 Availability of Personal Services 85

Chapter 9 Highways and Transportation 86
Bass River Township and Route 9 87

Chapter 10 Limitations for Development 88
State Regulations 88
Topography 91
Publicly Owned Lands 91
Environmental Requirements and Impact of
Present Industries in Bass River Towns;6ip 93
Local Attitudes Toward Development 98-

MAPS
Figure 1 Location Map 3

Figure 2 Climate and Well Monitoring Sites 20
Figure 3 Soil Resource Map with Ground Water Levels 24
Figure 4@ Existing Land Use
79
Figure 5 Surface Features 89
Figure 6 Regional Public Major Land Holdings 92

Chapter I

Location and Geographic Description

Bass River Township occupies some 77 square miles in the southeasterly
extremity of Burlington County, New Jersey. The area is close to the
center of the east coast area of the United States, the megalopolis area
extending from Boston to Washington. The township is 16 miles north
of Atlantic City and about 55 miles southeast of Philadelphia. It contains
most of the Bass River State Forest and some sections of the Wharton State
Forest. (See Figure 1).

The southern part of the township contains the small town of New Gretna
and is traversed by sections of route 9. and the Garden'State Parkway. As
the crow flies, New Gretna is about 15 miles north of Atlantic City; 46.
miles southeast of Philadelphia; and sone 85 miles south of New York City.

The township is bordered on the south and west by important public land
areas -the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge; the Port Republic Fish and
Wildlife Management area; and the Wharton State Forest. It is located mid-
way between the east--west transporation corridors connecting the Philadel-
Camden metropolitan region with* the Atlantic City and Toms River
coastal areas.

There:are coastal barrier beach islandssuch as'Long Beach Island some miles
to the east which are very heavily populated with vacationers during the
summer months. Areas to'the west With communities such as Egg Harbour
.City,, Hammonton and further away, Vineland, are intensively farmed.. The
adjacent township to the north east, Little Egg Township is being developed
for residences at a very rapid rate. Residential and industrial development is
also proceeding rapidly in communities west of Atlantic City, particularly in
Pleasantville, Northfield and Linwood.

The communities mentioned in the previous paragraph. and the Fort Dix
Military Reservation to the north surround an area of roughly a million acres
which is naturally forested and which carries a low population density. It is
the -remainder of what has been known as the New Jersey Pine Barrens. A
substantial part of the area is watershed for the Wading, Mullica and Bass Rivers
and is far from being barren. Bass River Township occupies 50,000 acres of
this forested land. It is separated by an area of salt marsh from Great Bay which
opens onto the Atlantic Ocean six miles away. Tidal creeksrun from the lower
southern part of the township into Great Bay.

Chapter 2

A History of Bass River Township

Bass River Township in its political entity was created by an act,of.the Legislature
of the State of New Jersey on March 30,1864. It contained a part of Washington
Township but most of its territory was taken. from Little Egg Harbor Township.
The bounds were defined by a supplement to the original act which described
them as follows:

"Beginning opposite the mouth of Belangy's Creek, in the division line
of Burlington and Atlantic counties, thence running a northerly course
up the said Belangy's Creek, the several courses thereof, to the bridge
on the main stage road from Bass River to Tuckerton, thence in a nor-
therly course to a point on the county line between Ocean and Burlington
counties, when a due west course will strike a bridge known as Lauries'
Pridge., on the line of Washington Township, thence along Washington
Township line to the east branch of Wading River, thence down the
said stream to the mouth of Harrisville canal, thence along said canal to
the Speedwell stream, thence along said stream@ to its mouth, thence
down Wading River to the place of beginning."

The name is derived from Bass River which rises in the northeastern part of the
township. The first settlement appears to have been made on Daniel Mathis'
Island on the east bank of, Bass River in 1713. The early settlers were for the
most part Quakers who came from England. They bought large tracts of land
upon'which they built their homes and farms. They were resourceful, indepen-
derit,pieople, skilled in hunting,*fishing, blacksmithing, coopering, carpentering,
tan-ning-and.shoemaking. The women spun wool and flax, made the dye for the
yarn and wove it into. cloth for bedding and wearing apparel. Many persons living
in Bass River Township at the present time are descended from the early settlers.
Some stil I possess articles made from the homespun.

When Tuckerton, on September 17, 1787, became the third port of entry in the
United States, it influenced industry in the -township. Shipbuilding was carried on
in.tw,o locations on Bass River. The first vessel built was the brig "Argo" in 1800.
Many cargo vessels were registered to owners and operators in Bass River. Exports
.were sen t to'New York, Philadelphia, and Rhode Island, from which places they
might be shipped to the southern colonies, to the West Indies, or overseas, Some
engaged in direct trade with the West Indies.

Lumbering and fishing offered a livelihood to many men. Woodchoppers and
charcoal burners were employed in large numbers to serve the bog iron industry.
Sawmills turned out lumber in great quantities, much of it for export. Barrel
staves, to be used in making hogsheads in the West Indies, were an important
commodity. Ancient white cedars, three feet and more in diameter, were dug up or

FIGURE I

LOCATION MAP-BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

Asburp
TeZ M 0 N M 0 U T H Park
E N N S Y L V A N I A

Lakewo
urlington

Philadelphi
Toms Rivey
Ica en BURLINGTON
295 206 0 C E A w N
r c MDEN

41 30

Glassboroo
G LOUCESTER\

S E

lem

322
&.I.nd T sA I
Bridget anding

tlantic City

C A P E cean City
N
M A Y

D E L A W A R E

8 A Y STATE HIGHWAY
FEDERAL HIGHWAY
DIVIDED HIGHWAY

Cape
oy SCALE IN MILES

15 20

10mined" from the waters of the swamps iand converted into shingles of superior
wearing quality. (There is, even today, a man engaged in mining cedar at
Merrygold, a small tributary of the Wading River within the township.

The iron industry required tremendous capital resources, expert management
and technical skil Is. In addition to the mines themselves, forests were needed
to supply the charcoal'used in smelting the ore. Limestone, usually.in the form
of oyster shells, was required as a flux in the forges. Waterpower was essential
to operate the bellows and other machinery. Also, because the operation, had to
be carried on in remote areas, the,ironmaster had to provide a self-sufficient
community for his numerous workers.

Martha Furnace, on the east branch of Wading River just above Harrisville Pond,
was established in 1793. According to T. F. Gordon, "Gazetteer of New.Jersey",
1834:

"The furnace makes about 750 tons of iron castings annually.and
employs about 60 hands, who, with their families, make a population
of near 400 souls, requiring from 40 to 50 dwellings; there are about
30,000 acres of land appurtenant to these works."

'The Martha Furnace. Diary, a journal kept from 1808 to 1815 by Caleb Earle, an
observant clerk,''and other sources, give a detailed picture of this commu nity.
Martha Furnace was closed down in 1840. However, many of the workmen
continued to live in the village of Calico and engaged in the manufacture of.
charcoal.

Two years after Martha Furnace was established, the Wading River Forge and
Slitting Mill was built on Harrisville Pond. This mill processed the pig iron bars
into sheets and strips of metal of comme'rcial'size. A canal was built to enable
the barges f rom Martha to by-pass the dam.

In the 1830's, a paper mill was begun at Harrisville. A heavy grade of paper was
made from salt hay from the marshes. In the 1850s it was the largest paper mill
in New Jersey. Harrisville was a thriving community. The main street, lit by
gas lamps on ornamental posts, was part of the road that led to Bodine's Tavern
and "The Landing" at Wading River or Bridgeport. It was the centerof an
industrial area with f ive bog iron furnaces not far away. The store was a shopping
center for workmen and farmers from miles around. A survey of the plant dated
August 1877 by A. Hexamer gives a very good picture of Harr isville in its heyday.

After financial difficulties Harrisville was sold at Sheriff's sale on July 16, 1896
to Joseph Wharton, aPhiladelphia industrialist and financier. It remained a ghost
town until destroyed by fire, the ever present threat in the Pine Barrens, in 1910.

Joseph Wharton had the dam rebuilt at a cost of $30,000. In 1974, the State of
New Jersey, owner of the vast Wharton Tract which Includes Martha and Harrisville,
is rebuilding the dam at a cost of $500,000.

Bass River State Forest was initiated as a public recreation area in 1905. Besides
its recreational facilities which include camping, fishing and swimming, the aim of
'the state is to conserve water supplies, timber and protect wildlife. Penn State
Forest is another state-owned recreational area.

Following .the development of the state parks, many privately owned campsite
and recreational areas were established until the provision of recreational facilities
and the cultivation of cranberries are the chief enterprises and account for the
major land use in the township.

The fisheries, particularly shell fish, are still a major industry as well as lumbering,
hunting, and the cultivation of blueberries. A wood carver and a glass blower have
located at Mathistown along U.S. Highway 9 and are well known for their unique
skills. There are two marinas on the Bass River. Also, the Viking, a luxury pleasure
boat, is built on the site where the first brig was constructed in 1800.

New G retna has been the center of population in Bass River for over one hundred
years. The Methodist and Presbyterian churches and cemeteries are here. The
elementary school, volunteer fire company, post office, a new bank, a bakery,
restuarants, taverns and stores are a part of the village.

Long before the Revolution, this lovely locality had a compeling appeal for the
enterprising men. The valuable water resources have been preserved, each in. their
special way, by the cranberry and shellfish industries, Joseph Wharton and the State
Of New Jersey. The state has declared 75 acres on the eastern shore of Lake Absegami
and 440 acres of the Calico Ridge-Martha Tract to be areas having natural significance.
Sim Place, 3000 acres vital to the Wading River ecosystem, has been proposed for
state acquisition and preservation.

Bass River offers quiet streams and wooded trails for the regeneration of the spirit.
Perhaps the asphodel, (Tofieldia racemosa) whose white @'spikes of starry flowers" so
delighted the naturalist, Witmer Stone, in a savanna by the Wading River, could
b.ecome a symbol of this region, "the perfect image 'of delicate, simplicity.

Chapter 3

The Climate, Geology and Soils of Bass River Township

Climate

Bass River Township enjoys a cl imate typical for the coastal plain of Southern New
Jersey. Except for those locations immediately adjacent to water bodies such as the
Bass River, Wading River and the Great Bay, the climate is not particularly affected
by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

The average Monthly rainfall for nearby Chatsworth is shown on the accompanying
table. From Great Bay to the fore�ted "lower plains" area in the northeastern
.section of the Township, the annual rainfall ranges from forty-four to forty-eight
inches. (See Figure 2).

Climate Data Average Monthly Temperatures (Degrees F)

Chatsworth
J969--_ 1970 1971
January .30.0 24.@ 27.7
February 32.0 33.5 35.7
March 38.5 37.6 40.1
April 53.2 50.0 49.0
May 62.2 63.5 59.2
June 71.2 70.4 71.8
July 73.4 74.6 74.2
August 74.3 74.6 78.2
September 66.6 70.5 69.7
October 55.3 57.2 62.6
November 44.4 47.3 45.1
December 33.1 37.1 42.8

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Climatol2qtj!IaLq@!ta y
New Jerse
'Annual Summary (1�69,,1970,1971)

Topography and Geology of Bass River Township

Bass River Township lies entirely within the Atlantic Coastal Plains, a physiographic
province which extends along the sea coast from Cape Cod and Long Island to Flordia.
For the most part, the Coastal Plain consists of unconcolidated sands, silts, clays,
and marls. All of these formations are easily eroded at about equal rates, which there-
fore result in a lack of high relief. Streams have thus created a gently rolling terrain
which slopes gently to the ocean.

In New Jersey, the Atlantic Coastal Plain has been divided into three physiographic
subdivisions (Owens and Minard, 1960): the innerlowland, the inner upland, and the
outer lowland. In Burlington County, the inner lowland is the area bordering the
Delaware River, where elevations rarely exceed 100 feet. Streams in the inner low-
land drain to the Delaware River. Rancocas Creek is the principle drainage basin
tributary to the Delaware River.

The inner upland, which forms the drainage divide in the county, is a narrow, highly
dissected plateau with elevations up to 200 feet. Erosional remnants of this plateau
form the prominent hills of Mount Holly, Juliustown and Arney's Mount. The sands
and gravels in these hills have been partially cemented by iron oxide precipitated
from water percolating down through the ground. The reddish-brown iron oxide
cement increased the resistance of the formation to erosion. As a consequence, these
areas that are cemented remain as hills, Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base are
on this plateau which forms a poorly developed northeasterly facing cuesta just to
the northeast of the military reservations.

Southern Burlington County lies within the outer lowland where elevations rarely
exceed 50 feet. Streams within this subprovince empty into the Atlantic Ocean.
Sloping gently toward the sea, the f fat terrain of this area. has been somewhat modified
by the Mullica, Wading and Bass Rivers.

Paleozoic Era

The "basement" rocks on which the Coastal Plain sediments were deposited formed
at this time. A deep, elongate basin extended from Newfoundland down through
New England, New York and New Jersey across eastern and central Pennsylvania,
western Virginia and the central Carolinas into Alabama. Sediments accumulated in
the basin as it slowly subsided until the end of the Paleozoic Era when the seas
retreated.

The Appalachian orogony, a period of mountain building occurred at the end of the
Paleozoic. Intrusion of hot, molten granitic magmas caused the previously deposited
%dimentary rocks to be changed or metamorphosed into gneiss and schist. This
gneiss is coarsely grained with bands of light and dark mmerals which are easily seen.
Schist is finer grained and is dominated by clearly visible flakes of some platy mineral
such as mica.

Known as the Wissahickon Formation, the gneiss and schist do not appear on the
surface in Burlington County. Well records show that the Formation'underflet
the younger unconsolidated formations at depths from 50-150 feet along th6*
Delaware River. Toward the southeast, where the unconsolidated formations
thicken, the depth to bedrock it greater. This "basement" of crystalline rocks
dips toward the ocean at a rate of about 80 feet per mile, to a depth of 3,750
feet at.l.sland Beach.

Mesozoic Era

During the Triassic and Jurassic periods, a peneplain was formed. A peneplain is
a nearly featureless plain developed by long, continuous e 'rosion of a stable crust.
This peneplain in Burlington County is the surface of the above mentioned
Paleozoic crystalline rock "basement".

Early in Cretaceous time, the Coastal Plain was depressed on the east while the
northern areas of New Jersey were uplifted. This increased the velocity of the
streams in northern New Jersey. With increased velocity there was more rapid
erosion of the 'softer rocks such a s: shale and linestone. For a while, B ur lington
County was subjected to continued erosion, but, I ater, sediments carried from the
northern mountains were deposited in Burlington County.

These sediments, carried by the southeastward f lowing streams, were first deposited
within stream channels and estuaries along a fluctuating sh Ioreline. Thus, the Magothy
and Raritan Formations, which are now exposed in a narrow band along the Delaware
River, were deposited in an environment which was part stream, part estuary, and
part near shore marine. Marine and non-marine sediments are found interfingering
within this series of variable alternating clays and sands. Plant fossils in the non-
marine stream deposits and marine fossils in the sea deposits enable us to interpret the
diverse conditions under which the sediments were deposited.

Subsidence continued to be the dominant force throughout late Cretaceous time.
The sea transgressed until all of south and central New Jersey was under water.
Abundant quantities of glauconite, an iron magnesium silicate mineral, were preci-
pitated in the shallow waters of the Continental Shelf. This green mineral was in-
corporated in th e mica-rich sandy clay producing the greeri, quartz-glauconite clays
and sands of the Matawan Group. The formations which compose the Matawan
Group are, from oldest to youngest, the Merchantville and Woodbury clays, the
Englishtown Sand and the overlying Marshallto*wn- formation. These green to black
clays and sands contain occasional fossil clams, oysters and brachiopods and abun-
dant remains of microscopic protozoa. Textural 6nd faunal evidence suggests
variation between near shore lagoonal deposits and the deeper water deposits
of the continental shelf environments.

The uppermost formation of the Matawan group ranges from a dark gray lignitic,
micaceou's, clayey silt to a fine quartz sand with moderate amounts of glauconite.

The overlying Mount Laurel, Navesink and Red Bank Formations suggest that
similar changes in sea level sedimentation prevailed to the end of the Cretaceous
Period.. The characteristics of each of these formations can be studied by going
to the locality after which it is hamed. Red Bank, however, refers to the "Red
Bank" of Monmouth County rather than "Red Bank" in Gloucester County on
the Delaware. The "Red Bank" formation is red on the surface due to the oxida-
tion of the glauconite. The "Red Bank" on the Delaware is a local 'Condition within
the Raritan formation.

The sediments of the Monmouth group, also marine deposits, are similar to the
Matawan group, however, they do not contain the abundant mica and lignite
found in the Matawan.beds. The Mount Laurel S@nd, which forms the bottom unit
of the Monmouth group, is a slightly clayey, glauconite, fine to coarse quartz sand.

Overlying the Mount Laurel Sand, the Navesink Formation is composed of greenish
black glauconite sand and gray. clay. The Navesink is one of the most fossiliferous
formations in this group. The clay content of the Navesink increases upward through
the formation, usually accompanied by an increase in micaceous silt. Beds of glau-
conite sand are usually interbedded with the clayey beds in the upper part of the
formation.

The Red Bank overlies the Navesink. Itisdiffic ult to distinguish the contact between
the two formations. Pyrite, lignite, and mica is prominant as accessory minerals
associated with the major constituents, clay and glauconite sand.

Cenozoic Era

During the early part of the Cenozoic Era the seas retreated. After a short interval
of erosion followed by subsidence of the land the sea invaded New Jerseyagain.
The formations of early Tertiary time are similar to those of the underlying Matawan
and Monmouth Groups.

The Hornerstown sand, chiefly composed of dark green clayey glauconite sand was
deposited on the eroded Cretaceous surface (peneplain). In weathering, the formation
produces large amounts of ironstone (see "Peanut Brittle Rock" below). Distinguishing
this formation from the underlying Monmouth group is sometimes difficult. One
criterion is the color of the clay, in the unweathered Monmouth, a grayfsh-black; while
in the Hornerstown; the unweathered clay is green.

Above the Hornerstown is the Vincentown formation, which varies from a clean quartz
sand, through. clayey, limey sand to a poorly cemented limestone. The limest one is
a lime sand reef environment containing fossil foraminifera, bryozoa, and corals.

Overlying the Vincentown formation is the Manasquan formation. The lower part is
composed chiefly of glauconite but the upper part is made up of very fine sand mixed
with greenish white clay. Fossils are not abundant and are poorly preserved.

The sea withdrew after deposition of the Manasquan formation and there was a
period of erosion. When the sea again invaded the area, the sediments of the Kirk-
'wood, Which is most commonly a fine micaceous quartz sand,, were deposited.
In many places it is delicately banded in shades of salmon-pink and yellow. 11menite
is the principal accessory mineral, although some black lignitic clays occur at or near
the base of the formation in some localities. Fossil shells are not abundant but can
be found occasionally in localized pockets where favorable conditions existed.

There was a brief period of erosion following the deposition of the Kirkwood 'which
left an irregular surface. The sea again invaded New Jersey, depositing the gravel,
sand, and clay of the lower part of the Cohansey formation.

The Cohansey is composed of quartz sand with clay lam inae and thicker lens-shaped
beds of light colored clay. Occasionally there are leftes of gravel, which may include
ledges of "Peanut Brittle Rock". Some of these ledges form ridges, such as Arney's
Mount. Ilmenite, again, is an important, accessory mineral.

Pleistocene - In many parts of Burlington County yellow gravels or yellow gravel and
sand are found from 6few inches to several feet in thickn ess on the land surface.
These gravels Are particularly abundant within about 15 to 20 miles of the Delaware
River and also in the southwestern part of the county east of Pleasant Mil[and Speed-
well. On the State Geologic Map these formations are designated as the Beacon- Hill
gravels, the oldest material found as remnants on the top of some of the higher hills,
such as Bear Swamp Hill and Spring Hill. In some texts and maps th, is gravel is
given as being of Pliocene age. Much more extensive areas are covered by the Bridgeton
gravels or at even lower elevations, the Pennsauken gravels or the Cape May
formatio, n.,

As originally mapped, the gravels had rather distinct limits as to the elevation. of their
occurrence and supposedly had a distinctive lithology. Although the concepts of
origin and distribution were sound at the time they were proposxM and the formations
were named, the whole story was based on one late.Pleistocene glacial ice advance.
More recent work indicates that the last, or Wisconsin, glaciation in New.Jersey had
four periods of advance, at least two of which resulted in glacial ice covering some
of the northern part of the State. It seems more probable, as we learn more of
what happened during the Ice Age, that the origin of these gravels is more complex
than it was originally thought, and that they rrjay be related to the several Wisconsin
ice stages as well as, to earlier Pleistocene events.

In any event, regardless of their age and exact origin, streams deposited sheets of
yellow gravels and sands in the stream valleys of Burlington County in Pleistocene
time. Occasionally, one may observe large boulders, whichwere apparently caught
in ice blocks which had broken off from the ice@ front in northern New Jersey, were
rafted downstream until the ice suppofting them had melted away and dropped them'
on the bottom. Since the deposition of these bodies of sand and gravel, post glacial
.-erosion of New Jers ey has removed the former higher hills, which were unprotected
by the gravel, so- that there has been an inversion of the topography. The stream -
valleys of today were the ridges of years ago and the valleys of that time are now the
ridges and terraces covered with the yellow-gravel which we find over much of north-
western and so,utheastern Burlington Cc jnty today. Many of these gravel deposits are
the only economic source of gravel in the county. Therefore, many of the thicker.
deposits have been removed in the last 50 years for the construction of roads,

houses and factories.

One can almost say that above an elevation of about 50 feet, if you wish to find
gravel, you should look on the top of the nearest hill., Most of central Burlington
County is the sand of the Cohansey formation. In the vicinity of Pasadena, along
the Ocean County line, the gravels on topof the hills are correlated with the above
mentioned Beacon Hill gravels.

Most of central Burlington County has now been eroded to a level such that
the existing streams have such a low gradient that they can remove only the finest
sand and silt. Areas underlain by clay-rich beds are frequently swampy, and, it is
in these areas that we f ind the bog irons and cranberry bogs.

Mineral History

Historica Ily,, the most famous and interesting mineral resource of Burlington County
is the extensive bog iron deposits found in the Pine Barrens. During the peak of bog
iron mining,. about 1830, fourteen furnaces were operating in southern New Jersey.
Of these, Atsion, Batsto, Hampton, Martha, and Mary Ann Furnaces are located
in Burlington County. With the discovery of the more economically mined higher
grade magnetite ores of northern New Jersey, the bog iron industry declined. By
1868 all of the bog iron furnaces had been abandoned.

Some of the largest and highest grade bog iron deposits of the state are in the exten-
sive swamps and wet meadows of the Mullica and, Wading Rivers and their tributaries.
Water travelling through the ferruginous clays and sands picks up oxides or iron.
Carbonic acid, the agent by which the iron is retained in the dissolved state, is lost
when the water.comes in contac-E with the atmosphere, particularly if there is some
agitation by waves and an abundancy of sunlight., The iron oxides are then qufdkly
precipitated along the banks and flood plains of the streams.

Tree trunks and stumps buried in the swamp muds have been completely replaced
by iron oxides from waters percolating through the ore -beds.

By volume, 66-75% of the ore is iron oxide, the actual metallic. iron content of the
ore ranges from 45-55% by volume, High concentrations of sulfur and phosphorus
in the ore make it unsuitable in the manufacture of st6ll, a factor which contributed
to the decline of the bog iron industry.

The most recent mineral -resource to be discovered in Burling-ton County was the
concentrations of ilmenite in the sands of the Kirkwood and Cohansey Formations,
which cover the southeastern two-thirds of the county. Ilmenite is a relatively heavy,
dark gray to black mineral from which Titanium oxide is recovered. Ilmenite*sand
is used in the manufacture of paint pigments. The highest concentrations of the
sand are in the vicinity of Medford Lakes and Browns Mills, where they are currently
being mined. These deposits are believed to have originated from the reworking and
consequent concentration of the heavy mineral grcins in the sands by the surf on
beaches and tidal currents in the estuaries.

A once valuable New Jersey mineral resource was the abundant glaucohite
of the greensands and. marls of the Coastal Plain. Glauconite wasused as an
agricultural fertilizer becaum of its high potassium concentrations.

Among -the most extensive of the country's natural resources are the sand and
gravel deposits. Sand pits in the Cohansey Formation are the source of mortar
sand and concrete pebble aggregate. In several localftles, the Cohansey sand is
such pure silica (quartz) that the sand is worked for the production of glass.
At Arney's Mount, in time past, there was a major source of the i.ronstone used for
farmhouses and out buildings.

In summary; the geologic formation at the surface in Bass River Township is chiefly
from the Cohansey Formation, generally a yellow to whitish quartz sand. The
southern third of the township has greater or lesser depths of the Cape May Formation
lying atop the Cohansey from a few inches to several feet in thickness. The Cape
May Formation is found along all water courses in Southern New Jersey. At tw 'o or
three localities the highest elevations in the northern portion of the township, there
is a capping of the Bridgeton Formation which is often identifiable by its more
pebbly appearance at the surface.

SOILS

The soils of Bass River Township are composed of five associations:
1. The Downer - Sassafras - Woodstown Association found in New Gretna and in
the vicinity of Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway.

2. The'Lakehurst - Lakewood - Evesboro Association which comprises much of the
dry, upland forested areas along with the

3. Woodmansie - Lakehurst Association.

4. The Atsion - Muck - Alluvial land, sandy association which borders all the streams
with the exception of the tidal marshlands which are designated

5. @ Tidal Marsh Association.

LAKEHURST SERIES

The Lakehurst series consists of deep, loose, moderately well or somewhat poorly drained
sandy soils that have a bleached horizon 7 or more inches thick. Slopes range from 0 to 5
percpnt. These soils formed in coarse water-laid deposits on the outer Coastal Plain. They
are the most extensive soils of Burlington County.

In a typical profile the surface layer is gray sand about 3 inches thick, The subsurface layer
is light-gray sand about 12 inches thick. The subsoil, about 25 inches thick, is dark-brown
loamy sand in the upper 3 inches and yellowish-brown sand mottled with grayish brown
below. The substratum is pale-brown sand.

Lakehurst soils are very strongly acid and very low in natural fertility, Added fertilizers
leach readily. The content of organic matter is very low. Because these soils are loose,
they are subject to soil blowing and, on slopes, to water erosion. The fluctuating water
table in these soils starts to rise in about October, rises to about 2 feet from the surface
by late in winter or early in spring, and drops shortly after spring. Since plants use
more water in summer than in other seasons, this water table is of value only to deep-
rooted plants. Lakehurst soils have rapid or moderately rapid permeability and a low
or very low available water capacity. They can be readily drained by widely spaced ditches
or underdrains.

The natural vegetation is mostly pitch pine mixed with black and white oack, blackgum,
and hickory trees. The understory includes lowbush blueberries, gallberries, and scattered
sheep laurel. The sheep laurel generally has roots deep enough to reach the water table.
Where wildfires have been severe, there are few hardwoods.except scrub oak and blackjack
oak. Where wildfires have been extremely severe, the trees are dwarfed to a height of about
4 to 6 feet regardless of age.

SASSAFRAS SERIES

The Sassafras series consists of well-deained moderately coarse textured soils formed in
water-laid deposits that contain little or no glauconite. Although the surface layer and
the subsoil have the same textural class, the subsoil distinctly contains more clay than
the surface layer. The substratum is very sand and contains large amounts of gravel in
places. These soils are mostly nearly level or gently sloping, though th ey have slopes of
5 to 10 percent in some places..

In a typical profile, the surface layer is dark grayish--brown fine sandy loam about 10
inches thick and the subsurface layer is yellowish-brown fine sandy loam about 4 inches
thick. The subsoi I is fine sandy loam that extends to a depth of 34 inches. It is dark
brown in the upper 14 inches and yellowish brown below. The substratum is light
yellowish-brown loamy sand containing so-me gravel.

Sassafras, soils are moderately permeable. The available water capacity, organic-matt6r
content, and, fe.rtility are moderate except where the surface layer is loamy sand. The loamy
sand has moderately low available water capacity and fertility and low organic matter
content Sassafras soils.are very strongly acid unless heavily limed.

The'native vegetation is a hardwood.forest consisting mostly of red oak, white oak, black
oak@ scarlet oak, hickory, beech, yellow-poplar, and scattered Virginia Pine.

WOODMANSIE SERIES

The Woodmansie series consists of well-drained soils that have a bleached sand subsurface
layer and a finer textured mostly sandy loam subsoil. The substratum is generally
loose sand. These soils are mainly nearly level to gently sloping, but a small acreage
has slopes of 50 to 10.percent. Woodmansie soils formed mostly on high positions,
especially those above 150 feet in elevation. In most places they formed on Beacon
Hill gravel.

In a typical profile, the surface layer is dark-gray sand about 2 inches thick and the sub-
surface layer is gray sand about 6 inches thick. The subsoil extends to a depth of 30 inches.
It is light yellowish-brownsand in the upper 9 inches and yellowish-brown sandy loam
below.' The substratum is stratified yellow sand and reddis'h-yellow sand loam.

Permeability of these soils is moderately rapid, except that it is moderately slow in
substratum in some places. The available water capacity is low, and excess water is
rarely in the profile. Because the surface layer is bleached, 6rgani.c-matter content is
low and fertility probably is low. Since Woodmansie soils are not cultivated, fertility can
o6lybededuced. Forest stands are so severely damaged by_wildfires, that they do not
reliably indicate soil fertility.

The native vegetation is believed to have been a hardwood forest consisting mostly of
black oak, white oak, scarlet oak, chestnut oak, and hickory and a scattering of pitch
pine, shortleaf pine, and Virginia pine. Becasue Woodmansie soils occupy high positions
and nearly all wildfires burn the hilltops, the dominant vegetation is now mostly pitch
pine, scrub oak, and lbackjack oak. Where wildfires have been very severe, the trees are
dwarfed to less than 5 feet high, though they may be more than 50 years old. Pines seed
readily where these soils are left bare.

THE ATSION - MUCK - ALLUVIAL LAND, SANDY ASSOCIATION

Atsion

The Atsion series consits of poorly drained, dark-gray sandy soils that formed on the borders
of swamp and the bottoms of some circular depressions in the outer Coastal Plain. These
soils are also on extensive terraces adjacent to the Mullica, Batsto, and Wading Rivers. The
terraces contain numerous narrow and intermittent streambeds. Since these soils are
nearly level and in low positions, they receive runoff from the slopes above.

Because of the high water table, Atsion soils warm late in spring. Where drained, they have
a low available water capacity. When the water table is low enough to permit percolation,
permeability is moderately rapid. These soils have moderate organic-matter content and low
fertility. Added fertilizers leach readily. Since few areas have been limed, Atsi6n soils are
very strongly acid in most places.

When rainfall is normal, Atsion soils are saturated 6 to 8 months of the year. Th e water
table starts to rise in October, reaches its peak of about 1 foot from the surface, and drops
to about 2 feet below the surface by the end of May. In some areas drained for blueberries,
the water level is 3 feet below the surface in summer. In extremely dry summers, some
drained areas have a water table below 5 feet.

Native vegetation on Atsion soils is a stand of pitch pine and scattered scrub oak trees and
a dense understory of highbush blueberry, sheep laurel, sweet pepperbush, gallberry, and
greenbrier.

Alluvial land, sandy

This land consists mainly of thick deposits of loose, coarse sand and gravel adjacent to
the larger meandering perennial streams in the outer Coastal Plain. Most of the land is
subject to annual flooding every 5 to 10 years.. Except for a dark surface layer, the soil
material has few"well-developed horizon features.

This land has a constantly high water table that is controlled by the adjacent stream. This
water table is at the surface in winter and, except during-extreme drought, it drops only about
a foot in summer. The soil material is rapidly permeable, low in fertility, and extremely acid.
Where this land is rained, the available water capacity is low in the sandy areas but is
high in the mucky areas. Frost heave is slight on the sand and severe in mucky areas.

The native vegetation varies. Atlantic white-cedar grows in the mucky areas, and pitch
pine, red maple, blackgum, gray birch, and bay magnolia grow in the sandy areas.

Muck

Muck, shallow consists of about 2 fe et of black, finely decomposed, saturated organic
matter, generally over sand and gravel but over clayey material in places. In a few places
this organic layer is less than 1 foot thick or more than 3 feet thick. Fire has reduced '
the thickness in. places. Included with this muck in mapping are small areas of sandy sail.

Muck forms in nearly level areas at the headwaters of streams or where the stream f low
is slow. Most of these streams flow eastward to the Atlantic Ocean, but there are also
areas of Muck along some of the westward flowing streams. Muck also occurs in round
depressions that have no drainage outlet. Muck commonly is associated with Berryland
and Atsion soils and Alluvial land, sandy. It can be distinguished from these soils by its
high content of organic matter.

Exc ept for some places that support no trees, the native vegetation on Muck is a dense
forest of Atlantic white-cedar. Because the market for this wood has been good for a long
time, the forests have been cut frequently. The cedars have water constantly available,
except in severe droughts, because the water table is at or near the surface of the Muck
10 to 12 months of the year. Because of this water table, the cedars develop a shallow
root system'and are severely subject to windthrow.

THE TIDAL MARSH ASSOCIATION

This soil consists of high organic silt fists near sea level, where they are flooded twice
daily. The soil material is brownish and has an average thickness of about 3 feet. It is 10
feet or more thick in many places and is as little as 1 foot thick in some places. BeloW
the layers of silt are sand and gravel and, in some places, clay.
Marsh, 'tidal, is most extensi.ve at the mouths of the Mullica, Bass, and Wading Rivers in
the southeastern part of the county. Here the waters generally are brackish. Methane or
marsh gas forms in many places.

The native vegetation is salt-tolerant grasses and sedges. Salt hay formerly was harvested
but little is harvested now. Numerous buried logs and stumps were uncovered in a tribu-
tary of the Bass River west of Route 9 when the channel was deepened. These logs and
stumps indicate that the vegetation may once have been forest.

The descriptions of the soil associations have been adapted from Soi!1_a@mLeY_.gLQ!LrL1n=o_n
Lmn-ty.,himalumy, U.S. Soil Conservation Service in corporation with the N.J. Agricultural
Experiment Station, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1971.

Construction and Drainage Characteristics of Bass River Township Soils

The following data have been selected and reproduc ed from the 5QLH_$grv of ElLi [Lincttgn
py_ L
QpjLnty _Ie U.S. Soil Conservation Service in corporation with the N.J. Agricultural
.NV.tLIqr py,
Experim6nt Station, published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1971.
Soil features affecting
Soil Type and Map Symbol foundations for low Drainage Disposal of septic effluent
buildings

Alluvial land, sandy: Subject to stream overflow; Subject to Severe: subject to stream
seasonal water table high stream overflow overflow; seasonal water
table high and does not
drop much in summer.

Atsion sand: Seasonal water table high; Severe: seasonal water
good shear strength. Moderately rapid table high.
permeability, suitable
for drainage if water
table is controlled.

Downer loamy sand: Shear strength good Not applicable or Slight
not needed.

Evesboro sand Shear strength good Not applicable or Slight; strong slopes.
not needed.

Lakehurst sand 6C.3sonal water table moder- Not applicable or Moderate: a seasonal water
ately high; shear strength fair not needed. table moderately high;
to good. needs drainage.

Lakewood sand Shear strength fair to good Not applicable or Slight
not needed.

Muck, shallow Unstable material; sea- Not applicable or Severe- seasonal water
sonal water table high. not needed. table high, does not drop
much in summer.

Sassafras fine sandy loam Shear strength good to Not applicable or Slight
fair in subsoil, good in not needed.
substratum.

Woodmansie sand Shear strength good Not applicable or Slight
not needed.

Woodstbwn loamy sand Seasonal water table moder- Seasonal water table Moderate: seasonal water
ately high; shear strength moderately high, per- table moderately high;
of substratum good meability moderately needs drainage.'
slow or moderate in
subsoil, moderate or
moderately rapid in
17 substratum.

limitations of Soil for
Streets and parking lots At hietic fields Parks and playgrounds Sanitary Land Fills

Severe: subject to stream Severe: subject to stream Moderate: subject to Severe: subject to
overflow; seasonal water overflow; seasonal water stream overflow; seasonal stream overflow;
table high. table high. water table high. seasonal water table.

Severe: seasonal water Severe: seasonal water table Moderate: seasonal water Severe: seasonal water
table high. high; loose sand texture. table high. table high.

Slight Moderate: low fertility; Moderate: loose sandy Severe: filter material
low available water capa- surface. limited.
city; loose consistence.

Slight for streets, mo- Severe: very low available Severe: loose sand Severe: filter
derate for parking lots; water capacity; low far- material limited.
strong slopes. tility; loose consistence.

Moderate: seasonal water Severe: * very low fertility. Moderate: loose sandy Severe: seasonal water
table moderately high; very low available water Soil. table moderately high.
loose sand. capacity.

Slight Severe: very low fertility; Moderate: loose sand Severe: filterm.aterial
very low available water limited.
capacity.

Severe: seasonal water table Severe: seasonal water Severe: seasonal water Severe: seasonal
high; severe subsidence. table high. table high. water table high.

Moderate: frost-action Slight Slight Slight: filtermaterial
potential. may be limited.

Slight, water erosion Severe: very low fer- Moderate for parks; severe for Slight: filter
hazard tility; low available water Dlaygrounds: loose sand at material may be
capacity. iurface. limited.

Severe, seasonal water Moderate: seasonal Slight Severe: seasonal water
table moderately high; water table moderately table moderately high.
frost-action potential high.
high.

SOILS AND THE GROUND WATER TABLE,

The soils of Bass River Township vary in their retention of ground water. The
accompanying map indicates the soils of the township with a color-coded distinction
for each of the three following categories. (See figure 3).

1. Ground water level at a depth of f ive feet or more in all seasons of the year.

2. Ground water at a depth of two feet in winter and spring and receding to a depth
of no more than five feet in summer and autumn.

3. Ground water at the surface in winter and spring and no more than a depth of
three feet in summer and autumn.

A series of twenty test holes of 6" in diameter has been drilled to verify these generalized
soil-water area designations.

The soil-water levels are being monitored one or more times per month for a period of
at least one year beginning in February, 1974. Particular attention Is being paid to develop-
ing correlations between streambed levels and elevations above each streambed.

A list of the locations of soil-water test holes follows with a table of ground water holes
recorded.

A log of soil materials was made as the water test holes were drilled with a 6" diameter
bucket auger. The generalized soil profiles found in the Sgil Survey&fjLurlin rity
were verified in all cases. Hole no. 22, in the lower or east plains area of the Township,
exhibited a clay layer from the 20" level to the 90" level at which water under artesian
conditions was encountered. Such a clay layer represents an extreme example for loamy
phases of soil formations like the Downer series.

The monitoring of water table levels Will be continued using the test holes so that an
annual regime of ground wiiter fluctuations will have been measured directly. The
Environmental Commission and other residents of the Township Will collect these data.

FIGURE 2
CLIMATE & WELL MONITORING SITES
BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP
BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J. 54*

LEGEND

46- AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION IN INCHES"
WELL SITES -UP TO 99IN DEEP* 5
0 WATER FONUND
0 NO WATER FOUND

AREA WITHIN THE COHANSEY
SAND FORMATION
530- -MEAN ANNUAL TEMPERATURE" 010
53*
------ .0001,
*WELLS DRILLED & MONITORED BY THE CONSERVATION
& ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES CENTER 46
*SOURCE: PRECIPITATION, WATER LOSS, & RUNOFF 120
IN THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN a N.J. BY HELY, 47 130
NORDENSON & OTHERS IN COLLABORATION WITH qwqfqtq@ /180 10001"
THE U.S. WEATHER BUREAU & U.S. GEOLOGICAL L
SURVEY

7
22 d

6q#

4,
16 45

L"k

N 11r

Now.

45
SCALE IN FEET
0 4000 q800q`0 q2q000
0 q1 2
WILES

0q- FEDERAL & STATE HIGHWAYS
COUNTY ROADS
IMPROVED MUNICIPAL ROADS
UNIMPROVED MUNICIPAL ROADS
- - - - - - BOUNDARY-STATE FOREST A 53q0

Bass River Township Environmental Inventory

Ground Water Survey

Hole Sites

I. Junction of South Maple Avenue and Cramer Road. Beyond wooden road
fence (gumd rail) in a line 166o true northIreading from utility pole and road
sign. In ground 5'. No water found.

2. -South Maple Avenue and U.S. Route 9. 3 feet North of utility pole at edge of
parking lot of Bass River Township Branch of People's National Bank. Water 41
below surface.

3. N. Maple Avenue, Dr. Suckling's property. 1.2 mile N. Route 9 - 40'South Side
Drive. Dr. Suckling's driveway about 20' east of road. Water - 66%" below surface.

4. Allen Coal Rd. Middle of road, in front of Pilgrim Lake, exit road. Bearing 2680 -
100 ft. 5 ft. deep, water at 4', pipe in middle of ink berry patch. Yellow can top.

5. 0.2 mile North of Barlett's Bridge - West Branch of Bass River about one mile north
of no'. 4 azimuth 2500 past old small litter dump (85'- 90').
Pipe in 72" - no water found.

6. One mild north of no. 5. 325 ft. before peak of rise in road. Bearing 2900,
100 ft. from middle of road - blaze on pine tree behind 2 ft. high pitch pine clump,
at bottom 5% ft. deep. Water 64" below surface.

7. 1.2 mile N. no. 6 - N. Oswego Road "Patrolled" sign at right side at 400' mark
41(Y N. on Allen Road from Oswego Rd. 8W - azimuth 2870. No 'water found.

8. One mile north no. 7 - small bulidozed.,arda on left. Sand - gravel 100'from road
edge, up hillside. Bearing 2380 from double blazed tree. 5%'dry.. Nowater found.

9. 'Two miles North Oswego Rd. "Patrolled" sign 95o - azimuth 75'from tree.
Pipe, k.48". Water level -,34Y2" below surface.

10. One mile N. of no. 9, opposite large clearing 100 ft. from middle of road. Bearing
640 10 yd. N.W. of bu I Idozed area. 5ft. 6i n deep - no water fou nd.

11. Oswego Road, 1.1 miles east of Allen Road. Located on south side of Oswego
Road, azimuth 180 degrees from pine with attached "Patrol" sign. Test hole is 90'
from road. Water 47" below surface.

12. and 13. - Both located at an azimuth of 2980 from Allen Road, beginning fifty feet
north of the crossing of the Beaver Branch ofthe Oswego River. Holesare located
at a distance of 140 feet from Allen Road, within 25 feet of each other; no. 12 is
upward on a south facing slope. Water at 85" below surface in no. 12 and 57"
below in no. 13.

14. Allen Road north of Bartlett's Branch, West Branch of Bass River.
Location about 750 feet north of Bartlett's Branch, on west side of
Allen Road, 120 feet from road, azimuth 270 degrees. Water at 431/2"
depth.

15. Allen Road 442 feet north of Bridge on Bartlett's Branch. The hole is
75 feet from road, azimuth 270 degrees. Water at 37.5" depth.

16. Chat@;worth Road -just south of the four mile marker, and north of Timberline
Lake. Hole is about 100 feet from road, azimuth 250 degrees.'Water at 44" depth.

17.. Chatsworth Rd. - Rt. 563 - N. of 3 mile mark (N. Leektown) 130' N of utility
pole N of 3 mile mark. South 'Side Rd. - "No Hunting" sign on White Oak tree.
Home and driveway opposite. Azimuth of 2850 from sign. (True N) Hole 721/2"
deep - no water found.

18. South side of Rt. 563 - dirt road just north of entrance to Merrygold Estates,
0.1 mile (in) south side Rt. 563 at T intersection. Take right side inside of
curve 3600 50' pipe in 50 ft. Old red can covering pipe - water approximately
52" below surface.

Logging Road south side Rt. 563 about 0.1 mile N.of 2 mile mark. In 350'south,
toad forks. Follow compass line of road 50' in pine grove to hole 56%" in ground
with green cap. Water 37" below surface.

20. Offshore Manor - Cedar Ave. rear of house of John Monaca Pipe in 5'- no water
found.

21. South side of Garden State Parkway, at the foot of Maple Avenue. Test hole is
about 150 feet from parkway in an abandoned orchard, on a slope toward an
abandoned gravel pit. Water at 51 "depth.

22. Oswego Road - 0.5:mile east of Allen Road. A small road leads south from this
low point in the "lower plains"; there is a broken gate which formerly controlled
access. Test site is 57 feet-from gate on the westerly side of road. Soil log does
not correspond exactly with the profile indicated in the Burlington County Soil
9jumey. Clay layers underlying this site are more than seven feet in thickness,
although the soil log does refer to a loamy substratum, sometimes of clay 30 or
40 to 60" below the surface. Water at 80" depth.

Environmental Inventory

Bass River Township

Station Micro-Climate Report Sheet

Table to Show Level of Ground Water Below Surface (inches)
1974
Hole
Hole Depth 2/7 2/10 2/14 2/21 2/28 3/7 3/10 3/14 3/17 3/21 3/27' 3/30
1 57" > 57 > 57 > 57 > > 57
2 57" 19.5 NR 40 34 'AR .5A 31 29.25
AP
3 67'# 66 NR 67 64 66 61 NR

4 52" 31 NR 35.5 32 27 27.5 NR

5 67#1 67 67 67 67 67 64

6 64" 52 64 64 64 64 61 62.5

7 >W > 68 N R >68 >68 > 68 68 67 67 67

8 66's > 66 >66 > 66 > 66 >66 > 66 66 >66

9 43" 20 NR 24 13 NR 16 12.75

10 66" > 66 > 66' > 66 >66 > 66 > 66 >66 > 66

11 52" Placed r ew hole 3/14 47 NR 44 42 NR

12 88" Placed r iew hole 3/7 86 85 84 NR 82 79.75

13 591, Placed i iew hole 3/7 57 58.5 57 NR 57 55

14 601, 43.5 47 46.5 45 48 NR 41 NR

15 44" 37.5 37 36 36 30 32 30.25 NR

16 590, 44 NR 44 NR 45 40.25 NR

17 72%/91 Hole dr il led to n 3w depth 3/21/74 >72.5 > 72.5 > 72.5 NR >72.5 89 NR

18 (A's# 46 NR 44 NR 44 41 NR

@19 49" 21 NR 19 NR 18 16.5 NR

20 60/73 Hole dr! lied to new depth 3/21/74 >60 > 60 > 60 60 65 57 NR

21 53" 51 NR 41 39.25 NR

22 990t Drilled ew hole 3/27/74 80 52.25

NR - No Reading
*Pipe removed this date. No ground water measured.
Ground water level below hole depth is assumed to be present.

Bass River Township

Station Micro-Climate Report Sheet

Table to Show Level of Ground Water Below Surface (inches)
Hole 1974 4/11 4/161 4/2215/9 1 1
Hol Deoti 4/4 1 1

1 57" - - - -

2 57" is 22.5 22.5 30 39
3 67" 58 54.5 59.5 62.251 67

4 52" 22.5 22.25 23.25 26 35

5 67" 62.5 60.75 63 66 67
.61 64" 56.5 51.5 54 5.7.5 64
7 168"1 67.5 67.5 66.5 68. 68

8 66" - - -

9 43" 13.5 7 10 NR 19
101 66"1 - -
11 152"1 42 42.25 43 NR 55.75
12 188F' 81.25 80 79 80 85
-13 59" 513.6 64 53.2f 53.2E 57.6

14' 60" 39 37 34.75 39.5(1 '46
15 44" 125 23 38 NR 36.5

16 59 42.75 34.5 37 39.5 34.7 i

17 91 77.6 76.2.1 74.5 78.5 83

18 64" 38 33 33 38 44

19 49" 11.25 11.25 13.75 17.5 21.5
20 73" 159.5 53 54.75 58.5 73
21 53"@ 6.25 30 38 41 42.1 i
22 39 142 48 61.5

NR No Reading

FIGURE 3

7
SOIL RESOURCE MAP

BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP

Water table generally remains 5 feet or
deeper hom ground surface all year.

A 4,--
0
F, "7'

Water table genorall fluctuates f rom
2 feet (in winter- spri.no) to 5 f eet
(in summer-fall).

Water table generally fluctuates from,
ground surface (in winter-spring) to 0
3 f *et in summer-fal I

P+t

v
Ac@

0-.

%.""

Ftr-

IYE
R i

Me@
UR
prep-ed by

SORLINGTON COUNT V:"
SOIL'CONSERVATION DISTRICT
4.rli@qt- C-ty Ui S-y Rpil
Co .... -ti- S-i-' J
@SAA, Si I

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7-,7T777--`--"`
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UN @@B @"d G U@
100
KN

af,

INTERPRETATION

The ground water level is relatively high in most parts of Bass River Township, with
some exceptions at upper (northern) elevations. During the wet winter and spring
seasons, ground water levels throughout most of the Township may be found at levels
from two to six feet below the surface. This high level diminishes during the more
droughty summer and fall seasons until frost reduces evapotranspiration losses from
plant activity. Exceptions might be found on sandy hills of relatively steep slope.

During the spring of 1974, heavy rains in late March and early April apparently pro-
duced a rapidly rising water table.

The accompanying map was prepared by the Burlington County Soil Conservation
District from data included in soils descriptions found in the Burlington County Soil
Survey provided by the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of
Agriculture. The findings of the ground water testing program are consistent with
these generalized soil data. (See Figure 3)

The New Gretna village area appears to be fairly well drained in general. Black-topped
areas together with soi I areas compacted by vehicles or extensive use produca areas
with standing surface water. One such area near the intersection of U.S. Route 9 and
N. Maple Avenue appears to have the problem compounded by the closure of the
original dtai n"age ways. Test hole no. 2, located in town immediately adjacent to a
small parking lot with a black topped apron showed higher and more rapid' fluctuations
related to rainfall.

For areas. where any extensive black topping is projected, drainage ways for the rapid
run off toward easily saturated soils must be provided toprevent standing water.

Two other factors are of great significance in future planning for the township. First,
the northern more elevated section of the township has many "dry" areas. But many
of these have locally wet areas apparently produced by water perched above a clay
layer found at relatively shallow depths. This means that ground water tests and
adequate percolation test need *to be made at each individual site proposed for develop-
ment. No overall categorization of the water table may be accurately projected from
existing data.

Second, there.are several areas of manmade land, along U.S. Route 9 and off unimproved
roads in the tidal marsh areas. Since most of these materials are from dredging spoils,
they will have the characteristics of the'Atsion-alluvial land, sandy - muck association
.combined with those of *the Tidal Marsh association. Their permeability is low and
their water retention capacity is high. Buildings proposed for such sites must have off-
site sewage disposal facilities to prevent soil and surface water contarninalibri..

25.

Chapter 4 - RIVERS, WATER SUPPLIES AND AQUIFERS

RIVERS

Bass River Township is bounded on the north and west by streams of the Wading
River complex. Reference to the map shows the northwestern boundary formed
by the Papoose Branch of the Oswego River and the Oswego River, itself a tributary
of the Wading River. The Bass River which gives the township its name, drains
most of the township@ area with the exception of the northwest areas as described
previously and the southeast area.

In the southeast sector of the Township, two smaller streams - Job's Creek and
Bellanger,(Bellangy) Creek drain directly into Great Bay.

WATER QUALITY

The water of all of these streams is of highquality. Field data on water quality
collected in April, 1974 was consistent with data maintained by the N.J. Depart-
ment of Environmental Protection during 1973.

A summary of these data is reproduced here.

These data show that the waters of the township are of exceptionally high quality.
The streams drain lands of essentially sandy composition, Such earth materials
tend to be low in all mineral materials as solvents. The acidity is relatively high
(a lower than the common 5 - 7 pH value). This condition is found throughout all
of the pinelands, influenced both by the sand (acid) soils and by decomposition
in intermittent ponds and cedar or hardwood swamps.

The relatively high coliform organism readings at two stations (I and 8) are attributed
to the presence of wild ducks. Both are shallow'ponds, one intermittent in water table
(5) above the surface, the other subject to tidal fluctuations (1).
These reports indicate a high water quality in Bass River TownshipA present environment,
a condition consistent with and necessary for present and projected land use.

SUMMARY REPORT SHEET

Water QualitV

Date: April 4j 1974

S"pling Dissolved Ortho Nitrate
i Acidity Coliform Bac-
Station Temp. I Odor Oxygen. Phosphate N03PPm teria MPNL100
p1l 02 RM

60 Slight Swampy 4.5 10 5 5 9000

Slight
2 S2 Medicinal 5.0 9 5 <S 0

Slight
3 so Aromatic 5.0 8 8 3 100
7-4 S7 Aromatic 4.5 8 9.S 1 300

5 S4 None 4.8 9 5 0.2
0

0
6 S2 None 4.5 9 1 0.1

7 so None 4.5 9 0.9 OA 0

8 SS None 43 9 0.3 < 0.1 5W

0.8
9 60 Aromatic S.0 10 < 0.1 300

10 71 Aromatic 4.5 0.4 < 0.1 0
9

Aromatic 4.5 0.3 0.1 0
11 SS
8

12 S Aromatic 4.S 9 0.4 0.1 0

WATER OUALITY DATA OF THE BASS RIVER

otal Solids Total Phos- Nitrates Field D.O. Tef
Coliforms Color Turbidity Suspended T @ pH (units) gp
Dates MPN/100rnL hiniftl (units) ISolidsmm/l MCI/ I phate mg/l Mg/ I Mg/1 0 C

12/4/72 Brownish 7 14 2046 .04 0 6.3 9.5 50

1/31[73 33 7 14 866 0 0 5.7' 10.8 &
K)
00 419n3 49 Brownish 5 16 222 .5 0 6.0 61.3 70

6/21/73 920 4 8 2994 .2 0 5.5 6.8 200

10/9fl3 240 5 14 13038 .4 0 6.0 6.2 &

1/7/74 13 7 12 312 .5 0 6.8 10.9 10

*Data from Bureau of Water Pollution, Division of Water Resources, N.J. Department of
Environmental Protection.

SURFACE WATER QUALITY CLASSIFICATION

The Department of Environmental Protection for the State of New Jersey has classified
all of the waters of the state with respect to quality standards.

Fresh Water

Fresh waters, including rivers, streams,,Iakes, or other bodies of water, that because of
their clarity, color, scenic setting, or other characteristic of aesthetic value or unique
special interest, have been designated by authorized State agencies in conformance*with
laws pertaining to the use of private lands, are set aside for posterity to represent the
natural aquatic environment and its associated biota!

R u Itsj
.ad na S
_Bggulg@iM@jsta listi: urface Water Quality Criteria N.J. Department of
Environmental Protection, June 30, 1971.

There are no waters classified FW-1 in Bass River Township. Although most of the surface
streams in the Township meet the criteria for this classification, the Department of
Environmental Protection maintains the following policy:

Waters having the potential for the Class but which are not classified as such at this time
may be recommended for such classif ic 'ation by public or private interests controlling the
land area draining to the watercourse. Because of the restrictive-use nature of the FW-1 classi-
fication any waters thus designated must be contiguous with their source. Also, since the
characteristics of surface watersare sometimes changed to the detriment of their natural
biota by seemingly minor associations with domestic and/or agricultural activities, they
must be inspected -and approved before being classified.

This restriction prevents many streams from receiving this classification. If the Environ-
mental Commission and the Planning Board of Bass River Township can@obtain land use
guaranties for streams rising on private lands, then the FW-1 classification may be applied
for . Further, if new public land acquisitions for the State of New Jersey are made within
the 'township, then some stream sources may fall within those new boundaries, and a re-
classification application may be made.

The fresh water streams of Bass River Township upstream from the head of tide are classi-
f ied as FW-2. The FW-2 class waters must meet the following requirements.

Class FW-2 - Fresh surface waters approved as sources of public water supply. These
waters shall be suitable for public potable water supply after such treatment as shall be
required by the Department.

These waters shall also be suitable for the maintenance, migration and propagation of
the natural *and established biota; and for primary contact recreation; industrial and
agricultural water supply and any other reasonable uses.

3.2.1 Floating Solids, Settleable Solids, Oil, Grease, Color and Turidity
None noticeable in the water or deposited along the shore or on the aquatic
substrata in quantities detrimental to the natural biota. None which would render
the waters unsuitable for the designated uses.

3.2.2 Toxic or Deleterious Substances Including But Not Limited to Mineral Acids
Caustic Alkali, Cyanides, Heavy Metals, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia or Ammonium
Compounds, Chlorine, Phenols, Pesticides, Etc.

None, either alone or in combination with other substances, in such concentrations
as to affect humans or be detrimental to the natural aquatic biota or which would
render the waters unsuitable for the designated uses. None which would cause
the Potable Water Standards of the Department for drinking water to be exceeded
after appropriate treatment.

3.2.3 Taste and Odor Producing Substances
None offensive to humans or which would produce offensive tastes and/or odors
in water supplies and fauna used for human consumption. None which would render
the waters unsuitable for the designated uses.

3.2.4 pH
Between 6.5 and 8.5

3.2.5 Dissolve Oxygen
(a) Trout Production Waters - Not less than 7.0 mg/1 at any time.
(b) Trout Maintenance Streams - Daily average not less than 6.0 mg/1.
Not less than 5.0 mg/1 at any time.
(c) Trout Maintenance Lakes - Daily average not less than 6.0 mg/1.
Not less than 5.0 mg/1 at any time.

In eutrophic lakes when stratification is present, not less than 4.0 mg/1 in or above
the thermocline where water temperatures are below 720F. At depths where the water
is 720 F. or above, daily average not less than 6.0 mg/1 and not less than 5.0 mg/1
at any time.

(d) Nontrout Waters - Daily average not less than 5.0 mg/l. Not less than 4.0 mg/l
at any time.

3.2.6
(a) Trout Production Waters - Natural temperatures shall prevail except where
properly treated wastewater effluents may be discharged. Where such dis-
charges occur, stream temperatures shall not be raised more than 1 OF.

(b) Trout Maintenance Streams - No heat may be added which would cause tem-
peratures to exceed 20F. over the natural temperatures at any time or which
would cause temperatures in excess of 680F.

Reductions in temperatures may be permitted where it can be shown that trout
will benefit without detriment to other designated water uses. The rate of
temperature change in designated mixing zones shall not cause mortality of
the biota.

(d) Nontrout Waters - No thermal alterations, except in designated mixing zones
which would cause temperatures to deviate more than 50F at any time from
natural stream temperatures or more than 80F. in the epilimnion of lakes
and other standing Waters.

No heat may be added, except in designated mixing zones, which would
Cause temperatures to exceed 820F. for small mouth bass or yellow perch
Waters or 860 F. for other nontrout waters.

The rate of temperature change in designated mixing zones shall not cause
mortality of the biota.

3.2.7 Radioactivity
Current U.S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards shall apply.

3.2.8 Bacterial Quality

Fecal coliform levels shall not exceed a geometric mean of 200/100 ml. Samples
shall be obtained at sufficient frequencies and at locations and during periods which
will permit valid interpretation of laboratory analyses.

Appropriate sanitary surveys shall also, be carried out as a supplement to such
sampling and laboratory analyses.

The surface waters of the Township which are subject to tidal action are classified TW-1.
The criteria for this classification are nearly identical to those for the FW-2 classification.
In other words, the standards for surface waters in the Township are, for all practical
considerations, identical. The chief exception is the omission of criteria for temperature
and dissolved oxygen in trout producction waters and lakes in the tidal water class. (Trout
are not produced in tidal waters.)

AQUIFERS

Several adequate aquifers have been identified in chapter 3 in the discussion of
geological formations. It is safe to say that any well sunk,to the aquifers of the Kirkwood,
Mount Laurel - Wenonah or Raritan - Magothy foundations would yield water of excellent
quality in abundant quantity. It is probably true that many of the residential water
supplies are shallow wells penetrating the ground water levels between 3 and 15 feet
depth. This practice will be satisfactory except in cases of pollution from on-site
septic systems or in cases of extreme drought. The abundant safe sources of water
from deeper strata are recommended for use by water consumers in the township.

GENERAL HYCRAULIC CONDITIONS

A great deal of ground water under "water table conditions" is available in the township
due to the large highly-porous unconsolidated surf icial deposits of the township. The
sediments however, vary greatly in their ability to store and transmit water. 7 Generally
sand and gravel transmit and store water much better than f iner-g'rained sands, silt, and
clay.
Most ground water in the area comes from precipitation. The fresh water i's generally
of good to excellent chemical quality with the exception of the high iron concentrations.
Near saline surface water the ground water is brackish.
Annual precipitation in the area is 44o 48". The minimum precipitation statistic
may be analyzed further. Of this precipitation, 23" to 24" is lost for recharging ground
water. This loss is due to direct evaporation and to evapotranspiration by plants. The
remaining 20" to 21" of potential runoff or recharge. Some of this groundwater becomes
the aquifer recharge. This "runoff" has two aspects (1) surface runoff and (2) subsurface
runoff (flow of groundwater) below and between stream channels. This 20" to 21 " of
runoff is not completely utilized to recharge the groundwater supplies since most of
the formation is already saturated with water.

Water levels are generally highest during the winter and early spring and begin to decline
at the start of the growing season, dropping until the first killing frost. Plant growth
induces the groundwater table decline. This represents a loss of stored water. Water
demand is thus highest in the summer season.

GLOSSARY

Aquifer - A water bearing formation of rock, sand, or clay. It may be overlain and
underlain by impervious formations;'in which 'case it is a confined aquifer. The absence
of one or both of the impervious beds produces an unconfined aquifer. An unconfined
aquifer is often under watertable conditions.

Artesian Water - The water from a confined aquifer, is under pressure and in some
cases will flow to the surface without the aid of a pump when a well reaches an artesian
.formation.

Coefficient of Transmissability - Is the rate of flow of water in gallons per day
through a vertical strip extending the full saturated thic kness of the aquifer under
a unit hydraulic gradient-at 60 degrees F.

Coefficient of Storage - Is the volume of water released from or taken into
storage per unit surface area per unit change in component of the head normal
to that surface.

Confining Beds - Impervious beds which overlie or underlie a water bearing
formation.

Specific Capacity (of a well) - The rate of yield per unit of drawdown, generally
expressed in gallons per minute per foot. Over 40 gpm/ft. is excellent. Specific
capacity is related to permeability and transmissability.

COHANSEY FORMATION

Location

The Cohansey "Sands" Formation is the most important aquifer in the township.
Most domestic wells are placed in this formation. It is used extensively for domestic
wells in the southeastern half of Burlington County.

This formation outcrops in the southeastern half of the county for a total outcrop
area of 380 sq. miles or 46% of the county. The outcrop area is that area where the
formation is at the surface. Outcrop areas are,-therefore, the primary recharge areas
of any aquifer.

Lithology

Sedimentary characteristics of the formation are light gray to yellowish brown, medium
to coarse grained pebbly quartz sand with local kaolinitic (clay) beds in the upper
part of the formation. Some pebbles in the formation are up to 4 inches in diameter.
Common horizontal stratification is a characteristic feature. The beds that are water
bearing I ie at 55' and 100' depths at an Oswego Lake test well. These two beds are
of coarse-grain quartz sand, they are overlain by an essentially silty, fine to medium
grained quartz. The two coarse grained beds are separated by 15' of silty sand. The
formation is 175' thick at this site, The formation never exceeds a thickness of 250'
in the township.

The Cohansey Formation unconformably overlies the Kirkwood Formation. The
Beacon Hill or the Bridgeton Formations overlie the Cohansey only as a cap on the
highest hills and are commonly undurated with iron-oxide. The presence of a few
marine fossils indicates that these are freshwater deposits.

Log of a Typical Well in the Cohansey Formation

Well no. 61, Harrisville
(Log by Mahlon Broon)

Altitude 15 feet

Tertiary: Layer Accumulated
Depth Depth
Cohansey Sand:
Sand ............. ...... ................. 77 77
Sand .................................... 8 85
Blue mud ...................... I r ........ 13 98
Clay (with pyrite?) . ........................ 10 108
Marly mud .............................. 16 124
Strata with wood Q) ...................... . 7 131
Mud with shells .......................... 15 146
Hard sediments .......................... 50 196
Water-bearing sand ........................ 35 131
Dark, slushy sand ........................ 14 245
Yellow sand .............................. 16 261
Coarse, red sand ........................... 45 306
Dark sand .............................. 12 318
White clay ............................... 13 331

Kirkwood Formatiow
Water-bearing, green marl .................... 37 368
Slate stone Q) ............................ 7 375

Smock, 1893, p. 288-289

Hydrologic Characteristics

The Cohansey Formation is an important aquifer in the county. There are no overlying
confining beds, so most of the formation is under "'water-table conditions". Test results
at severa I test wel Is show a Coefficient of Transm issabi I ity at 130 gpd/sq. ft. at Coy le
Airport and 86 gpd/sq. ft. at Oswego Lake; a coefficient of permeability at 28,000
gpd/ft. and 15,000 gpd/ft. have been measured at other locations. This indicates a fair
to good ability to yield water. An aquifer test in the Wharton Tract obtained much
higher results. The Coeff icient of Transmissability was 150,000 gpd/sq. ft. and the
Coefficient of Permeability of 1,000 gpd/ft.

Total county pumpage is estimated at 579,000 gpd, primarily by domestic wells.
This is 2.3% of total available pumpage. Thus the Cohansey is not completely utilized
at this time.

Water enters the aquifer from precipitation in all exposed high areas and moves
toward low-level areas where it is ultimately discharged into Rancocas Creek, the
Mullica, Wading and Bass Rivers. The annual potential recharge available is 558 million
gallons per day. This f igure is an estimate based- on the statistic of 21" of runoff
annually available for recharge and potential subsurface runoff over the 380 square
mile recharge area. However because the superficial soil layers quickly reach saturation

during storms, much ofthis potential recharge is lost to the streams through overland
%ow (surface. runoff) during these storms.

Waftr Ouallity

Wat er quality is good except for a high iron concentration (in the range of 5-49 parts
per million). The water is basically soft with a hardness in the range of 2-48 parts per
million with an average of 15 ppm. Chloride or salt contaimination is not present in
the Green-Bank--New Gretna area since anWy@is@-indicates an average of only 10 ppm.
Salt water contamination can be expected in those marshy areas near Great Bay.

KIRKWOOD FORMATION

Location

The Kirkwood Formation crops out in an irregularly bounded belt sout6a ,st of the
Manasquan, the Vincentown and. Hornerstown Formations and generqllypxtending
in a. northeast to southwestAirection. The outcrop area in Burlington County is 1,10
square- inilev

Lithollogy

The Kirkwood is divided into two units at the outcrop area_ The upper unit consists
of brownish black clayey silt to very fine grained quartz sand. A thicker lower unit
is made up of light-gray to light yellow orange very fine to,fine.. grained quartz sand.
te
..However, logs of the st well sites in Oswego Lake and B.ass.River Township show
theJormation to be divided into three units. The lower unit, consists of olive-gray
very, sand silt, the middle unit is light gray to yellowish orange coarse-groined quartz
snad and gravel. The uppei'unit is light-gray Very silty sand. The-formation thickens
101thesoUtheast. It is50`thi& at its surface outcrop belt in the northwestwhile its
thickness is 285'at Oswego Lake and 250'at Harrisville.

The: Kirkwood unconformably overlies the Hornerstown and Vinc,entown,.Sands.
and the Manasquan -Formation. Fossils and glaUconite indicate,.that thi@, formationis
of marine.origin.

Hydrologic. Characteristics

This formation is'of @minor importartce'as'anaqUifer in 13U 'rlinl9tonCounty. Itisonly.
used by small diameter wells for domestic su Opl@y'in: the central part of the county.
The Kirkwood is overlain by the Cohansey Sands which are utilized more because of
their shallower depth. A laboratory analysis at Oswego Lake and one at Coyle Airport
indicated, a great ability to transmit water. Recharge for the formation comes from -two
sources: (1) percolation at the surface outcrop belt and (2) percolation from the overlying
Cohansey Formation. There have never been any aquifer tests of the Kirkwood in
Burlington County. However, tests done at Ancora State HospiW showed-a Coefficient
of Transmissability of only 10,500 gpd/ft. and a Coefficient of Permeability of 170 gpd/ft.
East of this location the formation is much more usable due to a Coefficient of
Transmissability of 130,000 gpd/ft.

Total pumpage from the Kirkwood in Burlington County is estimated at 63,000
gpd or about.25% of the available pumpage. Because transmissibility is poor
near the outcrop belt, the Wenonah Formation and Mount Laurel Formation are
used in this area. The increased trarismissability in the area of the township and
limited pumpage from the formation indicate that the Kirkwood formation is
capable of. extensive development.

Water Quality

Chemical quality of the Kirkwood water is generally excellent. There are high
concentrations of iron, but the iron concentration does not exceed 29 ppm in any
test wells. The water is generally soft with an average hardness at 60 ppm. Samples
taken in test wells by the United States Geodetic Survey does not indicate chloride
concentrations over 4 ppm. This indicates no saline water containination although
areas close to brackish and saline water are susceptible to contamination.

THE MAGOTHY-RARITAN FORMATION

Location

The Raritan and Magothy Formation is the most important aquifer in the county. Its
outcrop area is a two mile wide belt southeast of the Delaware River; its extent in'
Burlington County is 48 square miles.

Lithology

The Raritan is light gray to white cross stratified, medium to coarse grained quartz sand
and white to red varigated clays. The Magothy is similar but contains more clay. The
formation thickens to over 600' in the Bass River area, however it is less sandy. A well was
driven by Transcontinental Pipe Line Company in 1951 in Bass River that went to this
formation. This well penetrates to 1648' to enter the formation.

Hydrologic Characteristics

The water bearing zones are variable within short distances and are sometimes only a
few feet thick. Wells producing 1,000 to 1,500 gpm are common in the northwest
part of the county. Aquifer tests near areas of heavy pumpage put the coefficient of
transmissability from 46,000 to 513,000 gpd/ft.; coefficient of permeability ranges
from 11,000 to 2,170 gpd/sq. ft. These figures show the variable zones in the aquifer.
The higher figures represent areas where large diameter wells could be used.

Recharge comes from precipitation on high level intake areas in Middlesex County.
Heavy pumping has caused some reversal of flow in the aquifer but recharge from the
basin of the Delaware River stabilizes the stored water in the formation. The river
water after penetrating the formation is generally of satisfactory quality. Over
pumping in coastal zones could cause salt water encroachment of the aquifer which would
adversely affect water in Bass River in this form ation more quickly than areas to the
north and west of the township. It is estimated that the aquifer potential is 62 million
gallons per day; only 20 million gpd are estimated to be currently used.

This formation is a potential water resource for Bass River Township but the
formation lies at such a great depth that the cost would probably be prohibitive.

ENGLISHTOWN FORMATION

Location and Lithology

This formation outcrops southwest of Rancocas Creek and has an area in the county,
Of 63 square miles. Composition is generally a light gray to white micacious, lignitic,
f ine grained quartz sand. Further downdip clay beds rather than sand make up much
of the formation.

Hydrologic Characteristics

The Englishtown Formation is commonly tapped for minor water supplies. Thickness
reaches a maximum of 60 ft. Sand beds of the formation are poorly developed making
large amounts of water in a specific area impossible. Low transmissability of the
formation. requires a wide distribution' of moderate and low capacity wells.

Recharge comes primarily from vertical leakage from the overlying Marshaltown Formation.
Estimated recharge is 12.3 mgd. Only 1.3 mgd are estimated to be pumped at this time
in Burlington County.

Water QualitV

Water quality is generally fair to good. There are high iron concentrations and hardness
in parts of the formation is als-6 high.

SUMMARY

(1) The Cohansey Formation isthe most exploitable ground water resource for Bass
River Township. This is because of its closeness to the surface (thus reducing well installation
and maintenance. cost). High transmissability,,high water yielding potential, and good water
quality are all advantages in utilizing water from this formation.

(2) Steps should be taken to protect the quantity and quality of ground water from
the C0ansey Formation. Thus excessive pumping of the formation in areas nqar sea
level should be controlled to avoid salt water incursion. Landfills should not be planned
up-slope from domestic wells. Excessive paving or timber harvesting of upland areas should
be avoided in order to preserve the access of rain water to the Cohansey and other aquifers.
The inner uplands of the Pine Barrens absorb the water which is utilized by the people
and industry of eastern Burlington County and Bass River Township in particular.

(3) Finally, the water commissions, sewerage authorities and planning boards of Bass
River Township and its neighbors should meet with each other in order to protect their
ground water resources. One township cannot provide such protection without the
participation of the surrounding townships, as they all shre the central recharge area and
they all can affect each others water supplies.

Summary of the geologic formations and their hydrologic characteristics

System Series Formation Symbol Thickness Lithology Hydrologic Characteristics

Recent Alluvium and Qual 0 - Q) Clay, silt, and sand Too thin to be tapped for water
eolian sand
Quaternary Pleistocene Cape May Qcrn 0-40 Usually hydraulically connected
Pennsauken Qps 0-40 with overlain aquifers to increase
Bridgeton Qbr 0-40 the saturation thickness .

Pliocene Q) Beacon Hill Tbh 0-10 Gravel Too thin to be tapped for water.
Pliocene (?) Coarse grained sand Variable ability to store and
and Cohansey Sand Tch 0-365 and sandy silt. yield water.
Miocene (?)
Tertiary Miocene Kirkwood Tkw 0-300 Very f ine to coarse
grained sand.
Eocene Manasquan Tmq 0-150 Clayey, fine grained Excellent to poor ability to yield
glauconite; quartz water.
sand.
Vincentown Tvt 0-200 Clayey calcarenite
and clayey, glauco-
nitic, quartz sand
Palocene Hornerstown Tht 0- 80 These formations function as
Sand confining beds.

Red Bank Sand Krb 0-50 Clayey glauconite
Navesink Kns 0-40 sand.
Mt. Laurel Knw 0-110 Silt and medium Good. abi I ity to store and yield
Sand grained sand. water.
Wenonah
Cretaceous Marshalltown Kmt 0-45 Glauconitic, quartz Confining bed.
sandy clay.
Englishtown Ket 0780 Fine to medium Good to poor ability to yield water.
Sand grained quartz sand
Woodbury and clay These formations function as
Clay Kwb 0-80 confining beds.

System Series Formation _Symbol Thickness Lithology Hydrologic Characteristics

Merchantville Kmv 0-100 Clay
Cretaceous Magothy Med. to coarse Excellent ability to store and
grained sand and yield water.
Raritan Kmr 30-2000 Clay.

Early Paleozoic Wissahickon Pzw Schist. Confining bed

AQUIFER
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Markley, Marco L., 1971 Soil Survey: Burlington County New Jersey, U.S.
Department of Agriculture in cooperation with N.J. Agricultural Experiment Station,
p. 120.

Rush, Eugene F. 1968, Geology and Ground-Water Resources of Burlington County,
N.J., U.S. Geological Survey, Special Report no. 26, p. 65.

Rush, Eugene F., 1962 Records of Wells and Ground-Water Quality in Burlington
County, N.J.,.I U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Circular no. 7, p. 104.

Rhodehamal, Edward C., 1971, Hydrological Cycle of the Pine Barrens, Water
Resource Circular no. 76, p. 22.

Chapter 5

Vegetation and Wildlife

Natural vegetation of Bass River Township is predominantly of the Pine Barrens
varieties, with some tidal marsh vegetation found along streams in the southeastern
portions of the Township - the areas of Wading, Mullica and Bass Rivers, and Ballanger
Creek. Agricultural areas, current and abandone'd, have brought about changes in
the natural vegetation, which is discussed. Fire, a most common occurrence, is a
great influence on the overal I vegetation of the region, and wi I I be included at the
conclusion of this section.

The southern portion of Bass River Township is located in the tidal marsh areas.
The vegetation in the region is represented by those species which can tolerate the
repeated ebb and f low of the brackish tidal water. - The predominant native plants
found here would be salt-tolerant grasses and sedges. Salt hay (Spartina) was har-
vested, but is no longer cut in this area. Moving upland and northward, the area
changes radically above the ecotone.

One startling exception are areas of slightly higher altitude than the surrounding
tidal marsh lands. Oak Island and several other "islands" of higher ground with
Downer, Evesboro and Klej soils have the varied flora characteristics of moderately
drained soils, and abundant water supply. Similar areas border the tidal marsh
lands as well.

Moving inland from the tidal marshlands, a belt of hardwood swamp forest is found,
with some cedar swamp. located along the edge of the small streams. This area does
contain some islands of oak-pine and pine-oak forest east and north of New Gretna.
Also on either side of Route 9, east of Job's Creek and west of Off Shore Manor
sections of oak-pine/pine-.oak forest can be found.

Northward and east of t 'he Bass River the predominant vegetation cover is pine-oak
forest, extending to the northern boundary with Woodland Township. The north-
east region of Bass River Township bordering Ocean County is an area of pineland
commonly called the Lower or East Plains, an area of stunted pine trees and oaks.

The northern area, bounded by the Oswego- River, Oswego Lake, and Papoose Branch
is anarea oflowland with extensive cedar swamps along the waterways, backed by
pitch pine lowland forest. There is some cranberry culture along the tributaries of
the Oswego..

Following the Oswego southward from Oswego Lake, cedar swamp is found along
the river with hardwood swamp beginning in the Buck Run area and continuing
to Harrisville Pondi East of Harrisville is an extensive pine and oak forest which
meets the hardwood swamp forest/cedar swamp which borders the Beaver Run.

North of the New Gretna area and north westward to Beaver Run is an area of mixed
vegetation. The lowland areas along streams are pitch pine lowland forest, -,ardwood
swamp forest and cedar swamp. The higher areas between the lowlands is pine oak forest.

The following descriptions explain in detail the various covers described in this
.,section:*

Cedar Swamp Forests

Southern white cedar Swamp forests are dense, even-aged stands of straight-sternmed
small-crowned, dark-foliaged coniferous trees. The cedars average 50 to 60 feet tall,
but their height varies with age. Stands nearly 100 feet tall have been reported. Cedar
swamps fringe many Pine Barren streams from their sources to tidewater and vary
from a few yards to a mile or more in width. Pitch pines are widely scattered and red
maple, black gum, and sweet bay form a more or less continuous understory in most,
cedar forests. Dangleberry, highbush blueberry, clammy azalea, fetterbush, bayberry,
and various other shrubs grow beneath and mingle with the low crowns of broad-
leaved trees. The herbaceous f lora of the cedar swamp is highly varied, although the
herbs usually do not form dense growths. Chain fern, partridge berry usually are ra-
ther common. Curly grass fern, perhaps the best known swamp plant and most
sought by naturalists for observations, is rather rare. There also is a rich moss and
lichen flora in these habitats.

Hardwood Swamp Forests

Hardwood swamp forests now are the most common stream-course forests in the
survey area. They occupy many stream valleys and fringe the upland edges of
cedar forests. Where they grow along smaller stream courses and intermittent
drainages, these swamp hardwood forests are known locally as "cripples".

The canopy of most swamp hardwood forests is 25 to 30 feet tall, but a few older
stands may reach heights 50 to 75 feet tall. Trident red maple generally is the
principal tree, but sweet bay, black gum, and, in places, gray birch and sassafras
often are abundant. Pitch pines are scattered through these forests and over
many acres the pines outnumber the broadleaved trees. Cedars also occur with
the broadleaved trees, so there is a whole spectrum of forest types possible from
nearly pure cedar to nearly pure pitch pine swamp forests.

The shrub layer of the hardwood swamp forest contains a variety. of species, out-
standing among which are highbush blueberry, sweet pepperbush, clammy azalea,
leatherleaf, fetterbush, black huckleberry, dangleberry, and sheep laurel. Herbaceous
plants, lichens, and mosses of the hardwood swamps generally are the same as those
found in cedar swamps.

Pitch Pine Lowland Forests

Pitch pine lowland forests occur in a number of depressions, in many sites along the
edges of cedar and swamp hardwood forests, and in other low areas. The canopy of
these forests is formed almost solely by pitch pines, and generally is'only 15 to 20 feet
above the ground. Although the tree layer is composed virtually of one species, more
than 20 kinds of shrubs and woody vines are known to occur in the undergrowth.
Black huckleberry, sheep laurel, and dangleberry are the most prominent shrubs.
In fact, the extensive development of sheep laurel is a principal characterittic ofthe
forest type. In places with the poorest drainage, sometimes over very extensive areas,
leatherleaf forms the bulk of the undergrowth.
*Adapted from - McCormick, Jack, The PiOq_Rqrijqs - A Preri
LoskalLamtArL
State of New Jersey - State Museum, Trenton.

the herbaceous layer is.exceptionally well developed in pitch pine lowland forests.
Turkey beard, an herbw'ith large clumps of grasslike leaves and with large clusters
of white flowers (related to the western bear-grass), is the most typical species.
Wintergreen and bracken fern also are common and more than a dozen other species
including several orchids, are frequent. Spongy mats of sphagnum mosses cover
about 10 percent of the ground.

The pitch pine lowland forest is a transitional type between lowland and upland
vegetation types. Many species of shrubs, herbs, mosses, and lichens found in
pitch pine lowland forests also Were common in-upland sites.. Black huckleberry,
one of the most important shrubs in the uplands, covers about the same proportion
of the ground in pitch pine lowland sites as it does in upland pine and oak forests.

Nonforest vegetation, including ponds, savannas, and shrub types, occur 's in many
lowland sites, but generally these areas have been influenced by human action,
or organic deposits once present in them have been burned away. Many are former
cranberry bogs or reservoirs.

Shallow, intermittent ponds occupy many depressions and occur along streams
throughout the area. Ponds formed by dams are more. or less permanently filled
and are deeper. Water lilies, spatterdock, bladderworts, and various other rooting
and floating water plants occur in deeper areas. Grasses, sedges, rushes, and many
herbs occur as emergents in shallow waters and along the pond banks.

Sedge and grass marshes,known locally as savannas, are found in a few s mail openings
along streams and on several abandoned cranberry bogs. These wet meadows apparently
were much more abundant in the area bout 1900, particularly along the branches of the
Wading River south of Chatsworth. These areas now are covered by cedar swamp
forests or are utilized for cranberry and blueberry production.

Spongs (rhymes with rungs) are lowland sites covered with dense shrub growths.
Chiefly, spongs are occupied by leatherleaf, but highbush blueberry also occurs in
them.- Fringes of leatheeleaf, typically encircled by highbush blueberry., grow around
most ponds. Leatherleaf also forms dense stream-bottom stands and in such situation
appears to have overgrown a former pond or savanna.

Upland Vegetation

The tree layer of the upland forests of the Pine Barrens. is more varied in composition
than that of the lowland forests, primarily because of the addition. of several species
of oak. Shortleaf pine also grows only in upland sites. The lower layers of the forest,
however, are much less diverse. Several lowland shrubs are absent from the uplands
and others-are much less abundant. But it is the striking reduction in the diversity
of the herbaceous and moss-lichen flora that is most impressive. SeVeral hundred
species grow in lowland areas, but the number probally does not greatly exceed a
hundred in upland sites.

The heath undergrowth in upland forests of the Pine Barrens is 1 to 2 feet tall
and very uniform; it changes but slightly from one forest type to another.
Lowbush blueberry an d black huckleberry are the most abundant and
widely distributed species of shrubs. Over much of the survey area, scrub oak
(or bear oak), a 3- to 15-foot tali shrub, is inserted into the lower cover of the
heaths. No real pattern in the occurrence of scrub oak was apparent, although it is
much more.common in the central and eastern parts of the survey area than in
the west part.

Because of differences between pitch pine and the oaks in foliage, seasonal
appearance, and, generally, in ecology, the. upland forests of the Pine Barrens,
usually are considered to be composed of two general types, those formed chiefly
by pines and those formed chiefly by oaks.. Pine forests give the region its typical
aspect and cover about half the total area. However, pine forests cover at least
70 percent of the study region, and perhaps as much as 85 percent of the eastern
part of the region.

Pine-Blackjack Oak Forests

The pine-blackjack oak forest is found in higher elevations in the township.. It. is
composed of an open stand of pitch pines, generally about 2.5 feet tall, and.blackjack
oaks, generally about 10 to 15 feet tall. Post oaks, about the same height as the black-
jack oaks, are abundant in some places. Black oaks are scattered through the pine-
blackjack oak forest.

The Plains

One of the most interesting aspects of the Pine Barrens vegetation is known as the
"Plains". They are found in a great area encompassing parts of Stafford and Union
Townships in Ocean County and Woodland and Bass Rliver Township in Burlington
County. Only a southern part of the area known as the East Plains lies in Bass River
Township.

The Plains vegetation is distinctive in that it contains two dominant tr ee species,
although there are extensive acreages where their height is extremely smal 1. (3' - 7')
These trees seem to be races or species variants whose incidence is incidence is
influenced by factors such as forest fire frequency and often droughty soil conditions.
In the understory and ground cover, shrubs and herbs similar to those of the upland
forest are found. The broom crow, a special denizen of the pine barrens is more ex-
tellsively found in the plains vegetation.

LISTS OF FLORA IN BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP

In the heart of the Wading River ecosystem, Bass River Township to date is the most
undisturbed and most representative area of the Pine'Barrens. Its plentiful reserves of
pure water, its unique biota and location in the watersheds of the Wading, Bass and
Oswego Rivers, make Bass River Township a jewel of nature to be preserved as much
as possible in its present pristine state.

The following tables of flora and fauna list much of the vegetation and wildlife which,
with very few exceptions, are all found in Bass River Township. To preserve this land is
to preserve a natural resources heritage that is in constant danger of being destroyed. Such
destruction would end the rural quality of life to be found presently in Bass River Township.

A growing concern for rare and endangered plants has been demonstrated by recent publi-
cations. "Rare or Endangered Vascular Plants of New Jersey" by David E. Fairbrothers and
Mary Y. Hough, Department of Botany, Rutgers Un iversity, Science Notes No. 14 lists scarce
plants found only in the Pine Barrens, and. so 'me are only found in Bass River Township. The
few remaining known speciments of these plants must be protected and preserved in their
natural environment. Only by maintaining many "wild" areas under public ownership or
areas in recreational uses of minimal environmental impact, can populations of these en-
dangered species be maintained or increased.

Flowering Plants - Herbaceous

Species originally described from the New Jersey Pine Barrens
Northern species reaching Southern limit
Southern species reaching Northern limit

Arethusa - Arethusa bulbosa
Arrow-arum - Peltandra virginica
Arrowhead, Broad-leaved - Sagittaria latifolia
Long-beaked S. australis
Slender - S. teres S. Wats. - Rare
Asphodel, Bog - Nartheciurn americanum
False - Todf ieldia racemosa - Rare
Aster, Bog - Aster- nemoralis
Bushy - Adumosus
Eastern Silvery - A. pilosus
Golden - Chrysopsis falcata - Rare
Late Purple - Aster patens
New York - A. Novi-belgii
Salt Marsh - A. tenuifolius
Silvery, A. concolor L. - Rare
Slender - A. gracilis
Stiff-leaved - A. linariifolius
Twiggy - A. vimineus
Wavy-leaved - A. undulatus
Woodland - A. divaricatus
White-Panicled - A. simplex
White-top - Sericocarpus asteroides

Bartonia, Upright - Bartonia virginica
Bedstraw, Pine Barren - Galium pilosum
Var. puncticulosum
Bee Balm - Monarda f istulosa
Beggerticks, Black - Bidens frondosa
Black-eyed Susan.- Rudbeckia birta
Bladderwort, Fibrous - Utricularia fibrosa
Hor ned - U. cornuta
Minute - U. olivacea
Pin-like - U. cleistogama
Purpole - U. purpurea - Rare
Rush - U. juncea
of Swollen - U. inf lata
to Zig-zag - U. subulata
Blazing Star, Hairy - Liatris graminifolia
var. lasia
(Known only in N.J. Pine Barrens & Delaware)
Bluecurls - Trichosterna dichotornum
Blue-eyed Grass - Sisyrinchium atlantic'um
Boneset, White - Eupatorium album
to ,climbing - E. scandens
or , E."perfoliatum
to , Sticky - Eupatorium resinosum
Bouncing Bet (Soapwort) - Saponaria off icinalis
Bush-clover, Hairy - Lespedeza hirta var. longifolia
It
, Round-headed L. capitata
Butter-and-Eggs - Linaria vulgaris
Camphorweed - Heterothi6 subAxillaris
Campion, White, or Evening Lynchnis- Lychnis alba
Cardinal Flower - Lobelia cardinalis
Chamomile, Corn - Anthernis irvensis
Chicory - Cichorium intybus
Chickweed, Common - Stellaria media
to Mouse-ear - Cerastium vulgatum
Cinquefoil:- Potentilla sp.
Clover, Rabbit Foot - Trifolium arvense
Colicroot - Alestris farinosa
Cowbane, Slender-leaved - Oxypolis rigidior longifolia
Cow-wheat - Melampyrum lineare
Dandelion, Dwarf - Krigia virginica
If , Common - Taraxacurn officinale
to , Red-seeded - T. erythrospermum
Dropseed, Late Flowering - Muhlenbergia uniflora
Evening Primrose, Sinbate-leaved - Cenothera laciniata
Everlasting', Early - Antennaria. neglecta
"I , Pearly - Anaphalis margaritacea
11 , White - Gnaphalium obtusifolium
False Foxglove, Downy - Gerardia virginica
Fern-leaved - G. pedicularia

Fleabane, Daisy - Erigeron annuus
Philadelphia or Common - E. philadelphicus
Marsh - Pluchea purpurascens - Undetermined
Flower-or-an-Hour - Hibiscus Trionurn
Frostweed - Helianthemurn canadense
Gentian, Closed, Soapwort - Gentiana saponaria
Pine-barrens - G. autumnalis L. - G. porphyrio Gmel. - Endangered
Gerardia, Purple - Gerardia purpurea
I's I Pine Barren - G. racemulosa
Bristle-leaved - G. setacea
Seaside - G. maritima
Slender - G. tenuifolia
Goat's-rue - Tephrosia virginiana
Golden Aster, Maryland - Chrysopsis mariana
to I Sickle-leaved - C. falcata - Rare,
Golden-crest - Lophiola americ6na
Golden Club - Orontiurn aquaticurn
Golden-pert - Gratiola aurea
Goldenrod, Bog - Solidago uliginosa
Downy - Solidago puberula
Elliott's - S. elliottii - Rare
Flat-topped, Lance-leaved - S. graminifolia
Slender - S. erecta
Pine-barrens - S. fistulosa
Seaside - S. sempervirens
Sweet-scented - S. odora
Swamp - S. neglecta
If Tall - S. altissima
.10 Wand-like - Erect - S. stricta - Endangered
Grass-Pine - Calopogon pulchellus
Hawkweed - Hieraciurn spp
Heal-all - Prunella vulgans
Horsemint, Common - Monarda punctata
Indian-pipe - Monotropa uniflora
Iris, Larger Blue - Iris versicblor
" I Slender Blue - 1. prismatica
Ironweed, New York - Vernonia noveboracensis
Jewelweed, Touch-me-not - Impatiens capensis
Joe-Pye-Weed - Eupatoriurn dubium
Jointweed, Coast - Polygonella articulata
Knawel - Scleranthus annuus
Ladies'-tresses, Grass-leaved - SpirEnthes praecox - Rare
Little - S. tuberosa - Rarp
Nodding - S. cernua
Southern Slender - S. gracilis
Lady's-slipper, Stemless - Cypripedium acaule
Lettuce, Grass-leaved - Lactuca graminifolia
Lily, Turk's-cap - Liliurn superburn
Lobelia, Canby's - Lobelia canbyi - Rare
r# I Boykin's - L. boykinii - Endangered
Nuttall's - L. nuttallii

Loosestrife, Bulb-bearing - Lysimachia terrestris
I'll , Purple - Lythrurn salicaria
Lidwigia, Globe-fruited (False Loosestrife) - Ludwigia sphaerocarpa
If , Hair - L. hirtella
Lupine - Lupinus perennis
Marsh Pink - Sabatia angularis
" - S. stellaris
- Large - S. dodecandra
Mallow, Seashore.- Kosteletskya virginica
to Crimson-eyed - Hibiscus moscheutos
Swamp Rose - H. palustris
Meadow Beauty, Deergrass - Rhexia aristosa - Endangered
to #1 , Maryland - R. mariana
Ft of , Virginia - R. virginica
Milkweed, Blunt-leaved - Ascelpias amplexicaulis
of , Common - A. syriaca
Orange, Butterflyweed - A. tuberosa
Red - A. rubra - Undetermined
Smooth orange - A. lanceolata - Undetermined
Swamp - A. incarnata
Milkwort, Cross-leaved - Polygala cruciata
Orange, Candyroot - P. lutea
All Racerned - P. polygama
of Short-leaved - P. brevifolia
Morning@lory - Convolvulus spp.
$11, All , Pickering's - Brewerica pickeringi var. caesariensis(Known to
occur only in New Jersey 'Pine Barrens)
Muhly, One Flowered - Muhlenbergia uniflora
111 , Torrey's - M. torreyana .
Mullein, Common - Verbascurn thapsus
oil , Moth - V. blattaria
Nightshade - Solanum dulcamara
tr - Black S. nigrum
Orchis, Crested Yellow - Habenaria cristata - Endangered
Green Woodland - H. clavellata
Southern Yellow - H. integra - Endangered
White Fringed - H. blephariglottis
Yellow-fringed , H. ciliaris - Endangered
Ox-eye Daisy - Chrysanthemum leucanthemurn
Partridge Pea - Cassia fasciculata
Pencil-f lower, Hairy - Stylosanthes bif lora var. hispida
of to , Sprawling - S. riparia
Pickerelweed - Pontederia cordatp
Pineweed, Orange Grass - Hypericurn gentianoides
Pineweed, Large - Lechea villosa
to . Oblong-fruited - L. racemulosa
ff ' Thyme leaved - L. minor
Pipewort, Flat - Eriocaulon compressurn
r, . Seven-angled - E. septangulare
it . Ten-angled - E. decangulare
Pitcher-plant - Sarracenia purpurea
Pogonia, Rose - Pogonia ophioglossoides
Spreading - Cleistes divaricata - Endangered

Pokeweed - Phytolacca americana
Primrose, Evening, Common - Centhera biennis
I# #A , Cut-leaved - 0. laciniata
Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot - Daucus carota
Ragwort, Wooly, Squaw-weed - Senecio tomentosus
Rattlesnake Master, Tall - Ernygiurn yuccifoliurn
Rattlesnake Plaintain - Goodyera
Rattlesnake-root, Gall-of-the-earth - Prenanthes trifoliolata
01 , Pine-barrens - P. autumnalis - Endangered
Pursh's, Lion's-foot - P. serpentaria
Redroot - Lachnanthes tinctoria
Sabatia, Lance-leaved, Centuary -Sabatia difformis
Sage, Lyre-leaved - Salvia lyrata
St. John's-wort, Canada - Hypericurn canadense
Coppery - H. denticulaturn
Marsh - H. virginicum
Sandwort, Pine-barren - Arenaria caroliniana
Scierol!epis-Scierolepisuniflora .
Scullcap, Hyssop - Scutellaria integrifolia
Seedbox - Ludwigia alternifolia
Sneezeweed - Heleniurn autumnale
Spatter-dock, Floating - Nuphar variegaturn
Spanish-needles - Bidens bipinnata
Speedwell, Corn - Veronica arveasis
Spurge, Cypress - Euphorbia cuparissias
Spurge, Ipecac - Euphorbia lpecacvanhae
Star-f lower - Trientalis borealis
Sundew, Round-leaved - Drosera rotundifolia
Spatulate-leaved - D. intermedia
Thread-leaved - D. filiformis
Sundro@s, Dwarf - Oenothera perennis
All
Narrow-leaved - 0. futicosa
Sunflower, Narrow-leaved - Helienthus angustifolius
Swamp Pink - Helonias bullata
Tansy, Bitterbuttons - Tanacetumsulgare
Thoroughwort, Common (See Boneset) - Eupatoriurn perfoliaturn
, Hyssop-leaved - E. Hyssopifoliurn
, Rough - E. pilosum
Thistle, Canada - Cirsium arvense
rf . Yellow - C horridulurn
Tickseed-sunflower, Tall - Bidens coronata
Tick-trefoil, Hairy Smah-leaved - Desmodiurn ciliare
of 11 , Rigid - D. rigidum
Stft@Beggar's Ticks - D. stricturn -.Undetermined
Toadfla'x, Bastard - Comandra.umbellata
Blue - Linaria canadensis
Turkey-beard, Pine Blossom - lerophyllurn asphodeldides
Twayblade, Bog - Liparis Loeselii - Rare
Lily-leaved - L. lilifolia - Undetermined

Venues Looking-glass - Specularia perfoliata
Vervain, Blue - Verbena hastata
Violet, Birdfoot - Viola pedata
111 1 Lance-leaved - V. lanceolata var. vittata
Ovate-leaved - V. f imbriatula
Primrose-leaved - V. primulifolia
Water-lily - Fragrant - Nymphaea odorata
Water-Parsnip - Sium suave
Whitlow-Grass - Draba verna
Wild Bean - Apios americana
to I Pink - Strophostyles umbellata
Trailing - S. helvola
Wild Indigo - Baptisia tinctoria
Wild Sensitive Plant - Cassia nictitans
Yarrow - Achillea millifolium
Yellow-eyed Grass, Carolina - Xyris caroliniana
110, 1 fl, I Congdon's - X. congdoni
Fringed - X. f imbriata -Undetermined
of fly Slender - X. torta
it Twisted - X. f lexuosa

Flowering Plants- Grasses, Reeds, Rushes, Sedges, Sundry Herbaceous Vegetation, both
aquatic and terrestrial

Beach Grass - Ammaophila breviligulata
Beaked Rush - Rhynchospora kneiskerni (Known only from New Jersey Pine
Barrens and Delaware) - Rare
Brown - R. fusca
of Capitate - R. cephalantha
Clustered - R. glomerata
Few-f lowered - R. oligantha
Slender - R. gracilenta
11 to White - R. alba
Bp-irdgrass - Gymnopogon ambiguus - Rare
Bent Grass, Tall - Agrostis altissima
Broomsedge - Andropogon scoparius
Virginia - A. virginicus
Bulrush, American - Scirpus americanus
Long's - S. longii - Rare
Saltmarsh - S. maritimus - Rare
Bur-reed, Slender - Sparganium americanum
Cat-tail, Broad-leaved - Typha latifolia
Narrow-leaved - T. angustifolia
Club-rush, Water - Scirpus subterminalis
Cotton-grass, Tawny - Eriophorum tenellum
Crab-grass, Large - Digilaria sanguinalis

Cyperus, Gray's - Cyperus Grayii
Slender - C. f iliculmis
Toothed - C. dentatus
Umbrella - C. brenifolius - Rare
Eel-grass - Zostera marina
Floating Heart - Limnanthemurn lacunosum
Glasswort - Salicornia europea
Hairgrass, Common - Deschampsia flexuosa
Manna-grass, Blunt - Glyceria obtuse
Marsh-grass - Distichlis spicata
Millet Grass, Pinelands; - Amphicarpurn purshii
Nut Rush - Scleria triglomerata
of , Shining - S. nitida
tr , Slender - S. minor
Panic Grass, Bog - Panicurn lucidurn
Britton's - P. ensifolium
Hirst's - P. hirstii - Endangered
Narrow - P. hemitomum - Rare
Warty - P. Warty - P. verucosum
Sheathed - P. cryptanthum
Starved - P. depauperaturn
to If Three-leaf - P. trifoliurn
it to Wright's - P. Wrightianurn - Rare
Plantain, Narrow-leaf - Plantago lanceolata
Broad-leaf - P. major
Seaside - P. juncoides:
Plume Grass - Erianthus alopecuraides
Povery Grass - Aristida dichotomp
Ragweed, Low - Ambrosia artemisii
Reed - Grass, Common - Phragmites communis
11 Nuttall's - Calamogrostis cinnoides
Pine-Barren - Calamovilfa brevipilus - Rare
Rice, Wild - Zizania aquatica
Rose, Marsh - Rosa palustris
Rush, Bayonet - Juncus militaris
Common, Soft - J. effusus
Canadian - J. canadensis
oil
, New Jersey - J. caesariensis
, Proliferous, Brown fruited - J. pelocarpus
Salt Marsh Cord Grass, Thatch - Spartina alterniflora
Salt Meadow Grass, Salt Hay - S. patens
Sandbur, Field - Cenchrus longispinus
Sand grass - Triplasis purpurea
Sea Lavender - Limonium spp.
Sea Rocket - Cakilo edentula
Sedge, Barratt's - Carex barrattii - Rare
Bladder - C. intumescens
Button - C. bullata
Coast - C. exilis
Fox - C. vulpinoidea
Gray's - C. grayi,
Greenish-white - C. albolutescens
Livid - C. livida

Grasses (continued)

Sedge, Long - C. folliculata
f I , Northern Three-fruited - C. trisperma, var. billingsi
Pennsylvanis - C. pennsylvanica
Pine Barren - C. cylindricus
Tussock - C. stricta
Walter's - C. walteriana
Spike-Rush, Green - Eleocharis olivacea
Tubercled - E. tuberculosa
Switchgrass - Panidum virgatum
Triple-awned Grass, Beach - Aristida tuberculosa
Slender -A. longiispica
Twig-Rush - Cladium mariscoides"
Widgeon-grass - Ruppia maritima
Wild Oat Grass - Danthonia spicata
Silky - D. sericea
so, of
, Smooth - D. epilis
Wire Grass - Aristida stricta
Wool-grass, Long's - Scirpus longii
'IF to , Pedicelled-S.rubricosis

Flowering Plants - Shrubs, Sub-Shrubs and Woody Vines

Alder - Common - Alnus serrulata
Arrowwood toothed - Viburnum dentatum
Azalea, Swamp - Rhododendron Yiscosum
Bayberry - Myrica pensVIvanica
of Evergreen, Wax Myrtle - M. heterophylla
Bearberryo- Arctostaphylos; uva-u'rsi
Blackberry, Running Swamp - Rubus hispidus
Sand - R. cuneifolius
Blueberry, Black - Vaccinium atrococcum
of , High Bush - V. corymbosum
Low Bush - V. vacillans
New Je rsey - V. caesariense
Broom Crowberry - Corema conradii - Endangered
Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cactus, Prickly Pear - Opuntia hurnifusa
Cutbrier (see Greenbrier)
Chokeberry, Black - Aronia melanocarpa
so Red - A. arbutifolia
Cocklebur - Xanthium echinaturn
Cranberry - Vacciniurn macrocarpon
Dogbane, Spreading - Apocynurn androsaemifoliurn
Dewberry - Rubu,-, f lagellaris
Elderberry - Sambucus canadensis
Fetter-bush - Leucothoe racemosa
Grape, Fox - Vitis labrusca
Grape, Summer w V. aestivalis

Shrubs (continued)

Greenbrier, Cornmon - Smilax rotundifolia
to to , Walter's - S. walteriana
Grounds6l-Tree - Baccharis halimifolia
Honeysuckle, Japanese - Lonicera japonice
111 of
Trumpet - L. sempervirens
Huckleberry, Black, Gaylussacia baccata
of , Blue, Dangleberry - G. frondosa
to Dwarf, Grouseberry - G. dumosa
Hudssonia, Po'verty Grass - Hudsonia er.icoides
Hudsonia - H. tomentosa
Inkberry - Ilex glabra
Ivy, Poison - Rhus radicans
Juneberry - Amelanchier spp.
Laurel, Mountain - Kalmia latifolia
Sheep - K. angustifolia
Leather-leaf, Cassandra - Chamaedaphne calyculata
Locust, Clammy - Robinia hispida
Loosestrife, Swamp - Decodon verticillatus
Maleberry, Privet andromeda, - Lyonia ligustrina
Marsh Elder - Iva frutescens
Mistletoe - Phoradendron f lavescens - Rare
Oak, Dwarf Chestnut - Quercus prinoides
Oak, Scrub - Q. ilicifolia
Partridge-berry - Mitchella repens
Plum, Beach - Prunus maritime
Poison Oak - Rhus toxicodendron
Prince's Pine, Pipsissewa - Chimaphila umbellate
Pyxie Moss - Pyxidanthera barbulata
St. Andrew's Cross - Ascyron Hypericoides
St. Peter's-wort - Ascyron stans
St. John's-wort, Shrubby - Hypericurn densif lorurn
Sand Myrtle - Leiophyllurn buxifoliurn (Known to occur only in the. New Jersey Pine
Barrens)
Sawbrier - Smilax glauca (see Greenbrier)
Shad-bush, Low - Amelanchier obovalis
to to , Swamp -A. canadensis
Shinleaf - Pyrola secunda
Stagger-bush - Lyonia mariana
Stieple-bush - Spirea tomentosa
Sumac, Dwarf - Rhus copallina
Poison - R. vernix
to Smooth - R. glabra
Sweet-fern - Comptonia perearina
Sweet Pepperbush - Clethra alnifolia
Trailing Arbutus - Epigaea repens
Virginia Creeper - Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Virginia-Willow, Tassel-White - Itea virginica
Winterberry - Illex verticillata
Wintergreen, Teaberry - Gaultheria procumbens
of 10 , Spotted - Chimaphila maculata
Withe'-rod - Bivurnum cassinoides
Yucca, Adam's Needle - Ycca filamentosa

Flowering Plants - Trees

Ailanthus - Ailanthus altissirTia
Apple - Pyrus malus
Birch, Gray - Betula populifolia
Buttonwood - Plantanus occidentalis
Catalpa, Southern - Catalpa bignonioides
Cherry, Wild - Prunus serotina
Cedar, Eastern Red - Juniperus virginiana
Southern White - Charnaecyparis thyoides
Northern White, Arbor Vitae - Thuja occidentalis
Dogwood' Cornus f lorida
Gum, Sou'r - Nyssa sylvatica
"' , Sweet - Liquidambar styraciflua
Hickory, Pale - Carya pallida
Oolly, American -.116x bpaca
Locust, Black - Robinia pseudo-acacia
Magnolia, Swamp (Sweet Bay) - Magnolia virginiana
Maplej Red - Acer ru'brum
Mulberry, White - Morus alba
Oak, Black - Quercus velutina
Blackjack - Q. marilandica
Chestnut - Q. prinus
Post - Q. stellata
Red - Q. rubra
Scarlet - Q. coccinea
Spanish - 0. falcata
White - Q. alba
Pear, Choke, Pyrus communis
Persimmon - Diospyros virginiana
Pine, Pitch - Pinus rigida
Pond - P. serotina
Short-leaf - P. echinata
White - P. strobus
Poplar, White - Populus alba
Sassafras - Sassafras albidum
Sycamore - Platanus occidentalis
Tamarack, Larch - Larix laricina
Tulip Tree - Liriodendron tulipifera
Walnut, Black - Juglans nigra
Willow, Black :!Salix nigra

Non-Flowering Plan", ! Forns, Lichens, Mosses

Club-Moss, Corolina - Lycopodium carolinianum
, Fo@-t.,Oil - L. alopecuroides
, qrnp - L. complanaturn
_ nd Cedar
Ground Pine - L. obscurum
Fern, Adder's-tongue - Ophioglossum vulgatum
Bog, Massachusetts - Dryopteris simulata
Bracken - Pteridiurn aquilinum
Cinnamon - Osmunda dinnamomea
Curly-grass - Schizaea pusilla

Ferns (continued)
Fern, Ebony Spleenwort - Asplenium platyneuron
Marsh - Dryopteris thalypteris
Royal - Osmunds regalis
Virginia Chain - Woodwardia Virginica
Horsetail, Common - Equiseturn arvense
Moss, Haircap - Polytrichum juniperinum
Pigeon Wheat - P. commune
Pin Cushion - Leucobryum glaucum
Sphagnum Moss - spp
Moss, Broom - Dicranum (sp.)
Lichen - Thallose - Parmelia spp.
of British Soldier - Cladonia cristatella
Reindeer Moss - C. C. rangiferina
Old Man's Beard - Usnea'barbata"
Liverwort, Thallose - Pallavicinia lyelli
Is " , Cepholosia (sp)
Odontoschisma (sp)

A List of Fish Species in the Great Bay - Mullica River Estuary

Alewife - Alosa poendoharengus
American Eel - Onguilla rostrata
Atlantic Menhaden - Brevortia tyrannus
Atlantic Needlef ish - StrongVlura marina
Banded Killifish - Fundulus diaphanus
Bay Anchury - Anchora mitchilli
Black crappie - Pornoxis nigromaculatus
Blueback herring - Alosa aestivalis
Bluefish - Pornotomus saltatrix
Bluegill - Lepornis macrochirus
Brown, Bulkhead - Ictalurus nebulosus
Chain pickerel - Esox. niger
Crevalle - Caranx hippos
Cunner - Tautogolabrus adspersus
Fusiform darter -7 Etheostoma frisiforme
Four-spined stickieback - Apeltes gnadracus
'Go Iden-shiner - Notemigonus crysoleucas
Hickory Shad - Alosa mediocris
Hogchoker - Trinectes maculatus
Johnny darter - Etheostoma nigrum
N. Kingfish - Menticirrhus saxatilis
Mullet - Mu�il sp-
Mummichog - Funclu'us heteroclitu.s
Naded goby - Gobiosoma foscl
Northern pipefish - Gyngnathus fuscus

Courtesy: Paul E. Hamer, Principal Fisheries Biologist, N.J. Bureau of Fisheries,
Nacote Creek Experimental Station

Northern puffer - Gphaeroides maculatus
Oyster toadf ish - Opsanus tarr
Permit - Trachinotus falcatus
Pollock - Pollachius vir6ns
Red hake - Urophycis chuss
Sand lance - Ommodytes americanus
Sea bass - Centropristes striatus
Sea herring -f-dupei harengus harengus
Sea horse - Hippocampus hudsonius
Sea robin - Prionotus sp.
Sennet - Sphyrena borealis
Sheepshead minnow - Cyprino don variegatus
Silver perch - Bairdiella chrySura.
Silversides - Menidia sp.
Smallmouth flounder - Etropus micr6tomus
Smooth dogfish - Mustelus canis
Spiny boxfish - Chilomyeterus schoepfis
Spot - Leiostomus xanthurus
Pinfish - Lagodon rhomboides
Spottailed shiner - Notropis hudsonius
Striped anchovy - Anchoa hepsetus
Striped bass - Morone saxatilis
Striped killifish - Fundulus majolis
Striped mullet - Mugil cephalus
Summer flounder - Paralichthys dentatus
Sunfish - Cepom is gibbosus
Tautog - Tau"toga onitis
Three-spined stickleback - Gasterosteus aculeatus
Weak fish - Cynoscion regalis
White catfish - Ictahirus catus
White mullet - Mugil curema
White perch - Morone americanus
White sucker - Catostomus commersoni
Windowpane - Scophthalmus aguosus
Winter flounder - Pseudopleuronectes; americanus
Yellow perch - Perca f lavescens

Fish,found in the Pine Barrens
(From McCormick, Jack, jtLe_PjpAD_qE[e_pA_-AP inpry Ecol aigal 11matolly.
State of Now Jersey and the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, N.J. State Museum,
Trenton, N.J.)

Redf in pickerel - Esox americana
Chain pickerel - Esox niger
Eastern mudminnow - Umbra pygmaea
Golden shiner - Notemigonus cyrsolencas
Ironcolor shiner - Notropis chalybaeus
White sucker - Castoitomus commersoni
Creek chubsucker - Erimyzon oblongus
Yellow,bule'.head - Tetalus natalis
Brown bul0ead - Teta'lu's nebulosus
Tadpole,madtom - Noturus gyrinus

American eel - Anguilla rostrata
Banded killif ish - Fundulus diaphanus
Pirate perch - Ophredoderus sayanus
Mud sunf ish - Acantharchus pomatis
Blackbanded sunfish - Enneacanthus chaetodon
Banded sunfish - Enneacanthus obesus
Bluespotted sunfish - Enneacanthus gloriosus
Red-breasted sunfish - Lepomis gibbosus
Yellow perch - Perca f laiv'ascens
Johnny darter - Etheostoma olmstedi
Swamp darter - Etheostoma fusiforme
Small mouth bass - Micropterus doli micui

Several small sunf ishes are common here, but rare elsewhere., Pickerel are common
enough to attract fishermen to cranberry reservoirs and larger streams but the
region's fish are of greater interest to the naturalist than to the sportsman.

Amphibians and Reptiles

The area supports a varied herpeto-fauna in which several species that are rare or
seldom found elsewhere are abundant. Outstanding among these are the Pine Barrens
Treefrog, the Carpenter frog and the harmless Pine snake. The Timber rattlesnake is
the only poisonous snake to-be found in our township. Although-it is an inhabitant
of rocky areas in. other regions, in the rockless Pine Barrens the rattler is a lowland
animal and hibernates in the damp sands of stream banks. Water snakes found in the
township will bite when harassed but are not poisonous. They are often- mistaken for
poisonous snakes like the cottonmouth or water moccasin that have never been found
in our area.

Frogs and Toads
Bull frog - Rana castesbeiana
Carpenter frog - Rana virgatipes
N.J. Chorus frog - Pseudacris triseriata kalmi
Northern Cricket frog - Acris c. c-repitans
Green frog - Rana virgatipes
Southern Leopard frog - Rana pipiens sphenocephala
Pickerel frog - Rana palustris
Eastern Gray Tree frog - Hyla v. vjersicolor
Pine Barrens. Tree frog - Hyla and ersoni
Wood frog - Rana sylvatica
Northern spring peeper - Hyla c. crucifer
Fowler's Toad - Bufo woodhousei fowleri
Spadefoot toad - Sciphiopu's holbrooki

Salamanders and Lizards
Northern Dusky salamander - Desmognathus, f.,,.f uscus ,
Eastern Four@--toed salamander - Hemidactylium scutaturn
Jefferson's salamander - Ambystoma Jeffersonianum

Marbled salamander - Ambystoma opacum
Eastern red-backed salama rider - Plethodon c. cinereus
Northern red salamander - Pseudotriton r. ruber
Eastern mud salamander, - Pseudotriton montanus montanus
Slimy salamander - Plethodon glitinosus glutinosus
Spotted salamander - Ambystoma maculaturn
Northern two lined salamander - Eurycea bislineata B.
Eastern tiger salamander - Ambyst6ma t. tigrinum - Rare, Endangered
Four toed salamander - Hemidactylium scutaturn
Ground skink - Lygos6ma laterale
Common five lined skink - Eulmeces fasciatus
Red spotted newt - Diemictylus v. viridescens
Northern Fence lizard - Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthus

Snakes

Timber rattlesnake - Crotalus h. horridus - Rare
Northern Brown Snake (DeKay's) - Storeria d. dekayi
Smooth brown snake - Coronella austruaca
Corn snake - Elaphe g. guttata - Not abundant
Eastern Earth snake - Haldea v. valeriae - Rare
Common garter snake - Thamnophis s. sirtalis
Rought green snake - Opheodrys aestivus
Eastern hognose snake - Heterodon platyrhinus
Eastern King snake - Lampropeltis g. getulus
Coastal Plain Milk snake - Lampropeltis doliata triangulum
Northern Pine snake - Pituophis m. melanoleucus
Black Rat snake - Elaphe o. obselata
Northern. Red BDIlied. snake - Storeria o. occipitornaculata
Eastern Ribbon snake - Thamnophis s. sauritus
Eastern Ring Neck snake - Diadophis p. punctatus
Scarlet snake - Cemophora coccinea
Common Water snake - Natrix s. sipedon
Leather snake - N. septim vittata
Eastern Worm snake - Carphophis a. amonenus
Northern Black Racer - Coluber c. constrictor

Turtles

Stinkpot or common musk turtle - Sternothaerus odoratus
Northern diamond backed terrapin - Malaclemys t. terrapin
Bog turtle - Clemmys Muhlenbergi - Endangered
Eastern box turtle - Terrapene c. carolina
Common mud turtle - Kinosternon s. subrubrum
Eastern painted tur+le - Chrysemys p. picta
Red-bellied turtle - Pseudemys rubiventris
Common snapping turtle - Chelydra s. serpentina
Spotted turtle - Clemmys guttata
Wood turtle - Clemmys insculpia - Rare

Birds

DAaer irds
bL

Black Duck - Anas rubripes
Mallard Duck - Anas'piatyrhynchos
Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
Hooded Merganser - Lophodytes micullatus
Green-Winged Teal - Anas carolinensis
Blue-Winged Teal - Anas discors:
Red-Breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator
Pintail - Anas.acuta
Gadwall - Anas...s trepera
Baldpate - Mareca americana
Redhead - Aythya americana
Canvasback - Aythya valisineria
Riqg necked - Aythya collaris
Lesser.scaup - Aythya aff i,nis
Common Goldeneye - Bucephala clangula
Buff lehead - Bucephala albeola
Ruddy - Oxyura jamaicensis

Pied Billed Grebe - Podilymbus podicapo
Horned Grebe - Podiceps auritus
Common Loon - Gavia immer
Doubl a Crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritus
Mute Swan -Cygnus olor
Whistling Swan - Olor columfianus

ftdeLs
Great Egret - Casmerodius albus
Snowy Egret - Leucophoyx thula
Cattle Egret - Bubuleus ibis
Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias
Louisiana Heron - Hydranassa tricolor
Little Blue Heron - Florida caerulea
Green Heron - Butorides viresceus
Black crowned night heron- Nycticorax nycticorax
Yellow Crowned night heron- Nyctanassa violacea
American Bittern - Botaurus ientigineous
Least Bittern - Lxobrychus exitis,
Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus
Virginia Rail - Rallus limicola
Sora Rail - Porzona carolina
Black Ra il --Laterallus jarnaicensis - Rare
Clapper Rail - Rallus longirostris
King Rail - Rallus elegans - Endangered
American Coot - Fulica americana

Birds (continued).

American Oystercatcher @ Haernotopus palliatus
American Avocet - Recurvirostra americana
Black Necked Stilt - Himantopus mexicanus

American Golden Plover - Phivivialis dominica
Black Bellied Plover - Squatarola aquatarola
Piping Plover - Charadrius vociferus
Whimbril - Numenius americanus
Marbled godwit - Limosa fedoa
Hudsonian godwit - Limosa haemastica
Solitary Sandpiper - Tringa soliteria
Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularia
Willet - Catoptrophorus sernipalmatus
Giter Yel lowlegs - Totanus f lavipes
Long Billed dowitcher - Limnodronius scalopaceus
Short Billed Dowitcher - Limnodronius griseus
Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres
Knot - Calidris canutus
Dunlin - Erolia alpina
Sanderling - Crocethia alba
Least sandpiper - Erolia minutilla
Senlipalmated Sandpiper - Ereunetis pusillus
American Woodcock - Philohela minor
Common Snipe - Capella gallinago
Gt. Black Backed Gull - Larus marinus
Herring Gull - Larus argentatus
Ring Billed Gull - Larus delawarensis
Laughing Gull - Larus atricilla
Bonaparte's Gull - Larus philadelphia
Forster's Tern - Sterna forsteri
Least Tern - Sterna albifrons
Common Tern - Sterna hirundo
Black skimmer - Rynchops nigra

Canada Goose - Branta canadensis
Brant - Branta bernicla
Snow Goose - Chen hyperborea

Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura
Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus - Endangered
Goshawk - Accipiter jentil is
Sharp Showned Hawk - Accipiter striatus
Cooper's Hawk - Accipiter Cooperii - Endangered
Marsh Hawk - Circus cyaneus - Declining
Roughlegged Hawk - Buteo lagopus
Redtailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensit
Red Shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus
Broad Winged Hawk - Buteo platypterus

Birds (continued)

American Kestrel - Falco sparverius
Golden Eagle - Aguila chrysaetos - Endangered
Bald Eadle- Haliautus leucocephalus - Endangered
Osprey - Pandion haliaetus - Endangered
Pigeon Hawk - Falco columbarius - Declining
Ruffled Grouse - Banasa umbellus
Bobwhite - Colinus virginianus
Ring-necked pheasant - Phasiannus colchicus
Turkey - Meleagris galloparo - Endangered

Barn owl - Tyto, alba
Screech owl - Otus asio
Great Horned owl - Buto virginianus
Short eared owl - Asio f lammeus'
Saw whet owl - Aegolius acadicus
Mourning Dove - Zenaidura macrowia
Yellow Bill Cuckoo - Coccyzus americana
Black Bill Cuckoo - Coccyzus erythrapthalmus
Whip-Poor-Will - Caprimulgus vociferus
Common Nighthawk - Chardellis minor
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica
Ruby Throated Hummingbird - Archilochus colubris
Bolted Kingfisher - Megaceryle alcyon
Common Flicker - Colaptes auratus
Red-Bellied Woodpecker - Centurus carolinus
Red headed Woodpecker - Melanerpes; erythrocelzhalus - Endangered
Yellow bellied Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus varius
Hairy Woodpecker - Dendrocopos villosus
Downy Woodpecker - Dendrocopos pubescens
Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus
Great Crested Flycatcher - Myiarchus crinitus
Eastern Phoebe - Sayornis phoebe
Yellow Bellied Flycatcher - Empidonax flaviventris
Older Flycatcher - Empidonax alnorun
Least Flycatcher - Empidonax minimus
Acadian Flycatcher - Empidonax virescens
Eastern Wood Pew*ee - Coutopus virens
Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris
Barn.Swallow - Hirundo rustica.
Tree Swallow - Jridoprocne bicolor
Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Rough winged Swallow - Stelgidoptery -uficollis
Purple Martin - Progne subis
Blue Jay - Cyanocitta cristata
Common Crow - Corvus corax
Fish Crow - Corvus ossifragus
Black-capped Chickadee - Parus atricapillus
Carolina Chickadee - Parus carolinensis
Tufted Titmouse - Parus bicolor
White-breasted Nuthatch - Gitta carolinensis

Birds (continued)
Red breasted Nutchatch - Gitta canadensis
Brown Creeper - Certhia familiaris
House Wren - Troglodytes aedon
Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus
Winter Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes
Long Billed Wren - Telmatodytes: palustris
Short Billed Wren - Cistothorus platensis - Rare
Mockingbird - Minus polyglottos
Cat bird - Dumetella carolinensis.
Brown Thrasher - Toxostoma ruft
Robin - Turdus migratorius
Wood Thrush - Hypocichla mustelina
Hermit Thrush - Hypocichla guttala
Swainson's Thrush - Hypocichla, ustulata
Gray checked Thrush - Hypocichla minima
Veery - Hypocichla fuscescens
Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis - Rare
Blue gray Gnatcatcher - Polioptila caerulea
Golden Crowned Kinglet - Regulus.'satrapa
Ruby Crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula
Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum
Loggerhead shrike - Lanius ludovicianus
Starling - Sturnus vulgaris
Solitary vireo - Vireo solitarius
White Eyed Vireo - Vireo griseus
Red Eyed Vireo - Vireo olivaceus
Philadelphia Vireo - Vireo philadelphicus
Yellow-Throated Vireo - Vireo flavifrons

Black and White Warbler - Mniotilta varia
Prothonotary Warbler - Protonotaria citrea - Rare
Golden Winged Warbler - Vermivora chrysoptera
Blue-Winged Warbler - Vermivora pinus
Tennessee Warbler - Vermivora peregrina
Nashville Warbler - Vermivora suficappilla
Parula Warbler - Parula americana
Yellow Warbler - Dendroica petechia
Magnolia Warbler - Dendroica magnolia
Cape, May Warbler - Dendroica tigrina
Yellow rumped Warbler (myrtle) - Dendroica coronata
Black Throated Green Warbler - Dendroica virens
Black Throated Blue Warbler - Dendroica caerulescens
Black bur.nian'Warbler - Dendrolca fusca
Chestnut sided Warbler - Dendroica pensylvanica
Bay Breasted Warbler - Dendroica castanea
Blackpoll Warbler - Dendroica striata
Pine Warbler - Dendroica pinnus
Prairie Warbler - Dendroica discolor
Palm Warbler (Western and yellow) - Dendroica palmarum

Birds (continued)

Ovenbird Warbler - Seiurus aurocapillus
Northern Waterthrush - Seiurus noveboracensis
Louisiana Warbler - Seiurus motacolla
Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas
Yellow Breasted Chat - Icteria virens
Kentucky Warbler - Oporonis@ formosus,
Mouming Warbler - Oporonis philadelphia
Connecticut Warbler - Oporonis agilis
Hooded Warbler - Wilsonia citrins
Wilson�.Warbler - Wilsonia pusilla
Canada Warbler - Wilsonia canadensis
American Redstart - Setophaga ruticilla

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus
Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magua
Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus
Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula
Brown-Headed Cowbird -M olothrus ater
Northern Oriole (Baltimore ) - Icterus galbula
Scarlet Tanager - Piranga olivacea
Cardinal - Richmondena cardinalis
Rose-Breasted grosbeak - Pheuticus ludovicianus
Evening Grosbeak - Hesperiphona vespertina
Indigo Bunting - Posserina cyanea
Purple Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus
Common Redpole - Acanthis flammea
Pine Siskin.- Spinus pinus
American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis
Red Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra
White-winged crossbill - L6xia leucoptera
Rufous-sided Towhee - Pipilo erythrophthalmus
Savannah sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis
Henslow's Sparrow- Passerherbulus henslowii - Rare
Sharp-Tailed Sparrow - Ammospiza caudacuta
Seaside Sparrow - Ammospiza maritima
Vesper Sparrow - Povecetes gramineus
Dark eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis
Tree Sparrow - Spizella arborea
Chipping Sparrow - Spizella passerina
Field Sparrow - Spizella fusilla
White-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia atricapilla
White-throated Sparrow - Zonotrichia albicollis
Fox Sparrow - Passerella iliaca
Lincoln's Sparrow - Melospiza lincolnii
Swamp sparrow - Melospiza georgiana
Song sparrow - -Melospiza melodia

Mammals

Big Brown Bat - Eptesicus fuscus
Least Brown Bat - Balanpioteryx plicata
Little Brown Bat - My9tis lucifugus
Hoary Bat - Lasiurus cinereus
Keen's Bat - Myotis keenii septentrionalis - Rare
Red Bat - Lasiurus borealis
Silver Haired Bat - Lasionycteris noctivagans
Beaver - Castor canadensis
Eastern Chipmunk - Tamias striatus
Eastern Cottontail - Silvilagus floridanus
New England Cottontail - Sylvilagus transitionalis - Restricted range - Rare
White Tailed Deer - Odocoileus - Arginianus
Gray Fox - Urocyon cinereoargentus
Red Fox - Vulpes fulva
European Hare - Lepus europaeus
Southern Bog lemming - Synaptomys cooper! - Rare
Mink - Mustela vison
Eastern Mole - Scalopus aquaticus
Hairy Tailed Mole - Parascalops; breweri
Star Nosed Mole - Condylura cristata
Deer Mouse - Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis
House Mouse - Mus musculus
Meadow Jumping- Mouse - Zapushudsonius
WoodlandJjjmping mouse - Napeozapus insignis insignis - Northern,
Redbacked Mouse - Clethrionomys gapperi
Whitefooted Mouse - Peromyscus leucopus
Muskrat - Ondatra zibethica
Opposurn - Didelphis marsupialis
River Otter - Lutra canadensis - Endangered - Extremely Rare
Eastern Pipistrelle - Pipistrellus subflavus
Porcupine - Erethezon dorsaturn
Black Tailed Jack Rabbit - Lepus californicus
Raccoon - Procyon lotor
Black Rat - Rattus rattus
Norway Rat - Rattus norvegicus
Rice Rat -- Oryzonys palustries - Coastal Marshes
Common shrew - Sorex cinereus
LeasL Shrew - Cryptotis parva - Brackish meadows along Wading River
Masked shrew - Sorex cinereus
Little Short. Tailed Shrew - Blarina brevicauda
Smokey shrew - Sorex furneus fumeus - Sparce
Striped skunk - Mephitis mephitis.
Southern Flying Sqvirrel - Glaucomys volans
Gray Squirrel - Sciurus carolinensis
Red Squirrel - Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Meadow Vole - Microtus pennsylvanicus
Pine Vole - Pitymys pinetorurn
Longtail Weasel - Mustela frenata
Woodchuck - Marmota monax

Ecological Study Plots for Vegetation

Three acre.@ sized plots have been identif ied and. studied to develop basic data
for annual growth and plant flowering regimes. The study plots were selected
because they represent three contrasting plant community types.

The annual reporting study is expected to provide complete data on plants which
appear and mature in different seasons as well as data on growth rate, species longevity
and species competition. One study plot is in the shore of a lake where some clearing
and mowing has occurred. This land use practice favors the growth of many species
which are favored by greater light intensity and less abundant organic soil surface
litter.

Hopefully, such data can guide the Planning Board in achieving its goal of providing
more optimum environments for wild species, on public or private lands.

The study of the three sites was initiated during the research phase for this resource,
inventory and periodic site visits for data collection will be made by Mrs. Mary
Schmidt and, hopefully, other residents or friends of the Township.

Site Descriptions

Site No. 1 - Timberline Lake-North Shore

Location Description - Alongside unpaved roadway along north shore of Timberline
Lake byond the second dike across the lake. The specific area extends between the
roadway and the shoreline from a long pitch pine, 25' in height, westward 250 feet'
to a point opposite a "No Trespassing" sign affixed to a tree on the North side of
the road.

The land had been cleared, but now has about 80% plant cover.

The first lists, as this report is printed, were compiled before tree leaves were available
for identification of some species. The plots were selecte d and identif ieation made on
April 11, 1974. No plants were in bloom except pyxie moss.

Species Listing

Estimated Number Dates observed
common Name Scientific Name of Individuals or% in flower
cover in the area

Canopy Species

Pitch Pine Pinus rigida 1

Understory Species
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida Mill. (seedlings) 30 (1'-8'),
Red Maple Acer rubrurn L. (seedlings) 10 clones
Atlantic White Cedar Chamaecyparis (L.) thyoides BSP. 2
Sassafras Sassafras albidurn (Nutt.)Nees 5
Chokeberry Aronia sp? 2
Shadbush Amelanchier sp? 15
Scrub Oak Quercus ilicifolia Wang 26
Black-Jack Oak Quercus marilandica M uenchh 5
Bitter Gallberry Ilex glabra (L.) Gray 80
Bayberry Myrica pennsylvanica Loisel 18
Sheep Laurel Kalmia angustifolia L. 5%
Sand - Myrtle Leiophyllum buxifoliurn (Berg.) Ell 30
Leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench 8%
Dewberry Rubus sp? 35
Laurel leaved Greenbriar Smilax laurifolia L. 3
High Bush Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum L. .80
Wooly Heather Hudsonia tomentosa Nutt. 500
Cranberry Vacciniurn macrocarpon Ait. 100

Herbaceous Species

Brake Fern Pteridiurn aquilinurn (L.) Kuhn 2%
Checkerberry Gaeltherea procumben (L) 1000
Pyxie Pyxidanthera barbulata Michx. 70 clones
Poverty grass Andropogon sp? 15%
Golden Milkwort Polygalalutea (L.) 30
Turkey Beard Xerophy I lum asphodeloides; (L.) Nutt. 10
Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetellosa (L.) 22
Sedge Carex sP? 4
Goldenrod Solidago 3
Common Bulrush Juncus effusus (L.) sp? 5
Canada Rush Juncus canadensis J. Gay 2
Pine Barrens Club Moss Lycopodiurn carolinianurn (L.) 7
Bog Moss Sphagnurn sp? ' 5%
Hair Cap Moss Polytrichum sP? 11
British %Idier Lichen Cladoniacristatella 5%
Reindeer Lichen Cladonia rangiferina

Site no. 2 - West side, Allen Road just north of Bartlett's Branch (of the Bass
River) Bridge.

The plot begins 625 feet (by roadway) north of Bartlett's Bridge. Fro m this point
on the western side of Allen Road, the plot boundary extends at an azimuth of
26,80, approximately 210 feet, to a tree with a white paper tied on the trunk, thence
at On azimuth of 250 and a similar distance to a third tree similarly marked, thence
at an azimuth of 900 to the Allen Road. The border of Allen Roadforms the
fourth boundary returning to the place of beginning. The boundary trees at the edge
of the road will be marked with white paint on the side away from the road to
avoid attraction of other persons into the area.

The area is readily designated as a pitc h pin e lowlands community, with a few
individuals of White Oak (Quercus alba L.) and one Black Oak (Q. velutina Lam.),
as canopy trees within the boundary. The understory, in two layers, is dominated by
Scrub Oak, (Q. ilicifolia Wang. ) and Black Jack Oak (Q. marilandica Muenchh.)
for the upper level and, at the lower level, Sheep Laurel, (Kalmia-angustifolia, U
Dwarf Huckleberry (findr.), T. & G., and Low Huckleberry, (Vaccinium vacillans Torr.),
the Teaberry, (Gaultheria procumbens U dominates the low species.

The pines provided a canopy of approximately 50% and 470 trees provided this
canopy. The number of understory oaks has not yet been determined. Visits were
made to the area on April 11, and May 9, 1974. Biweekly visits are projected,unti I
November, 1975.

Species Listing
Estimated number Dates
Common Name Scientific Name of individuals or % observed in
cover in the area in flower

Canopy Species
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida Mill. 470
Black Oak Quercus velutina Lam. 1
White Oak Quercus alba L. 5

Understory Species
Pitch Pine Pinus rigida Mill. 20 5/9/74
Scrub Oak Quercus ilifolia Wang. 35% 5/9/74
BI ack Jack Oak Quercus marilandica Muenchh 15% 5/9/74
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia L. 21
Sheep Laurel' K. angustifolia L. 20%
Dwarf Huckleberry Gaylussacia dumosa (Andr.) T.&G. 20%
Low Blueberry Vaccinium vacillans Torr. 20%
Sweet Fern Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coult. 3
Teaberry Gaultheria procumbens L. 25%.
Wooly Heather Hudsonia tomentosa Nutt.. 3
Pyxi.e, Pyxidanthera barbul ata Michx, 9 clones 5/9/74
Trailing Arbutus Epigaea repens L. 3
Brake Fern Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn 15

Species Listing (continued)
Estimated Number Dates ob-
Common Name Scientific Name of individuals'or % served in
cover in the area flower

Laurel leaved Green Briar Smilax laurifolia L. 5
Cow Wheat Melanpyrum lineare Desr. 11
Common Lady's Slipper Cypripedium acaule Ait. 4
Stiff-leaved Aster Aster linariifolius L. 3

Broom moss Dicranum sp?
Fire moss Funaria sp?
Hair Cap moss Polytrichum sp?
Reindeer moss Cladonia rangiferina (Nearing) 80

Goblet Lichen Cladonia pyxidata (Nearing) 15
British Soldier Lichen Cladonia cristatella (Nearing) 10
Powder Horn Lichen Cladonia coniocrea (Nearing) 3

Site 3 - Cedar Swamp at Bartlett's Bridge.

The study site extends 100 feet directly at right angles to the Allen Road and extending
400 feet southward from Bartlett's Branch. The plot is bounded on its north side by
the stream and the water table decreases toward the southern boundary of the plot.

Light intensities beneath the Atlantic White Cedar canopy are low. On April 11, 1974,
a sunny day the light intensities ranged from 200 foot candles to 3000 foot candles
at 3:00 pm. Approximately 1400 cedar trees were counted in the plot with red maple
forming most of the other canopy in a few openings. This plot is interesting to
contrast the success of many pine barrens herbs requiring a high water table in
brightly lighted and shaded locations. In this shaded plot, for example, both pitcher
plants and sundews appear to be repressed in growth.

Species Lisking
Estimated Number Dates
Common Name Scientific Name of individuals or % observed
Ca.nopy Species cover in the area in flower
Atlantic White Cedar Charnaecyparis thyoides (L.) BSP 1.600
Red Maple Acerrubrum L. 120

Understory Species
High Bush Blueberry Vacciniurn corymbosum L. 90
Swamp Magnolia Magnolia virginiana L. 30
Sweet Pepper Bush Clethra alnifolia L. 4
Swamp White Azalea Rhododendrurn viscosum (L.) Torr. 7

Herbaceous Species

Golden Club Orontium aquaticum L. 30 519n4
American Star Flower Trientalis borealis Raf. 150
Round leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia L. 40
Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea L. 20
Yeh-jw Water Lily Nuphar advena (Ait.) Ait. f. 25
Liverwort, thallose Pallavicinia Iyelli 200
Liverwort, leafty Odonto schisma sp? 8%
Broom Moss Dicranum spp? 40

Forest Fires in the Township

The Pine Barrens or pinelands have been demonstrated to be the dominant
vegetational tf pe of the township. Forest fires in the pineland areas apparently
favor the continuance of the forest cover as pinelands. Thus fires seem, in the
strictest sense, necessary for the continuance of the Pine Barrens. The -following
data for forest fire extend and incidence is from a report by the Division B Fire-
warden for the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection.

Ax N m-ttr- aLEI re s Acres
1963 10 22.50
1964 21 96.25
1965 12 135.50
1966 13 157.00
1967 7 54.50
1968 9 808.00
1969 8 93.25
1970 17 8.75
1971 8 3670.25
1973 9 148.50

The most hazardous fuel type located in Bass River Township is in the area lying
north of the Oswego Road or generally called the East Plains Area. This has been
classified by the New Jerseyforest Fire Service and the U.S. Fire Service as one
of the most rapid and hottest burning fuel types in the United States and is carried
on our records as an extreme hazard area. The area south of the Oswego Road, al-
though containing much of the same fuel types as the Plains Area, has been reduced
to a medium or high hazard area due to the hazard reduction programs carried out
on the Bass River State Forest and surrounding areas.

The continuous, although intermittent, presence of fires in the pinelands; mitigates
against the safety of people 'in these wooded areas. To make the area safe for
people, significant "fire pr6of"buffer zones around human habitations need to be
maint;@ined. In this sense, pinelands and people are mutually exclusive.

Bass River Township's Pinelands areas need preservation in their present condition
because of the following factors:

1. Recreational land use now being maintained in much of Bass River Township is
dependent upon woodland (pinelands) vegetation.
The greatest single land use, in terms of area in the Township is for recreation.
Some Of the Pinelandeunique vegetation and fauna are relatively protected in
Bass River State Forest and portions of the Wharton State Forest which lie
within the boundaries of the township. A second recreational land use is the
maintenance and operation of campsites for trailers and self-propelled camper
vehicles.

Both of these recreational land uses are essentially dependent upon a woodland
environment. Since most of the native vegetation is the pine or pine-oak tree
coveri it is the pinelands vegetation which is vital to the township's recreational
interests.

2. Much of the northern and central areas of the Township are already _i)n public
ownership.

3. Forest fires are necessary for the preservation of pinelands tree cover in the
Township.

Pinelands as tree cover are well adapted to surv ive despite the frequency of forest
fires in pineland forests. Pine seeds germinate much more successfully on earth
or soil surfaces which are devoid or nearly devoid of a cover of organic litter such
as dead leaves, pine needles and other plant materials. On the other hand, oaks, maples,
and others with heavier seeds reproduce much more successfully in soil protected by
organic litter. After a forest fire consumes the organic litter which covers the soil,
the germination of pine., seeds is greatly enhanced.

Many pine cones do not open under normal climatic conditions, but the heat of
forest fires opens the closed cones, thus providing a fresh supply of seeds immediately
following the forest fire.

The presence of numerous dormant buds in the trunks and older branches of the
pitch pine, in particular, allows these native pines to "resurrect" themselves,
during the same season when the forest fire occurs.

All of these factors document the fact that Bass River Township's essentialpine-
lands cannot mutually exist with any concentration of human population without
the destruction of the pines. Many former communities or other human use areas
in the pinelands, some of them long abandoned, are distinguished by a greater
dominance of oak or other tree species.

CHAPTER 6 - Existing Land Use and Housing

A graphic representation of the existing land. use pattern in Bass River Township is
provided by Figure 4. This map dramatically reinforces the impression one gets from
travelling along the Chatsworth Road north from New Gretna which, aside f rom the
Parkway, is the most important north-south road in the Township. All of the Township,
other than the area immediately surrounding New Gretna, is almost completely undeveloped--
providing the natural, pinelands setting documented in other sections of the report.
Measurements made by planimetering the various land use categories delineated in Figure
4 disclose that only a tiny portion of Bass River Township's vast acreage (less than 2.2%)
has been utilized by those activities of man requiring permanent structures, including high-
ways, roadways, alone account for more than one-half of this undeveloped acreage in
the Township. Even When other open land uses are added, including agricultural activities,
the percentage of land area presently in use rises only to 3.7%. When these figures are
compared with generalized land use percentages for the State as a whole, we find that
Bass River Township ranks near the top among those New Jersey municipalities still
remaining open and in their natural state.

Noteworthy Considerations

The land use map also clearly shows that population density figures applied to the whole
Township would inaccurately depict the nature of the current development since prac-
tically all of Bass River's citizens reside in the southern third of the Township, mostly
centered in the village of New Gretna. It should be noted that all of this portion of the
Township within which development has and is taking place, albeit at 8 very slow pace,
is located within the jurisdictional area of the Coastal Facilities Review Act. This suggests
the possibility of the incidence of environmental problems and the need for careful con-
sideration of environmental pollution possibilities in order to avoid degradation of nearby
wetlands and estuaries.

Probably the most striking feature of the land use map is that showing the preponderance
of wooded'area within the Township. The forest types found in Bass River Township are
discussed in.Chapter 5, but it should be noted here that the Township is an integral
part of New Jersey's pine barrens region, with several of its neighboring municipalities
having the same type of forest cover and that they, together, comprise a large and un-
spoilet. natural region. While there is relatively little timber management, there is some
pulpwood production and, more recently, the harvesting of firewood, some of which is
supervised on State owned lands.

With respect to agriculture, there is a negligible amount of conventional farming activity
consisting of the keeping of livestock or poultry and field cropping; with the principal
agricultural activity consisting of cranberry production at several locations. The relatively
small acreage of the Township utilized for agriculture (.9%) has been reduced even
further recently through the utilization of cranberry bog areas for campground facilities.

Land in Public Ownership

Probably the second most striking feature of the Land Use Map is that showing public
land ownership. It is estimated that some 16,000 acres or approximately 30% of the
total area of the Township -has been acquired by various public agencies. An impor-
tant State recreation-camping facility has been- developed around, Lake Absegami in
the Bass River State Forest. The map also shows that many of the public acquisitions
have occurred in a sort of checkerboard fashion, with the apparent objective of later
filling out the State forest areas by acquisition of intervening parcels.

Updating By Local Survey

Two tables showing land use tabulations for Bass River Township are included here.
The first was provided by Burlington County Planning Board in its Preliminary
Master Plan for Burlington County, 1972 - 1973. The second summarizes results from
an actual land use survey conducted for this inventory in November of 1973. Both
tables appear on the pages which follow immediately. The method of tabulation used
by the County tends to obscure several important characteristics of Bass River Town-.
ship's land use pattern.

As an example, the County's tabulation shows a total of only 346 acres of woodland,
or a miniscule 0.7% of the Township's area while the environmental inventory team
survey discloses over 42,000 acres or 84% of the Township to be forested. Further,
the County figures show over 1,500 acres, or more than 3% of the Township, to be de-
voted to residential use, while our survey disclosed some 200 acres, or less than 0.4%.
to be so utilized. Our survey figures seem more realistic in view of the fact that the
Township's population consists of less then 1,000 people and less than 300 dwelling
units. Finally, the County's land use tabulation indicates some 2,800 acres, or 5.7%
of the Townb;iip land area under the classification "Government", while our survey indi-
cates that presently, public lands involve more than 16,000 acres, or approximately 30%
Of the Township's area.

1970 Existing Land Use Tabulation*

Bass River Township
79 Square Miles
50,976.00 Total Acres

-USE Total Acres Percent

Roads 1 1,089.09 2.20@

Roads 2 -

Single Family Homes 1,564.33 3.16

Multiple Family Homes

Transient -Quarters

Light Industry

Heavy Industry

Transportation & Utilities

Trade 168.31 0.34

Professional Personal Services

Government 2,821.73 5.70

Education, Religion, Welfare, Health 94.06 0.19
Recreation 14,717.54 26.73

Farm 975.23 1.97

Woodland 346.53 0.70

Mines, Quarries - -

Vacant 27,727.19* 66.01

LAND TOTALS 49,504.01 100.00

*Source: Land use tabulation by Municipality, A Preliminary Master Plan for
Burlington County, Burlington County Planning Board, Mt. Holly, NJ. - 1972-73.

Existing Land'Use - 1973
Bass River Township*

% Of Total
Land Use Acreage Twp. Area

Roads 699.0' 1.37
Residential 2(10.2 .39
Residential'- trailers, 28.5 .06
Industrial - inc. excavations 130.4 .26
Commercial 33.1 .06
Public - building sites .11.0 .02
Public open space - undeveloped and
mostly forested 16,053.0 31.49
Public open space - developed (campground) 113.0 .22
Quasi-publicopen space- developed (campground) 219.4 .43
Quasi-public - other developed areas 11.0 .02
Agriculture, - inc. cranberry bogs :440.8 .86
Wetland 6,479.5 12.71
Woodland - not incl. in public open space' 26,657.1 52.11

50,976.0 100.00

The vacant land total is negligible and is included within the Woodland Acreage.

*Source: Land Use Field Survey and Planning'Board Discussions conducted for Bass
River Township, fall of 1973.

Housing and Building Evaluation

The dwellings in Bass River Township, numbering some 350, may with rare
exception be classified as modest, especially those which are used as temporary
summer residences, fishing shacks, gunning clubs and the like. The current
average evaluation of approximately $18,000 reflects only the extraordinary
inflation of speculative land prices in the township -aind not the valut of houses
which five years ago averaged less than $6,000. In general, the upkeep of homes
is excellent. Most occupied houses are in a fine state of repair with good paint
and tight roofs, many of them being in the process of renovation by their owners.

Since New Gretna is one of the oldest towns in this area, having had a larger popu-
lation in the 1870s than it does today, at least*50% of the older houses date from
the middle 1800s or earlier, while more. "recent" structures built in the traditional
methods will average 40-60 years in.,age. Some of these older houses, now stand
vacant. Recent individual building activity has not been great but is increasing
to an average of three homes per year.

However, two "developments" have brought some. 100 houses into the'area. The
houses are built of modern materials and on modem lines, generally one-story,
three-bedroom cottages, without basement, of dry-wal I construedon, electrically
heated and erected on minimum-sized lots 0 00 x 100 ft.). The average evaluation
of these structures is $5000-$6000 above that of the general town average. Many
of these houses, however, stand vacant and several have not been sold by their
developers.

Since the township provides no public services whatsoever, unless one excepts the
maintenance of a solid waste dump area, known as a sanitary landfill, to which
residents must carry their own refuse, all houses are built with individual septic
systems (indeed some of the older homes still have cesspool disposal) and must
have their own wells, even though the geological nature of much of the township
precludes intensive construction of this type of disposal and water systems.

Although much of State Highway 9, as it passes through the somewhat undefin -ed
limits of the village of New Gretna, is zoned "commercialf', most retail establi 'sh-
merits are clustered in the vicinity of the comer of U.S. Route 9 and Maple Avenue.
With the exception of the gasoline service stations and the New Gretna House, most
of the businesses are located in remodeled dwellings and often contain living
quarters for the proprietors.

The following tables provide pertinent statistics related to housing and zoning.
See Figure 4, a map depicting existing land uqe.

Municipal Housing Fact Sheet*

Bass River Township

Total area 79 square miles
Overall density per square mile 10'5
Net Residential density per acre 0.5

1460 az_0 %-ghange

Persons per housing unit 2 2 0

Total housing units % 269 297 10.41

Owner occupied % 241 253 4

Renter Occupied % 28 44 57

Med ian owner value $10,075.76

Median contract rent $58.09

Units lacking plumbing facilities 33
"Units with 1.01-1.49 persons per room 8
Units with 1.150 or more persons per room 2

More than one person per room is considered overcrowding.

Source - A Preliminary Master Plan for Burlington County, Burlington County
Planning Board, Mt. Holly, N.J. 1972 - 1973

EXISTI N.G. ZONING TABULATION*

Bass River Township
79 Square Miles
49,504.00 Total Acres

Government % of Total
Zoning Total Acres Land Net Acres Net Acres

Residential Zones:
R2 5,000 - 9,999 sq. ft- 5,346.43 256.00 5,090.43 15.27
R5 40,000 sq. ft. to 3 acres 6,831.55 2,284.80 4,546.75 13.64
00 R6 3 acres or over 35,840.90 .13,612.80 22,228.10 66.67

Other Zones:

General Business 1,485.12 12.80 1,472.32 4.42

GRAND TOTALS 49,504.00 16,166.40 33,337.60 100.00

*Source: Preliminary Master Plan, Burlington County Planning Board, Mt. Holly, New Jersey 1972 - 73

mmmm
FIGURE 4
EXISTING LAND USE TO SHI
BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP
BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J.

ua cow
RE&
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL-TRAILERS
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

COMME IAL
HOME OCCUPATION
INDUSTRY-INC. EXCAVATIONS 18
QUASI-PUBLIC
HUNTING CLUB
PUBLIC

..................
I................. @ AGRICULTURE -
...................
.. .............
.............. INC ACTIVE BOGS
VACANT LAND
WOODLAND Ek MARSHLAND I

...... ... ..
MarthoI
L _j

Minion
Har@isville Field 11
IL

PR.

PUB

Ft
CA PUMIL LaW

Leektown
_j
94 Wading
iver

_j
J

N
Z
_-Now-Gratini 4*@M

SCALE IN FEET A
0 4000 __80.00 12000
6 1 2
MILES

FEDERAL 81 STATE HIGHWAYS
COUNTY ROADS
IMPROVED MUNICIPAL ROADS
UNIMPROVED MUNICIPAL ROADS
BOUNDARY- STATE FOREST
A mric

CHAPTER 7 -Population Characteristics

The population of Bass River Township has increased from-slightly over 700 in
1960 to well over 900 in 1973. Bass River Township's population has shown an
absolute increase but this inrcrease has massed'into a defined area with resultant
increase in density. This increase in population and density is a direct result of
a small urban type development located in old Mathis Town near the Ocean
County line on New York road. The 'adverse socio-economic impact on the Town-
ship as a result of this increase in population can be seen in the increase in un-
employment and swelling welfare rolls as additional persons compete for fewer
jobs every year. Urbanization of this rural area tends to harden racial and economic
lines'.

The area of significant population conce ntration is in the village of New Gretna.
Although some growth has taken place, the village has remained rural in character.

The major portion of the Township's population is in the low to middle income
bracket, with over 20% of the entire population retired as senior citizens. Less than
10 percent of the population are in the middle to upper middle income levels. The,
upper middle income bracket is made up of less than 2 percent of the population.
Median family incomes have remained generally low because of the relative un-
availability of jobs in the immediate area.

The age composition of the Township's population has undergone some change.
The senior citizen age group has increased conspicuously. The school age bracket
has also shown a markedly increase while the 20 to 45 age range has shown only a
slight increase; so slight as to be almost negative. The same is true of the 45 - 64 age
group.

Occupations: Professional and technical workers make up less than 2 percent of the
working population, while workers in the clerical and sales and labor workers make
up the bulk of the labor force in the Township.

Population Analysis Statistics

The following pages present tables analyzing the present population of the Township.
The low growth rate is reflected in the large number of residents over 65 years of
age. This age group is only rivalled in size by the 10 - 14 year age group. These
statistics indicate the dearth of new residence building in the community.

.jecause the majority of the population is concentrated in the village of New Gretna
and one relatively new residential development, the population density approaches
500 persons per square mile,in these two areas, which are less than 2% of the entire
land area (79 square miles) of the Township. Most of these "undeveloped" lands
are either in (1) public ownership, (2) low intensity recreational. activity or (3) in
tidal wetlands.

The low intensity recreational activity increases the weekend population in favorable
weather or in the vacation season by 1200 - 1500 persons.

Population Analysis by Age and Sex*

Bass River Township

Total area 79 Square Miles
Overall density per square mile 10.5

Male Female
1960 1970 1960 1970

0-4 25 21 24 31

5-14 53 82 60 59

15-24 36 54 27 47

25-34 36 26 37 35

35-44 37 49 39 43

45-54 48 39 45 48

55-64 4 1 59 60 57

65 and over 84 78 85 87

TOTAL 360 408 377 407

Population Changes

PMulation Difference % of Chanqe
1940 599 +89 +14.8

1950 688 +49 + 7.1

1960 737 t78 +10.6

*Source - A Preliminary Master Plan for Burlington County, Burlington County
Planning Board, Mt. Holly, New Jersey, 1972 - 73

POPULATION PROFILE
Bass River Township

FEMALE
MALE Percent
Percent
25 20- is 10 5 5 10 15 20
__AGE

30 35 75-over

17 19 70'74

31 33 65-69

28 22 60-64

31 35 55-59

50-54

20 22

29 21 40-44

20 22 35-39

29 21 40.'"'

16 25 36-39

10 10 25-29
23F 21 20-24

31 26 15-19

34 10-14
L

2
1

-0
2

133 25 5 9
2@ 20 15 10 5 0 5 .16 15 20
*Source - A Preliminary Master Plan for Burlington County, Burlington County Planning Board, Mt. Holly,
.New Jersey, 1972 - 73 82

A Comparison of Populations of Neighboring Communities

The communities which are the neighbors of Bass River Township all have
similar terrain and land use. Only Galloway Township in Atlantic County and
Little Egg Harbor Township in Ocean County have coastal waters and tidal
wetlands'within their borders.

See Figure 6, Chapter 10 which shows these communities and the portions of
their areas held in public ownership.

Populations of Neighboring Communities - 1970 Census'

Bass River Township 815

Shamong Township 1,318

Tabernacle Township 2,103

Washington Township 673

Woodland Township 2,032

Galloway Township 8,276

Little Egg Harbor Township 2,972

Stafford Township 3,684

Tuckerton Borough 1,926

Place Names

Names of communities and noted,places in a region are often a clue to the kind of
people who formerly lived there, their. sentiment$, their.humor, their occupations and per-
haps their racial origins. @-Animals, trees, and land and water forms also contributed
frequently to local nomenclature. Some of the intriguing, occasionally puzzling, place
names of the New Jersey Pine Barrens show more earthy originality than many of the
present day "prestige" names. (Lester S. Thomas, The Pine Barrens of New Jersey).

Some of the more interesting names still in current use in Bass River Township are:

Streams and Water Bodies Communities Topographic Areas Roads & Bridges

Bass River Sim Place Calico Ridge Dan's Bridge
Beaver Branch Shomong Moss Point Bartlett's Bridge
Buck Run Absegami Doctor Point Stage Road
Mill Branch Martha ' Swimming Over Point Millie Road
Arnold Branch Tub Mill Flood Point
Papoose Branch Leektown
Wading River
Merrygold Branch
Ives Branch
Job's Creek
Lower Pasture Creek
Polly's Ditch
World's End Creek
Broad Creek
Fish Creek
Blood Ditch
Wolf Run

84,

CHAPTER 8 - Services and'Facilities Available to Residents of Bass River
Township,

U. S. Route 9 has a few business establishments, but they are not able to supply many
of the basic needs of the'residents. The table which follows indicates the distances
which separate residents of the Township from various essential services.

Hospitals Atlantic City 24 miles
Southern Ocean County 18 miles

Emergency Service Tuckerton First Aid Squad 8-10 miles

Doctors Tuckerton 6 miles
West Creek 10-12 miles

Schools Absecon 14 miles
New Gretna Elementary 19 miles
Southern Reg. High School 19 miles

Fire Service New Gretna Volunteers

Shopping Pleasantville 14 miles
Tuckerton 8-10 miles
Manahawkin 16-18 miles

Gasoline Exxon, Arco & Sunoco
New Gretna

Heating Oil Tuckerton 8-10 miles
Pomona 13 miles
Egg Harbor 14 miles

Churches Methodist, Presbyterian - New Gretna

Cinema Pleasantville 14 miles
Atlantic City 24 miles
Manahawkin 16 miles
Beach Haven 25 miles

Airport Atlantic City 25 miles
International - Philauelphia 60 miles

Buses To New York or Atlantic City - Route 9 - New Gretna
To Philadelphia from Atlantic City, Egg Harbor or
Manah6wkin

CHAPTER .9 - TRANSPORTATION

The major roadways linking Bass River Township with migor population centers are
the New Jersey Garden State Parkway and Route 9. The vast majority of traffic
passing through the towfiship is on these roads. The data available indicates that traffic
on the Parkway is at least double that of, Rt. 9 through New Gretna on a yearly average
(see Traffic Chart). Secondary roads such as county Rts. 563, 542, 653 and 654 seem
adequate for present conditions. Throughout the mainly uninhabited areas of Bass River
Township are numerous dirt roads in various conditions from excellent to poor. These
roads are. adequate for the few vehicles which currently use them.

The present highway system in Bass River Township appears to be limited in.scope
but adequate for the present transportation needs of the township. The increased
vehicle traffic during the summer months does not overly burden the present available
roadways.

The numerous.unpaved roads provide amp!e accessibility to the relatively uninhabited
areas of the township and there appears to be little need. to pave these roads.

The data on the chart below was made available through the Burlington County Planning
Office and the Now Jersey Department of Transportation. - The majority of the data
available refers to Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway. These two roadways are the
most heavily utillzed in the area. The figures listed represent Average Annual Daily
Trips (A.A.D.T.).

Traffic Data Available for Bass River Township

Location 1960 1968 1969 1970 1972

Wading River Bridge 542 500

Rt. 563 - Between 653 and 654 715

Rt. 542 - Between Wading River & 500 644
N. Gretna
Rt. 9 E. of N. Gretna Near Ocean 3,000 3,640 4,300
County Line
Rt. 9 - Batween Rt. 563 & Rt. 542 3,400 4,140
Rt. 9 - West of G.t. Pkway Underpass 4,270

Rt. 563 - Between 564 & Rt. 9 1,470 800

Rt. 563 - 1 mile west of Rt. 653 621 500

G.S. Pkway - N. of N. Gretna & Ocean 4,300 6,350 8,000
County Une
G.S. Pkway - Between Rt. 9 & 7,800 9,000 12,000
Atlantic County Line

Bass River Township and U.S. Route 9

Bass River Township and New Gretna are best known to visitors who travel into
and through the area via U.S. Highway 9.. Before 1953 and the opening of the
Garden State Parkway, it was the only significant north/south transportation artery
for those moving from New York and Northern' New Jersey southward to Atlantic
City and Cape May.

For these reasons, Route 9 has a long history as a picturesque two-lane highway
'with inns, unique crafts shops, neighborhood stores and period architecture. This
aesthetically appealing aspect has been fast disappearing on most sections of the
highway, further north, although signif ican't preservation and period restoration has
occurred.along Route 9 in nearby Smithville in Atlantic County.

The success of the Smithville Towne Complex and plans for its expansion attest to its
.considerable economic success. It illustrates the'value and utility for preserving the
"country - seashore" flavor of Route 9 as an economic and aesthetic asset. Future
plans for Bass River Township and New Gretna might wel I include the preservation
and enhancement of the "Route 9 Environment". Standards for design of future
buildings along the highway might be needed to achieve this objective.

CHAPTER 10 - Limitations for Development in the Township

There are several factors which limit or tend to impose limitations on development
in Bass River Township. In addition to hew and stringent limitations recently
developed through state legislation to upgrade or maintain the quality of coastal and
wilderness environments, there are three additional considerations.

One is the existence of state-owned lands in this Township and neighboring communi-
ties. Another is the considerations of fmironmenticelated industrip@_-- or industries which
can influence relatively large environmental areas. A third additional and significant factor
is the attitude of present Township residents with respect to the future development
of the Township.

State Regulations

State laws influencing environmental quality govern further development in the Town-
ship. Important among these are the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act, the Wetlands
Act and the Flood Plain Act, all enacted since 1970.

The Coastal Area Facility Review Act is intended to subject all building and develop-
ment to an evaluation to determine the impact of that development on the quality
of environments to be affected. For Bass River Township, slightly more than one-
half of the total land area in the Township, that lying south of Oswego Road, which
runs in an east-west direction from Munion Field to Old Martha Furnace is subject
to the "Coastal Facility" regulations. (See Figure 5)

In essence, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey
must review an environmental impact statement favorably before issuing a permit for
any major construction within the area listed in the act. The list includes most chemical,
metallurgical, fertilizer, and food production industries and all residential developments
of more than 25 dwelling units. Each environmental impact statement must be approved
in an advertised public meeting prior to the obtaining of a permit from the Commissioner.

Three additional State tasks are required in the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act--an
environmental inventory, alternate long-term environmental management strategies,
and a final environmental design, all of which must be submitted to the Governor and
the Legislature within four (4) years from the date the Act became effective. These
steps are intended 'to introduce an element of planning into the coastal area facility
review procedure and to provide an environmental framework within which officials en-
forcing the Act could operate.

The New Jersey Wetlands Act of 1970 provides for stringent State regulation of all
tidal wetlands in New Jersey. Under the Act, regulated activities are def ined to include
draining, dredging, excavation or removal of soil, mud, sand, gravel, aggregate of any
kind or depositing or dumping therein any rubbish or similar material or discharging
therein liquid waste, either directly or otherwise, and the erection of structures, driving
of piling, or placing of obstructions, whether or not changing the tidal ebb and flow.
The conduct of any regulated activity in the tidal wetlands as shown on detailed area
photographs filed in the County Clerk's office, is subject to a complicated application
procedure and the issuance of a permit by the Commissioner of the Department of
Environmental Protection.,: In granting or denying any permit, the Commissioner or

mm mmmmr

FIGURE 5
OODLAND TOWNSHIP
SURFACE FEATURES
BASS RIVER TOWNSHIP ...
BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J.

U.S. GOVT.
..... . . ... RES.
LEGEND
369
FLOOD PLAIN ... ..
IOFT. ELEVATION BELOW

.... .........
FLOOD HAZARD AREA
.............
WETLANDS AREA
.... ........ .... . ..
LIMIT OF TIDAL MARSH
. .......... .......
..... .... . ..
.. . ..... ... .... ..... ...
........... ....... ..... z
10-30FT ELEVATION - - - -e ........ .................
. ... .....
. . ........ . ............
% ......... ........ .
D
0

ex...
OVER 3OFT. ELEVATION

STEEP SLOPE AREAS
APPROX. 30% SLOPE OR OVER

PROPOSED WILD 8 SCENIC RIVERS

NORTHERN BOUNDARY OF LANDS
UNDER COASTAL FACILITIES ACT

L
TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FROM US.GLS. MAPS

artha
L

union
Field

__j

@A -k"4"

SCALEIN FEET
0 40.00 80.00 12000 %
Z_
6
MILES

FEDERAL a STATE HIGHWAYS
COUNTY ROADS
IMPROVED MUNICIPAL ROADS
UNIMPROVED MUNICIPAL ROADS
BOUNDARY -STATE FOREST
ATLAWIC c9

his appointed representative must consider the effects the proposed work will
have on the public health'and welfare, marine fisheries, shell fisheries, wildlife
and protection of life or property from flood, hurricane and other natural disasters
as well as the general policy for preservation of the wetlands as set forth in the Act.

9 IQQd_PJAk1L&t_requires that flood plain zoning relating to all
New Jersey streams and rivers be accomplished within a specified time period., The
Act provides for stringent regulation of structures and land disturbance according to
different standards in areas defined as flood plains and flood hazard areas. Itpermits
municipalities to enact flood plain regulations if they act promptly. Otherwise, the
State reserves the right to enact regulations directly. A difficulty yet to be overcome
is the need for accurate mapping of f lood-prone areas. As an interim measure, some
municipalities are utilizing data contained in Soil Conservation Service mapping pro-
grams to locate areas subject to flooding. This is accomplished by identifying alluvial
soil types along. stream boundaries

Floo Hazard Areas. Flood hazard areas, as shown in Figure 5, have been defined to
include those stream side locations subject to periodic water cover. They conform
generally to marsh land designations shown on U.S.G.S. topographic maps, as interpreted
by members of the Environmental Commission.

These same flood hazard areas will be further refined according to criteria now being
developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to implement
the New Jersey Flood Plains Act of 1972. The U.S. Soil Conservation Service will
also provide interpretations of soil -types in flood hazard areas to provide additional
criteria to be used as a basis for zoning ordinanc e provisions- regulating land use in
flood prone areas of the Township.

alLrelm Encroachrpent a @ This act, dating back to 1929, is the oldest of the State
regulatory activities dealing with land use regulation in the vicinity of waterbodies or
streams.. Under the provisions of the Stream -Encroachment Law, no property owner
or developer may disturb the existing land form, construct barriers or structures; or
change the configuration of any stream without submitting detailed plans and having
them approved by the Stream Encroachment Section of the Division of Water
Resources.

Wild and Scenip In 1968, the federal government enacted the "Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act". ThN'Act declared it to be the policy of the United States that certain
selected rivers of the nation which, with their immediate environment, possess outstanding,
remarkable, scenic, recreational, geological, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other
simila@ values, shall be pr@served in free-f lowing condition and that they, and their
immediate environments, shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present
and future generations. Under this Act, it was determined that, in addition to the
established national policV of dam and other construction at appropriate sections of
the rivers of the United States, a complementing policy should be established that would
preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their.free-flowing condition, in
order to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other v.ital,'national
conservation purposes.

In order to be included in the 'Wild and Scenic Rivers" system, a free-f lowing
stream and its related, adjacent land area must possess one- or more of the values
referred to above and be authorized for inclusion.by United States Congress.-
Action to include a stream -or river in the system may be taken by a State Legisla-
ture or by a Governor. Once included in the system, the river or stream is protected
from all unnecessary public or quasi-public construction projects and its adjacent
land areas are afforded a high priority for public acquisition at all governmental
levels.

In Bass River Township, the Mullica River and some of its tributaries and the Bass
Rivers have been proposed for inclusion in the "Wild and Scenic Rivers" system.
This was done in 1973 by action of both houses of the New Jersey State Legislature.
Bass River Township residents were prominent in helping to instigate this legislation.
At this writing, the State of New Jersey Department of Environmen#-al Protection.
must complete the mapping of the stream areas in order to make, proper application
to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topography

The general topography of the Township is depicted by Figure 5 showing those areas
subject to normal tidal flooding. In addition, upland areas less than 10 feet of elevation,
areas between 10 feet and 30 feet of elevation, and those sections of the Township
greater than 30' in elevation, are indicated. Elevations range from sea level in.the
southern portion of the Township occupied by tidal estuaries, to nearly 200 feet in
one section near the Lower Plains area in the North central section.

Two limited areas of steep slope (greater than 30%) are associated north stream banks
along the Oswego River, but some are not always immediately adjacent to the present
location of the water course. Most stream side locations are relatively flat, often slow
to drain and swampy,in character. The higheri well-Orained areas are located mostly
in the north central section, along either side of Allen Road.

Lands in Public Ownership

The land use statistics have indicated that 30% of the land area in Bass River Town-
ship are presently state-owned. At this writing, there is a strong probability that the
3,000 acre Sim Place tract which lies wholly in the northeastern sector of Bass River
Township will be acquired by the State'of New Jersey for public ownership.

A second tract of approximately 5,000 acres, occupying the north western and central
western sectorsof the Township has also been proposed to "'solidify" and make con-
tinuous the present public land areas now designated as parts of the Wharton S tate
Forest and the Bass River State Forest. If these tracts we're topass into public owner-
ship, then nearly 50% of the land area of the Township would be publicly owned.

The Planning Board and others assisting in the development of the Master Plan will
need to project land use for the remaining land areas which is consistent with the
low intensity recreational use pattern now developing. Figure 6 indicates the present
state-owned lands in Bass River Township and its neighboring communities.

FIGURE 6

BurlinqI6 Co.

Ocean Co,

Propose rea

STAFFORD
Bass River ORGEI@ F. a G.
Township

BASS RIVE
STATE FORES

AL
S Y
F a G.

Atlantic Co. Cz, A
19

BRIGANTI AL
WILDLIF

REGIONAL MAJOR PUBLIC LAND HOLDINGS

Source: Major Public Open Space a Recreation Areas in N.J. (Map) by N.J.D.E.P.

Environmental Requirements and Impact of Present Industries in the ToWnship

There is a complex of industries in the Township related to recreation activities,
agriculture, and commercial hunting and fishing. They are summarized in the table
below.

Industries in Bass River Township

1 . Recreation
a. camping e. horseback riding
b. canoeing f. sport fishing
c. hunting g. ecological and natural history
d. trail hiking investigations

2. Agriculture

a. cranberry farming
b. blueberry -farming

3. Commercial Fishing and Hunting

a.. clams c. oysters
b. trapping d. other

4. Marina Operation

a. marina services
b. boat sales
boat construction

5. Service Industries

a. food service industries
b. automobile service industries
c. garden center

6. Crafts

a. craft manufacture
b. craft sales"

Several of these classes of business and industry are closely dependent upon essential
environmental qualities for their survival- Without these, supporting qualities from
the immediate environment, mostof thessindustries would be eliminated. The
table on the following page lists the environmental requirements for each of these
industrial activities.

Environmental Requirements for Bass River Township's Industries

Industry or Activity Environmental Requirements

Camping Low population density
Extensive open space much
of it wooded
Limitation of four campsites per acre
Unpolluted air
Unpolluted waters for recreational use
Moderate highway access

Canoeing Low population density
Unpolluted surface waters
Streams without blockades from dams or
other engineered features

Horseback Riding Low population density
Accessible woodlands or other open spaces
with unpaved roads or trails
Unpolluted waters

Hunting Open space in Woodlands, fields, freshwater
wetlands, tidal marsh lands
Public lands containing one or more of the
above

Trail Hiking Woodlands and open fields
Public lands containing one or more,of the.
above

Sport Fishing Fresh water streams or
Brackish or salt water bodies
Unpolluted waters in th *e above
Extensive tidal marshes for fish food chain life
support and breeding areas
Availability of marina or docking and launching
fa0i ities

Ecological and Natural History for ecological investigation and study of wild species
Investigations a variety of supportive environments with low
population density and relative freedom from
pollution

Environmental Requirement's (cohtinved'i

Industry or Activity Environmental Requirements

Cranberry culture Acid sandy loam soils
.Abundant rainfall
Extensive open cleared land

Blueberry Culture Acid, sandy loam soils
High water table
Hot days, cool nights
Abundant rainfall
Extensive open cleared land

Shel If ishing Unpolluted shallow waters and zones of
salinity ranging from 1.005 - 1.030
specific gravity (5 r,,3&0tirts/th6usand)
Tidal and coastal waters nourished by
extensive tidal marshland areas
Absence of soil erosion and deposition
from improper development in areas
draining to coastal waters
Absence in fluctuations of salinity in bay
waters resulting from too rapid storm
drainage

Trapping Unpolluted tidal marshes or fresh water
streams and bays
Low population density
Availability of wetlands accessible for trappers

Marina Operation Extensive open waters with characteristics
needed for shelifishing or sport fishing
Relative proximity to urban populations

Service Industries Attractive highways and village scenery -
the amenities of a picturesque highway
for a low population density
Vacation, recreation area
Relative proximity to urban populations

The table demonstrates that the present industries which support Bass R ive-r Township
residents depend completely upon several aspects of the Township's present environ-
ment. Without these environmental essentials, the industries would be eliminated with
the exception, perhaps, of some of the service industries. The following report on

fishing in the Great Bay area is indicative of the kind of environment presently
enjoyed by the residents of the Township. The residents earnestly desire that
this kind of environment be maintained.

Water Related Activity in Bass River Township and Environs

Because of its physical location in the heart of the Wading River watersheds and
its very proximity to the Mullica River - Great Bay Estuary, Bass River Township's
economy includes the commercial shell fishing industry, the sports fishing industry
and many forms of recreational fishing. Whether it be bank fishing, boat fishing,
or ice fishing at Collin's Cove, all of these pursuits are part of Bass River Township's
recreational picture.

Shell fishing accounts for a sizeable harvesting of oysters, clams, scallops or mussels.
This local industry is completely dependent upon clean unpolluted waters if it is
to survive. To preserve the quality of our waters must, therefore, be one of the goals
of the projected master plan for Bass River Township.

Boat fishing, (fishing from a boat of any size or description) is a major activity in the
area. 'Studies indicate that Great Bay is by far the most popular boat fishing area
(easily reached from Bass River Marina on the Bass River) and downstream on the
Wading and Mullica Rivers. Since it is known that a substantial proportion of the
boaters are actually fishermen, a relationship between boat fishing ireas and boating
may be reasonably expected. Bank fishermen prefer Great Bay Boulevard by a sub-
stantial margin. The middle Mullica River is second in activity but a significant fact,
is that two -thirds of the activity entered in this category is ice fishing in January.

The estimated grand total of 105,366 man-days for all kinds of fishing activities,is
possibly a low statistic. A look at the table following should readily indicate the
importanceof fishing and boating to Bass River Township's economy.

.Rankin IDrder of Frequency Man-Days Per Year
1. Boat Fishing 86,954
2. Boating 26,500
3. Bank fishing 10,891
4. Shell fishing 7,521
5. Ice Fishing 3,965
6. Others 2,653
7. Hunting (water fowl) 1,973
8. Bathers 1,402
9. Water skiers 777

Grand Total 142,636

The detailed data from which the summary table above was developed is shown in
the table following.

Estimated Totals of Man-Days for All Types of Activities by Month
Mullica-Great Bay Estuary

FISHING

Bank Boat Boating Shellfishing Bathers Water skiers Hunters Others Total
January 3,965* ----- --- 3,993

February 33 40 158 134 --- --- 40 405

March 1,134 1,744 451 92 --- ... --- 96 3,517

April 2,863 12,092 1,656 721 --- --- 172 17,504

May 1,656 11,486 2,233 1,275 --- 167 16,817

June 853 16,210 4,955 1,171 396 137 --- 478 24,200

July 1,025 17,344 4,812 1,669 421 108 423 25,802

August 1,491 17,075 6,803 1,379 502 387 --- 856 .28,493

September 911 8,085 2,973 271 83 145 173 153 12,794

October 371 2,165 1,549 388 --- ---- 463 154 5,090

November 533 552 567 279 --- 660 70 2,661

December 21 161 343 114 --- 677 44 1,360

Totals 10,891 86,954 26,500 7,521 1,402 777 1,973 2,653 142,636 - Grand Tota;

Ice Fishing. The composite total for various kinds of fishing is 105,366.

Courtesy: Paul E. Hamer, Principal Fisheries Biologist, N.J. Bureau of Fisheries, Nacote Creek Experimental Station

Residents' Attitude Toward Development

The residents of Bass River Township are desirous of maintaining the quality of
their present environment and all of the special natural amenities now to be found
there. Although they expect growth and development t.:) occur, the residents are
strongly opposed to sudden major spurts of growth without effective regard for the
environmental impact of such growth.

To recognize this de! fire, the residents elected a Board of Commissioners pledged
to these objectives for the township. The Commissioners, in turn, have recruited
an able group of citizens to serve on the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment
and the Environmental Commission. These municipal bodies have accepted the
task of developing a Master Plan which will insure orderly growth while maintaining
or improving environmental quality in the Township.

ERRATA

For:

Page 1, line 1 - read 79 agubre mile for 77 square mile
Poge 7, lihe@2 ;."r'e'ad.-.FloHda for Flordia
Page 7, line 3 - read unconsolidated for unconcolidated
Page 7, line 33 - read orogen for 6rogony
Page 9, line 4 - read named for hamed
Page 11, line 30 - read steel for stell
Page 14, line 4 - read Igndy for sand
Page 14, line 22 - read 5 to 10 percent for 50 to 10 percent
Page 15 , line 3 - read because for becasue
Page 15, 1 ine 36 - read drained for rained
Page 26, line 10 - read Bal langer for Bel langer
Page 35, line 6 - read contamination for contaimination
Page 37, line 6 read - micaceous for 'micacious
Page 37, line 35 - read share for shore
Page 44, line 30 - delete incidence is
Page 44, line 33 - add "berry" to the word "crow"'
Page 45, line 15 read - specimens for speciments
Page 46, line 11 - read purple or purpole
,Page 46, line 44 -read Qenother forCenothe
Nge 48, line 3 - read Ludwigi for Lidwigia
Page 48, line 15 - read Asclep5a for Ascelpea
Page 48, line 28 & 29 - Muhly one-flowere and Torrey's Muhly should be listed with
grasses and shrubs
Page 48, line 45 - read Pinwee for Pineweed
Page 49, line 2 - read Oenothera for Centhera
Page 49, line 6 - read Erynniurn for Erny-giurn
Page 49, line 7 - add sp?
Page 49, line 25 - read Cyparissias or Cuparissias
Page 49, line 35 - read Tanaceturn vulgare for Tanacetums vigare
Page 49, line 47 - read Xer6phyllum for lerophyllum
Page 52, line 37 - read catbrier for cutbrier
Page 53, line 44 - read peregrin for perearina
Page 53, line 49 - read flex for Illex
Page 53, line 52 - read TiEurnurn for Bivurnurn
Page 53-1 line 53 - read Yucca for Ycca
Page 54, line 14 - read Mockernut for pale and tomentosa for pallida
Page 54, line 15 - read I lex opaca for I lex bpaca
Page 54, line 27 - add Willow Oak, Q. Phello's
Page 55, line 3 - read Thelypteris for Thalypteris
Page 60, line 7 - read Greater Ve-Ilowiegs for Giter Yellowlegs
Page 60 - line 40 - read Sharp Shinned for Sharp-Showned
Page 61, line 7, read Ruffed for ruffled
Page 61, line 34 - read Alder for Older
Page 62, lines 6 and 7 - issert marsh before wren
Page 63, line 3 - read water thrush for warbler

Errata (continued)

Page 65, line 15 - read Schmid for Schmidt
Page 65, line 19 - read beyond for byond
Page 66, line 24 - read ericoides L. for tomentosa Nutt.
Page 66, line 27 - read Gaultheria procumbens L. for Gaeltherea procumben L.
Page 67, line 29 - read ilicifolia for ilifolia
67, line 37 - read ericoides L. for tomentosa Nutt.
Page I
Page 85, line 12 - delete 19 miles

COASTAL
nutdirrimai -I%CMT
R. U16111
DATE DUE

GAYLORDiNo. 2333

36668 1072548