State Taxpayers Purchase 1,400-Acre Cumberland County Farm to Preserve Endangered Species

Land Acquisition Will Also Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change

TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has entered into one of the most significant land deals in the agency’s history with a signed agreement to

purchase a 1,400-acre Cumberland County farm to preserve New Jersey’s largest concentration of endangered species and mitigate the effect of climate change. The property, which is owned by Atlantic City Electric and known as Holly Farm, is situated between Menantico Creek and Manumuskin Creek, two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. The acquisition of the property will also directly connect to two Nature Conservancy preserves that will be donated to the Department of Environmental Protection. In total, these additions will expand the preserved Menantico Ponds Wildlife Management Area by more than 5,500 acres. Financial terms of the agreement will be made public when the purchase is finalized.

“Safeguarding New Jersey’s interconnected open spaces and diverse ecosystem is critically important in protecting our environment,” said Governor Murphy. “In addition to protecting endangered species, our open spaces have the capacity to store large amounts of carbon emissions and absorb water to reduce flooding in our communities. Through the acquisition of Holly Farm, we are able to preserve New Jersey’s natural resources and become more resilient to the devastating effects of climate change.”

“We appreciate Atlantic City Electric’s commitment to the environment by helping to preserve this critical open space in South Jersey,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe. “The purchase of the Holly Farm property is a tremendous accomplishment for the state of New Jersey, our conservation partners and residents. Preservation of this property protects an important wildlife corridor and eliminates the risk of development to a scenic and ecologically sensitive region. In addition, the trees and other plants absorb greenhouse gases, mitigating the effects of climate change.”

The Holly Farm property includes an area that Department of Environmental Protection has deemed a National Heritage Priority Site and represents some of the best remaining habitat for rare plant species and rare ecological communities in New Jersey. The site at Holly Farm is habitat for seven rare plants including the sensitive joint-vetch, a federally and globally protected species.

Department of Environmental Protection records have also documented the existence of the threatened Pine Barrens treefrogs, pine and scarlet snakes, corn snakes, barred owls, red-headed woodpeckers, Cooper’s hawks, and the dotted skipper butterfly. The property provides habitat suitable for timber rattlesnakes and Cope’s treefrogs and is the nesting and foraging area for 71 species of breeding birds and nine species of migratory birds. Additionally, the area has been deemed a critical nest buffer and foraging habitat for bald eagles, least tern, and ospreys.

\”Our commitment to serving our customers and communities goes beyond providing the safe and reliable energy service they count on,\” said Dave Velazquez, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric. \”We recognize that we need to lead the fight against climate change and help preserve the environment where we live and work. We believe the sale of the Holly Farm property to the DEP best fulfills our responsibilities to our customers and communities, as it supports the continued well-being of the region’s natural environment and ensures the continued benefits of this open space for generations to come.”

“We are excited about the addition of this land to our Green Acres inventory and the expansion of open space connectivity in South Jersey,” said Ray Bukowski, DEP Assistant Commissioner for Natural and Historic Resources. “Visitors to this property will be able to enjoy the land as a place to quietly appreciate nature, hike, or view wildlife in pristine habitats.”

Many nonprofit and conservation groups partnered with the Department of Environmental Protection to secure funding through the Open Space Institute to assist with land surveys and plans for potential improvements to the property. They include The Nature Conservancy, the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, NJ Audubon, Natural Lands, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions and Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River. The work of these organizations has been instrumental in ensuring that local planning and zoning efforts safeguard water resources and critical habitats on the property.

“NJ Audubon thanks Atlantic City Electric, the Murphy Administration and DEP for preserving the Holly Farm,” said Eric Stiles, President and CEO of the New Jersey Audubon Society. “This amazing site, which many state and local organizations have been championing for over two decades to permanently protect, provides essential access for outdoor recreation and wildlife and habitat protection. This achieves the twin objectives of supporting the economy through advancing nature-based tourism and improving and preserving our environment.”

“The Nature Conservancy applauds both Atlantic City Electric and the Murphy Administration for working together to preserve one of the crown jewels and a major missing piece in New Jersey’s open space system” said Tom Wells, Director of Government Relations for the Nature Conservancy. “This tract is a keystone property connecting many thousands of acres of already preserved very high value natural lands and sensitive wildlife habitats in southern NJ This is one of the most important land preservation projects in New Jersey in many years.”

“The preservation of 1,400 acres of forested land at Holly Farms in Millville, Cumberland County brings the total acres of preserved land in the area to over 28,000. This could not have happened without the strong environmental commitment of Atlantic City Electric and hard work of Commissioner McCabe to ensure open spaces are available for future generations,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. \”Our children and children’s children will benefit from this important forested land tract being part of the surrounding preserved open spaces.”

“After 30+ years of CU Maurice River’s intense advocacy, the Governor, the NJ DEP, and Atlantic Electric have made this monumental addition to the surrounding preserved lands a reality,” J. Morton Galetto, CU Maurice River. “We salute their courage. This newly acquired space preserves in perpetuity a bridge between two Wild and Scenic river corridors that are home to NJ’s largest concentration of rare and endangered species. This is a global treasure that the public will appreciate for generations to come.”

\”This is tremendous news for the people and animals that call the Garden State home,\” said Jennifer M. Coffey, ANJEC Executive Director. \”It\’s the completion of more than a decade of work to protect enormously special habitat for threatened and endangered species for generations to come. ANJEC extends gratitude this week of Thanksgiving to Governor Murphy, Commissioner McCabe, Atlantic City Electric, Cumberland County and everyone who helped make Holly Farms go green!\”

\”This is a fantastic day for the environment in New Jersey,\” said Ed Lloyd, Director of the Columbia Environmental Law Clinic. \”After three decades of negotiations, we want to commend Atlantic City Electric and NJ DEP for preserving this gem.\”

\”The New Jersey Conservation Foundation commends and congratulates Atlantic City Electric and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for purchasing and permanently preserving the 1,380 acre “Holly Farm” in Millville as public trust conservation lands for all New Jerseyans,\” said Michele S. Byers, Executive Director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. \”We applaud today’s announcement and are honored to support the New Jersey Green Acres Program on this momentous land preservation achievement. Ecotourism is a major economic force in this region and the preservation of the Holly Farm will boost public visitation and enjoyment, bringing much needed economic benefits to the area.\”

Hugo H. Stein of Audubon Park; USMC Veteran; Navy Shipyard Employee

July 26, 1927 – November 22, 2019

Hugo H. Stein, on November 22, 2019, of Audubon Park, formerly of Bellmawr. Age 92.

Beloved husband of the late Anne (nee Dailey). Devoted father of Hugo Stein, Jr. (Patty), Suzanne Slotterback (Jerry), Kathleen Egbert (Wes), Michael

Gaffney and Erich Stein. Dear grandfather of Karyann Slotterback and Marie Gaffney. Loving son of the late Harry and Marie Stein. Brother of Monika Garagon and the late Ida Desch.

Mr. Stein proudly served in the USMC for 20 years where he served as a drill instructor. He was a master machinist at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

In his free time, Mr. Stein enjoyed fishing and going to the casino.

There will be a viewing from 11am to 1pm Saturday at GARDNER FUNERAL HOME, RUNNEMEDE.

Funeral Service 1pm at the funeral home.

Interment private.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mr. Stein’s memory to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Maple Shade PD is seeking to hire officers through the Intergovernmental Transfer Program…

Advisory:

The Maple Shade Police Department announces our recent acceptance and participation in the New Jersey Civil Service Commission Intergovernmental Transfer Program (ITP). In order to be considered, an officer MUST be a member in good standing of a Civil Service police department who participates in the ITP with a valid certification from the Police Training Commission as a full-time Municipal Police

Officer.

If you are looking to join a progressive agency that offers superior training, opportunity, job growth and a supportive work environment, and who has been recognized by the Attorney General’s Office for their ground breaking work in the area of Officer Mental Health and Wellness (Resiliency), then we invite you to apply for a position at the Maple Shade Police Department. Job specifications call for a High School Diploma or equivalent GED, and you must be a resident of New Jersey with a valid New Jersey Driver’s License to be considered.

Interested candidates should send their resume and a cover letter to the Appropriate Authority –

Township Manager Susan Danson, 200 Stiles Avenue Maple Shade, NJ 08052

as soon as possible, but no later than

Friday, December 20, 2019

Applicants will undergo an interview process with our command staff. Those who are moved beyond that point will then be subjected to a thorough background investigation to include an Early Warning System and Internal Affairs File check in accordance with the Attorney General Guidelines. Selected candidates who successfully pass the background process will be moved into the next phase of hiring, which will include a physical and psychological examination. Those who pass that phase will be offered positions based upon their ranking amongst the command staff during the above process. The starting salary is negotiable within a defined range based upon an officer’s level of experience as notated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The officers who work in Maple Shade are represented by PBA Local #267.

Any eligible officers with questions or inquiries should contact Lt. Jeffrey Hoch at

jhoch@mapleshadepd.com

, or at 856-382-1205, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.

New Cleanup Plan Proposed for Superfund Site in Gibbsboro

Gibbsboro, N.J.

(November 25, 2019) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a cleanup plan that includes a combination of technologies and

methods to address the former paint manufacturing plant and adjoining areas of the Sherwin-Williams/Hilliards Creek Superfund Site in Gibbsboro. EPA’s study of these areas shows that soil and sediment are contaminated with arsenic and lead, and soil in other areas are contaminated with paint solvents.

“The former paint manufacturing plant area is a major source of contamination at this Superfund site and addressing it will be a major step to getting to the cleanup of Hilliards Creek and Kirkwood Lake, which have been long sought by this community,” said

EPA Regional Administrator Pete Lopez.

“EPA is working closely with our local and state partners to make progress on this cleanup as we protect people’s health.”

EPA’s cleanup plan addresses a nearly 20-acre area where the former manufacturing plant operated, the headwaters of Hilliards Creek and adjoining areas, which include approximately six residential properties. At the former manufacturing plant area, the plan includes removing and disposing of approximately 67,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the site and backfilling with clean soil, groundwater monitoring, and institutional controls in the form of deed notices.

Floodplain soil and sediment within Upper Hilliards Creek would be excavated and disposed of off-site. Surface water will be monitored. The wetland areas will be restored with vegetation and soil similar in nature to previously existing wetlands.

In areas where paint solvents are present, the EPA is calling for the treatment of harmful chemicals through subsurface treatment. Certain areas containing soil contaminated with paint solvents may also be treated at the site by injecting non-hazardous additives to the subsurface soil to promote the biological breakdown of contaminants. The specific types of additives to be used will be determined by the EPA as part of the design of the cleanup. Soil gas collection systems will also be installed to collect and treat any harmful vapors.

Throughout the cleanup, EPA will monitor and further study the cleanup progress to ensure the effectiveness of the remedy. EPA will conduct a review of the cleanup every 5 years to ensure its effectiveness. Under the proposed plan, the estimated cost of cleanup is approximately $36 million.

The EPA will hold a public meeting on Dec. 5, 2019, at 7 p.m. to explain the proposed plan. The meeting will be held at Gibbsboro Senior Center, 250 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Gibbsboro, New Jersey. Comments will be accepted until Dec. 30, 2019.

Written comments on the EPA\’s proposed plan may be mailed or emailed to: Ray Klimcsak, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Email:

klimcsak.raymond@epa.gov

The Sherwin-Williams/Hilliard’s Creek Superfund Site, the Route 561 Dump Site along with the United States Avenue Burn Superfund Site, located in Gibbsboro, are sources of contaminated soil and sediment, which have spread onto a number of residential properties and surrounding waterbodies within Gibbsboro and Voorhees. The residential properties, along with Dump and Burn Sites, are currently being addressed under separate cleanup plans.

To view the EPA\’s proposed plan for the site, please visit

www.epa.gov/superfund/sherwin-williams

Mae Elizabeth Monforte of Bellmawr; A Founding Member of Annunciation BVM Church

Mae Elizabeth Monforte, on November 22, 2019, of Bellmawr.

Mae was born to Olivia and William Glemser in Camden NJ on May 19, 1920. This diminutive, dynamic lady lived her 99.5 years devoted to family, faith, friends and the Phillies. In 1938 Mae married Louis Rocco Monforte then centered her life around him and their sons, Louis (Carol) of Brooklawn, NJ and Joseph (Pat) of Cave Creek, AZ. She adored her granddaughters Caroline Tisot, Marybeth Morrison, and Beth Kurta and her five great-grandchildren.

A spiritual woman, Mae was a founding and active member of St. Joachim Parish (formerly Annunciation BVM Church) who walked to daily Mass as long as she was able. Following her husband’s death in 1999, Mae became a regular at the Bellmawr Senior Center. A faithful Phillies fan, she listened to their ballgames on the radio for 91 years. Mae will be missed by the multitude of those who loved her.

There will be a viewing from 8am to 10:45am Saturday, November 30th at St. Joachim Parish, Annunciation BVM Church, 601 W. Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ 08031.

Funeral Mass at 11:00am at the Church.

Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

Catholic Social Services of the Philadelphia Archdiocese Receives Nearly 13,000 DIAPERS

Children and families who benefit from Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s (CSS) Beautiful Beginnings and Beautiful Parenting Programs will get a boost thanks to a recent diaper drive marking Respect Life Month.

Approximately 13,000 diapers, 180 packages of baby wipes, and other infant care essentials were collected all from the generosity of over 90 donors. This annual Diaper Drive helps to stock the shelves of CSS’ Family Service Centers located throughout the five-county metropolitan area.

Ms. Amy Stoner, Director of CSS Community Based and Homeless Services Divisions said, “Diapers are essential to a baby’s healthy development. In low-income families, a baby can spend a day or more in one diaper, leading to potential serious health risks. These items will directly impact area infants, toddlers, and families who struggle to afford these basic necessities. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to those who have made this possible and for helping to advance the mission of CSS.”

In early March, CSS was named Pennsylvania’s Service Provider of the Year by Real Alternatives for the seventh consecutive year. Real Alternatives is a non-profit, charitable organization in Pennsylvania that administers pregnancy and parenting support services.

Last year alone, CSS provided comprehensive support services to more than 5,000 pregnant women. Modes of support include access to free, caring, and confidential support services, education about reproductive health concerns, prenatal and parenting support groups, assistance in finding appropriate medical services, and referral to adoption services for those who wish to explore that option.

Throughout the greater Philadelphia region, young women and mothers regularly turn to CSS facilities for emotional support and essential parenting resources needed to best care for their families. In 2018, CSS assisted more than 225,000 children, adults and families of all faiths throughout the five-county metropolitan area comprising the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

# # #

Editor’s Note:

Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia offers community-based and residential programs and services to support men, women and children in need as an expression of the charitable works of our local Church throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. To learn more about CSS programs that serve a wide variety of human needs, please visit

Home

For more information on CSS’ Beautiful Beginnings Program, please visit

www.ABeautifulBeginning.org

For more information on CSS’ Beautiful Parenting Program, please visit

www.BeautifulParenting.org

Shark Fin Bill Goes to Gov’s Desk

The Assembly passed bill

A4845 (Mukherji) \\ S2905 (Singleton)

today (Nov. 25, 2019). The bill prohibits certain possession, sale, trade, distribution, or offering for sale of shark fins. The bill was passed with a vote of

53-18-1.

S2905 (Singleton)

will now go to the Governor’s desk to sign.

“The shark population has been decimated. Shark finning has led to the overfishing and overexploitation of shark species. Since shark fin soup is a delicacy, the fins are sold at high prices resulting in tens of millions of sharks being killed every year. This has led to a dramatic decrease in the shark population with some species like the smooth hammerhead dropping a staggering 99% since 1972. When sharks are removed from an ecosystem, it triggers a collapse in the entire food web and can lead to problems with our own marine food sources,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This bill will help end the practice of shark finning that endangers the species. Laws passed by Congress already have banned shark finning in federal waters, but this bill would end the practice in state waters, too.”

“The harvesting of shark fins is senseless slaughter. The fins are removed from the sharks while they are still alive, and then the sharks are left to die. This legislation is necessary because the practice of shark finning is brutal and unnecessary causing a rapid decline of shark species, which we may see go extinct unless we move to protect them. No one needs shark fins except the sharks. We need this bill to help preserve hundreds of ecologically important shark species and stop them from being slaughtered for soup,”

said Tittel.

—

Megan Steele

Administrative Assistant

NJ Sierra Club

SJTA Expands the Scope and Reach of Its Environmental Initiative

Partners with NJ Fish & Wildlife to present Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference in Atlantic City

An osprey builds up a nest on a platform installed by the SJTA in recent years as part of its READI program. (SJTA photo/Darleen Adamo)

HAMMONTON, NJ – Nov.25, 2019 – As it marks over two years since it started its Roadway Environmental Advancement Initiative (READI), the

South Jersey Transportation Authority

is proud to announce New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Services is joining with the Authority in co-hosting the

Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference

in September 2020.

With its theme of \”2020 Vision – Creating a Roadmap to Help Wildlife Navigate our Mobile World,\” the biannual conference is slated to meet in Atlantic City at the Sheraton Hotel, September 20 – 23, 2020, and is inviting a wide array of transportation and ecology professionals, researchers, academics, students and consultants.

The

conference

will explore how industry leaders, ecologists, transportation planners, as well as state and municipal officials can work together to ensure wildlife mobility across the Northeast\’s fragmented and changing landscape. More conference information is available at

https://www.netwc.org/

The SJTA launched READI several years ago when the Atlantic City Expressway Operations Department began reintroducing native, perennial wildflowers across 35 acres of the Expressway\’s right-of-way. The wildflowers attract and support important pollinators like bees and butterflies that are suffering from habitat loss and pesticide use. The goal is to reverse the population decline of these crucial pollinators

The initiative evolved when the Expressway installed a series of bat boxes or bat houses along the highway\’s right-of-way in 2017. While bats play a vital role in the ecology of local environments, they face numerous threats including a disease called White Nose Bat Syndrome and the loss of habitat. The bat houses provide shelter and safety from predators.

The efforts of READI go beyond only supporting bats; it has installed structures for a variety of species including the American Kestrel, blue birds, screech owls and nesting platforms for ospreys near Atlantic City. The program has created animal crossings that allow wildlife to travel underneath the Expressway as they naturally migrate between different areas.

READI also has an educational component that involves presenting programs at local schools to support their environmental curriculums. Every year around Arbor Day, the Operations Department is invited to local elementary and middle schools to plant a tree(s) and present assemblies that impress on students the importance of practicing good environmental stewardship. The SJTA has visited more than 26 schools since 2011 and planted as many as 35 trees in a variety of species during the past four years. These programs invite student participation in the planting of a native tree(s) at each school visited.

The Northeast Transportation and Wildlife Conference will enable READI to expand its educational focus and engage professionals from nine states interested in helping transportation and wildlife to coexist and share space in our region of the country.

\”The SJTA\’s co-hosting of this important conference is a natural outgrowth of our efforts to help the environment while operating the Expressway, the Atlantic City International Airport and other South Jersey infrastructure assets that play an important role in supporting commerce, tourism and economic growth across South Jersey and beyond,\” said SJTA\’s Executive Director Stephen F. Dougherty. \”We are proud to join the New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Services in offering this conference.\”

What Degree Is a Sand Wedge?

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 26, 2019)–A sand wedge is one of the clubs you need to get familiar with the game of golf, whether you are an amateur or an aspiring professional. Typically, a sand wedge is used to get golf balls out of sand bunkers; the sole wide design provides sufficient bounce and allows the club to move through the sand without getting stuck. In contemporary golf, it is the heaviest club in a player’s bag, but it comes with one of the shortest shafts.

As a beginner, you may be more familiar with the putters and drivers. Nonetheless, the club is responsible for up to 25% of shots made by professional golfers. There are many peculiar things about this club, from the shaft length to the heavy head and the loft angle, however, we will be very particular about the sand wedge degree and its importance in this post.

Sand Wedge Degree

This is what determines the kind of swing you take and the distance to which you can send a golf ball with this club. Although there are other factors that influence how far your shot will go, the

angle of the loft

on the sand wedge is one of the principal ones.

The higher the loft angle on a sand wedge, the lower the distance you can get the ball to travel, and the higher the elevation, the shot will produce. If you don’t understand what loft angle is, it is merely the angle between the face of the club and the shaft. If a wedge has a higher loft angle, the face of the club will be in a more horizontal position relative to the ground, and if it has a lower loft angle, the face will be in a more vertical position relative to the shaft.

What Degree Loft Is a Sand Wedge?

This is a very common question among beginner golfers, and to be factual, loft angles on sand wedges typically range from 54 degrees to 58 degrees. However, it is more important to understand the effect of these angles on the performance of a player during a game. You can collect

high handicappers wedges in golf

to get better performance.

The loft angle on any wedge affects the trajectory of the ball after it is hit; a sand wedge with a higher loft angle will make the ball travel more elevated in the air, through a steep trajectory, reducing the distance covered by the ball while a sand wedge with a lower angle will make the ball travel in a less steep path, covering more range than it would if the loft angle were higher.

Degree in Pitching Wedge

If you want to take a shot with a higher trajectory than what the 9-iron will give you and a lower trajectory than what the gap wedge will give you, the pitching wedge is the right club to use. Of all wedges, the pitching wedge is the commonest, and it has the least loft angle, ranging between 44 degrees to 48 degrees. It is more suitable for chip shots and for hitting long shots into the greens.

The degree in pitching wedges varies with different manufacturers, and in the past, you could easily find one with a loft angle as low as 43 degrees or as high as 50 degrees. However, these days, 44 – 48 degrees is the typical loft range. Just like with the sand wedge, the higher the loft of a pitching wedge, the higher the ball can be hit, and the less it will travel. On the other hand, the lower the loft angle, the less steep the trajectory and the farther the ball will travel.

Should You Be Concerned About Loft?

While loft angle can have a significant influence on your game, if you are a beginner or an amateur, you should probably not be too concerned with the loft angle on your wedge. Besides, wedges are not so common with these categories of players – there is enough fun to be had with drivers, putters, and irons – and the technicality of loft angles is usually not a problem.

However, if you plan to play golf professionally, you will have to pay more attention to the technical part of the game, and the loft is one of the technical parts. In some cases, you may have to adjust the loft angle on your club to get the kind of shot you want.

Conclusion

More than having the perfect angle on a wedge, it is vital to develop your skills through consistent training. You can have the best set of golf clubs in the world and still be very poor at the game. Golf is a technical game that requires a lot of

learning and practice

, so, apart from learning about the types of clubs and their individual features, take time out to always practice so that you can personalize your golf experience and improve your overall game.

Powerball Jackpot Rolls to $100,000,000 For Wednesday’s Drawing

Thousands of New Jersey Players Win Prizes

TRENTON (Nov. 25, 2019) – The Powerball jackpot has rolled to $100 million! Although no one won the jackpot in the Nov. 23, drawing, 20,113 New Jersey players took home an estimated $111,548 in prizes ranging from $4 to $300, according to Lottery Acting Executive Director James Carey.

The winning numbers for the Saturday, Nov. 23, drawing were: 28, 35, 38, 61 and 66. The Red Power Ball number was 23. The Multiplier number was 03. The Powerball jackpot rolls to $100,000,000 for the next drawing to be held Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 10:59 pm.