A groundbreaking step forward in regional environmental stewardship has been taken as Hopewell Township joins Lawrence, Pennington, and Princeton in a commitment to develop a regional watershed plan for Stony Brook. The Stony Brook starts in the Amwells, in Hunterdon County, and flows through the four partner municipalities in Mercer County. Portions of these towns drain into Stony Brook carrying with them increased stormwater runoff that causes flooding and water pollution. This collaborative effort, facilitated by The Watershed Institute since 2022, represents a significant commitment to safeguarding water quality, reducing flooding, enhancing resilience to climate change, and setting a precedent for watershed management across New Jersey.
“With the leadership and commitment of Hopewell, Lawrence, Pennington, and Princeton, we are setting a new standard for watershed protection in New Jersey,” said Jim Waltman, executive director of The Watershed Institute, which has been convening meetings with the towns. “Water pollution and flooding issues are most effectively addressed through regional collaboration across municipal boundaries, and we congratulate these towns for agreeing to work together on these challenges.”
The Stony Brook regional meetings have fostered dialogue and cooperation among municipalities, laying the groundwork for this initiative. The Watershed Institute hosted a statewide Watershed Conference in 2024 focused on facilitating regional solutions such as green infrastructure, stream buffer restoration, floodplain reconnection, rain gardens, trees, and other runoff-capturing interventions across the Garden State. Hopewell, Lawrence, and Princeton are participating in additional regional meetings with the goal of developing watershed-based plans for the Assunpink and Millstone Rivers, demonstrating their dedication to sustainable water resource management.
“Pennington Borough is proud to join Princeton, Hopewell Township, and Lawrence Township in this innovative regional collaboration to address our shared stormwater management challenges. By pooling our resources and expertise with the guidance of The Watershed Institute, we’re not only meeting regulatory requirements more efficiently, but also creating a sustainable framework to protect the Stony Brook Watershed for generations to come,” says Pennington Mayor Jim Davy “This partnership demonstrates how municipalities can work together to achieve greater environmental impact while maximizing taxpayer resources. We believe this collaborative approach will serve as a model for other regions throughout New Jersey facing similar watershed management challenges.”
“We appreciate the Watershed Institute bringing the towns of the Stony Brook region together to address stormwater challenges collectively. When we work together and approach a problem holistically, we achieve a better result,” says Courtney Peters-Manning, Mayor of Hopewell Township.
“Planning for water quality improvements at the scale of the watershed is a complete no-brainer! Imagine trying to get fit only by exercising your left arm – it just can’t be done. Princeton is delighted, with the heroic assistance of The Watershed Institute, to be one of the towns leading the way statewide in meeting DEP’s new MS4 permit requirements for the Stony Brook watershed improvement plan by entering into a shared service agreement to address this important goal in the only way that makes sense – at the scale of the watershed,” says David Cohen, Councilman, Municipality of Princeton.
“Lawrence Township was proud to be the first community to support the efforts of the institute, and we will continue to do so because its core mission aligns with our community’s values to promote and protect our natural resources in meaningful ways.” says Patricia Hendricks Farmer, Mayor, Lawrence Township.
“One Water Consulting is thrilled to be working with Hopewell, Princeton, Lawrence, and Pennington on this Regional Watershed Management Plan,” says James Cosgrove P.E., President of One Water Consulting. “It will allow each municipality to better understand water quality and flooding issues in their municipality, identify and prioritize improvement projects, and comply with their NJDEP stormwater permit requirements. By doing this work on the regional level, the cost is lower, and benefit is greater!”
The newly approved contract with One Water Consulting will support the development of a comprehensive watershed plan designed to improve water quality, manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and enhance the ecological health of Stony Brook. By pooling resources and expertise, the participating municipalities aim to create a replicable framework for regional environmental cooperation. The watershed plan helps the municipalities not only comply with, but exceed state requirements, but does so in a way that is more efficient, more effective and will lead to better outcomes. Ultimately, we hope that engaging the watershed, opportunities to restore floodplains and buffers will lead to enhanced reductions for the watershed over what each municipality may be able to achieve.
The Watershed Institute is dedicated to keeping central New Jersey’s water clean, safe and healthy. Founded in 1949, The Watershed Institute protects and restores water and the environment through conservation, advocacy, science, and education. For more information about the Watershed Institute visit, www.thewatershed.org or call (609) 737-3735.
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