Meadowlark Wetlands
Ridgefield, Bergen County, NJ
101 acres  

History:

2003  --  The New Jersey Meadowlands Commissioners approved the acquisition of 101 acres of marshes for preservation in the Meadowlands District (the 90-acre Meadowlark marsh in Ridgefield and 11 acres of wetlands along Berry's Creek in East Rutherford, both of which are hemmed in by industrial development.)

The Meadowlark marsh is a secluded tract located north of Bellman's Creek and east of the Hackensack River and New Jersey Turnpike. The land is currently owned by Hartz Mountain Industries of Secaucus. The NJMC is proposing to purchase the land for $10,200 per acre, for a total of $914,124.

The Berry's Creek wetland in East Rutherford is currently owned by Murray Hill Parkway Land Corp. The NJMC is proposing to purchase the land for $545,366, which includes $122,596 per acre for four upland acres on the site, and $10,200 per acre for seven acres of wetlands on the site.

Habitats:

marsh; several freshwater ponds

Plants:

staghorn sumac
black cherry

Source: Christopher Gale, Public Information Officer, NJ Meadowlands Commission, November 24, 2003; http://www.meadowlands.state.nj.us/  in Garden State EnviroNews; 031204; http://www.gsenet.org/