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Important Bird and Birding Areas
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Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers
Monmouth CountyCoordinates: N 40.35711
W 74.0259
Site Map Piedmont Plains: New England / Mid-Atlantic CoastArea: 7,997 Acres Habitat: Open water and riparian habitatsSite Description: This site is part of the Sandy Hook Bay Complex, a significant habitat complex of the New York Bight Watershed designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Included are the wide tidal Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers, a few dredged material and salt marsh islands at their confluence and the Swimming River and Reservoir. The site is almost entirely surrounded by residential development.
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| Canvasback | Mike Lyncheski |
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Birds: This site provides breeding habitat for the state-endangered Bald Eagle and the state-threatened Osprey. These waters are especially significant for thousands of winter waterfowl including Mallards, Buffleheads, American Black Ducks, Canvasbacks, Greater Scaup and Brant.Conservation: The high intensity development that characterizes this region contributes significant amounts of nonpoint source pollution from residential and agricultural runoff and boats. The Navesink Watershed Management Project, a partnership among conservation organizations and several governmental agencies, was initiated in 1981 to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the Navesink estuary. Progress includes identification of the extent of recreational boating, the infrastructure required to reduce sewage and the need for education to encourage change. In partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, a project involving 19 long term contracts was implemented on state, county and local lands along the Navesink River to reduce runoff and sedimentation entering the estuary. This project employed grassed waterways, a composting facility and animal waste storage facilities to protect the estuary. Additional protection and restoration of undeveloped sites along the Navesink, Shrewsbury and Swimming Rivers can be achieved through conservation easements, acquisition, purchase of development rights, enforcement of existing regulations and by encouraging landowners to participate in restoration through state and federal incentive programs. The Monmouth Conservation Foundation is responsible for assisting with the protection of over 4500 acres of open space in Monmouth County. Other active conservation groups in the area include the Navesink-Swimming River Watershed Group and the Jersey Shore Chapter of Trout Unlimited.Additional Information: Site Report
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