Passaic River Clean-up

FAIR LAWN - Starting this Saturday April 12, volunteers, working with local and regional agencies, along with the Passaic River Coalition (PRC) and River Road Improvement Corporation (RRIC), will help make part of the waterway near the Lincoln Avenue Bridge a cleaner, greener place.

River cleanup events in Fair Lawn have always focused on removing debris and discarded items on or near the river. Yet, for the first time this year, thanks to the help of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC), the PRC and the Fair Lawn Environmental Commission, activities will also help make the river greener.

Lackland Self-Storage, a participating RRIC merchant, has granted access to its river property so participants can try planting up to 100 trees. The effort will take place over two Saturdays (April 12 and April 19)..

The RRIC's project director, Don Smartt, notes that "the clean-up and beautification of this area continues a public/private partnership begun last year among the parties to beautify the northernmost gateway into both the community and the commercial district; further improvements are being planned."

Starting at 10 a.m this Saturday, participants will assemble at Riverfront Park On the Lackland site, they will work with their hands, in preparing the area for tree plantings, and perform the traditional ritual of picking up litter and junk. The activities will last until 2 p.m.

On April 19, the participants will gather in the same area, at 10 a.m., to start the tree plantings. This event again concludes at 2 p.m.

The volunteers on both days will work under the direction of Bill O'Hearn, the coalition's event co-coordinator

Not only will the trees beautify the spot, experts say placing them in the area will stabilize the banks and keep the water cleaner.

Louisa Lubiak, an environmental specialist with the PRC, based in Basking Ridge, said the coalition secured a grant from the National Tree Federation for the saplings, after officials in Fair Lawn - working with the RRIC - wanted to plant trees during this year's event.

"We're very much looking forward to working with these volunteers in beautifying the area," said Lubiak. "In addition to making the area nicer, these trees will help improve the environment in a number of ways."

The PRC and the volunteers will plant saplings from at least four species over what is now vacant land, so tall trees will eventually line the area along the river.

Additionally, the coalition is donating the plastic tubing that will secure the small saplings, as they grow, and keep them moist.

These saplings should mature into bigger trees. Lubiak said the mature trees' elongated roots will play a critical role in "stabilizing" the banks, which prevents erosion.

"Putting the roots in the soil will help hold the soil down," she pointed out. "So when the river rises and reaches flood stage, the banks will not break up (and erode). If you just planted grass there, you wouldn't have this type of protection."

Lubiak added that the new trees will also help filter pollutants out of storm water before it enters the river;. absorb rainwater to help prevent flooding; remove pollutants from the air and add oxygen, making it easier to breathe, .as well as provide area wildlife a food source and a habitat..

For Robert DeVita, head of the PVSC's River Restoration Division, the process of preparing the site for the tree plantings is well under way.

DeVita said his men have worked hard in ridding the bank area of overgrown brush and weeds, literally clearing a huge path for the tree plantings...

"It was a jungle, a real jungle," said DeVita, who worked with the coalition on a similar initiative, near the Nereid Boat Club in Rutherford.

"Our crew has been very busy using weed whackers and clippers to get rid of this stuff," he added. "My guys should be done by the end of the week, just before they're ready to plant."

DeVita added that his crew has been working with their bare hands in clearing a 200-yard area of overgrowth, including weeds..

In preparation for the plantings, he explained, the men will lay down "weed mats" over which the trees will stand - and grow.

Refreshments will be served. Participants are advised to wear "dirty-able clothes," and bring garden gloves and tree planting tools. In the event of rain, both days' events will be pushed back to the following Sunday. For more information, contact Louisa Lubiak, at 908- 766-7550.