PASCACK VALLEY AREA, N.J.—Has the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Nature Trail been approved? That depends on whom you ask.
A state environmental protection agency spokesman said that in April 2019 the state’s Watershed Property Review Board approved—with five conditions—the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir Nature Trail proposed by Suez Water and three adjacent towns.
This DEP assertion conflicts with a statement issued by Suez to Pascack Press in late January, noting the review process was still ongoing before the watershed review board.
While a Suez spokeswoman said the trail’s review was yet to be concluded by the state watershed board, NJDEP spokesman Larry Hajna said the trail was approved by the board by letter to Suez’s attorney on April 3, 2019 and no more reviews were required.
“[State] staff is assisting Suez in complying with conditions in the attached letter. No further reviews of this project or additional WPRB approvals are pending at this time,” Hajna told Pascack Press Feb. 10
Pascack Press reached out to Suez to clarify what reviews might still be necessary to, as their statement says, “conclude their [WPRB] review of the plan this year.”
Debra Vial, Suez’s spokesperson, told us on Feb. 16 that “When the Watershed Review Board weighed in on the proposal, it provided a list of conditions that SUEZ and the municipalities must meet before the path can open. One of those conditions included a conservation easement and, shortly thereafter, the state asked SUEZ to finalize five other easements as well.”
She said, “That process continues and we will review these easements with the state. All conservation easements must be carefully examined because the properties in the watershed are essential to protecting the water supply that serves more than 860,000 residents in Bergen and Hudson counties.”
Vial added, “The Watershed Review Board also set other conditions, including the installation of security cameras, signage and fencing. Some of those conditions must be met by the municipalities before the path can be opened. The municipalities must also sign and return the agreement.”
Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo, who chastised Suez for its trail delays, has said repeatedly in 2021 that the walking trail around the reservoir should be a reality soon. He recently told council members that he foresees the trail opening soon.
He said the borough was continuing to work with Suez and nearby Hillsdale and Park Ridge. After borough administrators from Woodcliff Lake and Park Ridge were told by Suez this year that the trails were not likely soon, Rendo called that response unacceptable.
“I encourage everyone to attend the ribbon opening of the trails. Hopefully we could see the fruition of our labor and that is coming up soon,” he said.
Efforts to create a trail around the reservoir began nearly a decade ago, spearheaded by Woodcliff Lake and Park Ridge.
While Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake received $15,000 grants to improve pathways for the 1.5-mile-long hiking trail. Hillsdale’s grant was rescinded due to a technicality. The borough is reapplying this year, said Mayor John Ruocco.
Meanwhile, the April 3, 2019 WPRB letter approves the trail use. “Board staff reviewed the License Agreement and determined that the proposed nature trail is a use which is consistent with the purposes of the Act.
Schedule F, referenced in Section 6C of the 2009 Settlement Agreement, identifies acceptable uses of watershed property, and includes such uses as nature trails and walks. Board Staff reviewed their findings with the Board at its April 2, 2019 meeting and the, Board approved the License Agreement as being consistent with the Act,” the letter reads in part.
It also spells out the five conditions that must be met, including a program summary after the two-year pilot program ends and annual reviews each year thereafter; a prohibition on widening the trail; adherence to all DEP conditions of its Oct. 24, 2018 approval letter; a conservation easement on a small Park Ridge lot to DEP; and notification to NJDEP and watershed board if any facilities are proposed within trail property.
Late January, Suez told us it was “unsure” when a trail would materialize, partly due to the WPRB (which told us no further reviews are necessary) plus the impacts of the pandemic.
“We have been diligently working with the state and the boroughs on a plan that would allow residents to enjoy the walking path and that plan is currently under review by the New Jersey Watershed Review Board. It’s up to the state to examine and approve any use of this land and it is a responsibility they, and we, take very seriously,” Vial said.