A JERSEYCENTRIC POINT OF VIEW

Kathy Dzielak

The history of the Raritan River runs through my very veins.

My great-great grandfather, Capt. William Fox, an Irish immigrant, ran a transportation and boating business to New York City from the Raritan's New Brunswick banks.

That was long ago. And the history of the Raritan is longer still. The waterway was a significant part of Central Jersey life during Colonial times and among the region's Native Americans.

Now, that history is being rewritten by well-meaning planners who believe the Raritan is an underutilized source of entertainment and recreation.

I worry what taming the Raritan may mean for our dwindling wildlife. The river and its tributaries (along with the area's powerline trails, sadly) have become refuge for numerous species.

I frequently find these vagabond creatures in my backyard and surrounding neighborhood, even though I live only a few blocks away from busy Route 1. Construction projects near the river in various municipalities have resulted in lost habitat. With no place else to go, displaced owls, foxes, skunks, hawks, deer and last year, even a bear have somehow managed to make their way to my small suburban oasis.

Edison Township recently constructed a gazebo and a walkway to enable visitors to get closer to the Raritan.

That sounds good — to a point. I've seen what unchecked recreational usage can eventually do to some waterways, especially those at or near the Jersey Shore. Kayaks and canoes are fine, but personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles can wreak havoc on an eco-system.

So planners, please proceed with caution. Let's not tame the Raritan too much.

I'd hate for our state to become known as the place "Where the Wild Things Aren't."

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Source: http://www.app.com/article/20091016/ENT/910160319/1031/rss09

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