Environment

A new state anti-dumping program barely two months old has already yielded charges against several alleged illegal dumpers, including two township men. The effort, called, “Don’t Waste Our Open Space,” was launched in March and is a joint operation among several DEP agencies including Parks, Fish & Wildlife, Compliance & Enforcement, Solid Waste, Water Resources, State Park Police, State Conservation Police, …

The after-effects of the April 30 rain storm will probably continue to be felt through the evening rush hour, township officials say. As of noon May 1, this was the message on the township Web site: As we enter the lunchtime hour and prepare for the afternoon commute, numerous roadways continue to be flooded. Motorists should expect delays for the …

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for from 10 a.m. April 30 through noon on May 1. Rainfall of between 2 and 4 inches is forecast for the area, which could result in pockets of small stream and river flooding. A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on forecasts.

Building and installing rain barrels is the focus of a workshop set for 9 a.m. to noon on May 3 at the Franklin Township Municipal Building, 475 DeMott Lane. The workshop is sponsored by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission and the New Jersey Water Supply Authority. Rain barrels collect and store rainwater collected from a roof, which can then be …

Spooky Brook Golf Course in Colonial Park was one of two Somerset County courses named a “2014 Groundwater Guardian Green Site” by the Groundwater Foundation. The award honors the facility’s groundwater and environmental stewardship, according to a press release on the award. Quail Brook Golf Course, off New Brunswick Road, has previously been given the award. Also honored this year …

Electronic waste can be dropped off 7 a.m. to noon April 22 at WCTC, 78 Veronica Ave. in Somerset. “Somerset County employees look forward to meeting residents and sharing literature with them,” Somerset County Freeholder Patricia Walsh, teh Freeholders’ solid waste management/recycling liaison, said in a release. Old computers, televisions, servers, monitors, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, keyboards and other …

About 40 people gathered the morning of April 12 at the rear of Somerset Village on Easton Avenue to help clean up Seeley’s Brook. Led by the John Clyde, Township Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1), the township Environmental Commission and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Alliance, the group – which included Brownies from Troop 60607 – climbed up and down the …

More than 50 trees were scheduled April 5 to be picked up by residents during the township Shade Tree Commission’s annual sale. The trees were available at the township’s Convenience Center at Berry and School streets. Commission chairman Chris Williams and member Bob Hudak were on hand to distribute the trees. Residents were able to purchase the trees late last …

An Earth Day display designed to “educate the public about the technology and benefits of solar energy in saving energy and improving our environment” is running at the Franklin Township Public Library, 485 DeMott Lane, Somerset, through April 30. The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity’s Theta Psi Lambda chapter’s Green Committee has partnered with Green Power Energy of Annandale and the …

Update 2: The Blackwells Mills and Griggstown causeways were reopened early in the morning of April 2. The Blackwells Mills and Griggstown causeways were closed March 30 due to flooding from heavy rain of the previous two days. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for that general area until 2 p.m. March 31. Rain is expected to …