Wild New Jersey Exclusive: First Meeting of the Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission
Members of the Dismal Swamp Preservation Committee with Assemblyman Barnes and the town mayors. From left: Peter Smith, Robert Seader, Robert Spiegel, Mayor Toni Ricigliano, Assemblyman Peter Barnes, Bob Diehl, Bob Takash, Ann Sardone, Dorothy Miele, Mayor Tom Vahalla, and Mayor Charles Butrico.
By: WildNewJersey.tv correspondent Jill Weislo
New Jersey’s newest state preservation commission - the Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission - held its first meeting last night, with representatives from Edison, South Plainfield, Metuchen, Middlesex County, and Edison Wetlands Association. The Dismal Swamp State Preservation Commission, sponsored last fall by Senator Barbara Buono and Assemblymen John McKeon, Peter Barnes and Patrick Diegnan, supports the preservation and promotion of the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area.
With the creation of the Dismal Swamp State Preservation Commission, the Dismal Swamp – also known as “the Everglades of Central Jersey” – receives a state designation with regional protection akin to the Pinelands Commission in South Jersey and the Highlands Act in northern New Jersey. The 1,250-acre Dismal Swamp Conservation Area is home to federal priority wetlands and at least a dozen threatened and endangered species of wildlife, including the spotted turtle, American bittern, yellow-crowned night-heron, and Cooper’s hawk.
“We’ve been working for 20 years now on the preservation of the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area,” said EWA Executive Director Bob Spiegel. “The formation of this Commission with its hard-working members and expanded public involvement guarantees a legacy that future generations can cherish.”
The Commission will meet the first Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be April 6th at Metuchen Borough Hall followed by May 4th at South Plainfield Borough Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
To read previous exclusives on the Dismal Swamp follow these links:
Former Governor Corzine signing the historic bill establishing the Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission at the Triple C Ranch in Edison.
Left to Right: Assemblyman Diegnan, Assemblyman Barnes, Edison Mayor Ricigliano, Edison Councilwoman Perilstein, Edison Councilman Diehl, Corzine, South Plainfield Mayor Butrico, Former Edison Mayor Choi
A Fowler's toad found in the Dismal Swamp. 
Great Egret fishing in Turtle Pond.
Buck walking through across the Triple C Ranch into the Dismal Swamp.
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF EDISON WETLANDS ASSOCIATION
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Dismal Swamp
Tags: butrico bob spiegel south plainfield dismal swamp diehl vahalla edison takash metuchen ricigliano dismal swamp preservation commission corzine barnes
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