Natural Resources Inventory

The primary purpose of this Natural Resources Inventory is to provide data which should form a basis for municipal planning and municipal legislation (ordinances and subdivision regulations). Second, it provides basic data for the future preparation of Environmental Impact Reports. Third, it provides a compendium of facts about the Township of Colts Neck, for general information.

This inventory is intended to be a living document, i.e., it is to be corrected, improved, and updated as additional information becomes available. It is hoped that it will be used as a guide in protecting the high quality of Colts Neck Township's environment.

Protecting environmental quality is a matter of choices and tradeoffs. It is generally recognized that homes, factories and highways have to be built, trees must occasionally be cut down, wastes must be disposed, etc. The question in each case is not whether we should proceed with the project or have environmental protection - but, what environmental sacrifices are involved, are they worth the result, and is there another, less damaging way the results can be achieved? It is hoped that this document will help the people of Colts Neck, and Colts Neck's public officials, make the correct choices.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Although some of the information in this document has been taken from other sources, much of it is original data prepared and interpreted by members and associate members of the Environmental Commission.

The bulk of this inventory was prepared under the chairmanship of Lee C. Lamar. Revisions of the inventory were prepared under the chairmanships of M. David Rodetsky and Thomas Hennessey, Jr. Although virtually all members and associate members of the Commission assisted in some way, special mention should be made of the original work and guidance of Lee C. Lamar, C.P.G., Geologist and Hydrologist; John R. Vig, Ph.D., Physicist, who prepared several sections and who served as editor; M. David Rodetsky, A.I. A., Architect and Planner; Virginia Frohnert, who compiled the historical data; Kendall Flinn, who compiled data on recreation and drainage; Bonnie Smith and Vincent W. Domidion, II, who compiled data on flora and fauna; and Arianna Vig, who provided the art work for the cover.

Thanks are extended to the Township Committee, who provided both encouragement and matching funds, and to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for Grant 74-068, without which this inventory would have been difficult to realize.

Colts Neck's is one of the few Environmental Commissions to complete the Natural Resources Inventory entirely with volunteer labor, and without employing consultants. In addition bringing together local experts and providing them with useful experience, it has saved Colts Neck many thousands of dollars and provided critical information for the Township's leaders and residents. A fringe benefit is an accurate Flood Hazard Boundary Map, now accepted as official by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COLTS NECK TOWNSHIP AND ITS VICINITY

The Township of Colts Neck lies in Monmouth County, New Jersey, about 28 air miles south of the southern tip of Manhattan and 14 miles south of Staten Island in the North Shore area of Southern New Jersey (Map I). On the globe, it is located at 40 17' N latitude, 74 11' W longitude. It is 82.4 square kilometers in area (31.8 square miles; 20,355 acres), bordered on the west by Freehold and Marlboro Townships, on the north by Marlboro, Holmdel and Middletown Townships, on the east by Tinton Falls Township and on the south by Howell and Wall Townships. Some of the other major towns in Colts Neck's vicinity are Matawan, about 9.5 miles northwest; Red Bank and Eatontown, about 6.5 miles northeast and east, respectively; and Freehold Borough, the county seat, located about 6 miles southwest. The population of Colts Neck in 1988 was 8,202; the number of housing units was 2,474; the population density was 911 per square mile (vs. 1,170 per sq. mi. for Monmouth County.) The per capita income in 1985 was $21,279 (vs. $14,364 for the County).

Three principal highways serve the Township. State Highway No. 34 connects Colts Neck with points north and south. County Highway No. 537 connects Colts Neck, Freehold and points southwest with Highway No. 35 in Eatontown. Highway 18 connects with U.S. Highway 287 to the northwest and the seashore communities toward the southeast. These roads, with the Garden State Parkway passing just east of the Township, are the principal roads for ingress and egress to the Township.

Railroad passenger service [Up-to-date information on NJ Transit services may be obtained by calling 1-800-772-2222.], via NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, is available at Red Bank, Middletown, Hazlet, Matawan, plus other stations (near the shore) in Monmouth County. This rail service extends to the shore communities to the south (Bay Head, Belmar, Asbury Park, etc.), and to the north, to Newark (Penn Station) and New York City (Penn Station). The trip time from Matawan is about 55 to 60 minutes to New York City, and about 35 to 40 minutes to Newark. Connections with PATH, AMTRAK and other NJ Transit trains are available at Newark. AIRLINK service, connecting Newark's Penn Station with Newark International Airport, is also available. During rush hours, PATH trains run every 3 to 6 minutes from Newark to the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan. The trip time is 22 minutes. Connection can also be made at Rahway to trains to Philadelphia, through New Brunswick, Princeton, and Trenton.

Bus service is available at Eatontown and Keyport on Highway No. 35; at Strathmore on Highway No. 34 in Matawan, and from Freehold, where buses follow Highway No. 9 to Asbury Park to the southeast, and north via the New Jersey Turnpike to Manhattan. Local bus service, Red Bank to Freehold, through Colts Neck, is available on weekdays.

The nearest major airport is Newark International. Small airplanes can land at the Allair Airport, Highway No. 34, Wall Township, and at Lakewood Airport. Limousine service to Newark, LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia airports are also available.

Many enthusiasts maintain boats at the docks and marinas along the shore, or utilize the many excursion and fishing boats commercially available there. Parts of Yellow Brook and Big Brook are (or could be made) canoeable in the spring and fall, particularly after heavy rains. Several streams flowing through the Pine Barrens to the south provide excellent wilderness canoeing. The nearest ones are the Manasquan River, the Metedeconk River, the Toms River and Cedar Creek.

The Pine Barrens, a million acre near-wilderness, takes up most of the State south of our Township. In addition to being an outstanding recreational resource, with excellent hiking and camping opportunities, it is also one of the most important environmental resources in the Eastern United States. Beneath its sandy soil lies an 18 trillion gallon aquifer, the largest unpolluted underground water reservoir in the country. It is a unique natural laboratory - a land of cedar swamps, cranberry bogs, meandering streams, dwarf forests, plants unknown to grow anywhere else, beavers, otters, white-tailed deer, and the tiny Pine Barriers tree frog (which is officially listed as an endangered species).

Both private and public bathing, surfing and waterskiing facilities are available in the shore area (Map I). The Jersey Shore, from Sandy Hook to Cape May, has over 127 miles of white sand beaches. The beaches at Sandy Hook and Island Beach State Park remain mostly undeveloped and are among the most attractive beaches on the eastern seaboard. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, which has been in use since 1764, is the nation's oldest operating lighthouse. Near it is a beautiful holly forest. The Gateway National Recreation Area (Sandy Hook Unit), Cheesequake and Allaire State Parks, Telegraph Hill Park, Monmouth Battlefield State Park (and within it, the Owl Haven nature center and rehabilitation center for birds of prey), Garden State Arts Center and the Monmouth County Parks are all within easy driving range from the Township.

Further south, the Brigantine Division of the Edwin Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Oceanville, is one of the most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries on the East Coast. "Over 275 species of birds have been seen in this refuge's 23,000 acres of coastal salt meadows, upland brush, woodlands, open bays and channels...herons, egrets, hawks, and an occasional eagle. At times, the number of ducks and geese here can exceed 100,000."

The Monmouth County Park System consists of 20 parcels totaling over 4,300 acres, including developed and undeveloped parks, conservation areas, historical locations, and four golf courses. The major County Parks closest to Colts Neck are Holmdel, Thompson, Turkey Swamp, Tatum, Deep Cut, and Shark River Parks. Dorbrook Park is located within Colts Neck, with entrances on Rt. 537, west of Rt. 34. Its only facilities (as of 1989) are an activity center and an open play area.

New Jersey has 35 state parks, 11 state forests, five recreation areas and four state marinas; a total of almost 300,000 acres, of which 13,081 acres are in Monmouth County. Allaire State Park (2,968 acres) has numerous facilities, including bridle paths, a campground, canoe trails, hiking trails, and a nature center. Monmouth Battlefield State Park (1,520 acres) has picnicking, a playground and a visitor center.

The Hominy Hill Golf Course on Mercer Road is owned by the Monmouth County Parks System. Other public recreational facilities such as tennis, horseback riding, etc. are also available locally, with swimming and fishing available at nearby beaches. The Township sponsors many physical fitness and sports programs throughout the year for both children and adults. This program is organized and coordinated by the Colts Neck Recreation Committee.

The Monmouth County Library headquarters in Manalapan is the largest public library in New Jersey. The wide range of resources of this library includes more than 700,000 books, over 500,000 government documents, a large selection of periodicals, phonograph records, compact disks, audio and video cassettes, plus a variety of programs (concerts, lectures, exhibits, research for county and municipal government, etc.) One of the branch libraries, the Colts Neck - Atlantic Grange Library, is located at 15 Heyers Mill Road.

For water supply, individual water wells, and for waste disposal, septic systems are utilized almost entirely. Electricity is readily available everywhere. Gas trunk lines are also available, but not everywhere. Although some Colts Neck homes are serviced by gas, gas hookups are not economically available in the less densely populated parts of the Township. Refuse collection is provided by private contractors. Electric power is provided the Jersey Central Power and Light Company, cable TV service is provided by Monmouth Cablevision, and telephone service is by New Jersey Bell. There are six radio stations in Monmouth County: WHTG, 1410 AM and 106.3 FM, Eatontown; WJLK, 1310 AM and 94.3 FM, Asbury Park; WADB, 96 FM, South Belmar; WMJY, 107.1 FM, Long Branch; WBJB, 90.5 FM, Brookdale College, Lincroft; and WMCX, 88.1 FM, Monmouth College, West Long Branch.

Both Catholic and Protestant churches are present in the Township. Jewish synagogues and places of worship for many other denominations are available in nearby townships.

Emergency services are provided by the volunteers of the Colts Neck Fire Department, and the Colts Neck First Aid Squad. There are five hospitals within about 6 miles of Colts Neck: Riverview Hospital in Red Bank is about 4 miles from the northeastern boundary of the Township, the Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel is about 4 miles from the northern boundary, the Greater Freehold Area Hospital in Freehold Township is about 5 miles from the southwestern corner, the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune is about 5 miles from southeastern corner, and the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch is about 6 miles from the eastern boundary of the Township. (The miles given are straight-line distances.)

In 1984, Colts Neck established its own Police Department. This followed the 1980 census, when the population exceeded the cutoff point for receiving police protection from the New Jersey State Police.

There are two elementary schools in the Township, one on Cedar Drive, the other on Conover Road. High school students go to the regional high school in Marlboro. Students are bussed to all elementary and high schools. Nearby colleges are Brookdale Community College, a two-year County-sponsored college in Lincroft; and Monmouth College in West Long Branch, which has four-year programs that lead to the bachelors degree, and graduate programs that lead to the masters degree. Rutgers, the State University, is located within easy driving distance, near Route 18 in New Brunswick. Georgian Court College in Lakewood provides a four-year liberal arts program and a masters degree program in education. Monmouth County Career Center, on Kozloski Road in Freehold Township, is about a mile from the southwest corner of the Township. As one of the units of the County Vocational School System, it teaches basic skills in various crafts and electronics.

Colts Neck Township was originally a farming and dairying area. Farming, dairying, chicken raising and such pursuits have increasingly been changing to raising and training of race horses, light industry, business and professional services, and residential use. Housing is generally of the cluster zoning or of the farm-farmette type.

There are small food stores, three banks, a general store, a hardware store, a drug store, a number of speciality shops, several restaurants, and a hotel within the Township. Delicious Orchards is a major local supplier of farm, dairy and bakery products. Laird's Distilleries is the major industry in town. Naval Weapons Station Earle, a Federal installation, occupies almost all of the southern quarter of the Township. The two major employers in the area are the U.S. Army at Fort Monmouth and AT&T Bell Laboratories in Holmdel Township. At both, communications and electronics-related activities, primarily research and development, are the main activities.

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References:

Publications of the NJ Dep't of Commerce, Energy and Economic Development, Division of Travel and Tourism, CN 826, Trenton, NJ 08625-0826 (Tel: 1-800-Jersey 7):

1. "Discover... New Jersey!", 1989

2. "A Guide to New Jersey's Unique Heritage," 1989.

3. "See The Lights," 1989.

Publications available from Department of Public Information and Tourism, 27 East Main St., Freehold, NJ 07728 (Tel: 431-7476):

4. "Monmouth County Official Map and Guide"

5. "Monmouth County - Area Guide Book"

6. "Attractions, Dining, Lodging Within Monmouth County"

7. "PATH Map Guide", Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp., One World Trade Center, 62W, New York, NY 10048.

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Donald Crane	Frederick Saal
Joseph Moreau	Barbara Thomas
M. David Rodetsky	John R. Vig

Gisela Anderl	Joseph DePierro
Tricia Anderson	Vincent W. Domidion, II