Goals and Policies

Our open space plan seeks to preserve the rural character of the township, while solidifying the sense of community among the residents and protecting the environmental and historic resources that make West Amwell unique. To contact the Open Space Committee, e-mail any questions or suggestions about open space in the township to Hal Shute.  

The plan provides an inventory of existing open spaces and potential open spaces.

• Organizes the township into regional nodes, which will act as environmental buffer zones.
• Ties in with the open space plans of neighboring townships, conservation agencies, the county, and the state by focusing on geographical features that create green corridors ("greenways") within the township and from our township to surrounding townships. Attention focuses on farmland, woodlands, watersheds, stream corridors, and critical wildlife habitats that contribute to the resiliency of our environment and preserve the natural integrity of our area.
• Recognizes environmental constraints on development. The geological makeup of the township requires us to act conservatively to protect our water sources and to control water run-off from our hillsides and mountains. Development should be planned and regulated to take into account the sewerage disposal and well-water scarcity problems already apparent in West Amwell. Watersheds must be maintained and stream corridors protected from pollution. Critical wildlife habitats should be preserved and enlarged wherever possible. Relatively poor soil types have little resiliency when forest and ground cover are disturbed. Agriculture provides the nucleus for preservation in much of our township.
• Recognizes alternative farmland uses that would help keep open spaces economically viable.
• Takes into account the recreational needs of the township. Because of the rural nature of West Amwell, there is less need for active playground space and more need to preserve the natural character of the land.
• Recognizes historic buildings and sites within the township and suggests ways to protect them from development or neglect.
• Provides for continued open space preservation and education. The township should continue to address the issues of growth and development in such a way as to safeguard the quality of life in our community. We should continue to provide opportunities for the residents to learn about the financial and environmental impact of development vs. open space preservation. We need to ensure active pursuit of outside open space funding to complement the tax we have already put into place.
• Recognizes individuals’ rights of land ownership. Open space planning should be of benefit to landowners, providing them with the means to preserve and protect their land without losing their direct legal and financial interest in the land.
• Qualifies as the basis for public and private funding applications. Our plans’ proposed actions and procedures conform to the funding regulations of the state, county, and private organizations that will help finance West Amwell’s open space preservation.
• Provides a basis for master-plan revisions and encourages residents to participate in a township-wide open space program.

Our plan is based on a node concept of land compilation. We have developed focus areas for open space land acquisition throughout the township, based on the following criteria:

1. Each node contains available property or properties.
2. Each node provides a logical base for contiguous expansion.
3. A node may exist where there is a high probability of land or easements being donated.
4. Nodes provide natural resource protection.
5. The nodes tie in with other open-space programs.

Each node has within it one or more properties already preserved or about to be preserved. In each case these preserved properties provide a good base for open-space expansion. All of our nodes fall within conceptual green corridors and the Crossroads of the American Revolution pathways designated by the state. At our borders, we have selected nodes that tie in with the open-space programs of surrounding townships and counties. As opportunities occur, we hope to acquire land and/or easements, eventually assembling contiguous open spaces within each node and from node to node.

1. Goat Hill/Sourlands

This node occurs in the southwest corner of the Township. Much of its undeveloped land is a Natural Heritage Priority Site habitat for wildlife. Its steep slopes overlook the Delaware and link up with the D&R Canal State Park. It is bordered by the scenic Daniel Bray Highway, contains the Washington Rock historic site, and is the southernmost anchor point for the Sourland Ridge. The potential open space extends from the recently preserved Dondero property to the Howell Farm at our border with Mercer County.

2. Moore's Creek/Bald Pate Connector

At the southeast corner of West Amwell Township, this area contains many historic farms and ties into Mercer County’s Bald Pate Mountain Preserve, Howell Farm, and Pleasant Valley Historic District. It is a linchpin in the Crossroads of the American Revolution concept. Important Moore’s Creek headwaters, fertile farmland, and old forest should be protected. The Wagner property, which will be a recreational park, and the Newhouse property are already preserved. There is a good probability of donated property in this area.

3. Central Sourlands

In the midst of West Amwell’s Sourland tract, this node contains the Municipal building property, forested reservoir areas and the Mt. Airy Historic District. Environmentally important perched wetlands are located in this region.

4. Swan Creek/Lower Alexauken

Approximately 100 acres in the northwestern corner of the township are already dedicated to open space. This is a steep-slope area, a connector between two sub-watersheds (Alexauken and Swan Creek), and a connection to the D&R Greenway along the Delaware.

5. Rockefeller/Sourlands

At the northeastern edge of the township, this is an area rich in history, containing Rockefeller family burial grounds, stream headwaters of Stony Brook and Peter’s Brook, a Neshanic River Tributary. It provides links with East Amwell open spaces and greenways. The county parks plan suggests that all land along the Sourland Ridge should be preserved in cooperation with other jurisdictions, establishing a forest greenway with recreational trails in the high quality forest extending from West Amwell through the county border.

6. Upper Alexauken

The northermost node in West Amwell includes lakes, Alexauken headwaters, and is an important groundwater recharge area. It is prime wildlife habitat and an important hunting nexus. This node and the D node connect Alexauken Creek and the Route 179 Corridor.

Open Space Questionnaire Results shows how residents of West Amwell feel about the Open Space issues.

The Benefits of Open Space, The Great Swamp Watershed Association, by Leonard W. Hamilton, Ph.D., Rutgers University, Science and Technology Advisor http://www.greatswamp.org/benefits.html 

10/12/00