New Jersey environmental groups support preservation of the Deep Voll Ravine

Eight environmental organizations have expressed their strong support for the preservation of Deep Voll Ravine in Wyckoff and oppose the approval of the controversial application from Barrister Home Construction to develop the 13- acre site.

The Sierra Club, Passaic River Coalition, Fyke Nature Association, New Jersey Audubon Society, Lower Passaic and Saddle River Alliance, The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation have all written opposing the development and asking that the ravine be preserved.

On September 8, 2007, the state chapter of the Sierra Club passed a resolution supporting “permanent preservation of this land as a nature preserve,” and calling on the Mayor and Township Committee of Wyckoff to “take all actions necessary to purchase this land for…open space.” For the full text of the resolution, click here.

“We believe the creation of a nature sanctuary and environmental education center at the Deep Voll Ravine is the best course for this remarkable tract of land,” Ella Filippone, executive director of the Passaic River Coalition, said in her letter.

“The ravine and its woods also provide open space that is treasured by walkers, joggers and wildlife watchers from near and far,” wrote Betsy Kohn, co-chair of the North Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club.

All of the letters strongly support current efforts to preserve the tract, and note its special historical, geological, aesthetic and ecological value. Other letters note the huge increase in flooding and degradation of water quality that the unrelenting pace of development has caused downstream.

“Preservation of the Deep Voll Ravine is not only instrumental in the protection of our water quality, but it also provides an escape from the ever-growing urban landscape of northern New Jersey,” Thomas A. Pietrykoski, chairman of the Lower Passaic and Saddle River Alliance wrote.

“We know that less building, more trees, less paving, all create recharge areas, which are an important barrier against flooding,” wrote Barbara O’Brien, president of the League of Women Voters of Ridgewood.

Sierra Club—North Jersey Group The Sierra Club, the country’s oldest and largest environmental advocacy organization, with more than 23,000 members in New Jersey. In its letter, the Sierra Club points out that the ravine is treasured by walkers, joggers and wildlife watchers from near and far. Read endorsement

Passaic River Coalition Founded in 1969, the Passaic River Coalition seeks to improve the water quality of the Passaic River and its tributaries. The Deep Brook at the ravine site as you know flows into Goffle Brook and is only about a half-dozen miles from the Passaic River. The Coalition’s letter notes the historical, environmental and aesthetic importance of the ravine as a natural resource. Read endrosement

Fyke Nature Association Fyke was founded in 1952 by a group of people strongly dedicated to saving undeveloped tracts of land in Bergen County. Its most famous sanctuary is the Celery Farm in Allendale. The Fyke Nature Association’s letter strongly supports the efforts being made to preserve the Deep Voll Ravine as open space. Read endorsement

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions was founded in 1969 to help municipalities, individuals and local and state agencies preserve natural resources and open space. Its letter notes the historical, environmental, and aesthetic importance of the ravine. Read endorsement

Lower Passaic and Saddle River Alliance The Alliance is made up of over 30 local community groups, businesses, state and federal agencies and local citizens working to improve and protect the natural resources of the Lower Passaic River watershed. It letter notes the importance of preservation of the Deep Voll Ravine to water quality and a place to escape the continuing urbanization of our landscape. Read endorsement

The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood The League of Women voters of Ridgewood is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League’s letter makes particular notice about the increased flooding of communities downstream of the Deep Voll Ravine and how the ravine is uniquely suited for preservation. Read endorsement

New Jersey Audubon Society Founded in 1897, the New Jersey Audubon Society fosters environmental awareness and a conservation. It calls for a nature sanctuary and environmental education center at Deep Voll. That's what I would like to talk about next. Read endorsement

New Jersey Conservation Foundation was founded in 1960 and  protects  more than 100,000 acres of open space, promoting strong land use policies, and forging partnerships to achieve conservation goals. Read endorsement