Farms, surprisingly, are not the greatest source of pesticide runoff in the Rancocas Creek watershed, a yearlong study revealed. The study showed the highest concentration of pesticides comes from the many golf courses and recreational uses in the 360 square miles that constitute the creek's watershed, said Gina Berg, county water resource coordinator.
That was followed by residential lawn treatments. The lowest impact came from agricultural use of pesticides, Berg said.
"Many people thought that agricultural would be the biggest source," Berg said.
The total pesticide runoff from farms, lawns and golf courses along the creek is minimal, the study concluded. "Based on these findings, we can conclude that pesticide use is not having a major negative impact on the creek and we are pleased to hear that," said Freeholder Vincent Farias.
In April 2001 the Burlington County Freeholders paid $50,000 for the study, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and the state Department of Environmental Protection, Berg said.
Water samples were collected from the creek at four locations three times between August 2001 and July 2002, officials said.
Those locations are Smithville in Eastampton, Medford, Leisuretown in Southampton and an additional site in Southampton.
The creek starts in the Pinelands, in Manchester Township, Ocean County, and drains into the Delaware River between Delanco and Riverside.
The data collected by the USGS and the DEP was taken by Mark Robson of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, who compiled the report presented recently to county officials and at a public meeting of the Watershed Management Committee last night.
Thirty different pesticides were detected by the USGS and five by the DEP. All of the results showed that levels did not exceed the maximum contaminant levels set by both agencies, Berg said.
While the committee is working to protect the creek from nonpoint source pollution, Farias said the freeholders support sensible practices.
". . . We are compelled to continue programs that support sound farming, turf management and lawn care practices such as those offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Soil Conservation District," Farias said.
The snapshot survey is part of the committee's efforts to develop a watershed management program, officials said.
The committee wants public participation in the process. More information on the watershed and the committee can be found on the Internet at www.co.burlington.nj.us/rancocas.
By Artemis Coughlan
Trenton Times - 1/30/2003
