GUEST COLUMN: Lambertville environmentalists help save tax dollars

By Amy Wells
   Did you know the Lambertville Environmental Commission (LEC) and the Lambertville Recycling Committee (LRC) did the research that led to the new enhanced recycling program and helped the City of Lambertville generate over $28,000:?
   That’s right. Not only is the new single stream program much more user friendly in allowing residents to commingle all materials in one container and recycle additional materials such as plastics #1-#7 and cardboard, but in 2008 the new contract generated $28,000 of revenue from the sale of our materials vs. paying $45,000 to dispose of the materials as trash. The LEC also helps municipal employees meet NJ Solid Waste Management public education requirements by drafting the recycling information materials distributed in the biannual mailing and to the public during the Shad Festival. Information regarding the City’s single stream recycling program and a list of acceptable items to recycle, are available on the Public Works section of the City’s Web page at: www.lambertvillenj.org .
   Beyond solid waste issues, the LEC took the leading role in drafting the municipal stormwater management plan. NJ Stormwater Management regulations require municipalities to distribute information and mark storm drain inlets with messages reminding people that storm drains are connected to local water bodies. For the past several years, the LEC has fulfilled this responsibility by drafting information releases and engaging Lambertville Girl Scout Troop 800 and the LPS sixth-grade class with the placement of markers on storm drains reminding residents that our stormwater drains into the river. (Now you know how those little fish got on those drains.)
   Recently, the LEC revised the Lambertville Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI), which has since been adopted by the Planning Board and is now part of the Lambertville Master Plan. This 45-page document provides the baseline data and is a tool to be used in monitoring changes that might occur in connection with land use and water resources and is intended to inform the City’s residents about the environmental resources in Lambertville. The document is available at: www.lambertvillenj.org/filestorage/761/ERI_2008_May.pdf.
   Lambertville’s all-volunteer Environmental Commission has seven members, appointed by the mayor, one of whom must also be a member of the Planning Board. The Lambertville Environmental Commission is dedicated to creating environmental awareness, understanding, and appreciation in order to protect and sustain our city’s natural resources. Our mission is to vigorously advocate for the long-term protection of Lambertville’s natural resources and to be an environmental education source for all of its citizens. Our objective is to meet this mission by 1) advising City Council, the Planning Board and Zoning Board about open-space preservation and sustainable municipal policies and practices, 2) educating residents about environmental issues, and 3) working with neighboring commissions and other organizations to meet these goals.
   The LEC’s next monthly meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 18 at the Lambertville City Hall and the public is welcome to attend. For more information call City Hall at 609-397-0110 or click on the Lambertville Environmental Commission’s link at: www.lambertvillenj.org.
    Amy Wells, Lambertville Environmental Commission.