MILLSTONE — Eric Davis, chairman of the Millstone Township Environmental Commission, said a project dubbed “A Sign is Worth a Thousand Words” will help motorists make some important realizations about protecting a precious natural resource, namely the community’s public open space and trails.
Members of the commission noticed that township-owned public trails and open spaces were being damaged by the operators of unauthorized vehicles, according to Davis. The negative environmental impact included soil erosion, sedimentation of streams, and contamination of soil with oil and gasoline, he said.
The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions helped to address the issue by providing the Environmental Commission with a $2,500 grant to pay for 40 signs that were installed at various locations by employees of the Department of Public Works.
The signs inform park visitors about a township ordinance that prohibits the use of motor vehicles on township-owned open space and requests members of the public to report any violations they observe.
In addition to causing environmental problems, the unauthorized motor vehicles presented a safety hazard for anyone walking, biking and riding horses on the trails, Davis said.
“I want to thank the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions for this grant,” he said. “We are very excited about the opportunity to make drivers aware of the situation. Together we can preserve the beauty of our open space and trails.”
— Maureen Daye