HISTORY
In the mid-1990s Monmouth County was split into parts based on watersheds.
Panhandle Regional Environmental Planning Council
(Millstone, Upper Freehold, and Allentown Borough)
Neighboring municipalities later invited to join the Panhandle Council to form the Greenway Group
Hamilton and Washington (Robbinsville) Townships - Mercer County
Plumsted Township - Ocean County
The
Greenway Group had its first meeting in September 2001
Greenway Group members (Regular and Alternates) were appointed by their
municipal governing bodies.
The
Greenway Group applied for NJ DEP Office of Environmental Services
(OES) grant in late 2001.
Each of the six municipal governing bodies contributed a $2,500 match
for a total of $15,000
(The $15,000
NJDEP grant was awarded for a Project total of $30,000)
Each of the municipal Environmental Commissions went without the opportunity to apply for their own individual municipal grant in the interest of the regional goal.
Only one grant per municipality per year is awarded.
Three firms responded to an RFP to develop a Greenway Plan.
F.X.
Browne, Inc. was selected in August 2002 to develop the Plan. The
Plan was completed April 2004.
In October 2004, the Greenway Group received the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) Environmental Achievement Award.
Febraury 22, 2005, the Crafts Creek Spring Hill Brook Watershed filed a Certificate of Incorporation in the State of New Jersey, with original Board of Trustees; Terri Hammill, Robert Arenge, Carol Walder, and Dean R. Fasick, with Robert Tallon serving as the Association Business Administrator.
June 12, 2008, the Greenway Group filed a Certificate of Incorporation in the State of New Jersey, thus becoming a stand-alone organization known as the Crosswicks - Doctors Creek Watershed Association, Inc. (CDCWA) with original Board of Trustees; Marc Covitz, Haig Kasabach, Walter Helfrecht, Greg Westfall, and Betsey Pointsett.
October 21, 2010, CDCWA received its determination of tax-exempt status from the IRS.
March 2024 to March 2025, Both watersheds continued to operate independantly as they began work on planning a potential merger of the two organizations.
This strategic union strengthens their shared mission to restore, protect, and enhance the health of streams, lakes, wildlife, and the overall environment within New Jersey Water Management Area 20 (WMA20) and surrounding areas.
February 2, 2025, Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation was filed creating the "Central New Jersey Watershed Association, Inc." a 501(c)(3) non-profit organiization."
The Association is organized as a non-profit conservation and educational entity under IRS 501(c)(3).