Volunteers Needed For Cherry Hill Environmental Project

As part of Cherry Hill’s Earth Day activities, volunteers are needed to help restore the Surrey Place Stormwater Basin on Saturday, April 19, located off Cropwell Road on Longstone Drive. The basin renovation is being done to improve water quality and stormwater management of the Cooper River’s tributaries in Cherry Hill.

This is the first day of an in-depth stormwater basin revitalization project that includes five separate basin sites throughout the Township. The Camden County Soil Conservation District has partnered with Cherry Hill to enhance storm basins throughout the municipality. As part of Mayor Bernie Platt’s environmental initiatives the Township will be starting work on the new project this spring.   

“Improving the water quality of the Cooper River is not only important for Cherry Hill but also for the region, considering the impact this river has on all of us in Camden County,” Platt said. “If this project is successful and produces real results then we will start to assess other basin sites that can benefit from this type of restructuring.”

In an effort to improve water quality and control flooding, the Township will work alongside the Camden County Soil Conservation District of to restructure five storm water basin parcels throughout Cherry Hill. The five neighborhood basins to receive berms and other upgrades are:

• Surrey Place East off Longstone Drive

• Bunker Hill in the vicinity of Bunker Hill/Bobwhite/Liberty Bell Drives

• Springdale Farms off Springdale Road

• Cherry Run off Brick Road              

• Country Walk

The district and the Township have received a $171,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to track water quality and make improvements to basins that collect water from the north branch of the Cooper River recently approved by the Cooper River Regional Stormwater Management Plan.

As a partner in the project, the Township Department of Public Works will assist with construction. Also, the Cherry Hill Environmental Advisory Committee will assist with water sample collection, public environmental education, and vegetation planting.

Stormwater basins can reduce the impact of development by reducing the runoff of rainwater, improving water quality treatment, and allowing rain to seep into the ground to recharge aquifers and reduce pollution in runoff. The basins can also produce wildlife habitats, create locations for wildlife observation, and promote opportunities for residents to enjoy nature.

The basin project on Longstone Drive is located between Kilburn and Apley Drives. The digging and planting will be from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers should wear work clothes, and bring their own shovel and gloves if possible. Free pizza and beverages will be provided for lunch.

For more information on volunteering time to this project please call Earle Seneres, in the Engineering Department at (856) 424-3203 or email him at eseneres@chtownship.com. The detailed plan can be viewed by going to the Township Web site at www.cherryhill-nj.com.