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Paramus- "land of the wild turkey"
JDME notes in their application  that "the site to be developed is located in an environmentally critical area as delineated in the Borough’s 1975 Natural Resource Inventory and any amendments thereto. They go on to say that the site to be developed is located in the 100 Year Flood Plain as delineated on either FEMA maps or NJ DEP flood maps. The site development would require the removal of trees of six inches or greater in true diameter, would introduce change in the quality and/or quantity of present storm-water runoff, would require the import or removal of soil from the area, would require directing surface drainage into a watercourse, would impact Borough services, increase local traffic, and excavation required for the development would penetrate the high water table in existence at the site".In addition, several waivers are requested and many variances and approvals would be required. These are all major concerns that would have a direct impact on the residents of Paramus, Bergen County, and the State of New Jersey as a whole.

 Additional environmental concerns must also be mentioned. The area is completely wooded, with “Palustrine forested” wetlands dominating the site. This parcel of land is said to contain a number of trees and vegetation including; black locust, tree of heaven, big tooth aspen, smooth sumac, silver maple, black cherry, white snakeroot, Japanese honeysuckle, European bittersweet, field garlic, garlic mustard, red maple, American elm, common reed, jewel reed, spicebush, and others. It is characterized by both “forested area and forested wetlands”, both identified as “suitable habitats for bird priority species”. Mention has also been made to “vernal habitat”.  Ducks, hawks, deer, wild turkeys (such as the one pictured above), turtles, rabbits, birds and other wildlife species have been observed. Paramus is “the number one Tree City USA in the State of New Jersey and is recognized on both the state and national levels as the preeminent Tree City USA in New Jersey”. Shade Trees & Parks is aware of this proposal and has submitted a report to the Board of Adjustment. "The loss of trees in this critical area will be a loss felt far and wide, not only for air quality, but wetlands protection and flooding”. The Paramus tax assessor was recently quoted as saying that this property is assessed at $221,000 and has never been developed because it is wetlands. A recent search of the tax records lists Shamrock Creek, LLC as the owner and seems to indicate that the 35+ acre parcel was purchased for $90,000. One would think that the seller would have asked for much more if he/she believed the land to be developable.

 
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