Ringwood residents ask Passaic County to stop roadside herbicide spraying near Wanaque Reservoir

Jennifer Hsu, chairperson of Sustainable Ringwood’s Green Team, told the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 that roadside herbicide spraying along Greenwood Lake Turnpike (Route 511) and Salzburg Road (Route 697) is killing vegetation adjacent to the Wanaque Reservoir and asked the county to stop spraying those stretches.

Hsu said crews spray right next to the reservoir and in an area opposite Hewitt School; she reported persistent bands of dead plants that remain through the summer and said the same roads on the New York side do not show the damage because New York does not spray. "These chemicals are being sprayed right next to the reservoir both along Greenwood Lake Turnpike and Slowsberg Ward 697," Hsu said, adding that the reservoir provides drinking water to Newark and other New Jersey communities.

She asked commissioners to consider alternatives to herbicide use, such as mowing or leaving the vegetation. The board acknowledged the comment and the administrator said he believed some herbicide spraying does occur on county roads; he asked Hsu for contact information to follow up and said he would speak with the county road supervisor for a more informed discussion. The administrator also said staff would gather particulars and follow up with Hsu.

No formal action was taken at the meeting. Commissioners later discussed steps for follow-up, including a staff review of herbicide use and a promised outreach to the commenter.