Newark directors outline Peconic Watershed security upgrades, encroachment enforcement and revenue concerns

Kareem Adin, director of the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities, told the Newark Municipal Council on Oct. 7 that the city-owned Peconic Watershed covers roughly 74.6 square miles (about 37,000 acres) across four counties and contains five reservoirs with a combined raw water capacity of about 15,500,000,000 gallons.

The watershed has undergone security upgrades since 2022, Adin said, including infrared cameras, Internet connectivity to dam areas, road improvements, and the addition of vehicles, ATVs and drones. “We now fly 2 drones,” Adin said. He said the city completed phase 1 of a security plan in 2022 and recently put out bids for phase 2 work, which includes additional fencing in the Cedar Grove area and drainage improvements.

Donnell Redding, director of Recreation, Culture Affairs and Senior Services, presented operating and revenue details for Camp Watershed, saying the department collected $94,978 in 2022, $82,940 in 2023, $88,258 in 2024 and year-to-date revenue of $90,017 in 2025. Redding described recurring problems with nonresidents using facilities, vandalism, unpermitted activity and ATVs and recommended raising nonresident fees while keeping Newark resident fees stable.

Adin and Redding said the city has identified about 300 potential encroachments in a watershed encroachment study and has begun sending cease-and-desist letters. The city has partnered with Greystone and hired Michael Baker to follow up and prepare potential court actions. Adin said a study of a watershed security force has been completed and is under review by the law department and administration.

Council members asked for details on staffing, equipment and enforcement. Adin listed current personnel assigned to watershed operations as five foresters, two engineers, three security personnel and four maintenance workers. He said the city has seven assigned vehicles (not counting ATVs), three ATVs, and six boats — three at the watershed, two at Cedar Grove and one for the water department.

Councilman Quintana asked for an assessment of a recent fire. Adin said a wildfire burned about 800 acres and was contained in roughly three days; he noted the state Department of Environmental Protection had issued a drought warning. “The latest fire ... burnt 800 acres,” Adin said, and explained that controlled burns — used in other states — were a topic the city had discussed with the state.

Council members and directors discussed options to increase revenue beyond fee hikes, including leasing parcels, pursuing cabin/overnight camp opportunities near the watershed office and enforcing trespass and permit requirements more aggressively. Redding said part-time staffing levels have reduced collection capacity and that returning to a prior staffing level would improve enforcement and collections.

On enforcement, Adin described a combination of drone monitoring, license-plate identification and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions’ police to track and pursue trespassing and illegal activity on city land. He said the city sends notices and may pursue legal action or leases where allowed by conservation easements.

The directors did not present formal ordinances or staffing authorizations at the Oct. 7 meeting. They sought council direction on fee structure changes and additional staffing and flagged further administrative or legal steps would be required for enforcement and to stand up any watershed police force.

Council members said they want additional detail and follow-up on the encroachment list, revenue projections tied to staffing changes, and the status of phase 2 bids and the security-force study.