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"You can't turn back time and put those trees back, and it will take hundreds of years for them to regrow," said The Raptor Trust's Soucy. BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Environmental and wildlife impacts have been raised after Bridgewater Township claimed Somerset County cut down hundreds of trees were last week at Washington Valley Park. In an effort to stop the "destruction" of Washington Valley Park, Bridgewater Township has launched a petition, demanding immediate action and reparation from the Somerset County Board of Commissioners. Environmental and Wildlife Impacts "There are environmental concerns that it's somewhat ironic to cut down a bunch of trees in a park that is supposed to be preserved for exactly its nature and an untouched type of facility," said Mayor Matthew Moench to Patch in an interview last week. Patch reached out to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to ask if Somerset County had requested an NJDEP environmental impact study before starting the project at Washington Valley Park. NJDEP Press Officer Vincent Grassi told Patch, "The matter is under review by DEP’s Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Compliance & Enforcement." Bridgewater has claimed that the removal of hundreds of trees and erosion of soil will increase runoff and erode potential downslopes towards Vosseller Avenue and nearby systems. This is in the same area where the Township said they spent $1.1 million to reconstruct the western slope of Vosseller Avenue following Hurricane Ida, and contends the completed work is at risk of destruction. Chris Soucy, an Executive Director with The Raptor Trust — a wild bird rehabilitation center located in the Millington section of Long Hill Township — also noted the impact to wildlife living at Washington Valley Park. "From an impact on wild bird populations, the Watchung Ridge is an important migratory flyway for migrating birds, whether it's Raptors or songbirds. It could be the tiniest little chickadee or it could be the biggest bald eagle, but that's a flyway that birds have been using for millions of years," said Soucy. "And it's a hugely important part of their natural life cycle to be able to travel on those ridges and things that disturb the environment and impact their ability to stop for a meal, or find a roost overnight, or even catch the right updraft. If there are that many trees in that biggest space being laid bare, it might literally affect the microclimate." Soucy continued to talk about the impact to animals on land as well. "It's not just birds that fly over that spot. I mean, what about every single animal that called that stretch of woods home because now 500 trees are gone," said Soucy to Patch. "Not even endangered species, but like every salamander, every spider, every rabbit, every Coyote, all those things are now displaced forever." The 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization was founded by Soucy's parents, Len and Diane, who began by helping injured birds of prey out of their home before they established it as a nonprofit. Soucy estimates that The Raptor Trust helps around 6,000 birds a year, and they do release birds at Washington Valley Park from time to time, with cooperation from Somerset County Parks Division. Washington Valley Park is well-known as a Hawk Watch. "From August through November, the Washington Valley Park Hawk Watch Area is host to several hundred hawkwatchers from all over the northeastern United States. They come to witness the thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles flying overhead, sometimes just over the treetops. Armed with binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras, the hawkwatchers wait patiently while keeping an eye in the sky," according to Somerset County. Soucy said the removal of the trees to that park will be felt for generations to come. "You can't turn back time and put those trees back, and it will take hundreds of years for them to regrow," said Soucy. "That piece of land is disturbed and impacted for generations." Petition The petition demands that Somerset County and the Somerset County Park Commission immediately: halt their ongoing destruction of the local environment, organize an effort to repair the damage they've caused, analyze the stormwater effects of what they've already done in a totally transparent way and release to the public all environmental documentation related to this project provide assurances that this will not occur in other County parks and open spaces "This petition is open to all Somerset County residents. While this issue certainly had its genesis in Bridgewater, its importance stretches well beyond our Township borders now," said Moench. "Washington Valley Park is certainly used by residents throughout the County and even the State. Even more critically, our concerns about historical preservation, environmental integrity, and stormwater management are universal to residents everywhere." The petition was launched by the Township after Somerset County Superior Court Judge Haekyoung Suh on Friday denied the Township's Complaint and Order to Show Cause, seeking temporary restraints against Somerset County and the County's Park Commission. The Township filed a lawsuit on Oct. 16 and an injunction against Somerset County after they claimed more than 300 trees were cut down at Washington Valley Park, despite contract documents authorizing the removal of only 37 trees for the construction of an "access road" between Vosseller Avenue and the Hawk Watch/White Rock area of the park. Somerset County told Patch that its long-standing policy is to refrain from commenting on issues connected with active litigation. "However, due to misinformation being shared with residents, the County would like to clarify that Bridgewater was contacted in January 2025 with an overview of the project (see the letter here), and Bridgewater representatives additionally participated in the preconstruction meeting hosted in September 2025 (per their request)," according to Somerset County. Previous Reporting: Judge Denies Bridgewater's Request To Stop Work At Washington Valley Park Bridgewater Sues Somerset County Claiming 300 Trees Cut Down At Washington Valley Park Hundreds Of Trees Chopped Down At Washington Valley Park, Bridgewater Says Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
