SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – In accordance with the 2021 Addendum, forest management activities planned for the 2025/26 year are now open for public comment, according to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officials.
As outlined in the 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan, forest management activities will take place next fall/winter (November 2025 – March 2026) in the form of a modified seed tree prescription on 10 acres within Stand 18. This prescription will likely retain around 20 square feet of basal area per acre across the 10-acre site, promoting the growth of young oak and hickory trees, blackberries, sedges, and a variety of other native shrubs and saplings.
These efforts will also help create breeding and/or foraging habitat for the 80 different bird species that have been observed using other managed sites on Sparta Mountain WMA.
The trees to be retained will primarily be co-dominant or dominant size classes that are in good vigor for long-term growth. In some instances, clusters of trees may be preserved, even if they don’t meet the typical size criteria, if they offer high wildlife value (e.g., stems with advanced decay, cavities, or exfoliating bark).
Additionally, desirable trees that are underrepresented in the area (such as white oak and black cherry) may be retained to enhance diversity. White ash trees that do not show signs of Emerald Ash Borer infestation may also be preserved to maintain genetic diversity in case these trees are resistant to the pest.
Maps of the draft location can be viewed and downloaded on the Sparta Mountain Updates webpage.
Please note that the draft location shown on the maps is larger than 10 acres but complies with the site-selection criteria (outside the buffers) outlined in the July 2021 Addendum to the approved 2017 Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan. However, management activities this winter will only occur on 10 acres within the designated area. The boundaries of this 10-acre site will be finalized after March 31, 2025. Once the location is field-marked, no further comments or changes can be considered due to contract procedures and costs, as stated in the 2021 Addendum.
Work is set to begin on or after November 16, 2025, and all tree felling will be completed by or before March 31, 2026. Any tree stands, blinds, or other items in the area when work begins must be removed. For safety reasons, the area will be temporarily closed to unauthorized personnel during the work.
Comments can be emailed to sharon.petzinger@dep.nj.gov by March 31, 2025.
