BEESLEYS POINT — Beesleys Point Development Group, owner and designated redeveloper of the former B.L. England Generating Station site, cleared invasive species through a controlled burn Feb. 26.
BPDG bought the property, which is about 350 acres, in November 2021 and is working on plans for commercial, residential and recreational development at the site of a former coal-fired power plant.
The burn, conducted in coordination with the state Department of Environmental Protection Forest Fire Service and Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, was part of the process of preparing the property for development.
The BPDG’s David Kreutz said phragmites had taken up residence on large swaths of the property.
Phragmites is an aggressive, nonnative plant that is threatening the ecological health of New Jersey wetlands and coastal shorelines.
“Phragmites at B.L. England has displaced many of our most treasured native plants and overtaken the beautiful ponds on the site,” Kreutz stated in a news release. “The very presence of this aggressive grass has replaced high-quality, complex communities of native plants over thousands of acres of New Jersey wetlands and coastal areas. The rapid expansion of this variety of phragmites has resulted in adverse ecological, economic and social impacts on the natural resources and people of New Jersey.”
Kreutz stated the burn effectively removed several acres of phragmites.
“Our long-term vision for the property is to eradicate all invasive non-native plants, rehabilitate the marsh and coastal areas and extend the current upland forest area,” Kreutz stated.
He added that the BPDG plans to plant thousands of native plants and trees on various areas of the site.
“Eventually, we will build raised walking paths that meander in and out of the forest and into the majestic wetlands for the community to enjoy and our youth to be inspired,” Kreutz stated.
Another major change to the site was demolition and removal of the defunct power plant’s cooling tower.
On Sept. 29, 2022, Controlled Demolition Inc. conducted a two-stage implosion of the tower. Other structures on the site that will be removed include the smokestack, which was expected in February, and oil-storage facilities.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff