January 22, 2018 (rt23 news) - The West Brook Preserve is one of the most important watershed properties remaining in the State of New Jersey and contains the source of the West Brook, one of the primary sources of water for the Wanaque Reservoir, which provides two million New Jersey residents drinking water. The Preserve contains a valley with steep rocky hillsides, vast wetlands, and a Category One trout production stream, a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection designation indicating clean, high-quality water. The Land Conservancy will remove a house from the property, create a parking lot, and develop hiking trails within the Preserve. Additionally, studies will continue to restore the natural hydrology of the Preserve, which has been damaged by past construction. ​

Over the past decade, The Land Conservancy of New Jersey has helped to purchase and permanently preserve seven properties totaling 443 acres throughout Ringwood and West Milford in Passaic County. Acquiring the West Brook Preserve is a critical first phase in a multi-year, multi-property acquisition project to protect and preserve the Wanaque Reservoir watershed.