Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River

Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River. A River to Enjoy and Protect. , In 1992 Congress passed a Public Law 102-536 which designated segments of the Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries in the State of New Jersey as components of the National Wild and Scenic River System. The designation of 129 miles of the River and its tributaries includes 24.6 miles as scenic and 104.4 miles as recreational. The National Park Service, through the Secretary of the Interior, was given responsibility for assuring the long term protection of the designated corridor by jointly working with the twelve municipalities, as well as county, state, federal, nonprofit agencies., The Great Egg Harbor River and its tributaries flow from pineland forests to the west, through areas of fresh water wetlands, and on the salt marshes of the estuary. The Great Egg Harbor Bay flows to the Atlantic Ocean providing a rich and diverse habitat for birds fish and mammals., The Great Egg Harbor River not only shares in the diverse habitats it passes through but carries with it the vitality of the rich historical and cultural heritage of southern New Jersey., The Great Egg Harbor River has served the communities it flows through from the time of Native American encampments to the present. The river has supported industry in peace and war, ship building, and fishing. Today the river serves as a major source of recreation for many residents and visitors. Its rich ecological diversity provides hunting grounds for the American Bald Eagle and Osprey. It is home to song birds, waterfowl, raptors, and a great variety of mammals, reptiles, and fish. It is an important link in the life cycle of migrating shore birds as well as the shell fish and marine life beyond the estuary.