The 2017 Forest Stewardship Plan (pdf, 38.6mb) aimed for 9% of Sparta Mountain WMA to be managed to achieve old growth forest over 100 years old, no more than 9% total to be in various stages of young forest—early successional habitats of 0-20 years old, with 82% of the forest to remain as it is—in the mature forest stage of 60-99 years.

The Addendum to the 2017 Forest Stewardship Plan (pdf, 300kb) was created as a compromise with stakeholders who had concerns with cutting trees. This Addendum limited the activities on Sparta Mountain WMA and further clarifies where and how forestry activities will take place, such as >400 ft from potential and certified vernal pools, >300 ft from C1 streams, and outside the drainage are for the Edison Bog. If all activities outlined in the Addendum are implemented, when combined with previous activities about 96% of the property’s 3,461 acres will be left as is.

Sparta Mountain WMA Forest Stewardship Plan Management Goals

Sparta Mountain WMA Addendum Management Goals

How DEP Plans for Management

Each plan undergoes a NJDEP Lands Management Review Process, which means it will be reviewed internally by bureaus within NJDEP’s Natural and Historic Resources prior to implementation. Rare plants experts, biologists, and foresters all review and add recommendations that will provide the least amount of impact for the entire ecosystem.

Forest Stewardship Plan Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area (pdf, 11.1mb)