In the sandy soils of the Barnegat Bay watershed, there is a tight linkage between the water quality of the shallow groundwater aquifers and the region's water supply.  Human development in the Barnegat Bay watershed has negative impacts on groundwater and instream water quality. 

Conversely, riparian corridors left in natural vegetation help reduce the impairment of adjacent stream ecosystems and serve as vital habitat for both upland and wetland dependent species.  These riparian zones serve as important corridors for fish and wildlife movement and dispersal, linking the coastal Bay and interior NJ Pinelands habitats.