Posted on 11/22/2001 7:31:49 PM PST by brityank
Groups request additional protection for 30 state waterways
By Jennifer Moroz
INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFFTRENTON - A coalition of clean-water groups yesterday released the names of 30 waterways that the groups have identified as most in need of "saving" from the effects of sprawl.
In South Jersey, they pegged Rancocas Creek in Burlington County, Salem River in Salem County, Oldmans Creek in Gloucester County, and the Atlantic City Reservoir as those most in need of added protection. The other rivers, streams and reservoirs are concentrated in northern and central New Jersey.
The waterways, including 14 reservoirs, deserve the highest level of protection under law because they are sources of drinking water, provide habitat for threatened and endangered species, and are in "sprawl belts," the groups said.
"There should be places in New Jersey that are protected with a big 'hands off' sign from developers," said Doug O'Malley of the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group. "We need clean-water regulations that protect these areas from inappropriate development and subsequent . . . pollution."
Currently, streams where trout breed are the most protected waterways in New Jersey; regulations prevent any measurable degradation of their quality.
To bring the 30 waterways to that level of protection, the groups are asking for buffer zones to keep development at a greater distance, stronger regulation of storm-water runoff, a crackdown on sewer discharges, and strict environmental studies to ensure that pollution does not exceed acceptable levels.
Such protections could be included in the state's proposed Surface Water Quality Standards, which were drafted under former Gov. Christie Whitman. The groups have asked acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco to kill that proposal so that new rules can be drawn up after Gov.-elect James E. McGreevey takes office in January. McGreevey pledged during his campaign to be a strong advocate for the environment.
As backup, the groups have drafted a bill - and garnered support from the majority of the legislature - to legislate the changes instead.
Debra Hammond, assistant director of the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Watershed Management, said adequate protections for all of the state's waters are already in place, and that the department was diligent in minimizing pollution.
"You can always have more protections, but they are protected," she said.
Nancy Wittenberg, director of environmental affairs for the New Jersey Builders Association, called the environmental groups' proposal "ridiculous," saying developers already had to meet stringent environmental criteria to build, even near the 30 waterways.
"We're already probably the most controlled industry in the state," she said. "This would clearly stop development everywhere."
Jennifer Moroz's e-mail address is jmoroz@phillynews.com.
Have the fools in New Joisey ever considered that more protected land= less available land= more expensive housing?
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
I give thanks for every one of the 43 years I have lived in the greatest country in the world -- all thanks to a bunch of terrorists with altruistic ideals. :^)
"...all thanks to a bunch of terrorists with altruistic ideals."
The terrorists grossly misjudged us. ;o)
this link?
-The Thoreau Institute Urban Growth and Transportation Studies--
has a lot of info & opinion refuting the "urban sprawl," "Lite rail/mass transit" and related items...
And more here:
Now there's a motto for the control freaks: "Stop Development Everywhere." ;^(
Hope them fellas in Joisey are bracin' for the flood a bureaucrats that this will unleash upon them...God help 'em.
I hate making dumb mistakes like that. I wish I had a dime for every time I made one.
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