Also announces adoption of new category one waterbodies based on trout data

 

(WOODCLIFF LAKE) — Taking another step forward in his historic efforts to protect New Jersey’s drinking water, Governor James E. McGreevey today formally proposed strengthened water protections as part of his ongoing efforts to protect open space and stop sprawl.  The proposals apply to several lakes and tributaries that supply drinking water to the Oradell Reservoir in Bergen County, as well as ecologically sensitive streams in Hunterdon and Warren Counties.

 

“The water our children drink deserves the same protection as the water where our fish swim,” said McGreevey. “Before protections were put in place, developers and industry could literally build right on top of our state's reservoirs and streams. We changed that.  On Earth Day, we placed the highest protection possible on 15 rivers and reservoirs that provide 40 percent of the state’s drinking water. And today, we’re proposing another 300 miles of streams throughout northern and central New Jersey to safeguard our state's water resources.”

 

McGreevey proposed that 12 ecologically sensitive stream segments and tributaries in the Delaware River Watershed as well as three streams and rivers and two lakes in the Raritan and Hackensack Watersheds receive “Category One” (C1) designation. C1 designation is the highest form of water quality protection afforded by the state, preventing any measurable deterioration in existing water quality, limiting development impacts and discharges to the streams.

 

Surrounded by Woodcliff Lake Middle School students on the bank of Woodcliff Lake, the 100 year-old reservoir that feeds into the Oradell Reservoir and is being proposed for reclassification, the Governor discussed the importance of water resource protection to sustaining economic development and promoting smart growth statewide.

 

Joining him at today’s event were DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Josephine Higgins, as well as municipal officials, environmental advocates and community activists.

 

“Governor McGreevey has made protecting water supplies an ongoing priority for state, municipal and community partners to provide safe, clean drinking water for New Jersey’s families and communities,” said Commissioner Campbell. “These streams and lakes are only one step in an ongoing initiative to increase water quality protection statewide.”

 

Today’s announcement follows last April’s adoption of rules that designated nine reservoirs totaling 7,865 acres and six stream segments totaling 82 river miles as C1 waterways. Those reservoirs provide drinking water to over 3.5 million residents of the state, over 40 percent of New Jersey’s population. This was the first time ever that any Governor applied C1 protection to drinking water sources.

 

All C1 proposals announced today will appear in the November 3, 2003 New Jersey Register and are subject to a 60-day public comment period.

 

At today’s event, the Governor also announced the final adoption of C1 designations for six waterbodies in Warren, Passaic and Morris Counties.  These reclassifications are based on data showing these waters are primary trout production streams. These reclassifications were originally proposed last December and were adopted after the state received substantial support during the public comment period.

 

In his State of the State address, Governor McGreevey outlined ways to improve the overall quality of life in New Jersey, such as fighting sprawl, preserving open space and protecting our drinking water.  The Governor has made New Jersey a leader in farmland preservation with over 112,000 acres permanently preserved, and has moved aggressively on his promise to improve 200 local parks. 

 

A key component of this effort to protect drinking water and stop sprawl is Public Question No. 1 on the November 4 ballot. If approved, Public Question No. 1 would allow the Garden State Preservation Trust to issue an additional $150 million in bonds for the preservation of open space and drinking water in the Highlands, and for improvements to local parks—without costing additional money.  More information can be found at http://www.nj.gov/dep/antisprawl/ballot/

 

Attached is the list of the streams proposed today for C1 protection.

 

Bergen County

Cresskill Brook

Hackensack River

Pascack Brook

Lake Tappan 

Woodcliff Lake

 

Hunterdon/Warren Counties

Alexauken Creek

Copper Creek

Harihokake Creek

Little Nishisakawick Creek

Lockatong Creek

Lopatcong Creek

Nishisakawick Creek

Plum Brook

Pohatcong Creek

Rockaway Creek South Branch

Shabbecong Creek

Wickecheoke Creek

 

C1 Waterbodies Adopted Due to Trout Population Criteria

Bowers Brook

Tunnel Brook

Macopin River 

Mill Brook

Pequannock River

Wallace Brook

Paulins Kill