WHEREAS, a state of water supply emergency was declared in 1995, 1999
and 2002; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey has suffered from unusually dry weather conditions
since 1998, with precipitation throughout the State during 2000 and 2001
among the lowest on record; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey is divided into six drought regions, based on watershed
location and other conditions relevant to water supply, as follows: Central
Drought Region (Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties, and parts of Hunterdon,
Mercer and Morris Counties); Coastal North Drought Region (parts of Monmouth
and Ocean Counties); Coastal South Drought Region (Atlantic, Cape May
and Cumberland Counties, and parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester,
Ocean and Salem Counties); Northeast Drought Region (Bergen, Passaic,
Hudson and parts of Essex and Morris Counties); Northwest Drought Region
(Sussex and Warren Counties, and part of Hunterdon County) and Southwest
Drought Region (parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Monmouth
and Salem Counties); and
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2002, the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection issued a drought warning for the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest,
Coastal South and Coastal North Drought Regions, due to the precipitation
deficit, record low ground water levels and stream flows, and depleted
reservoir levels; and
WHEREAS, Executive Order No. 11 was issued on March 4, 2002, for the
purpose of declaring a state of water emergency due to drought conditions
throughout New Jersey, characterized by a protracted period of dry weather
conditions and significantly depleted surface and ground water levels,
including unprecedented low stream flows across the State; and
WHEREAS, coordinated water management measures exercised by water suppliers,
citizens, businesses and institutions, municipalities, counties, and the
State, including water conservation efforts and voluntary and mandatory
water use restrictions, effectively curtailed water use demands and allowed
for the preservation of available supplies; and
WHEREAS, abundant rainfall across the State this fall and early winter
contributed significantly toward eradication of the precipitation deficit,
restoration of stream flows, and replenishment of water supply storage
in critical northeastern New Jersey reservoirs; and
WHEREAS, concerns regarding long-term climatic trends suggest that considerable
attention must still be devoted to the stabilization of available water
supplies through efficient management and prudent use of the resource;
and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and necessary to remain vigilant by continuing
voluntary water conservation practices that are beneficial and essential
to the preservation of available water supplies;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New
Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
- The state of water emergency declared by Executive Order No. 11 is
hereby terminated in all six New Jersey drought regions based upon the
facts and circumstances set forth above.
- The Department shall strictly enforce the terms and conditions of
all water allocation permits and water registrations.
- With respect to the Atlantic County Townships of Egg Harbor, Galloway,
and Hamilton, the Commissioner is to continue to exercise the authority
and discretion granted to him by statute and regulation to ensure that
new development and new water connections can be supported by the water
supply on a sustained yield basis.
- With respect to the Townships of Egg Harbor, Galloway, and Hamilton,
and other growth receiving areas under the Pinelands Comprehensive Management
Plan, the Commissioner shall coordinate with affected mayors and with
the Chairman and Members of the Pinelands Commission in developing a long-term
strategy to address growth management needs in the area.
- With respect to Statewide water supply challenges, the Commissioner
is directed to develop and implement a short-term and long-term strategy
to strengthen protection of New Jersey's water supply, and to reduce the
frequency and severity of drought emergencies affecting our communities.
- All persons are encouraged to use water wisely and to comply fully
with any water use measures imposed by applicable municipalities and counties,
or water suppliers servicing their areas.
- This Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 8th day of
January in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand
and Three, and of the Independence of the United
States, the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh.
/s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor
[seal]
Attest:
/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor