TRENTON—On the shores of Round Valley Reservoir, New Jersey's largest
reservoir, the state's five largest environmental and outdoor
recreation groups today, Earth Day, joined Governor McGreevey and DEP
Commissioner Campbell as they announced a major initiative to
significantly strengthen protections of key waterways across the state.
"Governor
McGreevey has given us lot to celebrate this Earth Day. This
initiative, the latest in a list of very positive actions taken by the
Administration to protect the environment, gives substantial new
protections to the state's last clean water sources. We look forward to
working with the Administration to implement it," said Dena Mottola,
Acting Director of NJPIRG.
Prior to the announcement,
special designation was applied narrowly to the state's waterways,
failing to protect 14 of the state's 15 largest reservoirs and most of
the state's largest rivers and streams that serve as drinking water
sources. The presence of trout reproduction was the primary factor in
determining which New Jersey waterways receive special protective
designation.
"The
Governor's announcement today represents a sea change from the Whitman
Administration—factoring in public health, landscape, and stream
ecology in developing protections for water supplies may seem like
common sense, but until now, they were all too commonly ignored," said
David Pringle, Campaign Director of the New Jersey Environmental
Federation.
"Anytime
we protect streams, it enhances protection for fish habitat and the
environment. The New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and
the Jersey Coast Anglers Association are happy the Governor is taking
the first step in upgrading more of New Jersey streams and working
towards the goal of making all of New Jersey streams fishable," said
Tom Fote, Legislative Chairman of both groups.
"Congratulations
to the Governor for protecting the water supply for millions of people
in New Jersey. Now reservoirs will have more protection than a mud
puddle in a parking lot. This will not only mean better quality water,
but it gives us some tools to stop sprawl from affecting water quality
in reservoirs," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra
Club.
The Governor's Earth Day Clean Water Initiative includes:
1) Immediate upgrades of nearly a dozen reservoirs, stream and river
segments to special protective status known as "Category One" under the
state's stream classification system. Under the federal Clean Water
Act's anti-degradation policy, the state must give special protections
to water segments and reservoirs it deems Category One. The quality of
Category One reservoirs and water segments must be maintained. No
permit may be granted that would measurably or calculably change their
quality.
2)
The launch of a longer, more in-depth process that will result in a
more comprehensive list of waterways across the state that will receive
the special designation (Category One) and the substantial protections
that come with the designation. In the process of identifying waterways
for special designation, the DEP will consider a range of criteria,
especially the use of the waterway as public water supply, habitat for
threatened and endangered species, and other environmental values that
the waterway embodies.
3)
A commitment to integrate Category One protections throughout all the
state's several major water regulatory packages, when they are
considered for updates. The state has at least six major regulatory
packages related to water, including: ground water, storm water,
surface water quality standards, watershed management, site
remediation, and water allocation. The DEP has already begun
considering updates to the storm and ground water rules and will be
considering changes to the watershed management rules later this year.
The
Governor's Initiative will not only deliver cleaner water, but
establishes the necessary tools to limit development in certain places
where it is inappropriate.
Protection
of critical waterways is the best way to curb development in certain
places where it isn't appropriate and encourage smart growth. The
Category One designation of a water segment triggers the establishment
of a buffer zone around it to ensure that the quality of the waterway
is not degraded. Development near waterways is the single biggest
factor in water degradation, burdening waterways with nutrients and
bacteria from sewer discharge and urban run-off. 65% of New Jersey
waterways assessed by the DEP violate the state's standard for
phosphorus and nearly all waterways assessed violate the standard for
fecal coliform (bacteria).
David Pringle, NJEF, (732) 996-4288
Jeff Tittel, Sierra Club, (609) 558-9100
Tom Fote, JCAA / NJSFSC, (732) 270-9102
