New Jersey waterways to be protected by new law.Landmark legislation that will protect New Jersey's Highlands region--the source of water for more than 4 million residents--from over-development was signed into law this month by Gov. James E. McGreevey. The measure (S-1/A-2635) was sponsored by assemblymen John McKeon John Mckeon (March 29, 1808 - November 22, 1883) was a U.S. Representative from New York. Born in Albany, New York, Mckeon attended private schools and was graduated from the law department of Columbia College (later Columbia University), New York City, in 1828. , Louis Manzo Louis Manzo (born February 28, 1955, Jersey City, New Jersey) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2004, where he represents the 31st legislative district. , Robert Gordon For other uses of "Robert Gordon", see Robert Gordon (disambiguation). Robert Gordon (1668-1731), a 17th century merchant and philanthropist, was born in Aberdeen. He was the only son of Arthur Gordon who married Isabella Menzies of Balgownie. , Michael Panter and Reed Gusciora Reed Gusciora (born March 27, 1960 in Passaic, New Jersey) is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, where he represents the 15th legislative district. . "This is our best opportunity to ensure that one of the state's most important and environmentally sensitive regions is not ruined by over-development," said McKeon. "We have worked hard to construct a plan that will preserve our drinking water drinking water supply of water available to animals for drinking supplied via nipples, in troughs, dams, ponds and larger natural water sources; an insufficient supply leads to dehydration; it can be the source of infection, e.g. leptospirosis, salmonellosis, or of poisoning, e.g. while reining-in sprawl. It preserves the rights of property owners and fulfills the clean water needs of nearly four million New Jerseyans." The law will incorporate regional planning regional planning: see city planning. incentives to shill shill Slang n. One who poses as a satisfied customer or an enthusiastic gambler to dupe bystanders into participating in a swindle. v. shilled, shill·ing, shills v.intr. development in the New Jersey Highlands from environmentally fragile areas to growth areas and prohibit large-scale development in core watershed lands. "By preserving the Highlands, we can now redirect growth and economic opportunity back to the areas which can best support it--including our core urban and suburban areas," said Manzo. "The goal of this law is to ensure that we leave one of the last unspoiled parts of our state for future generations. Safeguarding our water and woodlands now means our children and grandchildren will benefit from the Highlands for years to come." "This is environmental protection legislation for the ages," added Gordon. "This will have positive ramifications ramifications npl → Auswirkungen pl for generations of New Jerseyans--environmentally, economically and socially." The Highlands region encompasses all or parts of seven counties across northwestern New Jersey. It yields almost 400 million gallons of drinking water daily to residents in the northern and central parts of the state--amounting to roughly half of New Jersey's population. The dual threats of suburban sprawl and drought led to a call for greater protection of the region from development. Among its provisions, the law will establish a distinct boundary for the Highlands protection area, which will include 88 municipalities across Bergen, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties. Within those municipalities, protected lands will be broken into two different areas--a preservation area, in which development will be strictly regulated, and a planning area, in which development will be monitored but not as strictly controlled. The law will also create a Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (or Highlands Council for short) was created by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act in 2004 for the purpose of preserving the quality and quantity of the water resources of the New Jersey Highlands , which will be charged with preparing a regional master plan reviewing all applications for development in the preservation area. For municipalities that conform to the regional master plan and lose property tax revenue due to restricted development, the law will establish financial incentives, including property tax stabilization aid. Landowners or farmers within the Highlands region who decide to sell their property will receive compensation for transfer of the land. The program will be similar to farmland preservation programs. The law will also create a transfer of development rights program for the Highlands region. It will allow Highlands municipalities to either use the state TDR TDR - time domain reflectometer bank or establish a new one. "This law is a testament to the hard work and commitment of so many in the name of clean water," said Gordon. "It is a truly a historic moment in New Jersey's fight for clean water." |
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