Officials support N.J.’s strict protection of river

Officials support N.J.’s strict protection of river

BY LINDA DeNICOLA

Staff Writer

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – The Manasquan River and its surrounding watershed will be protected from pollution now that is has been designated a Category 1 (C-1) body of water by the state.

The special level of protection targets bodies of water that provide drinking water, a habitat for endangered and threatened species, or a habitat for popular recreational and/or commercial species such as trout or shellfish.

The Township Committee recently passed a resolution supporting the Manasquan’s C-1 designation. Committee members said it is important for all communities to have the proper concern for the condition of bodies of water within their borders.

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the C-1 designation provides additional protection to these bodies of water by helping to prevent water quality degradation and by discouraging development where it would impair or destroy natural resources and environmental quality.

A press release from the governor’s office states that a 300-foot buffer around the C-1 bodies of water will apply to more than 6,000 miles of waterways in the Garden State. No development will be permitted within the buffer zone.

"These storm water rules are the most comprehensive set of water protections in the nation. No other state has required statewide 300-foot buffers around its high quality waters. They will prove to be a critical tool in our fight against sprawl," Gov. James E. McGreevey said.

An important focus of the new set of storm water rules is an emphasis on public education.

"Few people realize the impact of everyday litter on their sources of drinking water. By promoting public awareness campaigns, these rules will help citizens realize that every person plays a critical role in keeping our drinking water safe and clean," the governor said.

According to Township Administrator Thomas Antus, the committee had received a request from the Manasquan River Watershed Association concerning the C-1 designation for the Manasquan River and its tributaries. At its Feb. 3 workshop meeting the committee, based upon information provided by Committeeman Eugene Golub, who is an environmental engineer, agreed to support the river’s new C-1 designation.