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SAVING NORTH JERSEY'S WATER WILL PROTECT PINELANDS' SUPPLY
Date: 040528
From: http://www.app.com/
Editorial by Jaclyn Dispensa, Asbury Park Press, 5/27/04
Much of the debate bogging down the Highlands Water Protection and
Planning Act seems to focus on the question: How is this bill fair to
southern New Jersey and the Pinelands?
One answer is that the Highlands bill will help the Pinelands and
South Jersey by protecting water supplies. According to the U.S.
Geological Survey, the Highlands provide much of the drinking water
for more than 2 million South Jersey residents. (Amazingly, the
Highlands water was labeled a desirable source back in 1874 by the New
Jersey state geologist!)
If water supplies and/or quality are compromised in the Highlands,
there will be that much more pressure to take water from the aquifers
in South Jersey such as the Kirkwood Cohansey aquifer. Today, water
from this aquifer is protected by a special law that bars transporting
it no more than 10 miles outside the Pinelands. In the wrong
circumstances, that law could easily be revoked.
Some have questioned whether South Jersey will lose out to the
Highlands on Green Acres funding for open space purchases. This
question has been answered in amendments to the Highlands bill. Green
Acres funding provides money for acquisition of lands to save from
development. The Highlands bill specifies that Green Acres money will
be available for all portions of the state and not favorably allocated
to one half or the other.
Unfortunately, land-use decisions in this state are based for the
most part on economic gain, because localities rely on the tax base
for revenue. Naturally, local government officials may prefer to have
more development, but they tend to overlook the costs in comparison to
the benefits. Any comparison of local tax rates proves that in New
Jersey, more development, no matter what kind of development, leads to
higher local taxes.
There are ways to develop in a "smart" way that will promote
continued growth, but will also preserve the necessities for a good
quality of life. In a recent study led by Bob Burchell of Rutgers
University, also author of "Costs of Sprawl" (2002), the overall costs
of two alternative forms of development were examined. These forms
included compact growth and sprawling growth - or, as defined by the
researchers, low-density growth. Overall, more compact growth saved a
lot of money for several reasons: shorter trunk lines for roads and
utilities, more open-space uses, lower public service costs, etc.
South Jersey has the opportunity to address its concerns outside of
the language for the Highlands bill via smart growth and good local
planning. The Highlands bill will not take money or the power to do
good planning away from South Jersey. If anything, the Highlands bill
will help by strengthening the smart growth ethic growing in New
Jersey and by avoiding calls to divert South Jersey's aquifers for
North Jersey development.
It is time to act now and work together for approval of the Highlands
bill. Senators should vote "yes" on this critical issue.
- - -
Jaclyn Dispensa is director of conservation policy for the Pinelands
Preservation Alliance.
* * *
Copyright (c) 1997-2004 IN Jersey.
Date: 040528
From: http://www.app.com/
Editorial by Jaclyn Dispensa, Asbury Park Press, 5/27/04
Much of the debate bogging down the Highlands Water Protection and
Planning Act seems to focus on the question: How is this bill fair to
southern New Jersey and the Pinelands?
One answer is that the Highlands bill will help the Pinelands and
South Jersey by protecting water supplies. According to the U.S.
Geological Survey, the Highlands provide much of the drinking water
for more than 2 million South Jersey residents. (Amazingly, the
Highlands water was labeled a desirable source back in 1874 by the New
Jersey state geologist!)
If water supplies and/or quality are compromised in the Highlands,
there will be that much more pressure to take water from the aquifers
in South Jersey such as the Kirkwood Cohansey aquifer. Today, water
from this aquifer is protected by a special law that bars transporting
it no more than 10 miles outside the Pinelands. In the wrong
circumstances, that law could easily be revoked.
Some have questioned whether South Jersey will lose out to the
Highlands on Green Acres funding for open space purchases. This
question has been answered in amendments to the Highlands bill. Green
Acres funding provides money for acquisition of lands to save from
development. The Highlands bill specifies that Green Acres money will
be available for all portions of the state and not favorably allocated
to one half or the other.
Unfortunately, land-use decisions in this state are based for the
most part on economic gain, because localities rely on the tax base
for revenue. Naturally, local government officials may prefer to have
more development, but they tend to overlook the costs in comparison to
the benefits. Any comparison of local tax rates proves that in New
Jersey, more development, no matter what kind of development, leads to
higher local taxes.
There are ways to develop in a "smart" way that will promote
continued growth, but will also preserve the necessities for a good
quality of life. In a recent study led by Bob Burchell of Rutgers
University, also author of "Costs of Sprawl" (2002), the overall costs
of two alternative forms of development were examined. These forms
included compact growth and sprawling growth - or, as defined by the
researchers, low-density growth. Overall, more compact growth saved a
lot of money for several reasons: shorter trunk lines for roads and
utilities, more open-space uses, lower public service costs, etc.
South Jersey has the opportunity to address its concerns outside of
the language for the Highlands bill via smart growth and good local
planning. The Highlands bill will not take money or the power to do
good planning away from South Jersey. If anything, the Highlands bill
will help by strengthening the smart growth ethic growing in New
Jersey and by avoiding calls to divert South Jersey's aquifers for
North Jersey development.
It is time to act now and work together for approval of the Highlands
bill. Senators should vote "yes" on this critical issue.
- - -
Jaclyn Dispensa is director of conservation policy for the Pinelands
Preservation Alliance.
* * *
Copyright (c) 1997-2004 IN Jersey.