Activity Report
March 2003

We provided public testimony and a comment letter on a proposed groundwater water allocation permit of 120 million gals/year for Quaker Valley Farms, Franklin Township, from the Lockatong Basin aquifer. Using expert testimony from Matt Mulhall and Pete Demicco, hydrogeologists in Hunterdon, we showed that the proposed diversion did not satisfy NJDEP agricultural water usage certification regulations. We stated that if the permit was issued by DEP for the proposed diversion, the Chapter would appeal it.

A large proposed development in Holland Township, Rte 519, which has gone through 2 public hearings, currently plans on detention basin stormwater discharge into the Category One Spring Mill Brook. We faxed a letter into the second public hearing stating that, if DEP issues a stream encroachment permit for the detention basin discharge, the Chapter would appeal it. We offered to work with the developer prior to permit application, in order to satisfy our concerns and thus negate the need for the appeal process. We are now in communication with the developer and have begun discussions.

The Holland Township Musconetcong Mountain preliminarily approved subdivision was going down an open space acquisition path, but has now hit a snag. We have been constantly strategizing with Friends of Holland Highlands.

We continue to attend the County Land Use Committee meetings, and we are reaching out to other Hunterdon County environmental coalitions to broaden the attendance.

We have been putting materials together for a number of upcoming tabling events to include hands-on environmental educational activities for children.