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LETTER TO GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE
New Jersey Council of Watershed Associations
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December 8, 2016
Honorable Chris Christie
State of New Jersey
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 001
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Re: Water Supply Master Plan
Dear Governor Christie:
The New Jersey Council of Watershed Associations respectfully requests that you immediately release the long overdue draft update of the Water Supply Master Plan, which is necessary to adopt policies and regulations allocating a safe, sustainable supply of New Jersey's water resources. As a coalition of nonprofit organizations representing the New Jersey watershed community, we the members of the council are deeply concerned by the lack of ability to conduct informed, long-term water planning without an updated Water Supply Plan.
On October 21, 2016, Commissioner Martin signed an Administrative Order designating a drought warning for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. In addition, a drought watch remains in effect for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection stated on October 21, 2016 that, "the goal of the drought warning is to preserve and balance available water supplies in an effort to avert more serious water shortages in the future." The failure to release an updated Water Supply Plan is contradictory toward this goal.
In 1981, the New Jersey Legislature adopted Chapter 262, known as the Water Supply Management Act, which required the development of a Water Supply Master Plan that would be updated by the NJDEP at least every five years.
The last formally published update of the Water Supply Plan was in 1996, and much has changed in terms of water consumption in the state in the 20 years since 1996.
We understand that in 2012 a draft update to the Water Supply Plan was created, but never released. This update, which would differ significantly from the previous plan due to a jump in population and concerns about climate change, is necessary to help protect the state's water supply until 2040.
Given the Legislative mandate of P.L. 1981, Chapter 262 to ensure a safe and
sustainable water supply to the present and future residents of New Jersey, the critical importance of informed responses to droughts, and to succeed in preserving and balancing available water supplies to avert more serious water shortages in the future, the New Jersey Council of Watershed Associations demands that you immediately release the long overdue draft update of the Water Supply Master Plan for publication and comment.
Respectfully,
NJCWA Membership Organizations List
Cc:
Hon. Robert Martin, Commissioner NJDEP
New Jersey Water Supply Advisory Council
Senator Robert Gordon, Chair Senate Regulatory Oversight Committee
Senator Bob Smith, Chair Senate Environment and Energy Committee
Senator Kip Bateman
Assemblyman Tim Eustace, Chair Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee
About the New Jersey Council of Watershed Associations
The New Jersey Council of Watershed Associations represents the unified voice of watershed groups across the state. The council provides a forum for the watershed community and promotes sound policies related to water
quality, water quantity and overall watershed health.
Member organizations are:
Bergen SWAN
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and its Tributaries
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
Cohansey Area Watershed Association
Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association
Great Swamp Watershed Association
Hackensack Riverkeeper
Lake Hopatcong Foundation
Lawrence Brook Watershed
Partnership Lower Raritan Watershed
Partnership Musconetcong Watershed Association
NY/NJ Baykeeper
Newton Creek Watershed
Association Rahway River Watershed
Association Raritan Headwaters
Save Barnegat Bay
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
Whale Pond Brook Watershed Association
Whippany River Watershed Action Committee
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