By designating them as Category One, agency safeguards waterways of exceptional ecological importance
TOM JOHNSON reports for NJ Spotlight APRIL 8, 2020
New Jersey has designated 600 miles of rivers and streams for higher protection to keep their water quality from degrading, an action taken to safeguard these waterways from pollutants, sewage and harmful bacteria.
The rule adopted Monday by the state Department of Environmental Protection is not as expansive as the agency’s original proposal more than a year ago, which sought to designate 749 miles of waterways as Category One (C1) streams.
Even so, environmental groups applauded the step, saying it marks the first time in more than a decade the state has reclassified streams and rivers for higher level of protection, a designation earned for waterways of exceptional ecological importance, whose loss could mean threats to certain endangered species.
Only 5% of New Jersey’s streams meet federal clean-water standards for fishing and swimming. The vast majority of waterways, more than 22,000 streams and rivers, are designated as not meeting federal water-quality standards.
Safeguarding ecologically sensitive waterways
The new classifications afford increased protections for some of the most ecologically sensitive waterways — from the Maurice River in Cumberland County to a stretch of the south branch of the Raritan River in the Highlands to segments of the Ramapo River in north Jersey. The upgrades also include a two-mile stretch of the Cooper River in Camden County, the first urban waterway to be protected.
“The C1 designation puts in place protections from direct and indirect pollution,’’ said Michael Pisauro, policy director of the Watershed Institute. “It is vital that we continue to upgrade waterways before pollution and development degrade them.’’
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Indeed, of the approximately 150 miles of streams that were eliminated from consideration for the C1 designation in the proposed draft, 34 miles were removed because of deteriorating water quality, according to the DEP. The rest of the streams were delisted because they failed to meet other criteria necessary for C1 designation.
“We need to protect more waterways with recreational value, drinking water and Highlands waters,’’ said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “Protecting waterways before they become polluted is more cost-effective.’’
Opposing cleaner water
While comments on the proposal were overwhelmingly supportive, there was opposition from local communities who argued the new designations would hinder development and from operators of sewage treatment plants who said the new surface-water quality standards could force expensive upgrades of their facilities.
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