CONDO Development Plan may significantly DEGRADE our GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED Conservation Management Area

The proposed S/K Mt. Kemble development plan is for a 96-unit residential, multi-family condominium complex including affordable housing with a community clubhouse, playground, pool, and dog park. This 15.5-acre, triangular shaped, forested parcel flanks Route 287 on one side and the Mt. Kemble office complex on another side. The third side bumps up against wetlands which connect to GSWA’s 73-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) under Route 287.

Converting woods to pavement and rooftops significantly increases impervious surface cover. This increases stormwater volume, likely resulting in downstream flooding, added nonpoint pollutant loading, and erosion of both Silver Brook and Great Brook. GSWA strongly opposes this proposed development* and we are deeply concerned about the environmental impact we anticipate on our freshwater wetlands, water quality, recharge, and stormwater. Following are some of our major concerns:

• Encroachments into freshwater wetlands, encroachments into and alteration of the wetland transition areas (buffers).
• In some cases, these wetland encroachments would necessitate importing large amounts of fill that would be needed to recontour buffer areas or will be covered by impervious surfaces.
• Significant increases in pollutant loading to Silver Brook due to the fact that the portion of the site proposed for development is currently fully wooded.  We would also expect measurable increases in sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, and salt loading to Silver Brook.
• Potential lack of recharge of any of the site’s post-development runoff.  This will result in increased flood volume hitting the Silver Brook and a reduction in base-flow during fair weather as this runoff rushes away from impervious surfaces and is no longer absorbed.
• Changes to the Northeast Water Quality Management plan map of sewerage coverage to include the development, creating significant additional effluent discharge, through the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant, into Loantaka Brook, adding additional nutrients to this already impaired tributary of the Passaic River.
• Potential significant long-term hydrologic alterations of this headwater stream and the adjacent riparian floodplain areas and wetlands.
• Possible impact to threatened and endangered species such as wood turtle and Indiana bat.

In response to GSWA’s opposition and a barrage of public comments and requests, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has scheduled a virtual public hearing on March 9 to consider amending the Northeast water quality management plan.

Great news! You CAN make a difference! Join GSWA staff and experts for a live webinar to learn the specifics and the impacts we believe this development will cause. We will also offer clear and simple guidance on how YOU can raise your objections to the proposal via comment at the virtual DEP hearing or in written comment. We strongly encourage you to to participate in this important, free webinar in preparation of the March 9 hearing and to share this information far and wide.

Note: This webinar will be recorded and the replay link will be shared with all registrants. You must register to receive the replay. If you do not wish to appear on the recording, please be sure to turn off your camera and/or remove your name.

Unable to attend the webinar?

Please submit written comments on the proposed amendment via email or USPS (see below)

All comments should reference Program Interest No. 435442, Activity No. AMD200007 and must be submitted within 15 days after the public hearing.

Email: wqmp.publiccomments@dep.nj.gov

USPS: To assure your letter gets to the right place, you must address your envelope exactly as it appears below:

DEP at New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Watershed Protection & Restoration
Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater Permitting and Water Quality Management
Water Quality Management Planning Program
PO Box 420, Mail Code 501-02A
501 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420

CLICK HERE to view and download a letter to our neighbors containing the critical actions of virtual meeting attendance, letter writing or verbal responses on this environmental concern. Help us spread this call-to-action and share it with others. THANK YOU in advance for your help.

*GSWA is not anti-development or anti-affordable housing. We strongly support affordable housing when properly located. We believe that locating this development on this site, with the environmental impacts it will cause, is inappropriate.