[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Carneys Point 12-18-2013 by Ord. No. 885. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to designate riparian zones and
to provide for land use regulation therein in order to protect the
streams, lakes and other surface water bodies of the Township of Carneys
Point and to comply with N.J.A.C. 7:15-5.25(g)3, which requires municipalities
to adopt an ordinance that prevents new disturbance for projects or
activities in riparian zones as described herein. Compliance with
the riparian zone requirements of this chapter does not constitute
compliance with the riparian zone or buffer requirements imposed under
any other federal, state, local statute, regulation or ordinance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Soils that contain geologic deposits of iron sulfide minerals
(pyrite and marcasite), which, when exposed to oxygen from the air
or from surface waters, oxidize to produce sulfuric acid. Acid-producing
soils, upon excavation, generally have a pH of 4.0 or lower. After
exposure to oxygen, these soils generally have a pH of 3.0 or lower.
Information regarding the location of acid-producing soils in New
Jersey can be obtained from local Soil Conservation District offices.
A person, corporation, government body or other legal entity
applying to the Planning Board or the Construction Office proposing
to engage in an activity that is regulated by the provisions of this
chapter and that would be located in whole or in part within a regulated
riparian zone.
Shall have the meaning ascribed to this term by the Surface
Water Quality Standards, N.J.A.C. 7:9B, for purposes of implementing
the antidegradation policies set forth in those standards, for protection
from measurable changes in water quality characteristics because of
their clarity, color, scenic setting, and other characteristics of
aesthetic value, exceptional ecological significance, exceptional
recreational significance, exceptional water supply significance or
exceptional fisheries resources.
The placement of impervious surface, the exposure or movement
of soil or bedrock, or the clearing, cutting or removing of vegetation.
A surface water body with definite bed and banks in which
there is a not a permanent flow of water and shown on the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System
(GIS) hydrography coverages or, in the case of a special water resource
protection area (SWRPA) pursuant to the Stormwater Management Rules
at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h), C1 waters as shown on the USGS quadrangle
map or in the county soil surveys.
Any surface water body shown on the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System (GIS) hydrography
coverages or, in the case of a special water resource protection area
(SWRPA) pursuant to the Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h),
C1 waters as shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county soil
surveys, that is an impoundment, whether naturally occurring or created
in whole or in part by the building of structures for the retention
of surface water. This excludes sedimentation control and stormwater
retention/detention basins and ponds designed for treatment of wastewater.
A surface water body that flows continuously throughout the
year in most years and shown on Department of Environmental Protection
Geographic Information System (GIS) hydrography coverages or, in the
case of a special water resource protection area (SWRPA) pursuant
to Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h), C1 waters as
shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county soil surveys.
The land and vegetation within and directly adjacent to all
surface water bodies, including, but not limited to, lakes, ponds,
reservoirs, perennial and intermittent streams, up to and including
their point of origin, such as seeps and springs, as shown on the
Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System
(GIS) hydrography coverages or, in the case of special water resource
protection area (SWRPA) pursuant to Stormwater Management Rules at
N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h), C1 waters as shown on the USGS quadrangle map
or in the county soil surveys. There is no riparian zone along the
Atlantic Ocean nor along any man-made lagoon or oceanfront barrier
island, spit or peninsula.
A three-hundred-foot area provided on each side of a surface
water body designated as a C1 water or tributary to a C1 water that
is a perennial stream, intermittent stream, lake, pond, or reservoir,
as defined herein and shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county
soil surveys within the associated HUC-14 drainage, pursuant to the
Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h).
Any perennial stream, intermittent stream, lake, pond, or
reservoir, as defined herein. In addition, any regulated water under
the Flood Hazard Area Control Act rules at N.J.A.C. 7:13-2.2 or state
open waters identified in a letter of interpretation issued under
the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:7A-3 by
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of
Land Use Regulation shall also be considered surface water bodies.
A section of water designated as trout maintenance in the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Surface Water
Quality Standards at N.J.A.C. 7:9B.
A section of water identified as trout production in the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Surface Water
Quality Standards at N.J.A.C. 7:9B.
A.Â
Except as provided in §§ 164-4 and 164-5 below, riparian zones adjacent to all surface water bodies shall be protected from avoidable disturbance and shall be delineated as follows:
(1)Â
The riparian zone shall be 300 feet wide along both sides of any
Category One water (C1 water) and all upstream tributaries situated
within the same HUC-14 watershed.
(2)Â
The riparian zone shall be 150 feet wide along both sides of the
following waters not designated as C1 waters:
(a)Â
Any trout production water and all upstream waters (including
tributaries);
(b)Â
Any trout maintenance water and all upstream waters (including
tributaries) within one linear mile as measured along the length of
the regulated water;
(c)Â
Any segment of water flowing through an area that contains documented
habitat for a threatened or endangered species of plant or animal,
which is critically dependent on the surface water body for survival,
and all upstream waters (including tributaries) within one linear
mile as measured along the length of the regulated water; and
(d)Â
Any segment of a water flowing through an area that contains
acid-producing soils.
(3)Â
For all other surface water bodies, a riparian zone of 50 feet wide
shall be maintained along both sides of the water.
B.Â
If discernible bank is not present along a surface water body, the
portion of the riparian zone outside the surface water body is measured
landward as follows:
(1)Â
Along a linear fluvial or tidal water, such as a stream, the riparian
zone is measured landward of the feature's center line;
(2)Â
Along a nonlinear fluvial water, such as a lake or pond, the riparian
zone is measured landward of the normal water surface limit;
(3)Â
Along a nonlinear tidal water, such as a bay or inlet, the riparian
zone is measured landward of the mean high water line; and
(4)Â
Along an amorphously shaped feature such as a wetland complex, through
which water flows but which lacks a discernible channel, the riparian
zone is measured landward of the feature's center line.
C.Â
The applicant or designated representative shall be responsible for
the initial determination of the presence of a riparian zone on a
site and for identifying the area of a riparian zone on any plan submitted
to the Township in conjunction with an application for a construction
permit, subdivision, land development, or other improvement that requires
plan submissions or permits. This initial determination shall be subject
to review and approval by the Municipal Engineer, governing body or
its appointed representative, and, where required by state regulation,
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
To the extent allowed by the Stormwater Management Rules (N.J.A.C.
7:8) and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:13),
new disturbances for projects or activities in the riparian zone established
by this chapter may be allowed through the Zoning Board of Adjustment
review and approval of a variance, provided that the disturbance is
proposed to be located on a preexisting lot (existing as of the effective
date of this chapter) when there is insufficient room outside the
riparian zone for the proposed use otherwise permitted by the underlying
zoning; there is not other reasonable or prudent alternative to placement
in the riparian zone, including obtaining variances from setback or
other requirements that would allow conformance with the riparian
zone requirements; and upon proof by virtue of submission of appropriate
maps, drawings, reports and testimony that the disturbance is:
A.Â
Necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare;
B.Â
To provide an environmental benefit;
C.Â
To prevent extraordinary hardship on the property owner peculiar
to the property; or
D.Â
To prevent extraordinary hardship, provided that the hardship was
not created by the property owner, by not allowing a minimum economically
viable use of the property based upon reasonable investment.
To the extent allowed under the Stormwater Management Rules
(N.J.A.C. 7:8), the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules (N.J.A.C.
7:13), and subject to review and approval by the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection to the extent required by those rules,
the following disturbances for projects or activities in the riparian
zones established by this chapter are allowed:
A.Â
Redevelopment within the limits of existing impervious surfaces;
B.Â
Linear development with no feasible alternative route;
C.Â
Disturbance that is in accordance with the stream corridor restoration
or stream bank stabilization plan or project approved by the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection;
D.Â
Disturbance necessary to provide for public pedestrian access or
water-dependent recreation that meets the requirements of the Freshwater
Wetlands Protection Act Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7A, the Flood Hazard Area
Control Act Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:13, or the Coastal Zone Management Rules,
N.J.A.C. 7:7E; or
E.Â
Disturbance with no feasible alternative required for the remediation
of hazardous substances performed with New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection or federal oversight pursuant to the Spill Compensation
and Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11a et seq. or the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42
U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
A.Â
Any party aggrieved by the location of the riparian zone boundary
determination under this chapter may appeal to the Zoning Officer
under the provisions of this chapter. The party contesting the location
of a riparian zone boundary shall have the burden of proof in case
of any such appeal.
B.Â
Any party aggrieved by any determination or decision of the Zoning
Officer under this chapter may appeal to the Township Committee of
the Township of Carneys Point. The party contesting the determination
or decision shall have the burden of proof in case of any such appeal.
C.Â
All other ordinances, parts of ordinances or other local requirements
that are inconsistent or in conflict with this chapter are hereby
superseded to the extent of any inconsistency or conflict, and the
provisions of this chapter shall apply.
D.Â
Severability.
(1)Â
Interpretation. This chapter shall be so construed as not to conflict
with any provision of New Jersey or federal law.
(2)Â
Notwithstanding that any provision of this chapter is held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction,
all remaining provisions of the chapter shall continue to be of full
force and effect.
(3)Â
The provisions of this chapter shall be cumulative with, and not
in substitution for, all other applicable zoning, planning and land
use regulations.
A prompt investigation shall be made by the Zoning Officer of
any person or entity believed to be in violation of this chapter.
If, upon inspection, a condition which is in violation of this chapter
is discovered, a civil action in the Special Civil Part of the Superior
Court, or in the Superior Court, if the primary relief sought is injunctive
or if penalties may exceed the jurisdictional limit of the Special
Civil Part, by the filing and serving of appropriate process. Nothing
in this chapter shall be construed to preclude the Township, pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-25, to initiate legal proceedings hereunder in
Municipal Court. The violation of any section or subsection of this
chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct offense independent
of the violation of any other section or subsection or of any order
issued pursuant to this chapter. Each day a violation continues shall
be considered a different offense.
This chapter shall take effect upon final adoption and publication
in accordance with the law on the date it is filed with the County
Planning Board after adoption.