This article shall be known as the "Environmental
Impact Study Ordinance of the Township of River Vale."
In order that the Township of River Vale may
assess the impact of proposed land use changes or developments on
the environment of the municipality, particularly with respect to
potable water, pollution of all kinds, drainage, waste disposal, landscape
and other pertinent environmental factors, the Township Council has
determined that it is in the public interest that all persons who
shall propose such changes or developments shall submit an environmental
impact study in accordance with the provisions of this article when
required.
Every environmental impact study shall include
the following:
A. Inventory of existing environmental conditions. An
inventory of existing environmental conditions at the project site
and in the surrounding region which is affected by the project shall
include, but shall not be limited to, a description of air quality,
water quality, water supply, stream quality hydrology, aquatic organisms,
zoology wildlife habitat, soils and properties thereof (including
capabilities and limitations), slope, light characteristics and levels,
noise characteristics and levels, demography, topography, aesthetics,
historical sites and archaeological features. Air and water quality
shall be described with reference to standards promulgated by the
Department of Environmental Protection of the State of New Jersey
and in accordance with the River Vale Township Natural Resources Inventory
Checklist attached. Soils shall be described with reference to the Bergen
County Soil Conservation District Standards and Specifications and
the River Vale Township Natural Resources Inventory.
B. Plan and description of development. A project description
shall specify the purpose of the project, the proposed construction
and the use of the buildings and structures involved. The project
description shall specify what is to be done and how it is to be done
during the construction and operation of the project. Alternatives
to project concept designed to be adverse environmental impacts as
well as remedial actions to be implemented during construction and
operation both at the project site and in the surrounding regions
are to be submitted as a part of the environmental impact study. The
description shall be accompanied by maps and drawings which shall
include, but shall not be limited to, contours, buildings, roads,
paved areas, grading and regrading, adjacent natural streams, stream
encroachment boundaries, the relation of the project to surrounding
property and existing utilities and buffer zones for noise and light
control.
C. Assessment of the anticipated impact of the project. An assessment, supported by the environmental data, of the probable impact of the project upon all of the elements and topics set forth in Subsection
A. This assessment shall contain a listing and evaluation of adverse primary and secondary environmental impacts which cannot be avoided, with particular emphasis upon air or water pollution, increase in noise, damage to plant, tree and wildfire systems, damage to natural resources, displacement of people and businesses, displacement of existing farms, increase in sedimentation and siltation, stormwater runoff, increase in municipal services and consequences to municipal tax structure. The assessment shall specifically contain the following reports:
(1)
Sewage disposal facilities. The report shall
contain information demonstrating that sewage can be disposed of through
facilities to preclude air and water pollution, and:
(a)
A plan for disposal with a detailed description
of expected quantity and classification of sewage effluent and acceptance
approval in writing by the receiving facility; and
(b)
Compliance with all state and local sewage and
health regulations.
(2)
Solid waste disposal. A plan for disposal by
means of a facility operating in compliance with the State Sanitary
Code, including suitable temporary on-site storage.
(3)
Hazardous waste disposal. Identification and
satisfactory provisions for disposal of hazardous materials as defined
by the State of New Jersey.
(4)
Water supply and water quality. Evidence that
an adequate potable water supply is available and the ratio of total
anticipated demand to available supply, with source, shall be indicated.
By reference to any study of water quality in the Township, the degradation
of water quality shall be analyzed and reported.
(5)
Surface water runoff (drainage). A plan to comply
with municipal ordinances.
(6)
Air quality. A statement of anticipated effects
on air quality due to on-site activities such as heating, incineration,
any processing of materials and traffic. Compliance with federal and
New Jersey standards is required.
(7)
Traffic (pedestrian and vehicular). An inventory
of existing traffic and a statement of the projected effect of anticipated
traffic on all proposed or existing roads within the Township which
have a rational nexus to the project.
(8)
Noise. A statement of anticipated effects on
noise levels, magnitude and characteristics related to on-site activities
and proposed methods of control.
(9)
Artificial light. A statement of the anticipated
effects on light levels, magnitude and characteristics related to
on-site activities and proposed methods of control with particular
attention to the control of sky glow.
(10)
Demography. A statement of the on-site and off-site
effect on the utilization of public facilities due to changes in population
density.
(11)
Wetlands. A letter of interpretation from the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection indicating the absence
of freshwater wetlands or indicating the presence and verifying delineation
of the boundaries of freshwater wetlands.
D. Statement of alternatives. A statement of considered
alternatives in project concept, construction and operation shall
include a description of steps to be taken to achieve minimal environmental
damage and shall be accompanied by necessary maps, schedules and other
explanatory data as may be needed to clarify and explain the action
to be taken.
E. Statement of impact on resources. A statement concerning
any irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources which would
be involved in the proposed project, should it be implemented, shall
be included.
F. Statement of permits required. All municipal, county,
state and federal permits required for the project shall be listed
together with a statement of the status of the applicant's efforts
to comply with all such requirements and a project timetable for completion
of compliance with all permit requirements.
An environmental impact study as required by
this article shall also be submitted as to all public or quasi-public
projects unless they are exempt from the requirements of local law
by supervening county, state or federal laws; provided, however, that
the provisions of this article shall not apply to road and road shoulder
maintenance work performed by the Township Department of Public Works
or the Bergen County Department of Roads.
Every environmental impact study required by
this article shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer
of the State of New Jersey, a licensed professional planner of the
State of New Jersey or by such other person as shall satisfy the appropriate
board or the Township Engineer, as the case may be, that he possesses
expertise in the environmental field by virtue of training, experience
or education.
The Joint Planning Board or other appropriate
board may waive the requirement for an environmental impact study,
in whole or in part, if sufficient evidence is submitted to support
a conclusion that the proposed project will have a negligible environmental
impact or that a complete environmental impact study need not be prepared
in order to evaluate adequately the environmental impact of a project.