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:
ACID-PRODUCING SOILS
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.
APPLICANT
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.
CATEGORY ONE WATERS or C1 WATERS
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.
DISTURBANCE
The placement of impervious surface, the exposure or movement
of soil or bedrock, or the clearing, cutting or removing of vegetation.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
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.
LAKE, POND, RESERVOIR
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.
PERENNIAL STREAM
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.
RIPARIAN ZONE
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.
SPECIAL WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION AREA or SWRPA
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).
SURFACE WATER BODY(IES)
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.
THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
A species identified pursuant to the Endangered and Nongame
Species Conservation Act, N.J.S.A. 23:2A-1 et seq.; the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.; or the Endangered
Plant Species List, N.J.A.C. 7:5.1, and any subsequent amendments thereto.
TROUT MAINTENANCE WATER
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.
TROUT PRODUCTION WATER
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.
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. Necessary to protect public health, safety or welfare;
B. To provide an environmental benefit;
C. To prevent extraordinary hardship on the property owner peculiar
to the property; or
D. 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. Redevelopment within the limits of existing impervious surfaces;
B. Linear development with no feasible alternative route;
C. 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. 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. 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 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.