Growing public demand to assess environmental impacts before
land use decisions are made has precipitated the need of identifying
and anticipating environmental problems. With sound information at
hand, environmental degradation can be minimized. The environmental
impact report legitimately places the burden of identifying environmental
ills and offering feasible alternatives upon the individual, corporation
or agency which proposes to alter the environment. The environmental
assessment methodology will facilitate the fulfillment of the statutorily
required planning, review and approval functions of the Township of
Pequannock in order to maintain the health, safety and public welfare
not only for the citizens of Pequannock Township but for the surrounding
area.
Prior to preliminary approval of any major subdivision, final
approval of any site plan, major or minor, final approval of any minor
subdivision, or granting of a variance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d,
the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of
Pequannock or the Township Planner may require that an environmental
impact report be submitted in conjunction with the application for
development as required by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. and in accordance
with the standards set forth in this chapter.
When required, such report shall provide the information needed
to evaluate the effects of a proposed project upon the environment.
The Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, or Director of Planning
may require that any or all of the information listed below be included
in the environmental impact report:
A. A project description, which shall
specify what is to be done and how it is to be done during construction
and operation, as well as a recital of alternative plans deemed practicable
to achieve the objective.
B. An inventory of existing environmental
conditions and a description of how these components interact at the
project site and in the surrounding region, which shall describe air
quality; water supply; hydrology; geology; soils and properties thereof,
including capabilities and limitations; sewerage systems; topography;
slope; vegetation; wildlife; wildlife habitat, food sources, and corridors;
aquatic organisms; noise characteristics; history; and archaeology.
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 soils shall be described with reference to criteria
contained in the Morris County Soil Conservation District standards
and specifications.
C. An assessment of the probable impact of the project upon all topics set forth in Subsection
B above.
D. A listing and evaluation of adverse
environmental impacts, with particular emphasis upon air or water
pollution; increase in noise; damage to plant, tree and wildlife systems;
damage to natural resources; displacement of people and businesses;
displacement of existing farms; increase in sedimentation and siltation;
increase in municipal services; and consequences to municipal tax
structure. Off-site impact shall also be set forth and evaluated.
E. A description of steps to be taken
to minimize adverse environmental impacts during construction and
operation, both at the project site and in the surrounding region,
such description to be accompanied by necessary maps, schedules and
other explanatory data as may be needed to clarify and explain the
actions to be taken.
F. A statement concerning any irreversible
and irretrievable commitment of resources which would be involved
in the proposed action should it be implemented.
G. A statement of alternatives to
the proposed project which might avoid some or all of the adverse
environmental effects, including a no-action alternative.
The local municipal body requesting said report shall review the same within the time frame established for the review of the application pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. and shall consider as part of its review of the application whether or not the project, as applied for, will have an adverse effect upon the environment. Nothing herein, however, shall be construed to limit or replace any other area of the municipal bodies' review and consideration of said application, and no approval shall be granted for any project use, subdivision or site plan unless all other requirements, including local, state and county, have been complied with. In the event that the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment determines that expert review of the environmental impact report or inspection of approved construction activity is necessary to ensure that the impact on the environment will be minimized, the cost for this review and/or inspection will be charged to the applicant's review deposit fee as established in Chapter
152, Fees, of the Township Code.