Items of Interest:

#1. This letter was sent out to the people of Union Twsp and it the decision in Roxbury Twsp in Morris county by their planning board/committee to halt all new water allocations because of the serious risk to it's residents of losing their water by new development at this time because of the serious drought we are in, prompted the following letter to the planning board and township committee.

From; Andrew J Riehl 3/29/02

Concerned Citizens

475 County Rd. 579

Union Township

Milford N.J. 08848

To; Union Township Committee

Union Township Planning Board

Hunterdon County

Municipal Building

140 Perryville Rd.

Hampton N.J. 08827

 

Reference; Major drought conditions /community concerns

We the Concerned Citizens of Union Township have been prompted by the recent news articles found in the major newspapers and our own local Hunterdon Democrat front page dated February 28^th and March 7^th 2002, and the Star Ledger front pages dated 3/3/02 and 3/10/02 and especially page 21 on 3/24/02 concerning the major Drought conditions that exists right now. We have strong concern about these real drought conditions that are now present. We have examined the United Water Company report using the Long Term Palmer Index showing approximate rainfall for 2002 to be only 3"to 6", whereas normal rainfall, to sustain normal function for existing wells (our major water supply and the carrying capacity of the land) is 42" to 50 ". (see attached copy)

 

Even if the Long Term Palmer Index report is not an absolute and only half correct we still face severe conditions. A huge potential exists for resident’s wells going dry. Already within the township there are wells going dry and others sucking air at times with those residents being only able to use their water part time and have to wait for the wells to recharge.

This drought is not just a one year phenomena, it has been with us for a longer period then ever before in recent history. This drought has to be taken seriously by everyone and this time just cutting back on car washing won’t do the trick. One has only to look at Spruce Run Reservoir, which is reported to be at it’s lowest ever. The editorial in the Hunterdon Democrat dated 2/28/02 said it all .The front page article quoted many authorities about our water supply situation and it is dire! Our area is at an extreme deficit of rainfall and wells will soon being going dry at a faster rate.

The Township Committee and Township Planning Board have a responsibility, an obligation to protect it’s current residents welfare and well being and water is necessary for well being! Virtual common sense tells everyone that we are in a crisis situation where our water supply is in jeopardy! All our residents whether in town or on a farm get their water from the ground and all of us at risk of losing our water supply.

So we the Concerned Citizens of Union Township sincerely express our deep concerns on this issue and ask the Township Committee and Planning Board to consider putting into effect a halt on any new water allocation/well drilling for new development until this severe and real environmental drought condition changes.

We need serious and rational planning protection for the community and the protection of available water supply /Aquifer is paramount. Therefore prudent restriction of any new and even approved building that requires a well to be drilled, has to be put on hold until this extreme natural drought condition has abated, back to normal. So you understand our aquifer is a closed system and now is on overload and no one can predict exactly how many new wells can be put in before they cause present wells to go dry.

Not to pay heed to this situation by our officials is an affront to the residents of Union Township and makes those making decisions to allow new construction requiring new wells to draw upon our now limited and finite water supply, responsible to those residents whose wells will go dry, because of the additional draw on supply.

This issue should be considered very carefully.

________________________

Andrew J. Riehl

Concerned Citizens Union Township

 

Cc; State Senator The Honorable Leonard Lance, 23^rd District

Cc; Assembly Representative Connie Myers, 23^rd District

Cc; Congressman Rush Holt, 12^th District

Cc; Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell, DEP

Cc; Barbara Walsh Office of State Planning

Cc; Tom Baxter Executive Director NJWSA

Cc; Dan Van Abs NJWSA

Cc; Dave Piefer Upper Raritan Water Shed Association

Cc; Jeff Tittel Sierra Club

Cc; Michele Byers New Jersey Conservation Foundation

Cc; Thomas Borden Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic

Cc; Wilma Frey The Highlands Coalition

Cc; Courier News

Cc; Hunterdon Democrat

Cc; Hunterdon Review

Cc; Star Ledger

Cc; Easton Express

Cc; the Residents of Union Township Hunterdon County

 

       #2. There is a primary going on in Union Twsp and this time there are two people running for the republican party position and it's incumbent upon all of us that can vote in this coming primary to get out and vote ,the decision of this vote is so important in the direction the township takes. Your views and concerns about the quality of life here are at stake, so take note and follow the issues,get involved!