(TRENTON) – Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today announced he is affording the highest level of water quality protection to the Shark River Brook watershed and tributaries that serve as a water supply for many Monmouth County residents.

 

The designation will become effective upon publication of the rule in the June 20, 2005 New Jersey Register.

 

“New Jersey must remain vigilant in the fight to preserve the quality of our drinking water,” Codey said. “Protecting critical water resources such as Shark River is especially important in rapidly developing areas like Monmouth County.”

 

Codey designated almost 22 miles of waterbodies and tributaries located in the Shark River Brook watershed as Category One (C1) on the basis of their exceptional water supply significance.  C1 designation is the highest form of water quality protection afforded by the state, preventing any measurable deterioration in existing water quality and limiting development impacts and discharges to the streams. Under the state’s stormwater rules, C1 waterbodies are protected from new development within a 300-foot buffer on either side of the waterway.

 

Shark River supplies water to Glendola Reservoir, a drinking water source previously designated as a C1 waterbody in April 2003.

 

“The Governor’s announcement sends an important signal that New Jersey remains committed to protecting critical water resources,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. “We will continue to work with municipal and community partners to save our drinking water and ecologically sensitive habitats for future generations of New Jersey’s families and communities.”

 

The C1 designation has drawn considerable support, including from every municipality within the Shark River watershed, Monmouth County and the Shark River Clean-up Coalition.

 

A specific list of named waterbodies and tributaries proposed for C1 designation is below.

 

Named Waterbodies Proposed for C1 Upgrade:

 

Shark River Brook

Sarah Green Brook

Robin’s Swamp Brook

South Brook

Webly’s Brook

Reevy’s Branch