The New Jersey Highlands is a 1,250 square mile area in the northwest part of the state noted for is scenic beauty and environmental significance. The region stretches from Phillipsburg in the southwest to Ringwood in the northeast, and lies within portions of seven counties (Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Morris, Passaic, and Bergen) and includes 88 municipalities. The Highlands Region is comprised of the Preservation and Planning Areas. The State of New Jersey regulates activities in the Preservation Area, protecting wetlands, wetland buffers, and flood hazard areas in addition to other resource areas. Steep slopes, forests, rare, threatened and endangered species, archaeological resources, unique and irreplaceable land types and scenic attributes are all examples. In addition, the program strictly regulates placement of septic systems, wells, and impervious surfaces.

Property which is located within the Highlands Preservation Area, as defined in N.J.S.A. 13:20-1, may be subject to the DEP requirements of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (HWPPA). To determine the extent to which the HWPPA applies to your property, you may obtain a Highlands Applicability and Water Quality Management Plan Consistency Determination from the DEP, Division of Watershed Management. The Department’s Highlands webpage provides guidance material to assist you with this request. Should you have any questions regarding Highlands Applicability requests, contact [(609)633-3812 or (609)984-6888. Please note that within the Highlands Planning Area, agencies other then the DEP may impose additional requirements.

If you already have a Highlands Applicability Determination and it has been determined that you need a Highlands Preservation Area Approval, a Highlands Preservation Area Approval with Waiver, and/or a Highlands Resource Area Determination, you may apply to the Division of Land Use Regulation, using the forms available at the Highlands website. The Highlands website provides guidance on applications and the application process. Should you have any additional questions regarding applications for Approval, Approval with Waiver, and/or a Highlands Resource Area Determination, contact (609) 777-0454.

For more information on the New Jersey Highlands, visit the NJDEP Highlands webpage, or the website of the NJ Highlands Council.

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