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DEP AND RAMAPO COLLEGE
SETTLE ON PLAN TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT AND EXPAND COLLEGE
FACILITIES Trenton, NJ ---- The Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) and Ramapo State College have signed a
settlement agreement, resolving the college's violations
of environmental laws designed to protect freshwater wetlands.
The agreement, which is outlined in an Administrative Consent
Order, allows the college to continue with a plan to expand
its facilities while protecting and preserving wetlands
and other natural resources in the area. "I applaud President Rodney Smith's
willingness to work with us," said DEP Commissioner
Bradley M. Campbell. "This agreement proves that we
do not have to compromise the health of our environment
in order for our colleges and communities to continue to
grow." In March 2002, DEP ordered Ramapo to halt
its construction work to expand campus facilities after
discovering that significant grading and clearing had occurred
within wetland transition areas without the required permit
approval. Wetlands and associated transition areas
are a critical natural resource because they filter out
contaminants, recharge groundwater supplies and serve as
habitat for a great diversity of plants and animals. The
area impacted by Ramapo's expansion is classified as an
exceptional resource value wetland and is a documented habitat
for wood turtles, a state threatened species. Under this agreement, the college will:
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Prepare and implement a DEP-approved plan to restore
transition areas; -
Sign and file a DEP-approved deed restriction to protect
a 150-foot buffer around the wetlands; -
Provide wetland buffers of 150 feet to the wetlands
nearest the tributaries to Darlington Brook, which is
upstream of the current development project; -
Prepare and implement a stormwater treatment plan for
all waters draining directly into Darlington Brook; -
Permanently preserve the northern most wetland complex
and adjacent u pland areas as open space to serve as
habitat for wood turtles; and other species of wildlife;
and, -
Work with DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife to undertake
a study of the wood turtle in the Ramapo River Basin. Ramapo College will also pay a settlement
penalty of $37,350.00 for failure to comply with state environmental
laws. | 
