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DEP ENFORCES WATER USE
REGULATIONS AT GOLF COURSE TRENTON 06/20 --
Today, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner
Bradley M. Campbell informed the Somerset County Park Commission
(SCPC) that the ongoing construction of the Neshanic Valley
Golf Course violates water regulations. "While we have relaxed many water
use restrictions to lighten the burden, particularly on
homeowners and small businesses, we will enforce the remaining
restrictions and the state's water use regulations,"
said Commissioner Campbell. Investigations by DEP have revealed SCPC
is constructing two ponds to irrigate its golf course without
necessary water allocation permits and approvals from the
Department. The application for these permits calls for
hundreds of thousands of gallons to be withdrawn from the
Raritan River, a source of drinking water for millions of
central New Jerseyans. In addition, SCPC is already using a well
on a neighbor's property to fill these irrigation ponds.
DEP has approved this well to be used only for domestic
consumption by the homeowner. The SCPC has received a Notice of Violation
(NOV), ordering it to cease use of the well and notifying
them that the pond can not be used for irrigation until
the required permit has been issued. DEP also notified the
Commission that penalties may be imposed for this violation.
SCPC has ten days to respond to the violation listed in
today's notice. DEP is investigating other golf courses
where similar water use regulations violations may exist
and will not hesitate to take enforcement action to safeguard
New Jersey's water supply. | 
