Proposed Diversion and Request for Conservation Restriction Release by Township of Stafford
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manahawkin, NJ - September 30, 2010
Contact:
Township Administrator James Moran 609-597-1000
TAKE NOTICE that the TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, a municipal corporation of the State of New Jersey, has filed an application with the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection (“Department”) proposing to divert via lease and to request that the Department grant a partial release of the Department’s conservation restriction rights relevant to an area containing the former Stafford Township Sanitary Landfill (commonly referred to as the "New Landfill"), which has been closed and capped in accordance with applicable law. The affected area is 57.672 acres and is located along Haywood Road within the Stafford Business Park, between New Jersey State Highway Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway, more particularly known as part of Block 25, Lot 39 (and formerly known, as Block 25, Lot 93; and Block 13, Lots 22.01 & 68) as shown on the Official Tax Map of the Township of Stafford, Ocean County, New Jersey (the “Landfill Lot”).
The conservation restriction is entitled, “Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions (11b.)(Landfill)” dated December 7, 2006, and recorded on December 11, 2006, at Deed Book 13446, Page 0118, with the Office of the Ocean County Clerk (the “Conservation Restriction”), by, and between, the Township of Stafford and the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, a political subdivision of the State of New Jersey, allocated within the Department.
The Township of Stafford is proposing the diversion and the partial release of the Conservation Restriction, to allow for the development of facilities that produce electrical energy from wind, solar, photovoltaic, or other technologies on a portion of the Landfill Lot including the surface of the capped New Landfill and adjoining areas, which will require development in areas that would otherwise be prohibited pursuant to the terms of the Conservation Restriction.
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 13:8B-5, the Township will conduct a public hearing on the Township of Stafford’s request for a partial release of the Conservation Restriction. This hearing will also serve as the public hearing for the proposed diversion required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:36-26.11. The hearing will take place on October 14, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., at the following location:
Stafford Township Municipal Building
260 E. Bay Avenue
Stafford Township, New Jersey 08050
Any interested person may be heard at the public hearing and present any comments regarding this proposal orally or in writing. In the alternative, written comments may be submitted to the following:
Jim Moran, Administrator
Stafford Township Municipal Building
260 E. Bay Avenue
Stafford Township, New Jersey 08050
with a copy to:
Department of Environmental Protection
Green Acres Program
Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship Mail Code 501-01 P.O. Box 420 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420
Written comments will be accepted until October 21, 2010.
