Source: https://ecode360.com/29314296
Timestamp: 2020-07-03 20:11:11
Document Index: 330056949

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 164', '§ 1531', '§ 1531', '§ 164', '§ 9601']

Township of Carneys Point, NJ Riparian Zones
§ 164-1 Purpose and authority.
§ 164-3 Establishment and protection of riparian zones.
§ 164-4 Variances.
§ 164-5 Exceptions.
§ 164-6 Appeals; conflicts; severability.
§ 164-8 When effective.
Chapter 164 Riparian Zones
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Carneys Point 12-18-2013 by Ord. No. 885. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Stormwater — See Ch. 180.
The purpose of this chapter is to designate riparian zones and to provide for land use regulation therein in order to protect the streams, lakes and other surface water bodies of the Township of Carneys Point and to comply with N.J.A.C. 7:15-5.25(g)3, which requires municipalities to adopt an ordinance that prevents new disturbance for projects or activities in riparian zones as described herein. Compliance with the riparian zone requirements of this chapter does not constitute compliance with the riparian zone or buffer requirements imposed under any other federal, state, local statute, regulation or ordinance.
Soils that contain geologic deposits of iron sulfide minerals (pyrite and marcasite), which, when exposed to oxygen from the air or from surface waters, oxidize to produce sulfuric acid. Acid-producing soils, upon excavation, generally have a pH of 4.0 or lower. After exposure to oxygen, these soils generally have a pH of 3.0 or lower. Information regarding the location of acid-producing soils in New Jersey can be obtained from local Soil Conservation District offices.
A person, corporation, government body or other legal entity applying to the Planning Board or the Construction Office proposing to engage in an activity that is regulated by the provisions of this chapter and that would be located in whole or in part within a regulated riparian zone.
Shall have the meaning ascribed to this term by the Surface Water Quality Standards, N.J.A.C. 7:9B, for purposes of implementing the antidegradation policies set forth in those standards, for protection from measurable changes in water quality characteristics because of their clarity, color, scenic setting, and other characteristics of aesthetic value, exceptional ecological significance, exceptional recreational significance, exceptional water supply significance or exceptional fisheries resources.
The placement of impervious surface, the exposure or movement of soil or bedrock, or the clearing, cutting or removing of vegetation.
A surface water body with definite bed and banks in which there is a not a permanent flow of water and shown on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System (GIS) hydrography coverages or, in the case of a special water resource protection area (SWRPA) pursuant to the Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h), C1 waters as shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county soil surveys.
A surface water body that flows continuously throughout the year in most years and shown on Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System (GIS) hydrography coverages or, in the case of a special water resource protection area (SWRPA) pursuant to Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h), C1 waters as shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county soil surveys.
The land and vegetation within and directly adjacent to all surface water bodies, including, but not limited to, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, perennial and intermittent streams, up to and including their point of origin, such as seeps and springs, as shown on the Department of Environmental Protection Geographic Information System (GIS) hydrography coverages or, in the case of special water resource protection area (SWRPA) pursuant to Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h), C1 waters as shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county soil surveys. There is no riparian zone along the Atlantic Ocean nor along any man-made lagoon or oceanfront barrier island, spit or peninsula.
A three-hundred-foot area provided on each side of a surface water body designated as a C1 water or tributary to a C1 water that is a perennial stream, intermittent stream, lake, pond, or reservoir, as defined herein and shown on the USGS quadrangle map or in the county soil surveys within the associated HUC-14 drainage, pursuant to the Stormwater Management Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.5(h).
Any perennial stream, intermittent stream, lake, pond, or reservoir, as defined herein. In addition, any regulated water under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act rules at N.J.A.C. 7:13-2.2 or state open waters identified in a letter of interpretation issued under the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules at N.J.A.C. 7:7A-3 by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Land Use Regulation shall also be considered surface water bodies.
A species identified pursuant to the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act, N.J.S.A. 23:2A-1 et seq.; the Endangered Species Act of 1973,[1] 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.; or the Endangered Plant Species List, N.J.A.C. 7:5.1,[2] and any subsequent amendments thereto.
Editor's Note: See 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.
Editor's Note: See N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1 for said list.
Except as provided in §§ 164-4 and 164-5 below, riparian zones adjacent to all surface water bodies shall be protected from avoidable disturbance and shall be delineated as follows:
The riparian zone shall be 300 feet wide along both sides of any Category One water (C1 water) and all upstream tributaries situated within the same HUC-14 watershed.
Any trout maintenance water and all upstream waters (including tributaries) within one linear mile as measured along the length of the regulated water;
Any segment of water flowing through an area that contains documented habitat for a threatened or endangered species of plant or animal, which is critically dependent on the surface water body for survival, and all upstream waters (including tributaries) within one linear mile as measured along the length of the regulated water; and
Any segment of a water flowing through an area that contains acid-producing soils.
If discernible bank is not present along a surface water body, the portion of the riparian zone outside the surface water body is measured landward as follows:
Along a linear fluvial or tidal water, such as a stream, the riparian zone is measured landward of the feature's center line;
Along an amorphously shaped feature such as a wetland complex, through which water flows but which lacks a discernible channel, the riparian zone is measured landward of the feature's center line.
The applicant or designated representative shall be responsible for the initial determination of the presence of a riparian zone on a site and for identifying the area of a riparian zone on any plan submitted to the Township in conjunction with an application for a construction permit, subdivision, land development, or other improvement that requires plan submissions or permits. This initial determination shall be subject to review and approval by the Municipal Engineer, governing body or its appointed representative, and, where required by state regulation, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
To the extent allowed by the Stormwater Management Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8) and the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:13), new disturbances for projects or activities in the riparian zone established by this chapter may be allowed through the Zoning Board of Adjustment review and approval of a variance, provided that the disturbance is proposed to be located on a preexisting lot (existing as of the effective date of this chapter) when there is insufficient room outside the riparian zone for the proposed use otherwise permitted by the underlying zoning; there is not other reasonable or prudent alternative to placement in the riparian zone, including obtaining variances from setback or other requirements that would allow conformance with the riparian zone requirements; and upon proof by virtue of submission of appropriate maps, drawings, reports and testimony that the disturbance is:
To prevent extraordinary hardship, provided that the hardship was not created by the property owner, by not allowing a minimum economically viable use of the property based upon reasonable investment.
To the extent allowed under the Stormwater Management Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8), the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:13), and subject to review and approval by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to the extent required by those rules, the following disturbances for projects or activities in the riparian zones established by this chapter are allowed:
Disturbance that is in accordance with the stream corridor restoration or stream bank stabilization plan or project approved by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection;
Disturbance necessary to provide for public pedestrian access or water-dependent recreation that meets the requirements of the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7A, the Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:13, or the Coastal Zone Management Rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7E; or
Disturbance with no feasible alternative required for the remediation of hazardous substances performed with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection or federal oversight pursuant to the Spill Compensation and Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11a et seq. or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
Any party aggrieved by the location of the riparian zone boundary determination under this chapter may appeal to the Zoning Officer under the provisions of this chapter. The party contesting the location of a riparian zone boundary shall have the burden of proof in case of any such appeal.
Any party aggrieved by any determination or decision of the Zoning Officer under this chapter may appeal to the Township Committee of the Township of Carneys Point. The party contesting the determination or decision shall have the burden of proof in case of any such appeal.
All other ordinances, parts of ordinances or other local requirements that are inconsistent or in conflict with this chapter are hereby superseded to the extent of any inconsistency or conflict, and the provisions of this chapter shall apply.
A prompt investigation shall be made by the Zoning Officer of any person or entity believed to be in violation of this chapter. If, upon inspection, a condition which is in violation of this chapter is discovered, a civil action in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, or in the Superior Court, if the primary relief sought is injunctive or if penalties may exceed the jurisdictional limit of the Special Civil Part, by the filing and serving of appropriate process. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude the Township, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-25, to initiate legal proceedings hereunder in Municipal Court. The violation of any section or subsection of this chapter shall constitute a separate and distinct offense independent of the violation of any other section or subsection or of any order issued pursuant to this chapter. Each day a violation continues shall be considered a different offense.
This chapter shall take effect upon final adoption and publication in accordance with the law on the date it is filed with the County Planning Board after adoption.