DEP Upgraded Important Streams to C1

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100

Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner announced it will designate 749 miles of rivers and streams as Category One waterways, marking the first time in more than a decade that the state has designated waterways to this high level of protection.

“This is an important step forward in our battle in New Jersey for clean water. We have been waiting 10 years to get new stream designated as c1 now it is finally happening. The DEP will designate 749 miles of waterways as C1 streams for ecological value and fishery resources. C1 is a key tool to protect water quality under the Clean Water Act. It means these streams get anti degradation which mean no measurable in their water quality,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “This is the first real positive rule from the DEP under the Murphy Administration. This is a critical rule in our efforts to protect the environment and our precious waterways.”

These waters flow through 67 municipalities within the Upper Delaware, Lower Delaware, Northwest, Raritan and Atlantic Coastal regions. Among the waterways to be classified are segments of the Pequest River in Warren County, the Salem River in Salem County, the South Branch of the Raritan River in Somerset and Hunterdon counties, the Lamington River in Hunterdon and Somerset counties, and the Ramapo River in Bergen County.

“DEP’s rule encompasses streams all across the state, from Ramapo to Salem River and other important waterways like the Lamington River, Maurice River, and Cooper River. In a state like New Jersey this is vital because only 5% of our streams and rivers meet criteria for fishing and swimming. C1 stream means you cannot degrade its water quality. It protects critical habitat, stream buffers and keeps out pollution discharge of sewage and other sources. C1 also requires higher standards for stormwater. C1 designation for 750 miles will help protect 1,000s of miles of open space because it will expand the stream buffers,” said Tittel.

The DEP filed the proposed classification changes in the New Jersey Register as amendments to its Surface Water Quality Standards Rule. Upon adoption, these will be the first additions of Category 1, or C-1, waterways since 2008, when the state designated 686 miles of rivers and streams to this high level of protection.

“We need to do more to protect our streams near our drinking water supply intakes and above reservoirs. All Highlands water must also be C1. Then in 2008, some critical streams like the Wallkill River that goes through the Wallkill Refuge and Swan Creek in Lambertville were taken off the C1 list that need to get back. It is important to protect endangered species but it is even more important to protect drinking water for over 1 million people of New Jersey,” said Tittel. “DEP still have not upgraded streams for recreation value and scenic value. Which means Wild and Scenic Rivers for recreational purposes like Great Egg and Musconetcong should be C1.”

Any wastewater or other regulated discharges impacting these waterways will need to meet stringent water quality standards. These areas also will be afforded 300-foot development buffers under the Flood Hazard Area Control Act, better protecting water quality as well as lives and property.

“Designating C1 protect to these streams is even more urgent because only 1 stream in New Jersey, Flat Brook, meets fishable, swimmable, drinkable criteria. DEP’s new rule is a good step forward. They need to keep this momentum and get rid of rollbacks from the Christie Administration that protect out streams and rivers. This includes strengthening rules for SWARPA, upgrade further protections, close loopholes, add temperature criteria, and water withdrawal regulations,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.  “Sierra Club 20 years ago worked to change C1 streams. At one time it was for protecting cold water and fisheries for trout. We need to make sure that the DEP moves forward on protecting not just these streams but water and recreational streams.”