A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Water Quality
Impacts have been categorized as point or nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution. Since the implementation
of State and Federal regulations, impact from point discharges has diminished prompting greater emphasis
on NPS. The disperse nature of NPS makes them difficult to track, however some general observations can
be made. The most common sources include runoff from construction activities and urban/suburban surfaces
(paved surfaces such as roads, highways, and parking lots, and lawns), and agricultural runoff.
Water Quantity
Urbanization is characterized by an increase in the amount of impervious surfaces (roads, parking lots,
rooftops, sidewalks, compacted fill, etc.) yielding reduced infiltration with resultant increased amounts and
rate of stormwater run-off. “In extremely developed watersheds (impervious >50%), the post-development
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peak discharge rate may increase by a factor of five from the pre-development rate.” Land use acts as a
generator and receiver of increased water volume. Flooding has long plagued areas in the county, such as
Long Hill Township, the Borough of Lincoln Park and Pequannock Township on the Passaic River, the Town
of Boonton, Denville Township, Town of Dover and Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills on the Rockaway
River, and the Town of Morristown on the Whippany River.
Support
Regulatory
FEDERAL
The Clean Water Act authorizes water pollution prevention programs.
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The Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes US EPA to set standards for maximum levels of contaminants
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in drinking water.
STATE
Flood Hazard Area Control Act protects property, water quality, and habitat within floodplain areas
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and associated watercourses.
NJ Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act preserves freshwater wetlands from disturbance.
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NJ Water Pollution Control Act protects uses of water through discharge controls
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NJ Water Quality Planning Act mandates the development, adoption and modification of a statewide
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water quality management plan and areawide water quality management plans, and authorizes the
development of county water quality management plans.
Water Supply Management Act authorizes the planning and controlling of allocation and provision of
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water, including emergency restrictions during times of drought. Water supply critical areas may be
designated and regulated if severe water supply problems exist.
! Statewide Watershed Management Initiative (implements goals and milestones for water resource
management as articulated by the National Performance Partnership System, with the US EPA).
! Nonpoint Source Pollution Control and Management Implementation Grants fund watershed
management initiatives addressing root causes of nonpoint source pollution, through partnerships
implementation of measurable techniques.
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Thomas R. Schueler, “Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Urbanization on Streams: A Comprehensive
Strategy for Local Government,” Watershed Restoration SourceBook (Metropolitan Washington Council of
Governments, 1991) 22.
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Surface Water