Outreach director makes pitch to Ogdensburg
OGDENSBURG — George Stafford, Outreach Director of the N.J. Highlands Coalition, requested recently for the Ogdensburg Council to approve two resolutions. Speaking on behalf of “Keep it Green,” Stafford asked for the council to request the state of New Jresey 1. release the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) water plan, completed prior to 2011; and 2. provide additional open space funding in order to provide more ground water recharge in N.J. d
In 1996, Stafford said, the state approved updating the state water plan every five years, but they still have not released the 2011 numbers. He continued New Jersey is still working with numbers from 1996.
He explained New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the U.S. Although receiving 50 inches of water per year, Stafford said, New Jersey also depends on ground water when reservoir water is fully used.
Stafford said, as towns build along train lines, the state needs more and more water. Farm, brown field, and wetlands allow more ground water to recharge. He mentioned the dam in California, although enormously high with water pouring over, does not have much drinking water in the reservoir.
He said, when there are big storms in New Jersey water from reservoirs is dumped in order to avoid flooding. Therefore, he explained New Jersey needs more open space for better ground water recharge.
Stafford concluded,
“Ground water is the biggest reservoir we have in the state,” Stafford said.
Although it is not visible, he said, “That's where we get the ground water we need, when reservoirs aren't enough.”
Mayor Steve Ciasullo asked, if any other towns from Sussex County had passed the proposed resolutions?
Stafford said, Green Township, Borough of Wharton, Newark, Bernardsville, and a lot of other municipalities have the resolutions under consideration. “It's just common sense,” he added, ”You have to know where you are. We really need to know how much water we have, and how much water we are using.”
Ciasullo said they will let him know, after the council has had a chance to review the two proposed resolutions.