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Atlantic County Government DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT |
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In 2000, the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Effort was launched to preserve and protect our regions main watershed. The Great Egg Harbor Watershed, also know as Area #15, spans a vast portion of Atlantic County and constitutes a valuable natural resource. Despite the loss of DEP funding for the program in 2003, Atlantic County continues to remain active through relationships with the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association and the NJDEP. Protection of the Great Egg Harbor Watershed remains a high priority and the County continues to expend significant money to acquire lands in this particular area for various uses. Following the conclusion of the targeted watershed planning effort in 2003, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson established the Atlantic County Groundwater Advisory Board and also designated the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) as the lead agency for the study of County groundwater issues. Subsequently, Atlantic County Government supported the reallocation of approximately $167,000 in watershed funds towards the water conservation campaign proposed by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority. Shortly afterwards, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection authorized the reallocation of funds and the ACUA began their “Water – Use It Wisely” campaign which ran throughout 2005. The ACUA’s Water – Use It Wisely program included numerous educational workshops throughout the spring of 2005. These seminars aimed to introduce County residents to practical water conservation methods and also further public awareness of various issues related to water consumption.Vision StatementOur vision for the Great Egg Harbor Watershed is a varied community of
recreation, agriculture, commercial and residential uses sharing a clean
environment. This shall be accomplished with the greatest respect and
consideration given to the water resources, both surface and groundwater,
in order to preserve and sustain our watershed's special status and health,
enhance natural habitats while balancing the needs of the communities
and improving our quality of life. Management of the Great Egg Harbor
Watershed will be based on the best understanding of the scientific and
cultural aspects of the watershed, in view of what was, what is and what
is needed for the future. (Created with input from all of the focus group
participants and finalized by the by the Steering Committee at their July
11, 2001 meeting) |
