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WHEREAS, a state of water supply emergency was declared
in 1995, 1999 and 2002; and
WHEREAS, New Jersey has suffered from unusually dry weather
conditions since 1998, with precipitation throughout the
State during 2000 and 2001 among the lowest on record;
and
WHEREAS, New Jersey is divided into six drought regions,
based on watershed location and other conditions relevant
to water supply, as follows: Central Drought Region (Middlesex,
Somerset and Union Counties, and parts of Hunterdon, Mercer
and Morris Counties); Coastal North Drought Region (parts
of Monmouth and Ocean Counties); Coastal South Drought
Region (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland Counties, and
parts of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem
Counties); Northeast Drought Region (Bergen, Passaic,
Hudson and parts of Essex and Morris Counties); Northwest
Drought Region (Sussex and Warren Counties, and part of
Hunterdon County) and Southwest Drought Region (parts
of Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Monmouth and
Salem Counties); and
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2002, the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection issued a drought warning for
the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, Coastal South and
Coastal North Drought Regions, due to the precipitation
deficit, record low ground water levels and stream flows,
and depleted reservoir levels; and
WHEREAS, Executive
Order No. 11 was issued on March 4, 2002, for the
purpose of declaring a state of water emergency due to
drought conditions throughout New Jersey, characterized
by a protracted period of dry weather conditions and significantly
depleted surface and ground water levels, including unprecedented
low stream flows across the State; and
WHEREAS, coordinated water management measures exercised
by water suppliers, citizens, businesses and institutions,
municipalities, counties, and the State, including water
conservation efforts and voluntary and mandatory water
use restrictions, effectively curtailed water use demands
and allowed for the preservation of available supplies;
and
WHEREAS, abundant rainfall across the State this fall
and early winter contributed significantly toward eradication
of the precipitation deficit, restoration of stream flows,
and replenishment of water supply storage in critical
northeastern New Jersey reservoirs; and
WHEREAS, concerns regarding long-term climatic trends
suggest that considerable attention must still be devoted
to the stabilization of available water supplies through
efficient management and prudent use of the resource;
and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and necessary to remain vigilant
by continuing voluntary water conservation practices that
are beneficial and essential to the preservation of available
water supplies;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the
State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested
in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this
State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
- The state of water emergency declared by
Executive
Order No. 11 is hereby terminated in all six New
Jersey drought regions based upon the facts and circumstances
set forth above.
- The Department shall strictly enforce the
terms and conditions of all water allocation permits
and water registrations.
- With respect to the Atlantic County Townships
of Egg Harbor, Galloway, and Hamilton, the Commissioner
is to continue to exercise the authority and discretion
granted to him by statute and regulation to ensure that
new development and new water connections can be supported
by the water supply on a sustained yield basis.
- With respect to the Townships of Egg Harbor,
Galloway, and Hamilton, and other growth receiving areas
under the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, the
Commissioner shall coordinate with affected mayors and
with the Chairman and Members of the Pinelands Commission
in developing a long-term strategy to address growth
management needs in the area.
- With respect to Statewide water supply challenges,
the Commissioner is directed to develop and implement
a short-term and long-term strategy to strengthen protection
of New Jersey's water supply, and to reduce the frequency
and severity of drought emergencies affecting our communities.
- All persons are encouraged to use water wisely
and to comply fully with any water use measures imposed
by applicable municipalities and counties, or water
suppliers servicing their areas.
- This Order shall take effect immediately.
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GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 8th day of January
in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three,
and of the Independence of the United States, the
Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh.
/s/ James E. McGreevey
Governor
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[seal]
Attest:
/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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