To the Editor:

Congratulations and thanks to our state legislature for standing up for the environment through its enactment of SCR 180. The bill legislatively vetoes the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s proposed changes to the Flood Hazard Control Act. The changes would have rolled back or weakened rules that restrict further development in flood plains and many other measures that lessen the negative effects of storm water runoff on our streams.

Much of New Jersey was developed before we fully understood the impact that our development actions would have on our waterways. Consequently, property losses from flooding in New Jersey are among the greatest of any state and our water is too dirty. We learn from our mistakes. The Flood Hazard Control Act keeps us from repeating those mistakes, thereby preventing even more flooding and even dirtier water.

The DEP has disingenuously claimed that the proposed revisions only eliminate bureaucratic red tape and streamline rules. Most advocates for our waterways, such as the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association (where I am a Trustee), dispute this claim. Indeed, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concluded that the proposed revisions conflict with federal regulations.

Many citizens contacted their state representatives to urge that they vote to block the new rules. We are grateful that they heard us and acted. There are still several actions the legislature may have to take if the DEP continues to ignore the legislative intent of the Act. I urge New Jersey’s legislature and citizens to keep up this fight to protect our water.

Scott Sillars

Patton Avenue