What is the nj Highlands Act?

The Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act is a law signed in August 2004 that will preserve open space and protect the state’s greatest diversity of natural resources including the precious water resources that supply drinking water to more than half of New Jersey’s families.

Can you build in the Highlands preservation area?

Yes. Within the Highlands Preservation Area, the new law exempts “any improvement to a single-family dwelling in existence on the date of enactment of this act, including but not limited to an addition, garage, shed, driveway, porch, deck, patio, swimming pool, or septic system.”

Why was the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act enacted?

The Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (Highlands Act) was enacted on Aug. 10, 2004 with the purpose of protecting the region’s great wealth of natural resources, including the waterbodies that supply drinking water to more than half of the state’s population.

What are the boundaries of the highlands preservation area?

A complete description of the Highlands Preservation Area boundaries is set forth in Section 7 of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. The Highlands Planning Area is the portion of the Highlands Region that is not included in the Highlands Preservation Area.

Do you need a highlands preservation area approval?

If a project is not exempt, a Highlands Preservation Area Approval (HPAA) will be required. The activities in (1) through (17) below are exempt from meeting Highlands regulatory standards as implemented by DEP.

What does Highlands open waters mean in NJ?

Highlands open waters means all springs, streams including intermittent streams, wetlands, and bodies of surface water, whether natural or artificial, located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Highlands Region, but shall not mean swimming pools.