Sample Ordinances for Protecting Significant Coastal Habitats

The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commission (ANJEC) originally developed this booklet in 1998 in an effort to establish sound public policy guidelines for land use decisions and to educate local officials and citizens on the benefits of protecting coastal migratory bird habitat. Today, with growing concerns about the impacts of sea level change due to global warming, the importance of sustainable land use decisions has become even more critical, particularly in coastal areas. The aim of the booklet is to offer local environmental commissions and planning boards an arsenal of practical tools and techniques they can use, not only to protect bird habitat but to mitigate and adapt to the changes ahead. This document includes excerpts from 22 actual ordinances in effect in New Jersey municipalities to protect natural habitats, from conservation design and dune protection to open space, stormwater management, flood prevention and much more.Purpose: To provide guidelines for land use decisions and educate local officials and citizens on the benefits of protecting coastal migratory bird habitat