A regional natural resource inventory commissioned by the environmental commissions of East Amwell, Franklin, Hillsborough, Raritan and Tewksbury Townships

This report consists of 3 volumes and eleven large (scale 1" = 1320') color coded mylar maps. The study was commissioned by the five environmental commissions of East Amwell, Franklin, Hillsborough, Raritan and Tewksbury Townships. The commissions have possession of the maps and copies of the report. The purpose of this study is to provide the commissions with a tool which will better enable them to advise their township en environmental matters. Volume I consists of three chapters. Chapter one addresses 17 key land use planning issues and recommends a problem solving process, strategies and a legislative program with which to address them. Chapter two explains a methodology for pulling out the data from the maps and report and organizing it for problem solving. Chapter three presents the natural resource inventory data gathered for each community. This Chapter refers back to the maps, field and analytical data, and recommends standards, specifications and model ordinances for the proper management of each natural resource factor identified. The Natural Resource Data collected was 1) Topography 2) Flood Plains and Stream Delineation 3) Septic suitability of soils 4) Seasonal high water table S) Steep slopes 6) Depth to bedrock 7) Hydrologic soils 8) Ground water geology and hydrology 9) Subwatersheds 10) Ground cover, land use, unique natural and historic sites 11) Surface water quality 12) Prime agricultural soils and 13) Selected stream channel cross sections. Volume II consists of 11 model ordinances which seek to protect the quantity and quality of the municipality's water resources by regulating various types of land use. Volume III is a technical reference library of important texts and materials used as a basis for many of the findings, conclusions and recommendations of this report. In order to successfully use this study for local problem solving, it will be necessary to use the maps (or color slides of them) in conjunction with the text. Chapter II explains how to do this in the most efficient manner. Although this study is a regional inventory covering five municipalities, the implimentation of its conclusions must occur on an individual municipal basis. There is no regional or intermunicipal authority to see that this information is used to benefit the region. However, the benefit to the region as a whole will come when each municipality begins to plan and develop its natural resources with the environmentally sensitive policies and laws recommended.The report was funded by the Township governing bodies, The State Department Of Environmental Protection, The Ford Foundation