Multi-Purpose Regional BMPs: Coordinating Watershed Protection and Smart Growth

New Jersey has implemented a "Smart Growth" policy which encourages growth through re-development of areas already substantially developed and discourages development within the more rural and environmentally sensitive areas of the State. A primary objective of this policy is protection of the State's water resources. In addition, New Jersey now requires water quality treatment of stormwater runoff as part of it's response to EPA's Phase II implementation of the Clean Water Act. The Borough of Berlin in Camden County, New Jersey is designated by the State Plan Policy Map as a Metropolitan Planning Area targeted for future development and growth. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has proposed needed improvements to accommodate this growth. The improvements were designed to alleviate traffic congestion within the Borough, meet future traffic needs for the region, alleviate existing flooding problems, and improve stormwater runoff quality. Berlin is located at the headwaters of the Great Egg Harbor River, a high quality and high value stream that is designated as a Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service. The project offered an ideal opportunity to merge the goals of both watershed protection and Smart Growth. Instead of sacrificing valuable land within a designated growth area for on-site stormwater management, a regional watershed-based approach was pursued. A suitable site was selected which will provide water quality treatment for a 0.9 square kilometer portion of an urbanized watershed, supply much-needed flood relief, and include the creation of wetlands to meet the regulatory requirements for compensatory mitigation. The multi-purpose regional facility will include a 0.850 ha stormwater wet pond/wetland system which meets numerous and sometimes conflicting requirements for water quality treatment, wetland mitigation, and flood control.