DeCroce-Webber Bill Exempting Local Government from Highlands Act Released by Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 11, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and Assemblyman Jay Webber, both R-Morris, Essex and Passaic, that would provide an exemption to local governments from certain provisions of the Highlands Act when deciding to install artificial turf fields was approved by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee today. The 2004 law only provides public or private schools the exemption.

“This legislation represents an opportunity to level the playing field for municipalities that are restricted by the Highlands Act from installing artificial turf for their residents,” said DeCroce, who noted there are 88 municipalities and portions of seven counties in the Highlands Region. “The conditions of the municipal fields in some towns in the preservation area are deteriorating and often unusable and unsafe.

“It is ironic that the schools can install the turf or make field improvements, but the towns can’t,” explained DeCroce. “If the residents want to upgrade their municipal fields to a more durable surface they should be allowed to do so. Affording municipalities the same exemption that schools already enjoy is common sense and something property taxpayers deserve.”

The bill, A-3541, would exempt towns from the lengthy and arduous process of obtaining a permit under the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act.

Jay Webber

“The Highlands Act remains a model of unfairness and arbitrariness, and represents the worst government land grab against our communities in New Jersey history,” said Webber. “This legislation injects a bit of reasonableness into otherwise bad policy. It offers our local communities a fair opportunity to provide safe and durable ball fields on open space, and puts local property taxpayers back in charge of a decision that affects their own welfare.”

The bill also is sponsored by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Bergen