Governor James E. McGreevey celebrated Earth Day today by delivering on his Earth Day 2002 pledge, announcing that the state has signed rules strengthening protection for nine drinking water reservoirs and six ecologically sensitive river and stream segments.

"One year ago, I stood before you and made a commitment to New Jersey's families and communities that we would protect these fifteen precious water resources," McGreevey said. "Today, not only have we met that commitment, but I once again promise that we can and will do more to safeguard our drinking water supplies for future generations."

McGreevey noted that the nine reservoirs included in today's rules provide drinking water to approximately 3.5 million residents - more than 40 percent of New Jersey's population. The Oradell Reservoir alone, site of today's press conference, provides drinking water to more than 750,000 residents of Bergen and Hudson Counties.

The new rules provide for "Category One" (C1) designation, the highest form of protection available. The rules provide protections preventing any measurable deterioration in the existing water quality of the 15 water bodies. While the state's previous C1 designations were primarily extended to trout production streams, protection of these water bodies represents the first significant effort to safeguard high-quality drinking water supplies.

In addition to safeguarding important supplies of drinking water, the protections announced today also will help preserve water quality for almost 200 miles of six streams and waterways that serve as critical habitat for many of New Jersey's threatened and endangered species.

While overlooking the shore of the Oradell Reservoir, the Governor advocated further, comprehensive protections for New Jersey's critical water resources. Joining him at the event was Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell, as well as numerous legislators, mayors, environmental advocates and community activists.

"Governor McGreevey has recognized that we need safe, plentiful drinking water to preserve the quality of life for New Jersey's families and provide sound economic opportunities for our businesses," said Commissioner Campbell. "Through the Governor's strong leadership and foresight, New Jersey has once again established itself as a national environmental leader."

In addition to the 15 waterbodies announced last Earth Day, the McGreevey Administration formally proposed C1 rules for an additional seven waterbodies based on their production of trout and habitat for endangered species. Governor McGreevey also pledged to provide additional waterbodies with C1 protection in future rules, including the Metedeconk and some of its tributaries and many of the waterbodies that feed into the Oradell Reservoir, including Lake Tappan and Woodcliff Lake. In both cases, DEP is working closely with local officials to determine the specific streams and waterways that require critical protection.

Campbell further noted that, following the Governor's direction, DEP has developed a comprehensive list of waterbodies statewide that could be potential candidates for future C1 designation or other forms of water quality protection. The list of potential candidates is currently available on the DEP website for an informal public comment period that closes on April 25, 2003. Following a review of the comments, DEP will begin a series of formal rulemaking proposals for future rounds of C1 designations. An opportunity for additional public input will be provided for each proposed rule.

Below is the list of the fifteen waterbodies receiving C1 protection.

RESERVOIRS

Round Valley Reservoir - Clinton Township, Hunterdon County
Round Valley is managed by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and provides drinking water for residents of central New Jersey.

Doughty Reservoir - Egg Harbor, Galloway, Absecon, Atlantic County
Doughty Reservoir is managed by the Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority and provides drinking water for residents of Atlantic City.

Oradell Reservoir - Harrington Park, Closter, Haworth, Oradell, Bergen County
Oradell Reservoir is managed by United Water Resources and provides drinking water for residents of northeast New Jersey, including Bergen and Hudson counties.

Charlottesburg Reservoir - Rockaway, Morris County
Charlottesburg Reservoir is managed by the Newark City Water Department and provides drinking water for residents of northeast New Jersey, including Morris, Union, Passaic, and Essex counties.

Boonton Reservoir - Boonton Township, Morris County
Boonton Reservoir is managed by the Jersey City Water Department and provides drinking water for residents of northeast New Jersey, including Essex, Passaic, and Hudson counties.

Swimming River Reservoir - Colts Neck, Red Bank, Monmouth County
Swimming River Reservoir is managed by North Jersey American Water Company and provides drinking water for residents of Monmouth County.

Glendola Reservoir - Wall, Monmouth County
Glendola Reservoir is managed by New Jersey American, Monmouth Division and provides drinking water for residents of southeast New Jersey.

Manasquan Reservoir - Howell, Monmouth County
Manasquan Reservoir is managed by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and provides drinking water for residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Wanaque Reservoir - Ringwood, Wanaque, Passaic County
Wanaque Reservoir is managed by North Jersey District Water Supply Commission and provides drinking water for residents of northeast New Jersey, including Essex, Passaic, and Hudson counties.

STREAMS

South Branch Rockaway Creek - Clinton, Lebanon, Readington, Hunterdon County
South Branch Rockaway Creek is located in Hunterdon County in the Raritan Watershed. The headwaters of the creek are in Clinton Township, while the creek flows in an eastward direction through Lebanon Borough and Readington Township, meeting the North Branch of the Rockaway River just north of Route 22. The portion upgraded to C1 classification includes the headwaters to Lake Cushetunk, including all tributaries.

Sidney Brook - Clinton, Union, Franklin, Hunterdon County
Sidney Brook is located in Hunterdon County in the Raritan Watershed. A headwater stream with high water quality, the brook flows through portions of Clinton, Union and Franklin townships. The portion upgraded to C1 classification includes the headwaters to the brook's confluence with South Branch Raritan River, including all tributaries.

Flat Brook - Walpack, Sussex County
Nestled within the rural landscape of western Sussex County, the Flat Brook watershed is one of the most expansive, ecologically intact, high water quality stream systems in the state. The portion upgraded to C1 classification flows from the Flatbrook-Roy Wildlife Management Area boundary to the Delaware River.

Pequest River - Liberty, Mansfield, Warren County
Pequest River and Beaver Run are high quality watersheds that feature an excellent example of calcareous wetlands and important wildlife habitat. The two portions upgraded to C1 classification include the segment from the Lehigh and Hudson River railway bridge to the northern boundary of the Pequest Wildlife Management Area and the segment from the upstream boundary of the Pequest Wildlife Management Area to the downstream boundary.

Assiscunk Creek - Springfield, Mansfield, Burlington County
Surrounded by farmland and bordered by a rich floodplain of oak and maple-forested swamp, vernal pools, and marshes, the Assiscunk Creek has high water quality and contains important wildlife habitat. The portion upgraded to C1 classification includes the headwaters to the confluence with Barkers Brook, including all tributaries.

Beaver Brook - Clinton, Hunterdon County
Beaver Brook is located in Annandale in the Raritan River watershed. The portion upgraded to C1 classification includes the Beaver Avenue bridge downstream to the lowermost I-78 bridge.