DEP COMMISSIONER BRADLEY
M. CAMPBELL OUTLINES DETAILS FOR LIMITED LAWN WATERING (02/31) Trenton--As announced at the first
drought public informational meeting in Atlantic County
on April 18, 2002, adjustments have been made to the current
lawn watering restrictions in New Jersey. The provisions
as outlined in the attached Administrative Order No. 2002-15
take effect immediately, for a trial period, in order to
track and ensure sufficient water levels are maintained
in surface and ground water supplies. If the adjustments
negatively impact water supplies, these additional lawn-watering
measures will be discontinued no later than June 28, 2002.
Despite coordinated water management measures,
transfers of water, reductions in flows, and voluntary water
conservation, New Jersey continues to suffer serious water
shortfalls due to the lack of consistent, steady rainfall.
Although rainfall in April was close to normal and helped
to raise reservoir levels, the state remains in a drought
emergency. However, restrictions on outdoor water use have
had unintended impacts on certain business sectors requiring
additional adjustments. The second drought public informational
meeting is scheduled for May 9, Liberty State Park in Jersey
City and will address impacts in the northeast region -
the hardest hit region in the state. The new provisions in the attached Order
can also be obtained from the DEP's web page at www.njdrought.org
or call the drought hotline at 1-800-448-7370. |