New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council

The New Jersey Highlands

The New Jersey Highlands region is a scenic and diverse area, encompassing 88 municipalities in parts of seven counties in northern New Jersey. More than 70% of New Jersey residents get some or all of their drinking water from the Highlands, including 8 out of every 10 people living in a designated Overburdened Community. For this reason, the region is protected by law. The 2004 New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act safeguards the New Jersey Highlands from excessive development and environmental degradation. The New Jersey Highlands Council is the state agency responsible for overseeing implementation of the Act. The agency is staffed by a team of professional planners, environmental scientists, and GIS experts. Use the map to explore the region.

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Foo Bar County

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09/09/2025

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Allamuchy Petition for Plan Conformance

The Highlands Council is currently accepting written public comments on Allamuchy Township's request for conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan. Comments are being accepted through Friday, October 3, 2025.

Allamuchy Township

09/03/2025

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What's Been Happening at the Highlands Council

Read the most recent Highlands Council Update summarizing our work in the month of July.

July Report

08/11/2025

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Introducing REX!

The Highlands Interactive Map is now the Highlands Resource Explorer, or REX. The Highlands GIS team built REX with the same functionality as the previous interactive map, but with an updated interface and more mapping capabilities and customization options. Check it out!

REX

05/05/2025

Highlands Council 2024 Annual Report Released

2024 Annual Report

04/21/2025

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What’s the Weather in Chester?

Get the latest weather conditions and trend data from the Highlands Council weather station.

Rutgers Weather Network

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2025 Public Meetings

Access information and materials related to past, current, and upcoming public meetings the Highlands Council and Highlands Development Credit (HDC) Bank Board.

View Meeting Information