VILLAS – At a special meeting Aug. 8, Lower Township Council passed a resolution to make an emergency application to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for a CAFRFA (Coastal Area Facilities Review Act) Permit to allow the extension of nine storm drain outfalls pipes into the bay.
“This does not indicate that council is going forward with the project or not going forward with the project,” said Mayor Walter Craig. “This is simply the mayor and council taking the initiative to be prepared that if it in fact the present project is to move forward, as presently proposed, that we have the proper permitting.
“It appears we do need the permit from DEP,” he continued.
Craig said council was operating under the premise that DEP would not allow the work under a Beach Maintenance Permit held by the township.
Township Solicitor Paul Baldini said if the project moves in a different direction, it is easier to amend a CAFRA Permit that is in affect as opposed to doing a new filing.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nolan said he and Councilman Glenn Douglass have offered to meet with bay front residents that complained about the project at an Aug. 4 council meeting. Complaints included that the pipe extensions would ruin property values by making the beach look “industrial.” Some of the outfall pipes would be extended to a length of 60 feet.
Other residents praised the outfall extensions since it would alleviate street flooding.
Several residents called for an alternative system that would direct storm water to a central location rather than using a number of outfall pipes.
Township Manager Joe Jackson said he discussed the matter with the township’s engineer who told him the cost to divert four to six blocks of storm water pipes would total at least $10 million.
