O20 VEC R25 01_Preserve West Orange 120 Acres

VERONA ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION 600 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE VERONA, ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY RESOLUTION No. 2025-01 A motion was made by Walter Steinmann; seconded by Sarah O’Farrell that the following resolution be adopted: A RESOLUTION URGING THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE TO PRESERVE THE 120 ACRE FOREST AT THE SECOND WATCHUNG MOUNTAIN AND RIDGE WHEREAS, the 120-acre property at Block 179, Lot 32, known as the “West Essex Highlands” is a core forest; a critical environmental facet of Essex County, New Jersey providing essential habitat and water resources; and WHEREAS, residential neighborhoods surrounding and adjacent to this core forest are flood prone, experience repeated flood events, and exist in the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) FEMA floodplain; and WHEREAS, open space properties and parklands downstream from this property contain floodways, and or exist in the 1% annual chance (100-year) FEMA floodplain, and experience repeated flood events; and WHEREAS urban flooding can occur in places that are well outside of mapped floodplains and can be caused by rain falling on increased amounts of impervious surfaces overwhelming the capacity of drainage systems; and WHEREAS, this forest contains tens of thousands of trees, providing green infrastructure for stormwater management as well as providing for the absorption of carbon dioxide, the production of oxygen and relief from heat island effect and essential ecological habitat; and WHEREAS, the proposed removal of untold numbers of trees will exacerbate flooding, degrade the core forest and displace hundreds of native species; and WHEREAS, the applicant is not adhering to the most current stormwater rules and as such are not planning onsite stormwater management that would act to better protect all surrounding properties; and

-2- WHEREAS, waters from this forested land feed the Canoe Brook tributary and replenish critical aquifers that contribute to the NJ American Water, providing drinking water for 2.9 million New Jersey residents, in more than 190 communities. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Verona Environmental Commission does hereby urge the Township of West Orange to reject the proposed 496-unit development on said lands and to preserve the 120 acres of forested land in perpetuity. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to the Township of West Orange Mayor McCartney and Council, Verona Township Mayor Tamburro, Verona Town Council members, and Township Manager O’Sullivan. ROLL CALL vote taken on June 11, 2025 at a regular Verona Environmental Commission meeting We hereby certify the foregoing to be a true resolution adopted by the Verona Environmental Commission on June 11, 2025. Jessica Pearson Sean DiBartolo Chair Verona Environmental Commission Vice Chair Verona Environmental Commission Member Y N Abstain Absent NE Member Y N Abstain Absent NE Jean Deo (Alt. 2) X Walter Steinmann X Kelly Pena X Sarah O’Farrell X Adam Bulger X Vice Chair Sean DiBartolo X Fuad Dahan X Chair Jessica Pearson X