Do you know that in much of the Highlands, which covers 7 counties and 88 municipalities, you need 88 acres of forest or 25 acres of farmland to build a new house on a new lot? |
Do you think you’re not affected by the Highlands Act because you own an exempt pre-Highlands Act home or lot? Do you know exempt does not mean EXEMPT? If you need a building permit, DEP requires you to apply for an exemption certificate, pay their fees, do extensive environmental studies and deed-restrict your property from any further improvements? |
If the Highlands Act is really about preserving water for the cities, and if Highlands water is so critical to the cities, then shouldn’t the cities be paying for it? And shouldn't the property owners, who have preserved the Highlands and not developed their land, shouldn't they receive JUST COMPENSATION for giving up their property rights! |
Do you know that on Highlands regulated land, you will need a minimum of 25 acres to build a new house on a new lot and that you will have to deed restrict 24 of those acres, which will prevent you from even mowing a lawn on those 24 acres, but not prevent the DEP, or any environmental group they appoint, to come on your property, anytime, to inspect it? |
Do you think you’re not affected by the Highlands Act? When your town loses ratables and tax appeals and has to drastically raise your taxes, will you still be able to afford to live in New Jersey? |
Do you know that in Highlands regulated land in 7 counties and 88 municipalities, if the DEP, or the environmental group they appoint, wants to inspect your property or your house, they don't need a search warrant and, if you don’t let them in, they can fine you $5,000 per day? |
We all want to continue to conserve our environment. The question is at WHOSE cost? The Highlands Act puts the whole cost squarely on the very people and municipalities who have conserved our environment - and takes our property rights WITHOUT JUST COMPENSATION. |
Do you know the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution states: No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, nor shall private property be TAKEN except for public use with JUST COMPENSATION. |
Do you think you're not affected by the Highlands Act? Maybe you’re on a 1/4 acre lot in a town center. When the high-density housing mandated by the Act comes to town and everything else is preserved, will EMINENT DOMAIN be used to take your home? |
Do you know that if you are allowed to build a house in a Highlands regulated area, you cannot build within 300 feet (a football field) of any spring, wetland, river, pond, intermittent stream, or drainage ditch, or within 1,000 feet of a VERNAL POOL. That computes to 72 acres around each springtime puddle. |
Do you know that in Highlands regulated land, if your planned driveway or power lines must cross land within 300 feet of any water or must cross land that slopes 2 feet in ten, you can apply for a permit to do so; but, first, you must offer your land for sale to a list of buyers provided by the State. If you don’t sell for a price they think is fair, you don’t get the permit and can’t use your property. |
Do you know that in Highlands regulated land, the DEP claims the authority for itself or any environmental group it appoints to enter any property, facility, premises, or site for the purpose of conducting inspections and impose $5000 a day fines if you refuse, obstruct, or impede immediate entry. $10,000 a day if you have any kind of Highlands permit. |
Do you know that in Highlands regulated land, a person who purposely or negligently violates any provision of this act can be fined up to $50,000.00 per day of violation. The Highlands Conservation Association is challenging the Highlands Act in federal court. |