What is the ERI?
The ERI is a compilation of text, tables, maps and other information about the natural resource characteristics and environmentally significant features of the township.
Who uses the ERI?
The Alloway Township Planning/Zoning Board, Environmental Commission, Agricultural Advisory Committee, and Township Committee use the ERI when evaluating the environmental impacts and appropriateness of project proposals that require a land use change such as a housing subdivision, public water or sewer system, open space preservation, historic preservation, and so on.
State and county planners may also use the ERI. It is a useful source of identification and understanding of the important, and often unique, environmental resources found in Alloway Township.
The current ERI can be viewed on the Township website here.
What is an environmental resource?
An environmental resource is any material, service or information from the environment that is valuable to society. An environmental resource may be commodity such as minerals and wood or a non-commodity such as ecosystem resources.
Ecosystem resources or services are the benefits from healthy ecosystems. Examples of ecosystem services are things such as natural pollination of crops, flood control, clean air and water, recreation, aesthetics, and wildlife habitat. A preliminary assignment of dollar values for ecosystem services by the NJDEP show some to be valued in the tens of thousands of dollars an acre.
What you can do?
To help the Environmental Commission update the ERI, report environmental resources you recognize on your property or anywhere in the township. Be sure to report an address or block and lot number so the commission can locate them on a map. (Block and lot numbers are found on tax maps which can be viewed on the township web page at the tax assessors tab.)
Examples:
“The biggest trees I have seen in Alloway are on block # lot #.”
“I know a location of rare swamp pink”
“The soils on my farm are known to be the best for tomatoes”
“A spring emerges at the head of a stream on my property”
“There is deep clay”
“I have sensational views”
We value all your observations!
Report your observations! The EC will collect reports as they are received. The project is expected to be ongoing throughout this year. It’s not necessary, but it may be helpful to leave contact information, if we have questions. * – required