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.