In 2010 the Environmental Commission won a grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions to create an Environmental Resources Inventory (ERI) for Highland Park. The ERI has been generated by Kratzer Environmental Services working with a Project Team composed of members of the Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Advisory Committee, Sustainable Highland Park and a Borough Council Member The ERI has been completed and is now available for public review and comment.
The ERI is a factual objective document that summarizes data about Highland Park and includes:
- Introduction
- Local and Regional Conditions
- Physiography, Topography, & Geology
- Soils
- Ground Water
- Surface Water
- Biological Resources
- Open Space and Recreation
- Historic Resources
- Regional Relationships
- Composite Map of Environmentally Sensitive Features
Flood Plain Map, Highland Park, New Jersey
The ERI used GIS technology (Geographical Information System) to generate maps of Highland Park based on County and State databases. The ERI also has many digital images of Highland Park including historical building, parks, the Raritan River, etc. The map above is the Floodplain Map from the ERI and is one of many maps.
The primary purpose of the ERI is to provide an objective summary of data on Highland Park to be used by borough elected officials, borough officials, and boards and commissions to make better, informed decisions using data from all appropriate variables in their decision making process.
The last ERI (then called an NRI) was created twenty years ago in 1992. The current ERI documents the changes that have occurred in Highland Park with respect to land use, forests, historic building, etc.
The ERI is also a primer for all of the Highland Park topics listed above for interested residents, who want to know more about their community. It may also be a useful resource for residents who may questions proposed development or ordinances.
The draft ERI is available for review on line at
http://kratzerenv.com/HighlandPark_ERI_FinalDraft_Jan_05_2012.pdf
A hard copy of the ERI can be reviewed at the Borough Clerk’s Office, 221 S. 5th Avenue from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (Monday thru Friday).
There will be a three-week review period beginning January 9 and ending January 30.
Please forward comments and corrections to the Project Team at
HighlandParkERI@gmail.com
or discuss your comments personally with a member of the Project Team at the Environmental Education Center on Monday, January 16, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
The Planning Board will also be reviewing the ERI for inclusion in the Borough’s Master Plan.
The Project Team welcomes your comments and corrections. All corrections and comments will be evaluated.
ERI Project Team
