The state has successfully defended a challenge to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, the 2004 law designed to protect water and other natural resources in an area of northwestern New Jersey spanning parts of seven counties. In a 22-page ruling, Superior Court Judge Victor Ashrafi dismissed a lawsuit filed by developer ABD Liberty, Inc., that had challenged the Highlands Act on grounds that it violated the equal protection and due process guarantees of the New Jersey Constitution. The Highlands Act regulates most types of development throughout a 415,000-acre area, including all of West Milford The law contains numerous exemptions including farming, horticulture, construction of single-family houses and all development with approvals in hand by March 29, 2004. “This is an important outcome for New Jersey’s natural resources, for our citizens, and for our quality of life,” said Attorney General Anne Milgram. “We are committed to defending state laws that protect our environment and ensure that our state’s precious resources are not harmed by unchecked development.”