Hundreds of pristine acres of land and water in West Milford and five neighboring municipalities are part of the Newark-owned Pequannock Watershed. Revised policy use recommendations presented by The Office of Newark Studies 55 years ago could have led to significant watershed property development. (
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Greater population and development of West Milford and five other watershed towns might have resulted if Newark’s revised policy for additional uses of Pequannock Watershed properties 55 years ago was followed differently. A 1971 Office of Newark Studies, Bureau of Community Services, University Extension Division, Rutgers State University study presented significant watershed property development and care suggestions. It was funded by the Ford Foundation and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs through Title One of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Although the policy, as written, is still in effect it has been integrated into the Newark Watershed Conservation and Economic Development Corporation (NWCDC), established in 1974 as a non-profit to manage the property on behalf of the city. Recreation permit programs control access with Newark earning revenue through fee- mandated permits for boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting.
In Passaic County the Pequannock Watershed covers 36 percent of 56,000 acres in West Milford, according to the study’s 1971 paperback book “A Revised Policy Concerning Newark’s Pequannock Watershed.” In Morris County, the city owns 14.29% of 28,352 Jefferson Acres; 1.46% of Kinnelon’s 12,608 acres and 8.06% of Rockaway’s 28,800 acres. In Sussex County, Newark owns 19.70% of Hardyston’s 20,864 acres and 12.80 percent of Vernon’s 43,456 acres.
“The task of developing a policy for the future of this most valuable resource began a course of study that proved to be both challenging and rewarding to all who participated,” Project Manager Terrence D. Moore said. “We feel confident that the city’s adoption of our recommendation will lead not only to the efficient use, but also the protection of this unique asset.”
Newark’s proposed resort hotels, light industry facilities and 5,000 cluster housing units in Jefferson, Vernon, Hardyston and West Milford would have brought an estimated 5,000 new residents to West Milford. Battling between Newark and West Milford began in February 1978 when West Milford refused to rezone land to support Newark’s watershed plan, contending that development would reduce drinking water supplies and harm water quality. A superior Court judge dismissed the suit as premature. Published newspaper reports said apart from its legal arguments West Milford also apparently feared an influx of outsiders, particularly minorities. Accused of contending that residents were fearful and calling for a compromise settlement, West Milford Councilman Richard Sambraus was recalled from office by voters.
In 1980, Superior Court Judge Irving I. Rubin’s referred to the landmark 1975 Mount Laurel decision prohibiting suburban communities from excluding low-income families through large lot zoning. He ruled that West Milford’s four-acre zoning ordinance discriminated against the city and low-income families. The lost suit lasted about 18 months, costing the township about $500,000 in litigation.
Although some bitterness obviously evolved between Newark and West Milford, wounds began to heal. In 1981, Newark again allowed the township to use watershed property for athletic fields. St. Joseph parish received permission for use of a watershed field for their annual bazaar, and the city also resumed permission for the township use of the Germantown Road ballfield, Mayor William Wobbekind said at the time. NWCDC Director Robert Holmes, who succeeded Terrence Moore as watershed director, planned to assist in holding a township-wide Beautification Day as a gesture to improve relations between the two municipalities. Holmes allowed a church sign, removed by Newark from its property to be reinstalled. The book’s summary Chapter 10 notes, “The Pequannock Watershed belongs to the people of the City of Newark. It was such an understanding which governed the conduct of the study. It was inherent in Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson’s charge to his staff and reflected in our recommendations,” the introduction of the book advised.
