By: David Weinstein
An environmental impact study designed to determine the effect Route 92 would have on the region is slated to begin next month with a public scoping meeting.
A meeting seeking input from residents about what should be included in the study will be held June 8 at 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Route 1 at Ridge Road.
The federal Army Corps of Engineers, New York District office, which took over jurisdiction for the proposed highway in 1998, will conduct the meeting. The agency is asking that residents, agencies and officials who have an interest in the road offer their thoughts on the issues the Army Corps should focus on.
The corps has determined an environmental impact study is necessary to properly evaluate the Turnpike’s application for Route 92. The study is expected to look at the road’s various impacts, including loss of wetlands and farmland and traffic impact.
The proposed 6.7-mile toll road, which would be built by the by the N.J. Turnpike Authority, is being reviewed by the Army Corps, because the state and federal governments cannot agree on whether environmental permits should be issued. The federal Environmental Protection Agency turned down a Turnpike request for environmental permits in September 1998, while the state Department of Environmental Protection has approved the project. The proposed highway would connect the N.J. Turnpike at Exit 8A with Route 1 at Ridge Road.
A scoping meeting is not a public hearing to gather comments on the project and the corps is asking participants to restrict their comments to the EIS.
A formal public hearing will be conducted at a later date after the study is completed and made available to the public.
The applicant, the Turnpike Authority, will provide a description on the proposed project following a brief presentation by the corps on the objectives and procedures of a scoping meeting. These objectives are to include comments from residents in the area, and what those residents desire to be included in the study.
Those residents unable to attend the meeting are encouraged by the corps to comment in writing. The comment period will remain open through June 16.
Comments can be sent to Regulatory Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Room 1937, 26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278-0090 ATTN: James Haggerty.
