Despite the absurdity of having three home improvement giants within two miles of each other on Route 70, the proposed Home Depot on the former Foodtown site in Brick will also be detrimental to the quality of water in Forge Pond and the Metedeconk River. Since the river is the primary supply of drinking water for Brick and surrounding areas, it was recently declared as being under consideration as a Category 1 waterway by Gov. James McGreevey. The designation is to protect watersheds that supply drinking water by restricting development of the bordering land and preventing runoff pollution.
Planning a Home Depot on Forge Pond is obviously not in alignment with the efforts to protect the watershed. The runoff water which would be generated by such a plan would transform Forge Pond and that area of the river into nothing more than a wastewater basin. We don’t need a degree in environmental engineering to figure that out. In addition, Forge Pond is also a widely used recreation area for many outdoors enthusiasts, such as those who fish, kayak and canoe. The area is noted in a number of published canoe and kayak guides as being abundant with wildlife and home to many majestic birds and waterfowl. Anyone who has paddled a canoe or kayak in this area can appreciate its beauty, amid the highways and developments that border it.
I applaud Councilman Stephen Acropolis, who went on public record against this plan (and also against the controversial Traders’ Cove waterfront plan). A large group has formed to oppose the Home Depot project and others such as Traders’ Cove. Other than the developers and their attorneys, who else is in favor of these plans? Are there any large groups being formed in favor of these environmentally threatening projects that I’m not aware of? It doesn’t seem so. It’s very clear the majority of residents don’t want these plans.
I agree tax ratables are important to the township. In my opinion, however, the potential ratable in this case is not important enough to compromise one of our region’s most vital natural resources and primary sources of drinking water. It is also not important enough to add to the traffic congestion in an already chaotic area of Route 70.
I fail to see how this project will add to our quality of life, and I’m tired of the proponents of this and similar projects trying to manipulate public opinion by saying, "It will sure look better than it does now." There are most likely a ton of potential plans that would improve the site and could add to our township ratables. The Home Depot plan isn’t one of them. Don’t be manipulated into believing it’s the only improvement that can be made to that land. It’s not. The use for this area bordering our precious Forge Pond and for other waterfront areas such as Traders’ Cove should be diligently and carefully thought out, not bought out.
Darren Caffery
Brick