<\/p>\n
Requestor:<\/strong>\u00a0 County of Atlantic<\/p>\n Restricted Property:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lake Lenape Park<\/p>\n Block 587, part of Lots 38 and 55<\/p>\n Township of Hamilton, Atlantic County<\/p>\n Description of Release Request:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In accordance with the New Jersey Conservation Restriction and Historic Preservation Restriction Act, N.J.S.A. 13:8B-1 et seq., the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has received a request from Atlantic County to approve the partial release of a 1999 Declaration of Restrictive Covenant (1999 Deed Restriction) to allow the reconfiguration of an existing 120-foot long (916 square feet) L-shaped dock located on Block 587, Lots 38 and 55 (p\/o), within the County’s Lake Lenape Park in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, for public safety reasons.\u00a0 The County proposes to replace the L-shaped dock with two new floating docks to be located within a 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) development envelope located on Lake Lenape proximate to a County boathouse. As compensation, the County proposes to prohibit development on a different 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) portion of Lake Lenape and relinquish its approval to develop a dock in that location.<\/p>\n The lifting of the Deed Restriction from a portion of the Property constitutes a \u201crelease\u201d of those restrictions under the Conservation Restriction Act.\u00a0 Under N.J.S.A. 13:8B-5, the County and the Pinelands Commission, as parties to the 1999 Declaration, are required to conduct a public hearing on the proposed partial release.<\/p>\n Under N.J.S.A. 13:8B-6, the approval of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection is required for the proposed partial release.<\/p>\n Background<\/strong><\/p>\n The 1999 Deed Restriction prohibits development on Lake Lenape except for specific areas listed in a 1998 Memorandum of Agreement (1998 MOA) between the County and the Pinelands Commission. Pursuant to the 1998 MOA, the County was required to place a deed restriction on 1,822 acres on and surrounding Lake Lenape in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County. In exchange, the Commission agreed to allow certain improvements to specifically defined areas on the western shore of Lake Lenape, as set forth in the details of the 1998 MOA.<\/p>\n Two improvements authorized by the 1998 MOA were a 20-foot partially-submerged boat ramp and an adjacent 120-foot L-shaped dock, both proximate to a boathouse building. In 2019, representatives from the County and the Commission met to address safety issues with the size and location of the L-shaped dock.<\/p>\n On June 14, 2023, the County and the Commission executed an Amendment to the 1998 MOA.\u00a0 The 2023 Amendment acknowledges that the County intends to amend the 1999 Declaration by removing the existing L-shaped (916 sq ft) dock and replacing it with two new floating docks measuring 300 sq ft and 1,820 sq. ft., to be situated in a 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) development envelope on Lake Lenape. The new development envelope will be located adjacent to a developed portion of the western shore of Lake Lenape that includes a boathouse, parking and boat ramp.\u00a0 As compensation, the County proposes to amend the 1999 Deed Restriction to restrict development and preserve an equivalent 300 foot by 200 foot (1.39 acre) on a different portion of Lake Lenape and to relinquish its approval under the 1998 MOA to develop a dock there. The new easement area is currently undeveloped and undisturbed area of Lake Lenape Park.<\/p>\n The Property is located within the Pinelands Preservation Area.<\/p>\n Related Documents:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Background documents on this matter may be found at:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.atlanticcountynj.gov\/planning\/NJDEP-Public-Notice<\/a><\/p>\n Hearing Date\/Time:<\/strong>\u00a0 August 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n Hearing Location:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>This hearing will be held online.<\/p>\n Hearing Information:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The public hearing will be conducted remotely and broadcast live on the Pinelands Commission\u2019s YouTube channel.<\/p>\n To view the hearing live, please visit: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/4UwKR5ZNmBs?feature=shared\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n To provide public comment during the hearing, please call (929) 205-6099<\/strong> and use Meeting ID<\/strong> 831 0036 8051<\/b><\/p>\n Public Comments Accepted Through:\u00a0 September 4, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n The Department invites the public to attend the public hearing and present comments on the requested release.\u00a0 Written comments on the proposed release may also be submitted by\u00a0September 4<\/strong>, 2024<\/strong> to:<\/p>\n New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
\nOffice of Transactions and Public Land Administration
\nPublic Land Compliance Section
\nPO Box 420
\nMail Code: 401-07
\nTrenton, New Jersey 08625<\/p>\n