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Maplewood to buy riparian credits as part of Maple Terrace stormwater project
Summary
Officials said a Maple Terrace stormwater project that will enclose a brook requires offsetting habitat disturbance through riparian-credit purchases; staff estimated the purchase at about $145,000 and said an acquisition ordinance would be introduced at the next meeting.
Maplewood officials told the Township Committee that a flood-reduction project on Maple Terrace will enclose a running waterway and therefore requires mitigation via riparian credits to offset habitat disturbance.
Town staff explained the enclosure is necessary to reduce flooding, protect property and address long-standing drainage issues. Because enclosing or piping a brook disturbs wetland habitat, the township must acquire riparian or mitigation credits from an approved seller; the administration indicated a credit purchase and an associated interest-in-property require an ordinance to complete the acquisition.
An estimated cost of about $145,000 was cited during the discussion. Committee members noted the environmental tradeoffs but emphasized the project responds to persistent safety and property-damage concerns that could not be feasibly addressed by wall repairs. The item was placed on the agenda for ordinance introduction at the committee’s next meeting.
Staff said further details about the geographic constraints of the credits and the seller would be included with the ordinance and that any acquisition would comply with state procurement rules and the township’s budget process.
