DEP Extends Public Comment Period for Railroad Avenue Bypass Road

The Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) comment period for residents to speak up about the proposed Railroad Avenue connector road has been extended.

Residents can submit comments until the end of the day on Friday, Feb. 17 before the DEP makes a decision to issue a Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) permit to the Lacey Township.

After comments are compiled, the DEP will prepare a comment response document. It should be approximately one month before the state makes a decision, DEP spokesman Larry Ragonese said.

The DEP proposes to grant a hardship waiver for encroachment for the protection area and has determined that storm water quality standards will be met, a letter from the township regarding the approval says. The state department is seeking public comment prior to issuing the permit.

Although the DEP will be considering public comment, the decision is primarily based on environmental issues, Ragonese said.

“Whether there’s a local sentiment about a path or proposed linear park, that has to be a local government decision,” he said. “[The township] came to us with a permit request on environmental issues. That’s our role there.”

Written comments regarding the proposed hardship exception can be sent to Charles Welch, Supervisor of the Land Use Regulation Program, P.O. Box 439, Trenton, NJ 08625 or e-mail Christopher.jones@dep.state.nj.us. The DEP can also be reached by telephone at 609-777-0454.