Stop Overdevelopment in Mount Olive
It’s time to stop talking and take action. We are at a tipping point where our town is seriously losing the rural and safe character that residents have come to enjoy.
We Love our Open Spaces. Protect our Quality of Life
Both long-time and new residents choose Mount Olive for its rural and peaceful qualities and want to preserve their quality of life. This is an issue that residents are coming together on right now. People want to ensure they live in a healthy and safe community. From the protection of the aquifers that provide our drinking water to the safety of families on our roadways.
Development Affects our Water
More Development Results in More Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater runoff is precipitation that runs off hard surfaces like pavement, sidewalks, and roofs. The runoff carries pollutants (trash, motor oil, fertilizers, animal droppings, etc.) into storm drains which generally are NOT treated before draining directly to rivers, streams, and lakes. The increased runoff affects our precious water supply and causes flooding.
Forests and Wetlands are Critical for Water Quality
Forests and wetlands are natural water filters that capture rainwater to recharge the underground aquifers that are the source of water for our private and public wells. Cutting down trees and encroaching on our wetlands to develop land affects our water supply.
Many areas in Mount Olive are experiencing problems with water quality and flooding
The combination of stronger storms caused by climate change and more hard surfaces has resulted in flooded basements and roadways throughout Mount Olive, especially in Clover Hill and Budd Lake. The Pinecrest Water System has exceeded PFAS guidelines since 2022. The proposed water filtration system to bring the system to compliance will cost over 2 million dollars. An additional seven town systems will also need expensive filtration systems by 2029 to comply with revised EPA guidelines. Significant water rate increases are projected for 2025. Lately, two of our public water systems have had boil water advisories due to E Coli contamination and the Carlton Hills system has had problems with brown water for months.
Increased Traffic Affects our Safety
Route 46 and Route 206 are undivided highways with limited shoulders and no sidewalks. Serious crashes have resulted in injuries and fatalities. Road closures and traffic jams are a common occurrence. There have been times that the residents of Overlook Village were unable to exit their complex because of serious tractor trailer accidents on Route 206. Drivers are diverted to our small, windy residential roads which were not built for heavy traffic.
SOMO In The News
The following article written by Marin Resnick, Editor appeared the Mount Olive Chronicle on 9/5/24 Group works to stop warehouse development and preserve land Grassroots organization forms protecting drinking water and safety of roadways by Marin Resnick, Editor MOUNT OLIVE TWP. – Residents Margaret Noon, owner of School Lunch Farm, Stephens State Park Road, Hackettstown, and…