MUNICIPAL
SERVICES
Uhl Baron Rana & Associates, Inc. provides
hydrogeologic and environmental technical support on a variety
of projects which reflect the current issues that face New Jersey
and Pennsylvania local governments:
- Performance and review of site assessments.
- Preparation and review of environmental
impact statements (EIS).
- Review and comment on construction
plans for proposed low and high density residential and commercial
developments with respect to environmental, water and storm-water
issues and practices.
- Land use evaluation, and plans for
wellhead protection.
- Land carrying capacity evaluation
for lot size zoning restrictions (nitrate dilution analysis).
- Water supply protection and sustainability
in the face of growing demand and development.
- Private well testing programs.
Uhl, Baron, Rana & Associates, Inc. has
provided advice to townships on many individual development issues,
has prepared environmental reports and opinions, appeared at public
meetings and closed door sessions. The firm has also supported
municipalities in litigation matters, and the principals have prepared
affidavits, given depositions and expert testimony in court.
The principals of the firm have been retained
in formal Hydrogeologist or Geologist positions by the following
localities:
- Montville Township, NJ
- Union Township, NJ
- Clinton Township., NJ
- Kingwood Township, NJ
- East Amwell Township, NJ
- Solebury Township., PA
Example Projects
Client: |
Union
Township, New Jersey |
Projects: |
Milligan Farm
Tract |
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UBR conducted a focused preliminary and Phase 2 Assessment
of a 102-acre property that had been a dairy farm for over
60 years. The Township subsequently purchased this
property from a developer, to avoid the construction of
a townhouse development, and instead preserve the majority
of the property and utilize a parcel for COAH. UBR
reviewed investigations and remedial actions taken by the
developer’s consultant, identified data gaps, and conducted
further study of issues related to old farmsteads including
historic pesticide contamination, gasoline and heating
oil storage and usage, and equipment maintenance practices. UBR
investigated the quality of onsite groundwater and of a
small stream that traverses the property and flows into
an exceptional value wetlands area and ultimately into
a Class C1 protected stream. UBR advised the Township’s
counsel with respect to the environmental liability terms
of the property transfer. |
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Client:
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Montville Township, New
Jersey |
Projects: |
Sole Source
Aquifer Water Resources Assessment;
. Aquifer and Wellhead
Protection |
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Montville Township is dependent on a sole source aquifer (Towaco
Valley Aquifer) for its groundwater- based water supply
system. UBR conducted hydrogeologic studies to quantify
the available water resources of this limited buried valley
sand and gravel aquifer system. These studies included
refinement of the limits of the aquifer and of its recharge
area; assessment of the recharge mechanisms, components,
and quantities; quantification of the amount of groundwater
in storage; evaluation of aquifer safe yield during periods
of normal precipitation and recharge as well as for drought
periods; initiation of a groundwater and surface water
monitoring program; and evaluation of the impacts of Route
I-287 and other highways on water quality and recharge. UBR
additionally performed an analysis of the 2-year, 5-year
and 12-year of travel tiered wellhead protection areas
for the Township’s three production wells completed within
this aquifer, and designated a prime aquifer area and a
Critical Water Resources District encompassing the prime
aquifer area and the surrounding bedrock areas that contribute
water to this aquifer.
Land Use and Wellhead Protection Ordinance Provisions:
UBR assisted the Township and the Township Environmental
Commission in amending its Land Use Ordinance to prohibit
the installation of production wells and to restrict activities
within the Critical Water Resources District. These
restrictions include requirements for enhanced storm water
management practices for all major developments to eliminate
the potential for contaminating the surface and groundwater;
defining and prohibiting new high risk land uses that are
potential major sources of groundwater contamination; and
other requirements for owners and operators of any new
commercial and industrial uses within this district. |
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Client: |
Hunterdon County Planning
Board, New Jersey
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Projects: |
Example Aquifer
Test Ordinance |
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UBR was the lead participant in developing an example Aquifer
Test Ordinance that local municipalities could utilize
as a template for developing township-specific ordinances. The
example ordinance included guidelines for conducting and
interpreting aquifer tests for residential subdivisions
and commercial developments. The purpose of these
tests is to determine whether sufficient water supply is
available for the development and confirm that there will
be no significant impact on the neighboring stakeholders.
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Client: |
Solebury Township, Pennsylvania |
Projects: |
Groundwater and Spring
Resource Studies |
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UBR has conducted various water resource studies and provided
groundwater-related services to Solebury Township over
a 10-year period. The Township is primarily dependent
on individual supply wells for residential, commercial
and agricultural uses. The firm has performed a water
resources study of a watershed partially characterized
by karst geology, and monitored residential wells to assess
the impact of a major pumping center in this watershed. Another
study involved the delineation of the catchment area and
recharge area of one of the largest springs in southeast
Pennsylvania. The data from this spring study will
be utilized as a basis for implementing measures to preserve
and protect it. UBR also reviews the siting of wells
for new developments, and responds to problems reported
for existing well problems on behalf of the Township.
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