This chapter shall be known as the "Environmental Impact Statement Ordinance of the Township of Freehold."

A. It is hereby recognized that the unplanned and unregulated development and use of land may have an adverse impact upon the environment of the Township, that certain areas of the Township have been shown to be more environmentally sensitive than others, that data concerning the potential environmental impact of the use and development of land should be collected, compiled, analyzed and reported upon, and that such a report will be of considerable value to the proper consideration and review of land use and land development proposals.

B. It is, therefore, determined that reports in the form of environmental impact statements shall be submitted and approved as provided herein.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT - A description and analysis of all direct and indirect effects land development and land use will or may have on a site to be developed as well as upon adjacent and noncontiguous areas which may be affected by the development with particular reference to the effect of the project on the public health, safety and welfare, the protection of public and private property and the protection, preservation and enhancement of the environment.

ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS - Those areas of the Township as shown on factor maps included in the Natural Resources Inventory prepared by Dames and Moore (July 1974) as amended to date for the Freehold Township Environmental Commission, which areas are particularly susceptible to environmental damage or permanent change as a consequence of land use or development. Such areas include:

A. Local and regional aquifer (recharge and discharge areas);

B. Poorly drained soils (as classified by the Freehold Area Soil Conservation District);

C. Steep slopes (12% or greater);

D. Areas unsuitable for septic systems;

E. Wooded and semiwooded areas;

F. Historic and aesthetic sites;

G. Freshwater wetlands and freshwater transition areas in accordance with NJDEP regulations;

H. Floodplains in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapping or one-hundred-year floodplain calculated by a licensed New Jersey engineer.

FACTOR MAPS - Maps prepared by Dames and Moore, Cranford, New Jersey, in July 1974, in connection with the Freehold Township Natural Resources Inventory for the Freehold Township Environmental Commission.

GROSS PROJECT AREA - That portion of a site upon which the natural soil or vegetation will be disturbed, removed, altered, destroyed or added to, and/or upon which the construction, erection, destruction or removal of natural or man-made structures is proposed.

A. The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to:

(1) Development within any portion of lands in one or more environmentally sensitive areas;

(2) Mining, soil removal, excavation or filling operations;

(3) Farming operations which involve nonconventional farming methods or operations;

(4) Waste disposal operations;

(5) Any other use of land or change of use which may have a substantial impact on the environment.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall not be applicable to development within the ML Zone. In lieu of a written environmental impact statement, oral testimony by qualified professionals addressing specific environmental concerns raised by the Township Engineer, Planning Board or Environmental Commission shall be provided in public hearings held in connection with preliminary site plan or subdivision approval and summarized briefly in memorandum or letter form.