SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Camden County today announced a $400 million plan to revitalize and replenish waterways and water infrastructure throughout the county.
Over the next 10 years, officials in Camden County said they will embark on a generational effort to make rivers, streams, creeks, lakes and ponds recreational beacons to be enjoyed by all.
Camden County commissioner Jeff Nash said it was an investment in the next generation.
“Repair, replenish, recreation,” he said. “Those three words summarize the generational changes that Camden County is about to embark on.”
Scott Schreiber, executive director of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, called it the most ambitious water initiative in county history.
“This represents a new way of thinking about water quality,” he said. “For too long, projects have been planned one municipality at a time, one problem at a time. But water doesn’t recognize political boundaries or municipal borders.”
The Delaware River Keeper Network and Upstream Alliance were among the activist groups helping shepherd the various projects.
Nash said they intend to minimize the impact on taxpayers. There is likely to be a referendum on the ballot this fall to increase the open space tax from two cents to three cents, an increase of a few dollars per month per home, as a long-term funding source.
