In April of 2009, a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) was completed for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a 42,000 acre facility in central New Jersey. A unique aspect of the study is that it was conducted during the consolidation of three separate military bases: McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Warfare Center.

Ocean County sponsored the study in cooperation with neighboring Burlington County. At the end of the study, individual resolutions of support were received from all 13 representatives on the Policy Committee. The organizational structure was retained and renamed the Policy Implementation Committee.

The Regional Wastewater and Growth Management Plan is a three phase study to address wastewater treatment concerns of four contiguous municipalities on the north side of the Joint Base. The Study includes an analysis of treatment facilities on the Base to determine if a shared service agreement is possible. Implicit in the study is the need to channel future growth away from potential encroachment areas.

Phase II and III of this Plan focuses on the selected alternative and will ultimately include final design and permitting for the recommended action. Completion of the entire study is anticipated by the end of 2013.

• Phase II: Joint Base Regional Wastewater & Growth Management Plan - Northwestern Municipalities Adjacent to Joint Base's Mcguire and Dix Sections - Final Report , March 2013
  
  • Executive Summary | 1.5 MB
  • Appendix A: Technical Memorandum 1-7 | 19 MB
  • Appendix B: Joint Base Engineering Ultimate Wastewater Flow Estimate | 131 KB
  • Appendix C: Maps | 109 MB
  • Appendix D: Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Debt Service for the Joint Base Regional Wastewater and Growth Management Plan | 263 KB
  • Appendix E: Draft Report Comments Received | 138 KB
• Phase I: Alternative Analysis Report 9/2011 | PDF - 33 MB

• Cover, Table of Contents, List of Tables | 200 KB
• Introduction / Background | 2.4 MB
• Services Needs | 8.9 MB
• Conditions Analysis | 176 KB
• Alternative Analysis | 22 MB
• Recommendations | 105 KB
• Appendix | 116 KB
  
  
• Growth Management Plan Presentation 10/2011 | PDF - 5 MB
  

The Regional Transportation Mobility Study assesses current and future transportation issues within 5 miles of the Joint Base. It takes into account mission growth as well as projected population growth in the surrounding communities. At-risk intersections and road segments are identified and prioritized for inclusion into a capital improvement program.

The study involved close coordination with the two county engineering departments, as well as State and regional transportation organizations. Because the region is split by two Metropolitan Planning Areas, the study also had to merge the traffic modeling protocols of both regional planning organizations to provide acceptable results. Due to the close coordination maintained throughout the study, the recommended improvements are well suited for future funding.

Regional Transportation Mobility Study (8.5 MB)

Appendices:

• Browns Mills Bypass (3 MB)
• Consolidated Logistics Training Facility Traffic Impact Study (1 MB)
• Municipal Meeting Notes (200 KB)
• North Pemberton Bypass (3 MB)
• Online Travel Survey Questions (3 MB)

Joint Base Regional Transportation Mobility Study:
Project Summary Presentation 10/2011 | PDF - 1.5 MB

The Communication Coordination Manual was completed in April 2011. The manual addresses a common complaint voiced at the beginning of the Joint Land Use process. Local officials cited poor communication and the need for better outreach regarding military operations. Military personnel noted similar communication problems regarding development activities close to the Base.

The Communication Manual identifies key military and community contacts, and provides information on the organizational structures of both the Joint Base and the local communities. Since new Base Commanders are transferred from other areas of the country, there is a section in the manual related to the government structure in New Jersey. Zoning laws and planning practices are often much different from other states. The online version of the manual will be updated periodically.

Communication Coordination Manual 4/2011 | PDF - 5 MB

Both Ocean and Burlington Counties continue to work with the Department of Defense under the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI). The program funds the acquisition of land and easements to prevent encroachments to military installations. As of August 2011, 27 properties totaling 2,137 acres were acquired or approved under this partnership. State and non-profit organizations have also participated in this effort.

An agreement was reached in July 2011 on the largest and most complicated acquisition to date. The agreement was coordinated by the Trust for Public Land and involves the protection of over 1,800 acres in the Accident Potential Zones (APZ’s) of the C-17 training runway at Lakehurst. There will be an outright purchase of 400 acres by Ocean County which will connect an existing 219 County Park with a 380 acre county natural area. The remaining 1,400 acres will be encumbered by a restrictive easement that prevents residential development in the future. The easement permits the current sand and gravel operation to continue and would allow other non-residential development as permitted by state and local regulations.

Participants:

• Ocean County
• Burlington County
• Lakehurst Borough
• Manchester Township
• Jackson Township
• Plumsted Township
• New Hanover Township
• North Hanover Township
• Pemberton Borough
• Pemberton Township
• Springfield Township
• Wrightstown Borough
• Pinelands Commission

• State Representatives:
  • NJ Dept. of Community Affairs
    • Office of State Planning Advocacy
    • Division of Codes & Standards
  • NJ Department of Environmental Protection
  • State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC)
  • NJ Office of Veterans Affairs
• Federal Representatives:
  • US Congressman Christopher H. Smith's office
  • US Congressman Jon Runyon's Office
  • Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment
  • Military Planners and officials from Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst.

The Freeholders would like to acknowledge the efforts of former US Congressman James H. Saxton, a tireless advocate of the Joint Base.

The Freeholders would also like to acknowledge the memory of former project manager, John Leigh, for his efforts on behalf of the Joint Base.