County Profile

Section 3: County Profile

SECTION 3. COUNTY PROFILE This profile describes the general information of the County (physical setting, population and demographics, general building stock, and land use and population trends) and critical facilities/lifelines located in Hunterdon County. In Section 3, specific profile information is presented and analyzed to develop an understanding of the study area, including the economic, structural, and population assets at risk and the particular concerns that may be present related to hazards analyzed (for example, a high percentage of vulnerable persons in an area).

2021 HMP Changes  The “County Profile” is now located in Section 3; previously located in Section 4. It contains updated information regarding the County's physical setting, population and demographics and trends, general building stock, land use and trends, potential new development and critical facilities. This includes U.S. Census American Community Survey (ACS) 2018 data and additional information regarding the New Jersey Highlands Region and NJDEP Sewer Service Areas in the Development Trends/Future Development subsection.  The critical facility inventory was expanded to include community lifelines using FEMA’s lifeline definition.

3.1 GENERAL INFORMATION Hunterdon County is located in western New Jersey, along the Delaware River and is made up of 26 municipalities that cover over 437 square miles. Hunterdon County is bordered to the north by Warren and Morris Counties, to the south by Mercer County, to the east by Somerset County, and to the west by the Delaware River and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Figure 3-1 illustrates Hunterdon County, its municipalities, and the surrounding jurisdictions.

The County was established on March 22, 1714, separating from Burlington County (now known as Morris, Sussex, Warren County). Hunterdon County was named after Robert Hunter, the Scottish Royal Governor of the New York and New Jersey (the area that now includes Hunterdon, Mercer, Sussex, and Warren Counties). During the 1700s and 1800s Hunterdon County produced over half the peaches in the State of New Jersey and grew many apple orchards (Hunterdon County n.d.).

Hunterdon County’s transportation system existed since the early 1800s including an intricate network of freight and passenger lines, trolley lines, and canals. Some rail lines still exist today, but several transportation features were converted to recreational parks. The 1834 Delaware and Raritan canal ran from Bull’s Island near Raven Rock to Trenton to supply water to New Brunswick. It closed in 1932 and became a recreational park serving the community in 1974. The Leigh Valley Railroad ran for over 1-mile to Clinton Township carrying freight and passenger services. Eventually, the service was decommissioned and converted to a hiking trail (Hunterdon County n.d.).

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Figure 3-1. Overview Map of Hunterdon County, New Jersey

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-2 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

3.1.1 Physical Setting This section presents the physical setting of the County, including location, hydrography and hydrology, topography and geology, and climate.

Location There are 849 linear miles of rivers and streams in Hunterdon County, connecting rural areas, suburban areas, villages and towns (Hunterdon County Growth Management Plan 2007). These waterways include rivers, such as the Delaware River, as well as numerous smaller rivers, brooks, and streams, including: Alexauken Creek, Assiscong Creek, Back Brook, Beaver Brook, Brookville Creek, Bushkill Brook, Capoolong Creek, Chambers Brook, First Neshanic River, Harihokake Creek, Holland Brook, Lamington River, Little Nishisakawick Creek, Lockatong Creek, Milford Creek, Muddy Run, Mulhockaway Creek, Musconetcong River, Neshanic River, Nishisakawick Creek, Pleasant Run, Quequacommisacong Creek, Rockaway Creek, Rocky Run, Route 202 Tributary, Second Neshanic River, Sidney Brook, South Branch Raritan River, South Fork Third Neshanic River, Spruce Run, Stony Brook, Swan Creek, Third Neshanic River, Walnut Brook, Wickecheoke Creek, and Willoughby Brook (FEMA Flood Insurance Study [FIS] 2012).

Watersheds A watershed is the area of land that drains into a body of water such as a river, lake, stream, or bay. It is separated from other systems by high points in the area such as hills or slopes. It includes not only the waterway itself but also the entire land area that drains to it. For example, the watershed of a lake would include not only the streams entering the lake but also the land area that drains into those streams and eventually the lake. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes and can cross municipal and county boundaries.

Drainage basins generally refer to large watersheds that encompass the watersheds of many smaller rivers and streams. Hunterdon County is encompassed by three major watershed basins: Delaware, Raritan and Passaic. Each of which are made up of smaller watersheds. Details regarding these water basins and watersheds are described below.

Delaware River Basin The Delaware River is the longest un-dammed river in the United States east of the Mississippi River. It runs and drains through parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. The Delaware River extends 330 miles from the confluence of its east and west branches at Hancock, New York to the mouth of the Delaware Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean (Watershed Alliance 2019).

Overall, the Delaware River is fed by over 2,000 tributaries and spans approximately 13,600 square miles, including the 782 square mile Delaware Bay. Its hydrographic regions are divided between two main physiographic areas—the Appalachian Highlands and the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Hunterdon County portion of the Delaware River falls in the central region of the basin in the non-tidal area of the piedmont plains consisting of widespread branching streams, rolling hills, and good agricultural soils (Delaware River Basin Commission 2019).

Approximately 8.3 million people live in the Delaware River Basin, of which 23-percent reside in the State of New Jersey. The population in the Delaware River Basin is expected to increase 8.4-percent by 2030 and a portion of this increase is expected in Hunterdon County (Delaware River Basin Commission 2019).

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Raritan River Basin The Raritan River basin is the largest drainage area located entirely in New Jersey. The Basin contains portions of Hunterdon, Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer, Union, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties. Approximately 1,100 square miles of the State's land drain into the Raritan Bay via the Raritan River and its tributaries within seven counties providing a major source of the region’s water supply and recreational activities for tourists and residents (Rutgers University, n.d.). The South Branch Raritan River makes up the Basin and Hunterdon County is located within its watershed. The South Branch drains almost 280 square miles as it winds 51 miles from western Hunterdon County through central Hunterdon County and into western Somerset County, before combining with the North Branch. The South Branch begins in Hunterdon County as the outflow of Budd Lake. Major tributaries include the Neshanic River, Spruce Run creek, Mullhockaway Creek, and Cakepoulin Creek. Major impoundments are the Spruce Run Reservoir and Round Valley Reservoir (NJDEP, 2012).

Watershed Management Areas In 1996, the NJDEP began implementing a watershed management approach to maintaining the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the State's waters. This approach concentrates on managing individual watershed areas by defining the physical geographic boundaries of the watersheds, basing water policy on sound scientific principles, and developing partnerships with the public. The NJDEP divided New Jersey into five water regions: the Northeast, Raritan, Northwest, Lower Delaware and Atlantic Coastal. Each water region is then divided into three to five watershed management areas (WMAs), for a total of 20 WMAs. Each WMA encompasses a particular group of major rivers and each consists of numerous smaller watersheds (USGS 2000). Hunterdon County is located within the Raritan and Northwest water regions. Additionally, the County is located in 4 of the 20 WMAs, which are described below (NJDEP 2012). Refer to Figure 3.2 which depicts watershed management areas in Hunterdon County.

Watershed Management Area 1 – Upper Delaware WMA 1 includes 6 major drainage basins: Delaware River, Flat Brook, Paulins Kills, Pequest River, Lapatcong and Pohatcong River, and Musconetcong River. Large portions of Sussex, Hunterdon, and Morris Counties are included in this land area. The area encompasses 746 square miles in the mountainous region of New Jersey (NJDEP, 2012).

Watershed Management Area 8 – North and South Branch Raritan WMA 8 includes the North and South Branches of the Raritan River and their tributaries. Large portions of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Morris Counties are included in this land area. The North Branch of the Raritan River is 23 miles long and flows from northwestern Morris County through Somerset County to the confluence with the South Branch between the Towns of Branchburg and Raritan. Major tributaries include the Peapack Brook, Rockaway Creek, and Lamington River. The only major impoundment is Ravine Lake. Land use in the North Branch Raritan River Watershed is primarily rural, consisting of woodland and agricultural, with scattered areas of commercial and residential. However, there is dense development along the major road corridors.

The South Branch of the Raritan River is 51 miles long and flows from western Morris County through central Hunterdon County into western Somerset County before joining the North Branch. Major tributaries include the Neshanic River, Spruce Run Creek, Mulhockaway Creek, and Cakepoulin Creek. Major impoundments are the Spruce Run and Round Valley Reservoirs. Land use in the South Branch Raritan River Watershed is mostly agricultural, but suburban-industrial development is increasing at a rapid rate (NJDEP, 2012).

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Watershed Management Area 10 – Millstone WMA 10 includes the Millstone River and its tributaries. The Millstone River itself is a tributary to the Raritan River. This watershed lies in parts of Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties. The Millstone River is 38 miles long and flows from Millstone Township in Monmouth County to the Raritan River near Manville and Bound Brook. Major tributaries include the Stony Brook, Cranbury Brook, Bear Brook, Ten Mile River, Six Mile River, and Bedens Brook. The largest impoundment is Carnegie Lake. Land use in the Millstone Watershed is primarily suburban development with scattered agricultural areas although there is extensive, recent development present in the upper portion of the watershed (NJDEP 2012).

Watershed Management Area 11 – Central Delaware WMA 11, known as the Central Delaware Tributaries, affects the drainage in 24 municipalities within the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, and Monmouth. The predominant drainage funnels to the Delaware River or the Delaware & Raritan (D&R) Canal. WMA 11 covers approximately 272 square miles and is dominated by the Assunpink Creek and its tributaries to the south and much smaller creeks in the northern portions. Land uses in this area range from agricultural to urban, most notably in the State Capital, the City of Trenton. The land area has also been heavily impacted by suburban development. There are four subwatersheds in WMA 11: Lockatong Creek/Wickecheoke Creek, Hakihokake/Harihokake/Nishisakawick Creek, Alexauken Creek/Moore Creek/Jacobs Creek, and Assunpink Creek (NJDEP 2012).

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Figure 3-2. Watershed Management Areas of Hunterdon County, New Jersey

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Topography and Geology The landscape of Hunterdon County is varied and includes forests, grasslands, wetlands, and streams. The County falls within two physiographic provinces of New Jersey – the Highlands and the Piedmont Provinces. The Highlands Province extends from Pennsylvania to Connecticut, crossing all or portions of 15 municipalities in northwestern Hunterdon County. The Highlands Province comprises one-third of the County’s land. The geology in this province has formed broad, flat-topped ridges and steep-sided valleys. The valleys consist of softer carbonate rock landscapes and shale. Rock outcroppings provide varied conditions to support a healthy diversity of plan and animal habitats in the county. The broader fertile valley of the Musconetcong River is an important grassland habitat and contains agricultural soils that are still farmed (Hunterdon County Growth Management Plan 2007).

The Piedmont Province occupies two-thirds of the county and contains rolling, moderately sloping terrain and wide valleys. High rocky ridges, such as Cushetunk Mountain and Sourland Mountain, rise above the lowlands. There is a variety of habitats within this province and includes large grassland areas in East Amwell and portions of neighboring municipalities, the forests of Sourland Mountain, and the Delaware River bluffs. There is prime agricultural soils in the Piedmont Province, especially in the eastern portions of the County (Hunterdon County Growth Management Plan 2007).

Climate The State of New Jersey is divided into five distinct climate zones. Distinct variations in the day-to-day weather between each of the climate zones is due to the geology distance from the Atlantic Ocean, and prevailing atmospheric flow patterns. The five climate zones in New Jersey are: Northern, Central, Pine Barrens, Southwest, and Coastal (ONJSC n.d.). Hunterdon County is located in the Northern Climate Zone, described below.

The Northern Climate Zone covers approximately one-quarter of New Jersey and consists of elevated highlands and valleys. The mountains in the highlands enhance the orographic effects that cause cold spells and precipitation. Annual snowfall averages 40 to 50 inches, which is greater than other portions of the state. Overall, the Northern Climate Zone is a continental climate with minimal influence from the Atlantic Ocean, except when the winds contain an easterly component. The climate zone has the shortest growing season of New Jersey climate zones, about 155 days (ONJSC n.d.).

Hunterdon County has a temperate climate with warm summers and cold winters. The average temperatures range from approximately 35 degrees in January to 77 degrees in July, with extremes common in the summer and winter months. The average precipitation yearly is approximately 42 inches (NOAA 2020). Much of the rainfall in the warm season comes from thunderstorms formed in Pennsylvania and New York.

Land Use, Land Cover, and Land Use Trends Local zoning and planning authority are provided for under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, which gives municipalities zoning and planning authority. The DMA 2000 requires that communities consider land use trends, which can impact the need for, and priority of, mitigation options over time. Land use trends significantly impact exposure and vulnerability to various hazards. For example, significant development in a hazard area increases the building stock and population exposed to that hazard.

This plan provides a general overview of population and land use and types of development occurring within the study area. An understanding of these development trends can assist in planning for future development and

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-7 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile ensuring that appropriate mitigation, planning, and preparedness measures are in place to protect human health and community infrastructure.

Hunterdon County has a diverse landscape; the majority of the County is either forested, developed, or agricultural. Overall, Hunterdon County has observed a small increase in urban land since 2007. Refer to Table 3-1 and Figure 3-3 below.

Table 3-1. Land Use Summary for Hunterdon County, 2007, 2012, and 2015

2007 Data 2012 Data 2015 Data Percent of Percent of Percent of Land Use Category Acreage County Acreage County Acreage County Agriculture 78,898 28.3% 77,737 27.9% 77,455 28.4% Barren 1,024 0.4% 691 0.2% 888 0.3% Forest 99,887 35.9% 100,445 36.1% 100,003 36.7% Urban 69,021 24.8% 69,986 25.1% 70,627 25.9% Wetland 23,852 8.6% 23,819 8.6% 23,811 8.7% Hunterdon County (Total) 272,682 100.0% 272,678 100.0% 272,784 100.0% Source: NJDEP, 2019 (the 2015 LULC Updated edition) Note: Urban land includes residential, industrial, transportation, and recreational land. Water is excluded from the table above.

The Highlands Region of New Jersey

The New Jersey Highlands is a 1,343 square mile area (over 800,000 acres) in the northwest portion of New Jersey. It is noted for its scenic beauty, environmental significance and serves as a vital source of drinking water for over half of New Jersey residents. The Highlands stretches from Phillipsburg (Warren County) in southwest New Jersey to Ringwood (Passaic County) in the northeast. The Highlands Region lies within portions of seven counties, Hunterdon, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic and Bergen, and includes 88 municipalities. The Highlands Act designates approximately 398,000 acres as the Highlands Preservation Area which is identified as an area of exceptional natural resource value. The remainder of the Highlands Region that is not located within the Preservation Area lies within the Highlands Planning Area. The distinction between the Preservation and Planning Area is that municipal and county conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan is required in the Preservation Area, and voluntary in the Planning Area.

Hunterdon County is partially located within the New Jersey Highlands Region. It is one of the seven counties protected by and subject to the provisions of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. The Highlands Region of Hunterdon County consists of approximately 64,925 acres. Northern portions of Hunterdon County are located in the Highlands Preservation and Planning Areas and the remainder of the County is located outside of the Highlands’ boundaries. Figure 3-4 illustrates the Highlands Preservation and Planning Areas in Hunterdon County.

Agriculture

In 2017, there were 1,604 farms in Hunterdon County, an increase of 11-percent from 2012 which had 1,447 farms. The farms in the County cover 101,290 acres, which is a small increase since 2012 (96,025 acres) (Census of Agriculture, 2017). Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, and dry peas are the top crops in acres (10,275 acres), making crops rather than livestock the most prominent agricultural output in Hunterdon County. Many farms in Hunterdon County operate seasonal and/or year-round farm markets or farm stands which provide the farms direct links to their customers. The average farm size in Hunterdon County is 63 acres and over 120,000 acres

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-8 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile have been assessed as farmland according to the 2017 county parcel and data, which accounts for over 43-percent of the total land area (Hunterdon County Agricultural Development Board, n.d.).

Open Space and Parkland

The Hunterdon County Park Commission includes 29 facilities: historic sites, golf courses, outdoor educational and recreational facilities, arboreta, conservation areas, and hiking trails. Point Mountain Reservation is the largest park system in Hunterdon County (based on acreage) with more than 1,139 acres of passive and active recreational opportunities throughout the County. This includes mountain biking, canoe access, cross country skiing, fishing, hunting, hiking, nature programs, and picnic areas. Table 3-2 identifies the Hunterdon County and New Jersey State parks located throughout the County.

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Figure 3-3. 2015 Land Use Land Cover for Hunterdon County

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Figure 3-4. Highlands Region

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Table 3-2. County, State and Federal Parks in Hunterdon County

County Park Acreage Municipality Owner Bull’s Island Recreation Area 80 acres Stockton Borough State Charlestown Greenway Section 58 acres Bethlehem Township County (Tower Hill Reserve) Charlestown Reserve 269 acres Bethlehem Township and Hampton Borough County Clover Hill Park 116 acres Readington Township County Cold Brook Park 180 acres Tewksbury Township County Califon and High Bridge Boroughs; Clinton, Columbia Trail 108 acres County Lebanon, and Tewksbury Townships Court Street Park 1 acre Flemington Borough County Crystal Springs Preserve 232 acres Lebanon Township County Cushetunk Mountain Preserve 380 acres Clinton and Readington Townships County Deer Path Park 104 acres Readington Township County Echo Hill Park 90 acres Clinton Township County Heron Glen Golf Course 241 acres Raritan Township County Hilltop Preserve 59 acres Raritan Township County Hoffman Park 354 acres Union Township County Hunterdon County Arboretum 135 acres Clinton Township County Jugtown Mountain Preserve 262 acres Bethlehem Township County Landsdown Meadows 174 acres Franklin Township County Landsdown Trail 18 acres Clinton Township County Laport Reserve 49 acres East Amwell Township County Miquin Woods Preserve 302 acres Lebanon Township County Mountain Farm Section 154 acres Lebanon Township County (Tettertown Preserve) Musconetcong Gorge Preserve 501 acres Holland Township County Musconetcong Mountain Preserve 102 acres Holland Township County Point Mountain Reservation 1,139 acres Lebanon Township County Round Mountain Section 229 acres Readington Township County (Deer Path Park) Round Valley Recreation Area 3,684 acres Lebanon Township State Schick Reserve 311 acres Alexandria Township County Sourland Mountain Preserve 364 acres East Amwell Township County High Bridge Borough, Raritan, Clinton, Franklin, South Branch Reservation 943 acres County and Readington Townships South Branch Wildlife 437 acres Hillsborough Township County Management Area South County Park 252 acres East and West Amwell Townships County Spruce Run Recreation Area 2,030 acres Clinton Township State Tettertown Preserve 153 acres Lebanon Township County Tower Hill Reserve 158 acres Bethlehem Township County Union Furnace Preserve 170 acres Union Township County Uplands Reserve 100 acres Raritan Township County

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County Park Acreage Municipality Owner Van Leight Management Area 55 acres Bethlehem Township County (Tower Hill Reserve) Voorhees State Park 1,336 acres Glen Gardner Borough State Westcott Preserve 179 acres Delaware Township County Source: Hunterdon County Parks Commission, 2020

3.2 POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS Knowledge of the composition of the population, how it has changed in the past and how it may change in the future is needed to make informed decisions. Information about population is a critical part of planning because it directly relates to needs such as housing, industry, stores, public facilities and services, and transportation.

The Hunterdon County population was estimated at 125,051 in 2018 according to the ACS 5-year estimates. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Hunterdon County had a population of 128,349 people, which represents an overall decrease in population of 2.5-percent from 2010 to 2018. According to the 2014-2018 ACS data, the Township of Raritan is the most populous municipality in Hunterdon County, comprising 17.6-percent of the County's total population. Table 3-3 lists the 10 municipalities with the greatest population in Hunterdon County. Tables 3-4 and 3-5 present the population statistics for Hunterdon County based on the 2010 decennial census and 2014-2018 ACS 5-year estimates, respectively. Figure 3-5 illustrates the distribution of the general population density (persons per square mile) in 2018 by Census block.

Table 3-3. Ten Largest Municipalities in Hunterdon County

2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Rank Jurisdiction Total 1 Raritan (Twp) 22,063 2 Readington (Twp) 15,880 3 Clinton (Twp) 12,957 4 Lebanon (Twp) 6,132 5 Tewksbury (Twp) 5,830 6 Union (Twp) 5,599 7 Holland (Twp) 5,157 8 Alexandria (Twp) 4,797 9 Flemington (B) 4,624 10 Delaware (Twp) 4,474 Source: U.S. Census, 2014-2018 American Community Survey

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Table 3-4. 2010 General Population Statistics for Hunterdon County

U.S. Census 2010 Percent Percent Over Population Under Low Percent Low Jurisdiction Total Over 65 65 Under 16 16 Income** Income ** Alexandria (Twp) 4,938 622 12.6% 1,261 25.5% 61 1.2% Bethlehem (Twp) 3,979 386 9.7% 1,100 27.6% 46 1.2% Bloomsbury (B) 870 80 9.2% 235 27.0% 26 3.0% Califon (B) 1,076 103 9.6% 303 28.2% 13 1.2% Clinton (T) 2,719 314 11.5% 706 26.0% 105 3.9% Clinton (Twp) 13,478 1,437 10.7% 3,242 24.1% 161 1.2% Delaware (Twp) 4,563 735 16.1% 915 20.1% 41 0.9% East Amwell (Twp) 4,013 568 14.2% 883 22.0% 74 1.8% Flemington (B) 4,581 472 10.3% 1,022 22.3% 271 5.9% Franklin (Twp) 3,195 490 15.3% 788 24.7% 34 1.1% Frenchtown (B) 1,373 155 11.3% 287 20.9% 99 7.2% Glen Gardner (B) 1,704 150 8.8% 363 21.3% 47 2.8% Hampton (B) 1,401 188 13.4% 302 21.6% 152 10.8% High Bridge (B) 3,648 314 8.6% 885 24.3% 26 0.7% Holland (Twp) 5,291 847 16.0% 1,276 24.1% 138 2.6% Kingwood (Twp) 3,845 496 12.9% 888 23.1% 80 2.1% Lambertville (C) 3,906 678 17.4% 534 13.7% 331 8.5% Lebanon (B) 1,358 179 13.2% 286 21.1% 27 2.0% Lebanon (Twp) 6,588 999 15.2% 1,491 22.6% 155 2.4% Milford (B) 1,233 197 16.0% 254 20.6% 72 5.8% Raritan (Twp) 22,185 2,671 12.0% 5,805 26.2% 449 2.0% Readington (Twp) 16,126 2,184 13.5% 4,050 25.1% 249 1.5% Stockton (B) 538 97 18.0% 105 19.5% 19 3.5% Tewksbury (Twp) 5,993 977 16.3% 1,517 25.3% 168 2.8% Union (Twp) 5,908 568 9.6% 1,086 18.4% 49 0.8% West Amwell (Twp) 3,840 437 11.4% 633 16.5% 112 2.9% Hunterdon County (Total) 128,349 16,344 12.7% 30,217 23.5% 3,005 2.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Census 2010, 2014-2018 ACS, Note: Pop. = population * Individuals below poverty level (Census poverty threshold for a 3-person family unit is approximately $18,500)

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Table 3-5. 2014 to 2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

Population Percent Percent Percent Percent Below Below Percent Non- Non- Over Over Under Under Poverty Poverty with a English English Jurisdiction Total 65 65 5 5 Level* Level Disability Disability Speaking Speaking Alexandria (Twp) 4,797 834 17.4% 173 3.6% 86 1.8% 365 7.6% 42 0.9% Bethlehem (Twp) 3,905 532 13.6% 202 5.2% 87 2.2% 320 8.2% 57 1.5% Bloomsbury (B) 721 73 10.1% 25 3.5% 64 8.9% 46 6.4% 13 1.8% Califon (B) 1,194 124 10.4% 66 5.5% 64 5.4% 58 4.9% 7 0.6% Clinton (T) 2,676 340 12.7% 118 4.4% 212 7.9% 246 9.2% 199 7.4% Clinton (Twp) 12,957 1,559 12.0% 382 2.9% 322 2.5% 835 6.4% 241 1.9% Delaware (Twp) 4,474 978 21.9% 108 2.4% 146 3.3% 416 9.3% 138 3.1% East Amwell (Twp) 3,888 869 22.4% 115 3.0% 124 3.2% 429 11.0% 57 1.5% Flemington (B) 4,624 584 12.6% 258 5.6% 1,048 22.7% 643 13.9% 1,163 25.2% Franklin (Twp) 3,281 749 22.8% 174 5.3% 105 3.2% 328 10.0% 48 1.5% Frenchtown (B) 1,297 205 15.8% 70 5.4% 185 14.3% 136 10.5% 58 4.5% Glen Gardner (B) 1,590 205 12.9% 120 7.5% 133 8.4% 199 12.5% 32 2.0% Hampton (B) 1,219 212 17.4% 67 5.5% 101 8.3% 137 11.2% 46 3.8% High Bridge (B) 3,527 442 12.5% 133 3.8% 450 12.8% 359 10.2% 144 4.1% Holland (Twp) 5,157 991 19.2% 178 3.5% 199 3.9% 670 13.0% 38 0.7% Kingwood (Twp) 3,751 815 21.7% 74 2.0% 28 0.7% 511 13.6% 32 0.9% Lambertville (C) 3,820 855 22.4% 16 0.4% 400 10.5% 452 11.8% 89 2.3% Lebanon (B) 1,945 310 15.9% 120 6.2% 92 4.7% 193 9.9% 69 3.5% Lebanon (Twp) 6,132 1,070 17.4% 145 2.4% 148 2.4% 515 8.4% 16 0.3% Milford (B) 1,295 304 23.5% 57 4.4% 47 3.6% 191 14.7% 4 0.3% Raritan (Twp) 22,063 3,560 16.1% 958 4.3% 1,131 5.1% 1,635 7.4% 609 2.8% Readington (Twp) 15,880 3,193 20.1% 869 5.5% 308 1.9% 964 6.1% 346 2.2% Stockton (B) 655 148 22.6% 29 4.4% 40 6.1% 70 10.7% 31 4.7% Tewksbury (Twp) 5,830 1,212 20.8% 213 3.7% 55 0.9% 266 4.6% 149 2.6%

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2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

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Figure 3-5. Distribution of General Population in Hunterdon County by Census Block

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3.2.1 Vulnerable Populations Research has shown that some populations, while they may not have more hazard exposure, may experience exacerbated impacts and prolonged recovery if/when impacted by a hazard event. This is due to many factors including their physical and financial ability to react or respond during a hazard. Identifying concentrations of vulnerable populations can assist communities in targeting preparedness, response and mitigation actions. For the purposes of this planning process, vulnerable populations in Hunterdon County include children, elderly, low-income, the physically or mentally disabled, non-English speakers and the medically or chemically dependent.

Age Children are considered vulnerable because they are dependent on others to safely access resources during emergencies. The elderly are more apt to lack the physical and economic resources necessary for response to hazard events and are more likely to suffer health-related consequences making recovery slower. Those living on their own may have more difficulty evacuating their homes. The elderly are also more likely to live in senior care and living facilities where emergency preparedness occurs at the discretion of facility operators. Senior care and living facilities are also most vulnerable to hazards like pandemics in light of the close living arrangements combined with older populations with potentially weakened immune systems or pre-existing health issues that may be accentuated during this type of hazard event.

According to the 2014-2018 ACS 5-year estimates, 4,982 (4.0-percent) of the County’s population is under the age of 5 and 21,457 people (17.2-percent) of the County's total population is age 65 and older. Figure 3-6 shows the distribution of persons under the age of 5 and over 65 in Hunterdon County.

Income Of the total population, economically disadvantaged populations are more vulnerable because they are likely to evaluate their risk and make decisions based on the major economic impact to their family (e.g., evacuation). Based on the 2014-2018 ACS, per capita income in Hunterdon County was estimated at $54,984 and the median household income for Hunterdon County is $116,155. Greater than 13-percent of households receive an income between $50,000 and $74,999 per year and 24.2-percent of households receive over $200,000 annually.

According to the Census’ 2019 poverty thresholds, the weighted average thresholds for a family of four in 2019 was $26,167; for a family of three, $20,347; for a family of two, $16,541, and for unrelated individuals, $13,016. The 2014-2018 ACS data identified approximately 5,823 persons living below the poverty level in Hunterdon County. Figure 3-6 shows the distribution of low-income persons in Hunterdon County.

Physically or Mentally Disabled “Persons with a disability include those who have physical, sensory, or cognitive impairment that might limit a major life activity” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020). These impairments may increase the level of difficulty that individuals face during an emergency. Cognitive impairments may reduce an individual’s capacity to receive, process, and respond to emergency information or warnings. Individuals with a physical or sensory disability may face issues of mobility, sight, hearing, or reliance on specialized medical equipment. According to the 2014-2018 ACS, 8.6-percent residents of Hunterdon County are living with a disability. Figure 3-6 shows the geographic distribution of disabled individuals in Hunterdon County, including individuals with hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living difficulties.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-18 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Non-English Speakers Individuals who are not fluent or have a working proficiency in English may have difficulty understanding hazard-related information. Cultural differences can also add complexity to how information is being conveyed to populations with limited English proficiency (CDC, 2020). According to the 2018 ACS, 3-percent of County residents over the age of 5 primarily speak a language other than English at home. This is a decrease from 3.4- percent reported in the 2012-2016 ACS. Of the County’s population, 4.2-percent speak Spanish, 4.2-percent speak other Indo-European languages, 1.6-percent speak Asian and Pacific Island Languages, and 0.8-percent speak other languages. Figure 3-6 below shows the geographic distribution of individuals who speak English less than “very well.”

The Borough of Flemington (25.2-percent) has the largest proportion of households that speak a language other than English at home. The primary non-English language spoken in these homes is Spanish.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-19 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-6. Distribution of Socially Vulnerable Populations in Hunterdon County by Census Tract

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-20 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

3.2.2 Population Trends Population trends can provide a basis for making decisions on the type of mitigation approaches to consider and the locations in which these approaches should be applied. This information can also be used to support planning decisions regarding future development in vulnerable areas.

From 1930 to 2010, the County has experienced a constant growth in population. The largest increase was seen between the years 1960 and 1970, when the County experienced a 28.9-percent (15,611 persons) population increase. The smallest increase was seen between the years 2010 and 2018; Hunterdon County experienced a 5.2-percent (16,360 persons) population increase. Table 3-6 summarizes the change in population from 1900 to 2018 in Hunterdon County.

Table 3-6. Hunterdon County Population Change From 1900 to 2018

Percent Change in Population Year Population Population Change 1900 34,507 N/A N/A 1910 33,569 -938 -2.7% 1920 32,885 -684 -2.0% 1930 34,728 1,843 5.6% 1940 36,766 2,038 5.9% 1950 42,736 5,970 16.2% 1960 54,107 11,371 26.6% 1970 69,718 15,611 28.9% 1980 87,361 17,643 25.3% 1990 107,852 20,491 23.5% 2000 121,989 14,137 13.1% 2010 128,349 6,360 5.2% 2014-2018 125,051 3,298 -2.6% (estimate)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2014-2018 American Community Survey Estimates Note: N/A = Not Applicable Change in population and percent in population change was calculated from available data.

Taking a closer look at changes from 2000 to 2018, almost two-thirds of Hunterdon County's population growth occurred in two of the 26 municipalities: Lebanon Borough and Stockton Borough. Over this time the Borough of Lebanon experienced the greatest percentage increase of 43.2-percent. As shown in Table 3-7, a majority of the County's municipalities experienced a decrease in population between 2010 and the 2014-2018 ACS estimates, with the Borough of West Amwell experiencing the greatest decrease in population during this time (27.9-percent).

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-21 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Table 3-7. Changes in Population by Municipality (2000 to 2018)

Change in Population (2010 to 2014- 2014-2018 2018 American Percent American 2010 2000 Community Population Municipality Community Survey U.S. Census U.S. Census Survey) Change Alexandria Township 4,797 4,938 4,698 -141 -2.9% Bethlehem Township 3,905 3,979 3,820 -74 -1.9% Bloomsbury Borough 721 870 886 -149 -17.1% Califon Borough 1,194 1,076 1,055 118 11.0% Clinton Town 2,676 2,719 2,632 -43 -1.6% Clinton Township 12,957 13,478 12,957 -521 -3.9% Delaware Township 4,474 4,563 4,478 -89 -2.0% East Amwell Township 3,888 4,013 4,455 -125 -3.1% Flemington Borough 4,624 4,581 4,200 43 0.9% Franklin Township 3,281 3,195 2,990 86 2.7% Frenchtown Borough 1,297 1,373 1,488 -76 -5.5% Glen Gardner Borough 1,590 1,704 1,902 -114 -6.7% Hampton Borough 1,219 1,401 1,546 -182 -13.0% High Bridge Borough 3,527 3,648 3,776 -121 -3.3% Holland Township 5,157 5,291 5,124 -134 -2.5% Kingwood Township 3,751 3,845 3,782 -94 -2.4% Lambertville City 3,820 3,906 3,868 -86 -2.2% Lebanon Borough 1,945 1,358 1,065 587 43.2% Lebanon Township 6,132 6,588 5,816 -456 -6.9% Milford Borough 1,295 1,233 1,195 62 5.0% Raritan Township 22,063 22,185 19,809 -122 -0.5% Readington Township 15,880 16,126 15,803 -246 -1.5% Stockton Borough 655 538 560 117 21.7% Tewksbury Township 5,830 5,993 5,541 -163 -2.7% Union Township 5,599 5,908 6,160 -309 -5.2% West Amwell 2,774 3,840 2,383 -1,066 -27.8% Township Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Census 2010, 2013-2018 American Community Survey Over the last 20 years, new regulations, new economic realities and changing conditions influenced the rate of population growth in Hunterdon County and will continue to influence population growth moving forward. Enactment of the Highlands Act in 2004 and subsequent adoption of related NJDEP regulations is one of the reasons for the modest rate of population growth, although nearly half of New Jersey’s counties have been experiencing population decline. Within Hunterdon County most jurisdictions experienced only modest population increases from 2010 to 2018 or even some have seen decreases in population, with the exception of a couple jurisdictions like Lebanon Borough (43.2-percent increase) in the north and the Stockton Borough (21.7-percent increase) in the central part of the County.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-22 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

The Highlands-specific environmental restrictions reduces the development potential in the County, particularly in the Preservation Area. Continued support for open space and farmland preservation programs also reduces the availability of land for residential development and subsequent population growth (New Jersey Highlands Council 2018).

Over the next 15 years, from 2010 to 2032, Hunterdon County has a projected population growth of 5.4-percent. Based on New Jersey Department of Labor population projections, the population is expected to reach 130,000 by 2022, and 135,300 by 2032 (Figure 3-7).

Figure 3-7. Hunterdon County Population Projections, 2010 to 2032

Source: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development 2011

3.3 GENERAL BUILDING STOCK The 2018 ACS data identified an estimated 47,901 households (50,138 housing units) in Hunterdon County. This is a small increase in households from 2010 (1.5-percent) and housing units (increase of 1.9-percent). The U.S. Census defines household as all the persons who occupy a housing unit, and a housing unit as a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters. Therefore, you may have more than one household per housing unit.

A custom building inventory was generated for this plan utilizing the most current parcel and tax assessment data provided by the Hunterdon County Geographic Information System (GIS) Services, and Microsoft Bing 2018 footprints. Refer to Section 4.2 (Methodology and Tools) for more information on the development of the building stock. This resulted in a building inventory of 63,733 structures with an estimated replacement cost total of $46.4 billion using 2020 RS Means values. Approximately 84-percent of the total buildings in the County are residential, which make up approximately 63-percent of the total building replacement cost value associated

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-23 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile with residential housing. Table 3-8 presents building stock statistics by occupancy class for Hunterdon County used for this HMP.

The majority of housing units in Hunterdon County are single-family detached units (75.5-percent or 37,134 units) (ACS 2018). The 2018 U.S. Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns data identified 3,733 business establishments employing 45,988 people in Hunterdon County. The professional, scientific, and technical services industry has the greatest number of establishments in the County (508). This is followed by the construction industry with 494 establishments and the retail trade industry with 453 establishments (U.S. Census, 2018).

Viewing building distribution maps can assist communities in visualizing areas of high hazard exposure and in evaluating aspects of the study area in relation to the specific hazard risks. Figure 3-8 through Figure 3-10 show the density distribution of residential, commercial and industrial buildings in Hunterdon County by Census block; replacement cost value of structures per unit area, including building contents. The densities are shown in units of $1,000 ($K) per square mile.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-24 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Table 3-8. Number of Buildings and Replacement Cost Value by Occupancy Class

All Occupancies Residential Commercial Industrial Total Total Total Total Replacement Replacement Replacement Replacement Replacement Replacement Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value (Structure (Contents (Structure + (Structure + (Structure + (Structure + Jurisdiction Count Only) Only) Contents) Count Contents) Count Contents) Count Contents) Alexandria (Twp) 2,986 $1,358,378,554 $896,002,183 $2,254,380,737 2,183 $1,404,655,083 70 $97,537,748 20 $27,715,783 Bethlehem (Twp) 1,977 $791,942,898 $521,618,325 $1,313,561,223 1,618 $879,376,842 31 $21,479,813 24 $114,005,201 Bloomsbury (B) 422 $179,091,049 $122,955,767 $302,046,816 392 $187,465,154 15 $52,202,170 7 $31,765,515 Califon (B) 529 $172,463,158 $108,562,993 $281,026,152 483 $203,037,005 31 $42,406,565 1 $485,767 Clinton (T) 1,042 $444,079,305 $292,605,743 $736,685,048 941 $468,494,649 75 $182,399,628 0 $0 Clinton (Twp) 5,592 $2,378,085,035 $1,626,151,737 $4,004,236,773 4,967 $2,577,607,711 168 $314,675,094 37 $524,506,297 Delaware (Twp) 3,599 $1,340,016,917 $901,867,891 $2,241,884,808 2,455 $1,349,547,179 37 $42,944,973 42 $52,164,011 East Amwell (Twp) 2,527 $976,185,753 $631,063,804 $1,607,249,557 1,904 $1,055,759,051 63 $77,455,543 27 $24,926,563 Flemington (B) 1,340 $652,631,940 $479,100,206 $1,131,732,147 1,064 $527,114,132 219 $425,969,647 2 $4,938,216 Franklin (Twp) 2,261 $1,093,695,074 $817,646,789 $1,911,341,862 1,575 $892,076,092 21 $118,448,660 6 $9,244,359 Frenchtown (B) 598 $284,665,794 $203,965,398 $488,631,192 530 $251,112,415 47 $200,421,409 4 $12,634,451 Glen Gardner (B) 810 $213,084,697 $129,899,942 $342,984,639 756 $249,554,267 20 $50,200,236 0 $0 Hampton (B) 624 $204,070,416 $109,339,444 $313,409,859 587 $285,434,620 10 $5,991,996 1 $757,418 High Bridge (B) 1,528 $493,929,606 $334,224,519 $828,154,125 1,425 $554,906,616 46 $81,454,980 16 $123,420,456 Holland (Twp) 2,924 $1,062,311,629 $706,682,312 $1,768,993,941 2,468 $1,170,662,006 51 $150,463,873 31 $170,987,456 Kingwood (Twp) 2,780 $1,014,940,176 $697,123,962 $1,712,064,139 1,995 $1,012,005,272 69 $86,583,065 35 $103,232,112 Lambertville (C) 1,940 $722,976,629 $443,984,921 $1,166,961,549 1,815 $878,457,834 78 $169,446,646 8 $49,932,444 Lebanon (B) 671 $316,774,622 $213,874,737 $530,649,358 580 $319,847,135 64 $159,154,482 5 $18,579,132 Lebanon (Twp) 3,446 $1,455,782,255 $918,045,758 $2,373,828,013 2,814 $1,635,827,768 130 $129,997,169 17 $23,636,529 Milford (B) 573 $273,777,790 $253,375,561 $527,153,351 503 $210,045,260 29 $39,399,651 14 $228,883,771 Raritan (Twp) 9,712 $5,057,817,413 $3,547,967,954 $8,605,785,368 8,821 $5,211,905,643 313 $1,419,327,538 82 $1,032,960,293 Readington (Twp) 7,953 $3,454,593,785 $2,382,815,908 $5,837,409,694 7,015 $3,748,542,777 200 $395,786,112 88 $839,615,869 Stockton (B) 288 $128,122,873 $91,181,271 $219,304,144 246 $112,727,530 21 $87,766,626 0 $0

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-25 May 2020 Section 3: County Profile

Source: Microsoft 2018; NJOIT 2020; Hunterdon County GIS 2020; RS Means 2020

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-26 May 2020 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-8. Distribution of Residential Building Stock and Value Density in Hunterdon County by Census Block

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-27 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-9. Distribution of Commercial Building Stock and Exposure Density in Hunterdon County by Census Block

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-28 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-5. Distribution of Industrial Building Stock and Value Density in Hunterdon County by Census Block

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-29 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

3.4 ECONOMY As discussed in the FEMA Local Mitigation Handbook, after a natural hazard event, economic resiliency drives recovery. An understanding of the major employers and economic sectors in the County whose losses or inoperability would impact the community and its ability to recover from a disaster is essential. The following provides information regarding the economy in Hunterdon County.

According to the Hunterdon County Economic Development 2020 data, major industries include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, professional, scientific, and technical services, and educational services. Hunterdon County’s top private-sector industry, healthcare and social assistance, employs nearly 7,098 people and has an average annual salary over $58,317. Additionally, the professional, scientific, and technical services industry employs 4,927 people with an average of $104,557.

Historically Hunterdon County had a large agricultural industry and with highway improvements post World War II and increased sewer capacity there was growth and mobility within its communities. In the 1980s the County experienced an increase in commercial and industrial development along Route 78 which provided access to the Newark and New York Metropolitan areas. Larger companies such as Exxon Mobil, Foster-Wheler and Merck built offices there. Outside of the town centers much of the County is considered rural and were classified as farmland (Hunterdon County Economic Development 2014). Even though agriculture is not relied on as a top industry anymore it provides agritourism opportunities and preservation or open space of farmland.

The Hunterdon County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was submitted to and approved by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (USEDA) in December 2014. The process of the CEDS began in 2013 when Hunterdon County began research and outreach to plan the county’s economic future. The CEDS serves as a guide for creating economic growth and jobs (Hunterdon County CEDS 2014). Hunterdon County’s CEDS demonstrated the rising cost of living, dependency on road networks and infrastructures, and a growing industry in health care and professional and technical services. There has been a decline in corporate campuses as larger employers downsize and office spaces are left to be repurposed or demolished. The County once focused on manufactured jobs and corporate campuses; it now focuses on the education industry, smaller and more local professional technical services as well as the opportunity for active farming communities to provide access to local produce and the County’s unique cultural heritage and access to open spaces (Hunterdon CEDS 2014).

3.5 DEVELOPMENT TRENDS AND NEW DEVELOPMENT An understanding of population and development trends can assist in planning for future development and ensuring that appropriate mitigation, planning, and preparedness measures are in place to protect human health and community infrastructure. The DMA 2000 requires that communities consider land use trends, which can impact the need for, and priority of, mitigation options over time. Land use and development trends significantly impact exposure and vulnerability to various hazards. For example, significant development in a hazard area increases the building stock and population exposed to that hazard.

Local zoning and planning authority are provided for under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, which gives municipalities zoning and planning authority. The Hunterdon County Planning Board conducts site plan review for land development along County roads or areas affecting county drainage facilities. For these types of projects, the County Planning Board must approve for development. The site plan review process is done at the municipal level for all other development. Refer to Sections 5 (Capability Assessment) and 9 (Jurisdictional Annexes) for further details on the planning and regulatory capabilities for the County and each municipality.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-30 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

The New Jersey Highlands Region covers 46-percent of Hunterdon County (except for 11 municipalities), a little less than 15-percent of the State, but provides drinking water for 70-percent of the State’s residents. The Highlands Region was officially formed in 2004 to support more regional approaches to land and water conservation, preservation, and management. The presence of the New Jersey Highlands Region in Hunterdon County is unique and has significant implications on future County development trends and new development. The most obvious impact is the concentration of the majority of the future development in designated urban areas (inside the Highlands Region).

The Highlands Preservation Area is where development is most strictly regulated. The Borough of Lebanon, Township of Clinton, Borough of High Bridge, Town of Clinton, Township of Alexandria, Township of Holland, and Borough of Milford. The Township of Lebanon, Borough of Califon, Borough of Hampton, Borough of Glen Gardner, Township of Bethlehem, Borough of Bloomsbury, and the Township of Union are almost exclusively located in the Highlands’ Preservation Area. The remainder of the Highlands Region in Hunterdon County is located in the Planning Area where development potential is greater and provides an avenue for enhanced development through Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) and smart growth programs.

The New Jersey Highlands Council has identified areas of existing development as well as areas of potential growth that may provide insight as to where potential new development may occur in Hunterdon County in the future. These areas include the Existing Community Zone (both in-fill of new development and re-development) and Designated Centers refer to Figure 3-11. The New Jersey Highlands Council assists with planning and considers hazard areas such as floodplains when evaluating new and re-development in the region. In addition, the NJDEP Sewer Service Areas are also shown on Figure 3-11. These areas show the planned method of wastewater disposal for specific areas, i.e. whether the wastewater will be collected to a regional treatment facility or treated on site and disposed of through a surface water discharge of groundwater discharge. The NJDEP Sewer Service Areas may also be areas of potential growth in the future.

New development that has occurred in the last five years within the County and potential future development in the next five years have been identified by each municipality. A hazard exposure analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the identified potential new development and natural hazard areas evaluated in the HMP update. The results of this spatial analysis have been reviewed with each jurisdiction and are documented in Table 9.X-2 in each jurisdiction annex. In addition, the summary of this analysis and hazard- specific maps are included at the end of each vulnerability assessment (Section 4 – Risk Assessment). Figure 3- 11 illustrates the potential new development identified by each jurisdiction, as well as Highlands Existing Community Zones, Designated Centers and Sewer Service Areas which are areas of potential future growth in Hunterdon County.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-31 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-6. Areas of Potential Growth and Potential New Development Identified by each Jurisdiction

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-32 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

3.6 CRITICAL FACILITIES AND LIFELINES Critical facilities and infrastructure provide services and Critical facilities and infrastructure functions essential to a community, especially during and after provide services and functions essential to a disaster. Critical facilities include essential facilities, a community, especially during and after a transportation systems, lifeline utility systems, high potential disaster. As defined for this HMP, critical loss facilities and hazardous material facilities. Transportation facilities include essential facilities, systems include roadways, bridges, airways, and waterways. transportation systems, lifeline utility Utility systems include potable water, wastewater, oil, natural systems, high-potential loss facilities and gas, electric power facilities, and emergency communication hazardous material facilities. systems. A community lifeline, a type of critical A comprehensive inventory of critical facilities in Hunterdon facility, enables the continuous operation of County was developed from various sources including the government functions and critical business 2016 HMP, County and municipal representatives, and input and is essential to human health and safety from the Steering and Planning Committees. An enhancement or economic security. to the 2021 HMP was the identification of community lifelines across Hunterdon County. Hunterdon County’s definition for a lifeline aligns with FEMA: “a type of critical facility that provides indispensable service that enables the continuous operation of critical business and government functions, and is critical to human health and safety, or economic security.” Identifying community lifelines will help government officials and stakeholders to prioritize, sequence, and focus response efforts towards maintaining or restoring the most critical services and infrastructure within their respective jurisdiction(s). Identifying potential impacts to lifelines can help to inform the planning process and determining priorities in the event an emergency occurs; refer to Appendix E for the FEMA fact sheet on lifelines.

Overall, of the 869 critical facilities in Hunterdon County, 799 were identified as community lifelines. The asset inventory presented in this section represents the current state of this effort at the time of publication of the draft HMP and used for the risk assessment in Section 4.

The inventory of critical facilities identified for the HMP is considered sensitive information. It is protected by the Protected Critical Infrastructure Information (PCII) program and under New Jersey Executive Order 21. Therefore, individual facility names and addresses are not Essential facilities are a subset of critical provided in this HMP update. A summary of the facility facilities that include those facilities that are types used for the risk assessment are presented further in this important to ensure a full recovery section. following the occurrence of a hazard event. For the County risk assessment, this 3.6.1 Essential Facilities category was defined to include police, fire, Emergency Facilities EMS, EOCs, schools, government buildings, shelters, senior facilities and medical For the purposes of this HMP, emergency facilities include facilities. police, fire, emergency medical services (EMS) and emergency operations centers (EOC). The County has a Emergency Facilities are for the purposes highly coordinated and interconnected network of emergency of this Plan, emergency facilities include facilities and services at the county and municipal level. The police, fire, emergency medical services Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management (EMS) and emergency operations centers (OEM) serves as the primary coordinating agency between (EOC). local, state and federal agencies. In response to an emergency event, Hunterdon County OEM will work with County and municipal health agencies and healthcare providers,

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-33 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile emergency facilities and the County Sheriff’s Office to provide aid to residents of the County. Overall, there are 16 enforcement facilities, 38 fire stations, 20 emergency medical services facilities and 24 EOCs.

Hospital and Medical Facilities There are 24 major medical and hospital centers located within the County. These facilities are important for healthcare access for residents within the County and the State as well providers of many jobs within the area. Schools There are 76 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to higher education learning establishments in the County. During an emergency event, schools are often times used as a shelter for residents. Schools are categorized under the FEMA Safety and Security lifeline.

Shelters There are 73 shelters identified in Hunterdon County; many schools, community centers and municipal buildings could serve as a shelter during an emergency. Shelters are categorized under the FEMA Food, Water and Shelter lifeline.

Senior Care and Living Facilities It is important to identify and account for senior facilities, as they are highly vulnerable to the potential impacts of disasters. Understanding the location and numbers of these types of facilities can help manage effective response plan post disaster.

Government Buildings In addition to the facilities discussed, county and municipal buildings, department of public works facilities and public health departments are essential to the continuity of operations pre-, during and post-disasters. These facilities are included in the risk assessment and categorized as a FEMA Safety and Security lifeline.

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-34 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-7. Essentials Facilities in Hunterdon County

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-35 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

3.6.2 Transportation Systems One of the County’s strongest assets is its transportation infrastructure. Air and land are available and major roadways include Interstate 78; State Routes 12, 31, and 179, and 284; and U.S. Routes 202 and 206. There are private airports in Hunterdon County, bus/park & ride locations, and rail stations. Figure 3-13 illustrates the regional transportation lifelines serving the County. The transportation inventory included as part of this HMP includes airports, major bus stations, and major rail facilities.

Rail Service New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit), formerly Erie Lackawanna Railroad, serves thousands of County commuters each day. NJ Transit operates an extensive commuter rail network and offers connections with other rail service. The NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line services Hunter County. The Raritan Valley has service to New York Penn Station, and Newark Penn Station. There are four rail facilities located in the County; High Bridge Station, Lebanon Station, White House Station, and Annandale Station.

Bus Service Bus services in Hunterdon County primarily operate through a consolidated County transportation system known as “The Link” which maintains 13 bus routes with additional services provided by NJ Transit which connects the public to rail stations and connections to regional transportations networks such as the PATH service, Newark Amtrak, local rail and bus services, and New York City (Hunterdon County 2008 Transportation Plan).

Additional bus services include the Trans Bridge Line which operates local bus service to Hunterdon County from Pennsylvania to Newark Airport and New York. Stops are located in Union Township, Clinton, Lambertville, Frenchtown, and Flemington. There are several park and ride lots that serve bus, rail, and carpool passengers. Parking at all Park and Ride location are free (Hunterdon County 2008 Transportation Plan).

Airports There are three airports located in Hunterdon County. The Solberg Airport is located in the Township of Readington, the Sky Manor Airport and the Alexandria Field Airport is located in the Township of Alexandria and are privately owned airport and serve as flight schools (Hunterdon County 2008 Transportation Plan).

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-36 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-8. Transportation Facilities in Hunterdon County

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-37 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

3.6.3 Lifeline Utility Systems This section presents communication, potable water, wastewater, and energy resource utility system data. Due to heightened security concerns, local utility lifeline data sufficient to complete the analysis have only partially been obtained.

Communication Hunterdon County has a network of both public and private communication facilities and towers. There are 20 critical communication towers and facilities located in Hunterdon County.

Potable Water Individual groundwater wells are the primary water supply for over 70 percent of households in the County; community wells and non-residential wells are also prevalent (Growth Management Plan 2007). Elizabethtown Water Company provides public water to areas of Raritan, Readington, and Tewksbury Townships; the water is sourced from the Round Valley and Spruce Run Reservoirs, the D&R canal, and various public wells around the county. Clinton and Union Townships are serviced by the Town of Clinton Water Department, which is primarily sourced by public wells. New Jersey Water Company serves smaller communities of Califon Borough, and Lebanon and Holland Townships (Growth Management Plan 2007).

Other water suppliers include Aqua America, New Jersey American Water, and United Water. Table 3-9 summarized water supply systems within Hunterdon County.

The Round Valley Reservoir, with a capacity of 55 billion gallons, and the Spruce Run Reservoir, with a capacity of 11 billion gallons, primarily serve the surrounding counties (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2014). The County plays an important role in the maintenance of each reservoir to ensure a safe water supply.

There are 11 potable water pumps, tanks, and facilities identified in the County for the purposes of this analysis. The following table provides the water supply utilities in the County and the municipalities each serve. Refer to Figure 3-14 to see the general locations of potable water facilities.

Table 3-9. Potable Water Supply Systems in Hunterdon County

Municipality Water System Name Alexandria Township Milford Water Department Bloomsbury Borough Aqua NJ Inc. (Phillpsburg) Califon Borough Aqua NJ Inc. (Califon) Clinton Town Clinton Water Department Clinton Water Department, Teen Challenge, Rolling Hills Care Center, High Bridge Water Clinton Township Department Delaware Township Delaware Township MUA, Rosemont Water Company Flemington Borough Flemington Water Department Franklin Township Clinton Water Department Frenchtown Borough NJ American Water (Passaic Basin), NJ American Water (Frenchtown) Glen Gardner Borough Glen Gardner Water Department Hampton Borough Hampton Borough Water Department Holland Township Aqua NJ Inc. (Riegel Ridge, Fox Hill & Warren Glen), Milford Water Department,

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-38 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Table 3-9. Potable Water Supply Systems in Hunterdon County

Municipality Water System Name Lambertville City Suez Water New Jersey Lambertville Aqua NJ Inc (Bunnvale), Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, Camelot At Spruce Ridge, Imperial Lebanon Borough Vista Care Inc., Little Brook Nursing Home Milford Borough Milford Water Department Raritan Township Flemington Water Department, Hunterdon Care Center, NJ American Water (Raritan) Readington Township NJ American Water (Raritan) Stockton Borough Stockton Water Department NJ American Water (Oldwick), Washington Township MUA-Hager, NJ American Water Tewksbury Township (Raritan) Union Township Clinton Water Department, Edna Mahan Correctional, County Arch Care Center, West Amwell Township Suez Water New Jersey (Lambertville) Source: 1 NJDEP Data Miner, https://www13.state.nj.us/DataMiner, last accessed on January 6, 2021. 2 Mobile Home Parks Excluded

Wastewater Facilities

Current Sewer Service Areas and Facilities According to the Growth Management Plan (2007), approximately 80 percent of households utilize on-site septic disposal fields in place of a regional sewage treatment plant; these systems treat and infiltrate wastewater back into the ground. In addition to these systems, there are eight major wastewater treatment plants that provide a limited service to communities in the County. The service area of these facilities is presented in Table 3-10 below. As shown in Figure 3-14, there are seven regional and municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs) providing service in Hunterdon County.

Table 3-5. Regional Sewer Service Areas

Wastewater Utility Municipalities Raritan Township Municipal Utilities Authority Flemington Borough, Raritan Township, Sewerage Treatment Plant Three Bridges Area of Readington Township

Town of Clinton Sewerage Treatment Plant Town of Clinton, Clinton Township, High Bridge Borough Lambertville Sewerage Authority Pollution Control City of Lambertville, Borough of Stockton, Facility portions of Bucks County, Pennsylvania Lebanon Borough, Whitehouse area of Readington Township, Readington-Lebanon Sewerage Authority Round Valley Recreation Area Milford Borough Sewer Treatment Plant Milford Borough, portions of Holland Township Delaware Township Municipal Utilities Authority Flemington Borough

Frenchtown Borough Sewage Treatment

Source: Growth Management Plan, 2007; Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, 2014

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-39 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Package Plants Despite the existence of regional facilities, many areas of the County remain outside sewer service areas. As a result, many commercial and housing developments are served by small on-site discharge to groundwater (DGWs) and discharge to surface water (DSWs) systems that provide treatment for individual or small sites. Typically identified as “package plants,” these small, dedicated treatment systems are designed to serve specific users that typically generate over 2,000 gallons per day (gpd), with some older package treatment systems treating less than 2,000 gpd; they are not part of a regional system capable of addressing multiple users. These facilities provide a level of sewage treatment, which may be less rigorous than the treatment provided by the regional systems, but more effective than that provided by individual septic systems.

Energy Resources The primary electric and gas utility provider for Hunterdon County is JCP&L. The majority of the electric provided is generated by coal-powered plants, followed by nuclear power. However, residents are able to choose among a variety of smaller competitive suppliers, including those using alternative energy methods like solar and wind (Growth Management Plan 2007).

3.6.4 High-Potential Loss Facilities High-potential loss facilities include dams/levees, chemical storage facilities and military installations. Figure 3-15 displays the general locations of these facilities in the County.

Dams and Levees According to the NJDEP, there are four hazard classifications of dams in New Jersey. The classifications relate to the potential for property damage and/or loss of life should the dam fail:

. Class I (High-Hazard Potential) - Failure of the dam may result in probable loss of life and/or extensive property damage . Class II (Significant-Hazard Potential) - Failure of the dam may result in significant property damage; however, loss of life is not envisioned. . Class III (Low-Hazard Potential) - Failure of the dam is not expected to result in loss of life and/or significant property damage. . Class IV (Small-Dam Low-Hazard Potential) - Failure of the dam is not expected to result in loss of life or significant property damage.

According to the NJDEP Bureau of Dam Safety, there are 89 dams located in Hunterdon County, 10 of which are classified with a high-hazard potential. The high-hazard potential dams are located in the following municipalities:

. Town of Clinton . Borough of High Bridge . Holland Township . Lebanon Township . West Amwell Township

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-40 May 2021 Section 3: County Profile

Figure 3-9. Utility Lifelines in Hunterdon County

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HAZMAT Facilities It is important to understand the locations that store hazardous materials to determine their potential for damage and/or release due to natural hazard events, including floods, hurricanes or earthquakes. The locations of these facilities were identified through this HMP planning process which include Superfund sites and facilities listed in the toxic release inventory (TRI); or locations that store certain toxic chemicals that may post a threat to human health and the environment. Refer to Figure 3-16 to see the general location of the hazardous material facilities.

3.6.5 Additional Facilities The Planning Partnership identified additional facilities (user-defined facilities) as critical to serve the County in times of disaster and need, or house vulnerable populations. Many of these facilities are classified as FEMA lifelines: banks, correctional facilities, County-owned buildings, children day cares, department of public works (DPW), food distribution sites, food pantries, funeral homes, group homes, historic/cultural sites, libraries, mobile home parks, municipal buildings, pharmacies, post offices, recycling centers, State buildings, and veterinary facilities. Figure 3-17 illustrates the general locations of these facilities in the County.

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Figure 3-10. High-Potential Loss Facilities in Hunterdon County

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Figure 3-11. Additional Critical Facilities and Lifelines in Hunterdon County

DMA 2000 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update – Hunterdon County, New Jersey 3-44 May 2021