Christie Could Soon Declare Statewide Drought Emergency
WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey residents may face higher water bills and potential fines from the state Department of Environmental Protection if drought conditions in the state don't improve.
The Record newspaper reports northern New Jersey has been under a drought warning since mid-October and Gov. Chris Christie could soon declare a statewide drought emergency.
A drought emergency would empower the Republican governor to move water among utilities and allow the DEP to fine residents who use too much.
"What that would entail, would be mandatory restrictions in the impacted counties on non-essential water use," Larry Hajna with the Department of Environmental Protection told WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron.
If Christie does declare a drought emergency, it would be New Jersey's first since 2002-2003. The state has only imposed fines on residents once, in 1985.
But state climatologist Dr. Dave Robinson said the good news is that we're heading into the winter.
"When reservoirs tend to fill up and the ground water perks up and rivers start to flow higher," he said.
Recent rains have only marginally helped replenish local reservoirs, which officials say remain below the historic averages for this time of year.
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