Two State Agencies Hurt Brick Communities

It took years to figure out what devastated our environment. There were two highway projects occurring simultaneously near Evergreen Woods on the Garden State Parkway: the Exit 91 Overpass, and the Parkway Widening.

Originally, we were enveloped in a dense natural barrier. We were told years ago that the highway would never come near our community. Residents were worried about what was about to happen. Engineers from the Overpass project said only some trees would be cut, but never mentioned that a 2nd project had a much different agenda. The center median was razed to the ground because paying a fine for clearcutting was cheaper. We lost 100 feet of old forest, plus 38 feet from the shoulders, to widen them.

Consequently, the average acceptable level of 65 decibels (db) near a highway was breached. In a 2019 sound study Brick performed, we reached 82 db. On any given day, the noise permeates windows and walls, and shakes our very homes. Sleep is disrupted throughout the night and early morning, constantly waking up children and adults. We endure 24/7 hissing of tires, and loud noise engines, truck brakes, and motorcycles.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) disqualified Evergreen Woods for a sound wall for three different reasons: 1) the highway didn’t move any closer to us; 2) Their cost formula determined not enough residents were affected to justify the cost; and 3) Extremely narrow criteria was used to disqualify all communities, save one.

However, the original shoulder, in a pre 2003 project of the old Highway Authority, was used to create a thru lane. The current NJTA extended that shoulder, which used to be considered part of the highway. But not any more. This is how NJTA justified that the road didn’t move any closer. They avoided mitigating a 10 db rise in sound because they contrived a reason for not conducting a pre- or post-sound study for the rest of Evergreen Woods in the first place.

The second excuse was a cost formula that determines eligibility. The cost couldn’t exceed $50k per residence. Since NJTA segmented the two neighboring projects, creating an artificial line, no resident was counted an inch beyond. Not all the affected homes were counted in the tally.

The final reason, according to Frank Scarantino, lead engineer of the Overpass project, NJTA used extremely narrow criteria to determine who got a wall. They feared everyone would want one. Since an access road was built next to Cherrywood Farms in Brick, they got one.

NJTA circumvents mitigation by segmenting projects and changing policies. Cumulative effects aren’t considered. According to NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act), which are Federal Guidelines highway authorities are supposed to follow, a cumulative impact analysis is supposed to be conducted. Carpenter and Associates, who did both sound studies for the NJTA, did not heed it. When questioned, Sharon Carpenter, VP in a telephone conversation, kept citing NJTA sound policy. Apparently NEPA is only followed so long as there is no conflict with NJTA policy.

The other agency involved in this convoluted mess is the NJDEP (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection). They demand permits be acquired for highway projects in wetland areas. Even though the environmental impact statement concluded that our area had sandy soil, draining 1 foot an hour, the NJTA had to comply. They also demanded detention basins be installed. But according to the Cahill and Associates study, conducted in 1989 for the NJDEP, basins don’t work.

NJTA debated the issue with NJDEP who wanted to install a basin on each side of the highway. Concerned with mosquito issues, they decided to combine them into one big detention basin in the center median. But while they deliberated, the contractor had already clear cut a large area next to Evergreen Woods. Residents complained and the work halted. NJTA tried to cover it up. They claimed: “It was for storing equipment.” But none was ever stored there.

We complained to Assemblyman Holzapfel to help us out. After much ado from the NJTA, a berm was built in the area. Most of the planted trees on it died and had to be replaced. However, it was tough luck for the rest of us.

The NJDEP demands basin installation on all highway projects. Charlie Welch, the supervisor at this agency, who signs the permits, had no idea where we were. He had his subordinates find our location for him. He said he would help us, but never did. He actually remarked during this site visit that ‘he hoped the basins would work.’ We also asked him why a sound study wasn’t considered when they were cutting down the natural barrier that separated a busy multi-lane highway. His answer, “Engineers are linear thinkers.” And he actually thought that was funny.

The NJDEP doesn’t actually have the authority or the science behind them to demand detention basins. That authority only extends to sewage treatment plants, agricultural areas, and dams. But they get what they want anyway. They’re expensive, useless, and the reason the Garden State parkway is bare and noisy today.

While this is Evergreen Woods’ story, several other Brick communities were also devastated from the excessive loss of natural barrier. Through this non-comedic comedy of errors and coverups by NJTA and NJDEP, families have endured the noise since 2012. Even though the NHWA (National Highway Authority) states trees cannot be used as mitigation, the NJTA determined trees would be just the thing to shut us up. They concluded this when they parked in our community one afternoon and rolled one window halfway down. Well, it didn’t stop us. We deserve to have our quality of life returned to normal. The only way for that to happen is a sound wall for all the affected communities. That’s why we’ve asked our Assemblyman, Holzapfel to help us again and have asked for an earmark for funds to save Brick residents from this injustice. We also have a fundraiser online to help finance an attorney to represent us all: https://gofund.me/cd7a1142