Update · June 27, 2026
Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act
West Milford Township is one of the New Jersey communities most profoundly affected by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, with 100 percent of the township located in the state‑designated Highlands Preservation Area.[1][4] This law strictly limits major new development in order to protect more than 800,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and headwaters that supply drinking water to the majority of New Jersey residents.[3]dep.nj.gov
Since 2011, West Milford has fully conformed its local planning and zoning to the Highlands Regional Master Plan, aligning municipal land‑use rules with state environmental protections while preserving the township’s rural landscape and recreational assets.[4]westmilford.org These safeguards, however, significantly restrict opportunities for ratable growth, contributing to a constrained commercial tax base, higher reliance on residential property taxes, and mounting pressure on local school and municipal budgets.[1][3]
Township officials and residents have repeatedly highlighted this imbalance, noting that while West Milford bears stringent land‑use limits to protect water resources for the entire state, promised state financial relief and stabilization aid have not materialized at the necessary scale.[1][5] As Trenton revisits its commitments to Highlands communities, West Milford is calling for restoration of dedicated Highlands aid, meaningful tax stabilization measures, and support for compatible economic development so the township can continue safeguarding New Jersey’s drinking water without overburdening its local taxpayers.[5]facebook.com
Sources:
West Milford – Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act notice
West Milford – Highlands Impact Aid Now campaign
NJ Highlands Council – West Milford Township profile
Jersey Vindicator – “New Jersey broke its promise to the Highlands”
NJDEP – Highlands program overview
[West Milford Master Plan – Land Use & Highlands elements](chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westmilford.org/FCpdf/Land%20Use%20Plan%20Revised-11-18-14.pdf)
Since 2011, West Milford has fully conformed its local planning and zoning to the Highlands Regional Master Plan, aligning municipal land‑use rules with state environmental protections while preserving the township’s rural landscape and recreational assets.[4]westmilford.org These safeguards, however, significantly restrict opportunities for ratable growth, contributing to a constrained commercial tax base, higher reliance on residential property taxes, and mounting pressure on local school and municipal budgets.[1][3]
Township officials and residents have repeatedly highlighted this imbalance, noting that while West Milford bears stringent land‑use limits to protect water resources for the entire state, promised state financial relief and stabilization aid have not materialized at the necessary scale.[1][5] As Trenton revisits its commitments to Highlands communities, West Milford is calling for restoration of dedicated Highlands aid, meaningful tax stabilization measures, and support for compatible economic development so the township can continue safeguarding New Jersey’s drinking water without overburdening its local taxpayers.[5]facebook.com
Sources:
West Milford – Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act notice
West Milford – Highlands Impact Aid Now campaign
NJ Highlands Council – West Milford Township profile
Jersey Vindicator – “New Jersey broke its promise to the Highlands”
NJDEP – Highlands program overview
[West Milford Master Plan – Land Use & Highlands elements](chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westmilford.org/FCpdf/Land%20Use%20Plan%20Revised-11-18-14.pdf)