13:20-10 Goals of regional master plan.

10. a. The goal of the regional master plan with respect to the entire Highlands Region shall be to protect and enhance the significant values of the resources thereof in a manner which is consistent with the purposes and provisions of this act.

b. The goals of the regional master plan with respect to the preservation area shall be to:

(1) protect, restore, and enhance the quality and quantity of surface and ground waters therein;

(2) preserve extensive and, to the maximum extent possible, contiguous areas of land in its natural state, thereby ensuring the continuation of a Highlands environment which contains the unique and significant natural, scenic, and other resources representative of the Highlands Region;

(3) protect the natural, scenic, and other resources of the Highlands Region, including but not limited to contiguous forests, wetlands, vegetated stream corridors, steep slopes, and critical habitat for fauna and flora;

(4) preserve farmland and historic sites and other historic resources;

(5) preserve outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, on publicly owned land;

(6) promote conservation of water resources;

(7) promote brownfield remediation and redevelopment;

(8) promote compatible agricultural, horticultural, recreational, and cultural uses and opportunities within the framework of protecting the Highlands environment; and

(9) prohibit or limit to the maximum extent possible construction or development which is incompatible with preservation of this unique area.

c. The goals of the regional master plan with respect to the planning area shall be to:

(1) protect, restore, and enhance the quality and quantity of surface and ground waters therein;

(2) preserve to the maximum extent possible any environmentally sensitive lands and other lands needed for recreation and conservation purposes;

(3) protect and maintain the essential character of the Highlands environment;

(4) preserve farmland and historic sites and other historic resources;

(5) promote the continuation and expansion of agricultural, horticultural, recreational, and cultural uses and opportunities;

(6) preserve outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, on publicly owned land;

(7) promote conservation of water resources;

(8) promote brownfield remediation and redevelopment;

(9) encourage, consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan and smart growth strategies and principles, appropriate patterns of compatible residential, commercial, and industrial development, redevelopment, and economic growth, in or adjacent to areas already utilized for such purposes, and discourage piecemeal, scattered, and inappropriate development, in order to accommodate local and regional growth and economic development in an orderly way while protecting the Highlands environment from the individual and cumulative adverse impacts thereof; and

(10) promote a sound, balanced transportation system that is consistent with smart growth strategies and principles and which preserves mobility in the Highlands Region.

L.2004,c.120,s.10.