Military Initiatives

Board of Commissioners

Ocean County Department of Planning

For More Information

Timothy Gleason
Assistant Planner
tgleason@co.ocean.nj.us

Regional Compatible Use Study

In early 2021 the Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded Ocean County a Military Installation Sustainability grant of up to $450,000. Ocean County once again agreed to sponsor a study in partnership with Burlington County. The funding will be dedicated to professional consulting services to conduct a Compatible Use Study (RCUS), formerly known as a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), that builds upon the findings and implementation actions of the 2009 JLUS, and analyzes current compatibility and resilience issues.

In December 2021 Ocean County awarded a professional planning services contract to Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor (PS&S) with their subconsultant MCFA to complete a Regional Compatible Use Study. The study is due to conclude on May 31, 2023.

The FINAL REPORT IS AVAILABLE HERE. Detailed analyses of land use compatbility issues are provided in the back of the report as a technical appendix.

The Implementation Guide is available here, the guide summarizes the report recommendations and provides a path forward.

The RCUS focuses on:

Analysis of current and future development patterns and land use compatibility around the base,
Analysis of current air and ground noise, including Compatible Zones, Accident Potential Zones for fixed and rotary wing operations,
Recommendations on continuing and improving intergovernmental communication,
Recommendations on local ordinance changes following an analysis of military and community needs,
Analysis of natural and man-made hazard mitigation around the Joint Base, especially regarding wildfires and drought,
Recommendations on energy compatibility and resilience, including renewable energy planning,
Analysis of resiliency opportunities to minimize the potential for energy interruptions and mitigate their impact.

To better understand the study area, please use our Consultant's WebMapper application

This study is being prepared under contract with the County of Ocean with financial support from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, Department of Defense. The content reflects the views of the County of Ocean and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation.

IMPLEMENTING THE 2009 JLUS

In April of 2009, a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) was completed for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a 42,000 acre facility in central New Jersey.

A unique aspect of the study is that it was conducted during the consolidation of three separate military bases: McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Warfare Center.

Ocean County sponsored the study in cooperation with neighboring Burlington County. At the end of the study, individual resolutions of support were received from all 13 representatives on the Policy Committee. The organizational structure was retained and renamed the Policy Implementation Committee.

Based on the success of the effort, a second grant was provided to Ocean County by the DOD Office of Economic Adjustment. Three implementation tasks were authorized: A Communication & Coordination Manual, a Transportation Mobility Study, and a Wastewater & Growth Management Study.

View 2009 JLUS Final Report

REGIONAL WASTEWATER AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Regional Wastewater and Growth Management Plan is a three phase study to address wastewater treatment concerns of four contiguous municipalities on the north side of the Joint Base. The Study includes an analysis of treatment facilities on the Base to determine if a shared service agreement is possible. Implicit in the study is the need to channel future growth away from potential encroachment areas.

Phase II and III of this Plan focuses on the selected alternative and will ultimately include final design and permitting for the recommended action.

Phase II: Joint Base Regional Wastewater & Growth Management Plan - Northwestern Municipalities Adjacent to Joint Base's Mcguire and Dix Sections

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY STUDY

The Regional Transportation Mobility Study assesses current and future transportation issues within 5 miles of the Joint Base. It takes into account mission growth as well as projected population growth in the surrounding communities. At-risk intersections and road segments are identified and prioritized for inclusion into a capital improvement program.

The study involved close coordination with the two county engineering departments, as well as State and regional transportation organizations. Because the region is split by two Metropolitan Planning Areas, the study also had to merge the traffic modeling protocols of both regional planning organizations to provide acceptable results. Due to the close coordination maintained throughout the study, the recommended improvements are well suited for future funding.

REPI ACTIVITIES

Both Ocean and Burlington Counties continue to work with the Department of Defense under the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI). The program funds the acquisition of land and easements to prevent encroachments to military installations.

In 2012 the largest and most complicated acquisition was to date was completed. The agreement was coordinated by the Trust for Public Land and involved the protection of over 1,800 acres in the Accident Potential Zones (APZ’s) of the C-17 training runway at Navy Lakehurst section of Joint Base MDL. The transaction included an outright purchase of approximately 400 acres by Ocean County which connected to the existing 219-acre Patriots County Park and Sports Complex and another 380-acre county Natural Lands Trust preserve. The remaining 1,400 acres was encumbered by a restrictive easement that prevents residential development in the future. The easement permits the current sand and gravel operation to continue and allows other non-residential development as permitted by state and local regulations.

		Director Barbara Jo Crea Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea, a dedicated and active Ocean County leader will serve as the 2024 Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Read more
		Deputy Director Gary Quinn Commissioner Gary Quinn serves as the Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners for 2024. Read more
		Commissioner John P. Kelly Commissioner John P. Kelly has been an Ocean County elected official since 1993. He was sworn into his 11th three-year term on the Board of Commissioners during the Board’s organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Virginia E. Haines Commissioner Virginia E. “Ginny” Haines, a lifelong resident of Ocean County, brings years of public service and leadership experience to the Board of Commissioners. She was sworn into her third three-year term on the Board during its organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Frank Sadeghi Commissioner Frank Sadeghi was sworn to his first three year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3, 2024. A successful businessman and a long-time public servant, Commissioner Sadeghi brings years of leadership experience to the Board. Read more
Michael J. Fiure, County Administrator 101 Hooper Ave. Admin Building Toms River, NJ 08754 Phone: (732) 929-2147 \| Email: MFiure@co.ocean.nj.us
History \| Contact the Commissioners \| Meeting Dates \| Meeting Agendas Meeting Minutes \| Budget Information \| Audit Reports

Ocean County Department of Planning

Downloadable Documents

Joint Base RCUS Policy Committee

State and Federal Representatives

For More Information