Pond building in NJ. Help me with contractor, pricing, and advice.

[dave1949]

I don't doubt that you are right. But we also are not dealing with wetlands here. Also, where is the threshold? People put small ponds in their backyard all the time. Is that just small enough to go unnoticed? Oh well, I've nearly given up on the pond idea as I have gotten some better prices for fill and it is almost certainly going to cost significantly more to dig the pond.

There could be three layers of regulations to determine the threshold: state, county and local municipality. All of those conform to federal rules too, of course. The best way to find out for your location is to do some info digging and talk to your local DEP/Conservation people.

As an example, I could dig a 1/10 acre pond in a wooded wetland without triggering permitting. Exceed that and the paperwork piles on rapidly. Anything within 100' of a stream, pond or wetland needs a permit generally. Some Maine towns require a permit, or forbid ponds outright, if the depth of the excavation will reach the water table since the pond represents a point of potential ground water contamination.

It can be complicated and you want to know before you dig. Since the pond contractor gave you a quote and didn't mention any permit obstacles, I would guess that you don't have much to deal with.

 

[emanaresi]

The pond contractor actually told me that because of our farmland assessment we would not have to get a dep permit. But he could be wrong. We are NOT within 300' of a wetland. I don't think we'd have to worry about it. But I just don't know for sure and nj has a track record of being very difficult with anything.

 

[Beltman60]

I'm just saying if that is indeed the cost then it might be worth while to look into doing away with the basement and add more square footage

 

[emanaresi]

Beltman, the basement is 2200sq ft before dealing with fill it will cost me about $40000. So even with another 15-20000 of fill and grading, its pretty cheap square footage. Also, there are many benefits to building "bonus space" that can be finished at a later time but maybe you don't ned now.

I understand what you are saying, but the basement does make sense in this case. At least to us.

 

[farmer2009]

If you don't mind me asking what did the other quotes come in at?

 

[emanaresi]

Still waiting for callbacks :-/