Protecting subsurface and potable drinking water supplies from contamination with hazardous chemicals by serving to purify surface water and ground water resources;

Providing a natural means of flood and storm damage protection through absorption and storage of water during high runoff periods and through the reduction of flood crests, thereby protecting against the loss of life and property;

Serving as a buffer zone between dry land and watercourses, thereby retarding soil erosion;

Providing essential breeding, spawning, nesting and wintering habitats for a major portion of the Township's fish and wildlife, including migrating birds, endangered species, and commercially and recreationally important wildlife; and

Maintaining critical base flow to surface waters through the gradual release of stored flood waters and ground water, particularly during drought periods.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter and unless otherwise restricted and/or permitted by Federal and/or State regulations, no structure, on-lot sewage disposal facility or parking lot shall be erected or constructed, either above or below ground level, within any freshwater wetlands area and wetlands buffer area. Further, any freshwater wetlands area and wetlands buffer area may not be altered in any of the following ways: the removal, excavating or dredging of soil, sand or gravel; the draining or disturbing of the water level or water table; the dumping, discharging or filling with any material; or the driving of pilings or erection of buildings or structures of any kind.

Nothing contained herein, however, shall be construed to prohibit the use of any freshwater wetlands area for agriculture, horticulture, forestry, wild crop harvesting, wildlife sanctuaries, woodland preserves, and open space and low intensity uses such as hiking, trapping, fishing, canoeing, nature study, orienteering, horseback riding, and bicycling providing that such use is permitted in the zoning district in which the property is located and all required State and County approvals are received.