Public Notice Township of West Milford Draft Finding of No Significant Impact   March 17, 2026   In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), codified at 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., an Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for proposed telecommunications upgrades at five locations in West Milford Township, Passaic County, New Jersey. This project is subject to NEPA review because it is being funded with Federal funding available from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).   Proposed Action The Township of West Milford plans to upgrade telecommunications systems at five (5) separate emergency services facilities by replacing used equipment, and providing greater protection to the newer equipment once installed. The proposed action includes the following: • Construct cabinets and swap antennas at the Bearfort Fire Tower; • Replace a communications console at the Johner Building; • Swap equipment on the cell tower and in the existing communications shelter at the Macopin Fire Company Cell Tower; • Install a communications shelter and add antennas to the existing cell tower at the Upper Greenwood Lake Fire Company Cell Tower; and • Replace two (2) radio consoles and add antennas at the West Milford Police Department.   Project Location • Bearfort Fire Tower (Clinton Road, West Milford Township, Passaic County, NJ 07480; 41.1042683”N, 74.41746007208852W); • Johner Building (13 Edgar Drive, West Milford Township, Passaic County, NJ 07480; 41.1350012” N,-74.34765957914138”W); • Macopin Fire Company Cell Tower (1362 Macopin Rd, West Milford Township, Passaic County, NJ 07480; 41.0841188”N,-74.38438644832023”W); • Upper Greenwood Lake Fire Company Cell Tower (776 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, Passaic County, NJ 07421; 41.181712950000005”N, -74.38833689676349”W); and • West Milford Police Department (1480 Union Valley Rd, West Milford, West Milford Township, Passaic County, NJ 07480; 41.1295048”N, -74.36909636573127”W).   Public Comments Interested parties may review the Environmental Assessment by appointment or may submit written comments relating to this Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to the following address:   Township of West Milford Municipal Clerk’s Office 1480 Union Valley Road West Milford, NJ 07480   No administrative action will be taken on the project before May 4, 2026, which is 30 calendar days after the second newspaper public notice of this Draft FONSI.   Environmental Consequences The Environmental Assessment evaluates the environmental consequences of a range of issues as they relate to the proposed project. No, or less than significant effects, were identified as a result of the implementation of the proposed project for the following environmental issues: (1) land resources; (2) air quality; (3) climate impact; (4) hazardous materials; (5) water resources and water quality; (6) wetlands; (7) floodplain management; (8) vegetation; (9) wildlife; (10) threatened and endangered species; (11) land use; (12) cultural and social factors; (13) noise; (14) zoning and traffic;  (15) public services and utilities; (16) public health, safety and security; and (17) cultural resources. The following is a general summary of the mitigation measures identified in the EA.   Air Quality Implementation of standard construction best management practices (BMPs), including routine equipment maintenance, dust suppression measures, and minimization of equipment idling    Determination The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of COPS has determined that the proposed upgrade of this communications infrastructure would not significantly affect the quality of the human or physical environment and that less than significant impacts would occur to the human environment. Therefore, it is not expected that an environmental impact statement will be prepared for this proposal.   2x Herald News 3/26/2026 & 4/2/2026         William Senande                                                                       Township Clerk Record-Herald 03/26 & 04/02/2026 Fee: $181.28  12180569