Trying to interrupt a stream of complaints about legislation to limit growth in the Highlands of northern New Jersey, municipal officials yesterday joined environmentalists to say the plan will protect the region's water supplies, property values and economic prosperity.

On the eve of another in a series of legislative hearings dominated by opponents of the plan, supporters gathered in Clinton Township on the shore of the Spruce Run Reservoir to deplore "fear mongering" about the plan's impacts.

After some initial concerns about the proposal by Gov. James E. McGreevey, Bethlehem Township Committeeman John Jimenez said he determined many provisions parallel efforts by his town to control development.

Steps such as encouraging cluster development to preserve more open space "have had no effect on property values" in Bethlehem, said Jimenez, a Republican. "If anything, we've found that properties next to open space sell faster and fetch more money."

At legislative hearings this week in Morris Township and Hackettstown, farmers, property owners and elected officials have warned of onerous regulations and a new layer of state bureaucracy over local planning to be implemented in 90 communities in seven counties.

The legislation would create a regional council that could veto major construction in watershed "core" areas, comprising roughly 350,000 of the 800,000 acres in the region. Republican legislators pointed out the McGreevey administration was waiting until today to release the core area map.

But Eileen Swan, the Republican mayor of Lebanon Township, said area mayors were able to review a draft version of the map at a meeting last week with administration officials at the New Jersey Water Supply Authority offices at the reservoir. Most mayors were happy with the proposal, she said.

"For too long, we've fought battles over development within our boundaries, but a regional approach is needed," Swan said.

The Highlands plan offers municipalities "a legal shield" if they try to limit development to protect resources, such as the streams that feed the reservoir, she said.

Hackettstown Mayor Roger Hines, the Warren County Democratic chairman, said proponents must reassure farmers and other large landowners that the plan will be good for them by protecting overall property values.

"Farming is a critical industry" in northwestern New Jersey, Hines said. "We have to assure the farmers that they are not going to be driven off the land" by encroaching sprawl or falling property values, he said.

Under current development patterns, rural areas "are dying a slow death" from development, said Ted Koven, president of the Tewksbury Land Trust. Tewksbury officials endorsed the Highlands plan this week for fear of continued losses, he said.

"If we fail to protect these lands" around Spruce Run and nearby Round Valley reservoir, "we'll pay 100 times more for pipelines and water purification plants," Koven said.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity" to protect the environment, said Michele Byers, executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, which organized yesterday's session.

Even if the Highlands bill passes, "we're not going to be able to shut down the state of New Jersey against any future growth," Byers said. "There will still be plenty of areas for development and redevelopment."

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Joe Tyrrell can be reached at jtyrrell@starledger.com or at (908)429-9925. Copyright 2004 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.