N.J. Stat. Ann. § 40A:27-2

The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest for the State to foster and promote, by all reasonable means, the relief of persons and property from the adverse effects of uncontrolled storm water drainage and the conditions of flooding. It is the purpose of this chapter to implement this policy by authorizing municipalities and counties either separately or in combination with other counties or municipalities to finance, acquire, construct, maintain, operate or improve works for the collection, diversion, impoundment, transportation and disposal of surface water in order to foster flood control and promote a basinwide or subbasinwide approach to controlling floods, thereby protecting the public from the adverse effects of uncontrolled storm water drainage and conditions of flooding.