“State of the Pinelands” Report Issued

The Governor's veto power, future attempts to build a natural gas pipeline, and protecting land already preserved as open space are among the major concerns highlighted in the annual "State of the Pinelands" report released by the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA).

Carleton Montgomery, Executive Director of the PPA, said the Pinelands Commission showed strength in rejecting the South Jersey Gas pipeline deal last January, but future attempts to push it through continue to be a threat.

"The Governor tried to help by seeking to replace two of the Commissioners who had voted against the pipeline deal with new people. So far the state Senate has refused to let those advance," said Montgomery. He added those nominations remain viable through the remainder of the Legislative term.

"A big issue the Pinelands faces in the coming months is whether the state Senate stays firm in protecting the Pinelands from the effort to pack the Pinelands Commission and whether the Pinelands Commission has the wherewithal to resist the continuing pressure for deals like this," he said.

In addition to the issues surrounding the South Jersey Gas pipeline, the report notes some important setbacks by municipalities and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Monroe, Stafford and Manchester Townships continued to take actions to develop land previously preserved as open space, according the the report. In each case the proposed development will impact habitat for plants and animals and reduce the amount of useable open space for residents.

"The state is faces with the question of whether to waive the protections in order to allow some sort of commercial development to take place, and unfortunately, we're seeing a pattern in recent years of those projects being approved," noted Montgomery.

In Stafford Township for example, he said a proposed solar panel field threatened to displace native grasses covering a former landfill and birds it had attracted.

The ability of the Pinelands Commission to remain independent is crucial to the future protection of the Pinelands, according to Montgomery.

"For the first time in its history, this year Governor Christie vetoed minutes of the Pinelands Commission, we think as retaliation for its failure to approve the gas pipeline deal," said Montgomery.

Meanwhile, the DEP received mixed reviews in the report. Montgomery pointed out some of the positives, such as the agency beginning to take real measures to protect public lands from illegal dumping and harmful motorized vehicles.

"The negatives were that the state has continued to let down Barnegat Bay which needs to be restored. It's suffering catastrophic ecological decline, and the state simply has not exercised the will to control the pollutants that are flowing into the bay," added Montgomery.