Highlands Task Force Public Hearing - Dec 4

Your presence is urgently needed!

Highlands Task Force Public Hearing

Thursday, December 4, 7-9 p.m.

Morris County Cultural Center , Mendham

Note change of location from Frelinghuysen Arboretum (11/24/03)

In September Governor McGreevey created the Highlands Task Force to make recommendations intended to preserve the natural resources of and enhance the quality of life in the Highlands region, including an examination of legislation, regulations, model local ordinances or other government action necessary to protect the region. (see below)

The first opportunity for the public to offer comments and recommendations to the Task Force is Thursday, December 4, from 7-9 p.m. at the Morris County Cultural Center in Morris County.

It is very important that as many Highlands advocates as possible attend this meeting to call for bold and comprehensive measures to ensure the long-term protection of the Highlands, and with it the water supply for over half the State's population.

Key Points to Emphasize:

• It is imperative that at least 350,000 additional acres of land in the Highlands be preserved or protected to maintain water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, contiguous forests, productive farmland and recreational opportunities (as identified by USFS NY-NJ Highlands Study, NJ DEP Landscape Project and NJ Green Infrastructure Assessment conducted by NJCF and NJ DEP).
• There must be a strong, comprehensive regional planning entity that will prevent development and infrastructure investments, including roads and sewers, from occurring in inappropriate locations.
• Stronger regulations must be adopted or enacted to protect critical waterways, wildlife habitat and steep slopes and other critical natural resources in the Highlands.
• Land acquisition efforts should be prioritized to protect contiguous forest, water supply lands and habitat for threatened and endangered species. Gov. McGreevey's pledge of an additional $50 million in State funding for open space and farmland preservation in the Highlands is a great start, but more funding will be needed long-term to protect the most critical and threatened places.

The Highlands Task Force will likely determine the future of the Highlands for many years to come. Please plan to attend this hearing if possible and add your voice to others supporting bold and comprehensive measures to protect the Highlands.

Please let us know whether or not you will attend the hearing by e-mailing Dawn Serra of the Highlands Coalition at highlandsco@earthlink.net , or by calling her at (609) 737-7263. For more information about the Task Force or hearing, visit www.savethehighlands.org , or contact Wilma Frey at 908-234-1225 or wilma@njconservation.org .

Help Us Pack the Room in Support of Protecting the Highlands!

The Charge to the Task Force:

On September 18, 2003 Governor James E. McGreevey, by executive order, created a Highlands Task Force. The 19-member Task Force is to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor within 180 days.

The purpose of the Task Force is "to make recommendations intended to preserve the natural resources of and enhance the quality of life in the Highlands region, including an examination of legislation, regulations, model local ordinances or other government action ncessary to address, at a minimum, the following topics:

• Protection of water quality, drinking water supplies, wetlands, critical plant and wildlife species habitat, vegetated stream corridors, and contiguous forests;
• Identification of methods to protect and preserve open space and sustainable uses of natural resources.;
• Identification of methods to enhance farmland preservation and support the agriculture industry in the Highlands region;
• Identification of methods to promote historic, cultural, scenic and recreational resource opportunities that preserve the natural features of the Highlands region; and
• Provision of smart growth opportunities, including economic development and redevelopment in the Highlands region through regional planning, including coordination of transportation and infrastructure investments and administrative agency activities, consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan(2001)."

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Directions to Morris County Cultural Center- Mendham NJ

From the North : Take Interstate 287 South to Exit #35, "Madison Avenue." Turn right at first traffic light and then right again at second traffic light onto South Street, Route 124 (old Route 24). At the Morristown Green, go ¾ of the way around. Turn right at traffic light onto Route 24, Washington Street, which becomes Mendham Road. Go 3.4 miles to 300 Mendham Road, Morris County Cultural Center. Sign on right, driveway is a sharp left up steep hill.

From the South : Take Interstate 287 North to Exit # 30B, Bernardsville, 202. Bear right at exit ramp; go over highway to traffic light. Make right on 202 North. Continue on 202 to first traffic light. Take left on Tempe Wick Road. Follow Tempe Wick Road 2.3 miles to the first 4-way intersection. Then go right onto Corey Lane. Follow Corey Lane until it dead-ends at Mendham Road, Route 24 East. Turn right and follow Mendham Road for approx. 2 miles. The sign for 300 Mendham Road, Morris County Cultural Center is on the left, the driveway is on the right up a steep hill. There are several mailboxes at the base of the driveway.

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