Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.

Dismiss

GARDEN STATE ENVIRONEWS 030520

0 views

Skip to first unread message

GSENet

unread,

May 20, 2003, 12:01:05 AM5/20/03

030520

GARDEN STATE ENVIRONEWS

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

TABLE OF CONTENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{*} CLEANER CARS, CLEANER AIR
{*} EDITORIAL - ENERGY BILL, OUT OF ENERGY
{*} TAX BILL CONTAINS FOURFOLD INCREASE OF SUV TAX LOOPHOLE
{*} PEOPLE TRASHING AMERICA'S COASTLINES
{*} CHEESEQUAKE PARK GAINS 68-ACRE FRESH AND SALT WATER MARSH
{*} MCGREEVEY HAILS MEADOWLANDS AREA'S 'SMART GROWTH'
{*} GROUPS STAKE OUT ROUTE 92 POSITIONS
{*} PATERSON HOME DEPOT ON BROWNFIELD AWAITS DEP DECISION
{*} BIG CHANGES ARE DEVELOPING IN WARETOWN
{*} BRICK ZONERS APPROVE CONDOS
{*} EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING HUMAN TESTING DATA
{*} GROUP WANTS STATE FUNDING FOR RADIATION STUDY
{*} EVESHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LEADER IN SAFER PEST CONTROL
{*} STUDENTS HIGHLIGHT URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
{*} PHASE TWO: NEXT PART OF BEETLE BATTLE UNDERWAY
{*} HUNTERDON LAND TRUST ALLIANCE SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
{*} PROGRAMS AT THE MANASQUAN RESERVOIR ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
{*} SALEM COUNTY SEMINAR FOCUSES ON WATERSHED - MAY 21
{*} WMA 3 STREAM MONITORING TRAINING - MAY 31

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Garden State EnviroNet (GSE) gratefully acknowledges volunteers
Gerald Cullins, Bambi Dingman, Jeff Hook and Paul Neuman for their
contributions to today's issue. If interested in helping out, please
send an email message to mai...@gsenet.org.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

CLEANER CARS, CLEANER AIR

Date: 030519
From: http://njpirg.org/

CLEAN CARS ROLLING TO NEW JERSEY

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE PASSES CLEAN CARS ACT

May 16, 2003

With `Summer Smog' season already upon us, New Jersey Legislators
took an important step towards cleaner air in by passing the Clean
Cars Act out of the Senate Transportation Committee today on a 5-1
vote. Cars and trucks are the largest in-state source of both ozone
and toxic air pollution. The Clean Cars Act would bring the strongest
auto emissions program, the LEV II Program (Low Emission Vehicle
Program, or `California Emissions') to New Jersey.

"New Jersey's air pollution is making people sick. The Clean Cars Act
will mean fewer ozone alert days, fewer asthma attacks, and reduced
cancer risk," stated Dena Mottola NJPIRG's Executive Director, "We
applaud the Senate for taking this important first step towards
cleaner cars and cleaner air."

Last Summer one in three days was an "Ozone Alert Day," meaning it
was unhealthy to breathe the air due to ozone pollution. The average
New Jerseyan breathes levels of invisible cancer-causing air toxics,
like benzene and formaldehyde, at levels 1,600 time above the EPA's
health standard. The Clean Cars Act would reduce smog pollution by 19
percent, and air toxics by 23 percent by 2020.

"The Senate showed courage today in standing up to the auto makers
and doing what is right for the people of New Jersey," stated Dave
Pringel of the NJ Environmental Federation. "This means that the bill
could be on the governor's desk before the next ozone alert day."

The Clean Cars Act has a majority of Legislators, in both the Senate
and Assembly, as cosponsors. The Assembly Environment Committee passed
the bill out of committee in early March. Then, beginning in April,
NJPIRG, NJEF and the Sierra Club asked Legislators to sign a pledge to
pass the bill by the end of June. At least 27 Legislators have either
signed the pledge or sent a letter to the leadership.

"Clean air is no longer California dreaming. Clean cars will mean
healthier air, a healthier environment, and saved energy," stated Jeff
Tittel, state director of the Sierra Club.

* * *

The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group
Citizen Lobby and Law & Policy Center
11 North Willow Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
609-394-8155
in...@njpirg.org

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

EDITORIAL - ENERGY BILL, OUT OF ENERGY

Date: 030519
From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/

OUT OF ENERGY

Washington Post Editorial, May 19, 2003

Having promised "an energy bill by Memorial Day," the Senate, it
seems, has suddenly run out of gas. Other issues have intervened, it
is true, but the delay may also reflect some general ambivalence about
this legislation on Capitol Hill. If so, the ambivalence is justified.
Neither the House version of this bill, passed earlier in the year,
nor the version approved more recently by the Senate Energy and
Natural Resources Committee does what an energy bill, or, for that
matter, an American energy policy, is meant to do. Neither promotes a
viable, long-term vision of how the United States is to reduce its
dependence on oil. Neither deals with the climate change and air
quality issues that are intimately connected to carbon emissions,
largely produced by burning fossil fuel.

Both versions propose to spend far more money on producer subsidies
than on measures that would promote either greater energy efficiency
or the use of renewable resources. Both include unwarranted subsidies
for the nuclear energy industry. The final version may also include
loan guarantees for companies that want to build a natural gas
pipeline from Alaska, even though, as we have previously argued, such
subsidies might not be necessary if the pipeline were to run through
Canada instead of Alaska. The House version includes a provision to
drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, despite repeated Senate
defeats of this plan and the ample availability of oil elsewhere in
Alaska. The only truly "renewable" form of energy aggressively
promoted is ethanol, which, although made from corn, takes nearly as
much oil to make as it ultimately replaces. Ethanol's real value is to
the farmers who grow corn - hence its popularity among senators who
represent rural states.

At the same time, instead of promoting cars with better gas mileage
and lower emissions, Congress, like the administration, has thrown all
its eggs into one basket: Quite a lot of people in Washington have
convinced themselves that hydrogen fuel cells will soon replace the
internal combustion engine - and so soon will this happen, they seem
to believe, that no one need bother about conserving fuel or curbing
carbon emissions in the meantime. Yet, although hydrogen fuel cell
research is promising, it has no chance of becoming viable anytime
soon. Instead of carrying out hydrogen research and fuel efficiency
research at the same time, however, the administration and its Capitol
Hill supporters appear to believe that the very word "hydrogen" is a
magic charm, guaranteed to ward off any talk of fuel conservation in
the present.

Both versions of the energy bill contain some positive measures.
There are provisions that would make household appliances more energy-
efficient, for example, and a final version could include sensible
forms of tax relief for small oil producers, who are unusually
vulnerable to price swings, as well as some needed reforms of the
electricity grid. Nevertheless, passing this bill would do more harm
than good, not least because Congress, having approved such a complex
piece of legislation, would lack the stomach to return to energy
policy - and to the real problems - for many years. Just as the
Clinton administration's bungled attempt to pass universal health care
legislation soured most politicians on the subject for years to come,
a botched energy bill might prevent real debate about climate change
and fuel efficiency from taking place anytime soon. That alone is
reason enough to drop it.

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

TAX BILL CONTAINS FOURFOLD INCREASE OF SUV TAX LOOPHOLE

Date: 030519
From: http://ens-news.com/

SENATE TAX BILL CONTAINS FOURFOLD INCREASE OF SUV TAX LOOPHOLE

AmeriScan, May 19, 2003

Washington, DC - The $350 billion tax cut passed by the Senate late
last week contains a $100,000 tax break for buyers of the largest,
least fuel efficient sport utility vehicles (SUVs). This fourfold
increase of the existing tax break effectively subsidizes the full
purchase price for 38 of the largest and most expensive SUV models on
the American road, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC).

"Forget zero-percent financing. This is a six-figure loophole big
enough for a Hummer," said Dan Lashof of NRDC. "And that is just what
every American taxpayer will be footing the bill for if this measure
becomes law."

The language in the tax cut bill would allow business owners to
deduct up to $100,000 cost of a new, large-size SUV in just one year.

The original tax break for large SUVs was intended to help farmers,
contractors and other buyers of working trucks, Lashof explained, not
the owners of well-heeled luxury vehicles. It applies only to vehicles
that weigh more than 6,000 pounds, including the Hummer, the Range
Rover and the Cadillac Escalade.

The expanded SUV deduction will cost taxpayers billions, according to
the congressional Joint Tax Committee, and environmentalists argue the
tax break encourages the use of some of the nation's least fuel
efficient and most polluting vehicles.

The House and the Senate will have to reconcile competing versions of
the bill before sending the final bill version to the White House and
the SUV tax break increase could still be removed.

"It is an unfair subsidy for select buyers of the biggest, most
expensive SUVs," Lashof said. "The Senate bill makes us more dependent
on Middle East oil at the very time we should be kicking the petroleum
addiction."

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

PEOPLE TRASHING AMERICA'S COASTLINES

Date: 030516
From: http://ens-news.com/

AmeriScan, May 16, 2003

Washington, DC - The millions of people who visit U.S. beaches are
leaving are finding - and leaving - more and more litter on the
nation's coastlines, environmentalists say.

In its annual announcement of beaches certified as "clean and
healthy," the Clean Beaches Council (CBC) reports that the nation's
beaches are suffering from a serious and widespread litter problem
that is not being adequately addressed.

"Our nation's beaches are literally getting trashed and people are
responsible," said Walter McLeod, president of the CBC, a non profit
group dedicated to sustaining America's beaches.

"Even though millions of Americans spend their summer vacations and
weekends on a beach, this nation is still not committed to an ethic of
stewardship for beaches, one of its greatest natural assets.

As many as 180 million people visit the more than 95,000 miles of
U.S. coast each year and more than the U.S. population lives in the
nation's coastal zone.

An average of 445 pounds of litter was collected per mile of
coastline traversed in 2001, according to data collected by the Ocean
Conservancy, an environmental group that sponsors an annual beach
clean up effort.

Beaches certified by through CBC's Certified Blue Wave campaign
yielded less than 100 pounds of litter per mile of coastline traversed
and met a set of criteria for cleanliness and environmental health.
The group hopes the public will look upon its certification, which is
good for one year, as a "good housekeeping stamp of approval."

"Our Blue Wave Campaign is the only program of its kind that provides
strong incentives to beach communities to keep their beaches clean and
healthy both for visitors and the wildlife that depend on this
resource," McLeod said.

Beaches that meet these criteria receive the Blue Wave flag, the
symbol of the program, which is prominently displayed beachside. The
list can be found at http://www.cleanbeaches.org

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

CHEESEQUAKE PARK GAINS 68-ACRE FRESH AND SALT WATER MARSH

Date: 19 May 2003
From: Andrew Willner {andy_...@netlabs.net}

[Forward]

From: "Greg Remaud" {greg_...@netlabs.net}

NY/NJ BAYKEEPER, FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERS MAKE VITAL CHEESEQUAKE
PARK ACQUISITION - SENATOR FRANK LAUTENBERG, NJDEP COMMISSIONER
BRADLEY CAMPBELL, AND REPRESENTATIVE FRANK PALLONE PRAISED BY NY/NJ
BAYKEEPER FOR ADDING CRITICAL 68-ACRE CNK PROPERTY TO STATE PARK

May 19, 2003

Cheesequake Park - A 68-acre fresh and salt water marsh plus forested
upland were added to New Jersey's public open space Monday, the most
important recent land acquisition in the state's highly-developed
northeast corner. Known as the CNK property, the Middlesex County site
is a vital addition to Cheesequake State Park. NY/NJ Baykeeper
championed the need for the acquisition three years ago, worked with
U.S. Senator. Frank Lautenberg who secured $1 million in federal
funding from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, and with
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Green
Acres staff who negotiated the $450,000 purchase and closed the deal.

"It took tremendous cooperation between many organizations, agencies
and elected leaders to make this acquisition a reality," said NY/NJ
Baykeeper Preservation Director Greg Remaud at a May 19th press event
held in Cheesequake State Park. "Senator Lautenberg is the hero who,
when notified by us, immediately recognized the need for federal
funding for natural land acquisitions around Cheesequake State Park
and the Raritan Bayshore. We strongly applaud NJDEP Commissioner
Bradley Campbell and the McGreevey administration for making the
preservation of habitat and open space near the heavily populated
communities of northeast New Jersey a priority. It is an area has been
ignored in the past. Congressman. Frank Pallone, long a great leader
in preserving Cheesequake Park and the Hudson-Raritan Estuary also
deserves praise."

"Because New Jersey is the most urbanized state in the country, we
face a tremendous challenge, which is to accommodate more and more
people and promote continued economic development while we preserve
precious open spaces and habitats for us and our children and
grandchildren. That's not easy, but together we are doing it here at
Cheesequake," said Senator. Lautenberg.

"With this acquisition, New Jersey takes one more step toward
Governor McGreevey's goal of preserving open space and critical water
resources," stated NJ DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell. "I am
grateful for the leadership role Senator Lautenberg has played in
fighting for federal funds for projects that protect New Jersey's
environment and look forward to our continued work together on behalf
of our state's citizens."

The CNK acquisition further protects and enlarges Cheesequake State
Park, a 1,290-acre preserve now besieged by development on all sides.
Earlier this year, environmental impacts from the 1,500 unit LaMer
development built on bluffs abutting the park resulted in fines from
NJ DEP. The CNK property buffers the park against damage to its
habitat, water quality and aesthetics.

Remaud added that, "The acquisition of the CNK property is not only
critically important to Cheesequake State Park, but is among the first
in a series of targeted land acquisitions that will preserve the
natural heritage of communities within the Hudson-Raritan Estuary
watershed." The CNK acquisition marks the first purchase of a New
Jersey site listed on the N.Y./NJ Harbor Estuary Program (HEP)
acquisition priority list. The HEP is a bi-state program composed of
federal and state natural resource agencies and conservation groups.
In New Jersey, Baykeeper is HEP's lead acquisition and restoration
site coordinator and works in close cooperation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, NOAA, NJDEP, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Edison
Wetlands, Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), and many community
groups and natural resource agencies.

Baykeeper first embarked on a project with NJDEP Parks and Forestry
to protect natural lands adjacent to Cheesequake State Park more than
four years ago. With state acquisition funds scarce, Baykeeper turned
to Senator Lautenberg, who secured $1 million in federal funds through
NOAA that could be used to purchase land that would enlarge and
protect the park. New Jersey's Green Acres staff negotiated the
$450,000 purchase and closing. Funds secured by Senator Lautenberg
through NOAA for this acquisition will be used to replace initial
acquisition outlays by the Garden State Preservation Trust.
Cheesequake Park Superintendent. Al Gomulka and his staff, NJDEP
Coastal Program, NJ Audubon, NRDC and Raritan Riverkeeper also
provided resources and support for this acquisition.

The press event Monday celebrates the preservation of one of New
Jersey's great natural treasures, as well as the partnership between
Baykeeper and NJDEP's Green Acres, Parks and Forestry, and Coastal
Program. The CNK Property is a 68.3-acre parcel composed primarily of
fresh and saltwater wetlands, plus six acres of upland. It is part of
the Cheesequake Marsh, at over 1,200-acres, the largest contiguous
salt marsh on Raritan Bay. This site includes numerous bird species,
hosts breeding green-backed herons, great and snowy egrets, black-
crowned night herons, American black ducks, ospreys, "kling" rails,
marsh wrens, and swamp sparrows.

- - -

Contact: Greg Remaud NY/NJ Baykeeper
Tel: 732-291-0176
Cell: 732-768-6033

NY/NJ Baykeeper has been a citizen advocate for the Hudson-Raritan
Estuary for over a decade.

NY/NJ Baykeeper
Building 18 Sandy Hook
Highlands NJ 07732
Tel: 732-291-0176
Tel: 800-822-9577
Fax: 732-291-7727
Email: nyn...@keeper.org
Web: http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

MCGREEVEY HAILS MEADOWLANDS AREA'S 'SMART GROWTH'

Date: 030519
From: http://www.northjersey.com/

By Chris Gale, Herald News, May 17, 2003

Secaucus - Gov. James E. McGreevey told the Meadowlands Regional
Chamber of Commerce on Friday that the region is on an upswing, thanks
to the men and women he has appointed to lead state agencies.

He delivered his speech, flanked by Cabinet members, to a packed
ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Meadowlands Hotel.

McGreevey said the Meadowlands had once been "the scourge from the
book of Job" and a "mosquito-infested trash heap." But thanks to the
work of state agencies, including the New Jersey Meadowlands
Commission and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the
region is now the "best and clearest example" of smart growth.

The governor cited the proposed Xanadu project at the sports complex,
the EnCap golf resort and the Secaucus Transfer Station as examples of
coming growth.

"Smart growth does not mean no growth," he said.

McGreevey acknowledged that mass transit needs to be brought to the
sports complex, but he didn't say much about where the money would
come from.

"No we don't have the money yet," said George Warrington, the
executive director of NJ Transit. "But we won't let a few dollars get
in our way."

McGreevey also highlighted the 8,400 acres of land and waterways the
Meadowlands Commission is looking to preserve.

After the speech, Sports Authority President and CEO George Zoffinger
spoke to reporters about the Xanadu project, which was heavily
featured in the governor's remarks.

He said he would like to sign a agreement with The Mills Corp. of
Arlington, Va., and Mack-Cali Realty Corp. of Cranford for the Xanadu
complex by June and begin construction in the fall.

"But that depends on litigation," he said, referring to the legal
maneuvers of Hartz Mountain Industries of Secaucus, a developer that
lost its bid to do the redevelopment.

Zoffinger also said the sports authority is in talks with the U.S.
Olympic Committee about bringing offices or a training center to the
proposed Xanadu mall and entertainment complex.

When questioned if some businesses could suffer from Xanadu's all-
inclusive design, Zoffinger reiterated that ultimately the project
will bring more people and customers to the region, but some
businesses may not benefit.

"We live in a capitalist society. Some businesses will do better,
others may need to change," he said.

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

GROUPS STAKE OUT ROUTE 92 POSITIONS

Date: 19 May 2003
From: "Tri-State Transportation Campaign" {ts...@tstc.org}

MOBILIZING THE REGION # 416

As expected, debate is heating up with the approach of publication of
a draft environmental impact statement for the NJ Turnpike Authority's
plan to build Route 92, a new-alignment highway across southern
Middlesex County.

For example, last week, the road's opponents successfully thwarted an
initiative by its advocates to push a supportive letter to Governor
McGreevey through the Central NJ Transportation Forum. The forum was
established in 1999 by agencies and stakeholder groups to resolve
issues regarding the Millstone Bypass, another controversial road
project. Enough forum participants agreed that such a letter would be
premature prior to the impact statement's release that the matter was
tabled. But it's unclear how the forum itself can take a position
prior to Governor McGreevey doing so, because many state entities -
like NJ DOT and NJ Transit - are represented.

Opponents say Route 92 would fuel traffic and sprawl in the largest
remaining portion of open space in Middlesex County.

Environmental and planning groups have told Governor McGreevey's
office that the highway's construction will fly in the face of the
governor's smart growth initiative, and seriously damage its
credibility. It would ruin 14 acres of wetlands and travel through an
area designated on the state's anti-sprawl "big map" as "red," or an
area where growth is less desirable. The road and its frequent
interchanges (every 1.7 miles) will promote low-density development
across a rural area. Even without accounting for new development
induced by the highway, the Turnpike Authority's documents show that
Rt. 92 would generate an additional 10,000 to 15,000 new vehicles per
day on Route 1 south of Ridge Road and attract over 1,200 additional
truck trips to the area in the year 2015.

The road will cost at least $400 million in construction and
mitigation costs. In a time of fiscal woe, that money would be better
spent reducing traffic congestion on existing roads. For example,
delays on the Turnpike between Exit 8A and the Princeton area can be
accommodated by making improvements to Exit 8A tolls and ramps, and at
other nearby interchanges and intersections.

* * *

Tri-State Transportation Campaign
240 W 35th St #801
New York NY 10001
Tel: 212-268-7474
Fax: 212-268-7333
Email: ts...@tstc.org
Web: http://www.tstc.org

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

PATERSON HOME DEPOT ON BROWNFIELD AWAITS DEP DECISION

Date: 19 May 2003
From: "Peter Montague" {Pe...@rachel.org}

HOME DEPOT PLAN RELIES ON DEP RATING

By Eileen Markey, Herald News, May 19, 2003

Paterson - The future of a Route 20 property slated to become a Home
Depot faces a critical juncture today, according to its owner.

A state Department of Environmental Protection geologist is scheduled
to make a determination on whether the area meets environmental safety
standards or requires more thorough remediation.

Owner Gordon LaForge can only afford the first outcome, he said last
week.

"Monday is a very important thing for us because if they ask us to do
something unreasonable, we won't be able to do it," he said. "Then
we'd be in the soup big time."

"Economic viability is not part of DEP's vocabulary," he said, adding
that if he is ordered to do extensive additional work on the 381,000-
square-foot site, he could be put out of business.

"If they can't allow us to complete the project, if they need us to
start some significant amount of work on the river, we don't have the
ability to refinance the project," LaForge said.

The dizzying array of power tools, professional building material,
and tax income provided by a Home Depot has been on the city's drawing
board for years.

The home improvement superstore has been slated to come to Paterson's
Eastside since 2000, but environmental concerns at the former Lyons
Piece Dye Works on Route 20 near Fifth Avenue have repeatedly
complicated the deal.

The company still has a contract with HDI Realty to buy the land when
environmental cleanup is completed, a spokesman said.

"We're still committed to the project. We're merely waiting for the
developer to complete collecting the approvals that we need to begin
work on the store," spokesman John Semley said, adding that several
Home Depot stores have taken years to complete. "Tests kind of happen
on their own schedule. We'll just take things one at a time and
hopefully, eventually, we'll get there."

LaForge has had rights to the Lyons site since 1989, always with a
plan of reselling it to a major retailer. Because the site was home to
a major dye factory, it was seriously polluted. LaForge began
remediation - environmental cleanup - that he expected to cost $1.4
million. The existence of underground storage tanks, unaccounted for
on any property maps, and other surprises pushed the cleanup costs to
$3.6 million, LaForge said.

At the same time, LaForge said he maintains his composure.

"This is what the risks are in the world of contaminated property
development," he said.

In 2001, the City Council gave LaForge $1 million in Urban Enterprise
Zone funds after he said he was out of money.

To meet environmental safety standards, all of the soil from the
former dye factory was removed - down to the bedrock, LaForge said.

His company dug 28 testing wells to gauge the quality of the
groundwater under the site. Earlier this year, the DEP told LaForge he
had done all the necessary soil cleanup. Now the agency is looking at
the water to determine whether more cleanup is needed.

LaForge has committed to what he says is $500,000 worth of testing
for groundwater and the Passaic River, which flows just across Route
20 from the property.

A DEP spokesman stressed that the cleanup is necessary to ensure
safety and restore the state's battered groundwater quality. While
soil remediation is necessary before redevelopment, groundwater
monitoring is a continuous process that will carry on after the
property is sold.

"Since there's groundwater contamination, we will be monitoring for
some time," said Fred Mumford, a DEP spokesman. "We're trying to
determine whether any active cleanup is necessary in the future."

* * *

Eileen Markey's email address is mar...@northjersey.com.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

BIG CHANGES ARE DEVELOPING IN WARETOWN

Date: 030519
From: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/ocean/

By Jim McElhatton, Staff Writer, (609) 978-2015
Press of Atlantic City, May 19, 2003

It is Saturday night and Jim Sweet sings a gentle song of defiance
called "Down Sugar Sand Road" to a crowd of 300 people inside Albert
Hall in the heart of the fast-growing pinelands town of Waretown.

He plays bass fiddle. His wife, Carol Ann, is on dulcimer. They sing
of sunsets, cedar trees and the pines. But a melancholy chorus strings
the stanzas together.

"But I know deep down inside," Sweet sings, over and over, "that it
will not last forever."

Later backstage, Sweet explains that he knows his beloved Pine
Barrens are disappearing just by driving here to Albert Hall, where
his band, the Sugar Sand Ramblers, plays each week.

A popular bluegrass concert venue, Albert Hall sits off Route 532
less than a quarter-mile up the road from a 1,496-home development
under construction.

Towns across New Jersey have witnessed the same mixed bag of changes
that development invariably brings - traffic, a higher ratable base,
the loss of open space and the creation of more jobs. But usually,
these changes surface over decades.

Here in Waretown, however, perhaps the most profound economic and
cultural shift in town history is happening with construction of a
single development in a span of a few years.

Route 532, a two-lane stretch also known as Wells Mill Road, runs
from Route 9 west past Albert Hall, past the guarded gates of
Greenbriar Oceanaire development, under the Garden State Parkway
before needling deep into the pine barrens.

Also on Route 532, the Greenbriar development is now being built by
U.S. Home Inc., which builds Greenbriar developments just like the one
in Waretown all across the country.

The development would have nearly 1,500 homes and no school children
for the town to pay tuition for, so it's easy to understand why
township officials were so pleased that U.S. Home chose to build in
Waretown.

The senior development would add more than $400 million to the town's
tax base. Currently, the town is worth $364.7 million, according to
county tax records.

That represents a windfall for town coffers and the prospect of much-
needed tax relief. This year, a proposed 28-cent tax rate hike in the
school budget was defeated, and town officials expect another increase
next year.

But the money isn't without strings. The first wave of these new
residents - many recent retirees from northern New Jersey - wants a
say in how these newfound tax dollars are spent. Already, they talk
local politics. They formed a civic club that meets at the local fire
hall. Two residents recently ran for the local Board of Education as
write-in candidates. They lost.

Still, just as write-ins they received about 70 votes each, enough
for more than 25 percent of the total vote in Waretown. And two weeks
ago, Greenbriar residents attended a Township Committee meeting to
voice their opposition to school tax increases.

They sat together as a group on one side of the meeting room, while
regulars who have attended these monthly meetings for years sat on the
other side.

One Greenbriar resident asked why local officials do not require that
area contractors get mercantile licenses. That's how they do it in
northern New Jersey, the resident explained. So why not here?

Town officials have to practice a careful diplomacy. Deputy Mayor
Tony Fonseca praised the suggestion. But he added that local
contractors have been honest enough that such a rule has not been
warranted.

With the development complete, more than 2,000 residents - or more
than one-third of the township's population of about 6,000 - are
expected to live in a single gated community. Longtime Waretown
residents outside the gates predict their new neighbors will wield the
power in town.

These residents say Waretown could learn from how towns work in
northern New Jersey. They don't apologize for being outspoken. They
say they have a stake in Waretown, too. And they pay taxes just the
same as everybody else.

"We think the town officials are very concerned about what we think
and they've been very attentive," said Ursula Sorgie, who recently
retired and relocated to Waretown with her husband, Charlie.

The couple moved from Dumont, which is located near the Hudson River
across from Yonkers, N.Y.

"I know they're trying here but I think they need to do a better job
with the taxes," Sorgie said.

"I think people in town see the price of the homes and think we all
have a lot of money. But we don't. My husband's pension just took a
big hit. I don't think we can stand for these school taxes."

Sorgie said she and other Greenbriar residents plan to keep returning
to the township meetings now that they are stakeholders in the town.

"They'll see us again," she said. "We want to send a message. We
don't want to take their jobs, but we don't want to pay higher taxes,
either."

Willie de Camp, head of the environmental group Save Barnegat Bay,
which sued unsuccessfully to try to stop the Greenbriar development,
said the new residents will control the town soon enough.

In approving the development, the town officials also unwittingly
created a massive voting bloc that, over time, will control the future
of Waretown, de Camp said.

"Right now, they're newcomers," he said. "They're treading lightly.
But they won't feel like newcomers forever. If they're already putting
up school board candidates, it won't be long before they're running
the whole show in Waretown."

But de Camp says none of this is new. He predicted it two years ago
in an open letter to township residents.

"These senior residents will be good people," he wrote, "but they
will vote their perceived self-interest - which may include trying to
get other parts of town developed in order to 'chase ratables.'

"They may also vote to turn down school budgets no matter how badly
funding is needed. The effect that Berkeley Township's retirement
communities have had on people and nature in Bayville should be
instructive."

Even though de Camp fought hard against the new residents' arrival,
he said he welcomes them once they move into Waretown.

"Once they're here we have to accept them," he said. "We have to
welcome them. After all, they're going to be running the town."

Back at Albert Hall on Saturday night, however, the Sugar Sand
Ramblers are playing. Nobody wants to think about the future of
Waretown. They're escaping into its piney past.

Ed Ahearn, a scalloper and clammer who can trace his family's roots
in Waretown to the War of 1812, sits in back of the small concert hall
taking raffle tickets.

"I don't know that a lot of us old-time locals were real happy about
it," Ahearn said, when asked about the U.S. Home development up the
road. "It's hard to be happy about it any time 900 acres get clear-
cut. I used to live here when..."

Ahearn, 70, paused.

"What's the use," he said. "It's a different place today. Nothing you
can do about it."

Ahearn looked back up at the stage, smiling, not wanting the song to
end.

* * *

To email Jim McElhatton at The Press: JMcEl...@pressofac.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

BRICK ZONERS APPROVE CONDOS

Date: 030516
From: http://www.app.com/

BRICK ZONERS APPROVE CONDOS; ENVIRONMENTALISTS PLAN APPEAL

By Naomi Mueller, Toms River Bureau, Asbury Park Press, 5/16/03

Brick - Condominiums at the site of the Trader's Cove marina will
improve the area and provide the public with a beneficial use,
according to a decision by the Board of Adjustment.

But representatives of Save Barnegat Bay, which have been ardent
opponents of the project, said they plan to appeal the decision made
late Wednesday.

The 5-to-1 vote gives Paramount Properties LLC the right to move
forward with its plan to build 62 condominiums and a restaurant and
improve the marina at the 11.5-acre property on Mantoloking Road,
which has been called an eyesore.

Before beginning, however, the developer must receive site plan
approval from the board and must receive a Coastal Area Facility
Review Act permit.

In explaining their vote, several board members said they believe
Paramount Properties' proposal is the best to clean up the area and is
better than many of the uses allowed under the township's current
zoning.

Larry Romano cast the dissenting vote. Voting to approve were
Chairman Harvey Langer and Thomas Leahy, John Rentschler, Robin Panten
and Dennis Raftery.

Paramount needed a use variance from the board for the residential
units because the site is zoned for business.

The vote did not come as a surprise to Save Barnegat Bay attorney
Michele R. Donato, who said it was obvious from the first night of
testimony that the application would be approved and that she plans to
appeal on behalf of the group.

"We feel very simply that the law does not support (Paramount)," she
said after the meeting.

And Save Barnegat Bay's response did not surprise project partner
Jeffrey Fernbach, who said he expected a court challenge. Fernbach
said he intends to submit a slightly altered site plan. It is unclear
when the site plan would be heard by the board.

Save Barnegat Bay opposed the application, saying condominiums would
be an inappropriate neighbor for the wildlife refuge in that area.

Four objectors who spoke during a public hearing Wednesday night said
the project would be damaging to the environment. They also expressed
concern that the project would bring additional traffic to a congested
road.

The developer originally applied under the township's Planned
Residential Waterfront Community ordinance, which the Township Council
repealed after realizing it exposed all of Brick's 53 miles of
waterfront to development. The repeal returned the Trader's Cove
property to a business zone.

Had the application been denied, Paramount Properties officials said,
they would have reinstated their lawsuit against Brick for repealing
the land-use ordinance, a right given to them by Superior Court Judge
Eugene D. Serpentelli. Serpentelli ruled on Jan. 31 that Paramount
Properties could sue Brick for repealing the land-use ordinance, but
not before the zoning board considered the application.

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING HUMAN TESTING DATA

Date: 16 May 2003
From: "Gene Rosenblum" {rose...@law.dol.lps.state.nj.us}

EPA Pesticide Program Update
From EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs 05/12/03
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides

- - -

IN THIS UPDATE:
PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT REGARDING HUMAN TESTING DATA

On May 7, EPA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(ANPR) in the Federal Register to solicit public comment about
criteria and standards the Agency would use in deciding the extent to
which it will rely on certain kinds of human research to support its
actions to protect public health and the environment.

This notice begins a process to establish rigorous scientific and
ethical standards that EPA would apply in its analysis of various
types of research involving people exposed to toxicants to identify or
quantify their effects.

The Agency will particularly focus on "third-party intentional dosing
human studies," but recognizes that standards applicable to these
studies may also be applicable to other types of studies. "Third party
studies: refers to research not conducted or supported by EPA or other
federal agencies,and therefore not governed by the Common Rule to
ensure that test subjects have adequate protections.

The Agency is seeking public comments on how to determine the extent
to which it will consider or rely on results from particular types of
studies involving human subjects, and how EPA might be able to
establish robust standards for the protection of human subjects, in
preparation for developing a rule or policy on this issue.

The Agency's focus in developing a future policy or rule must be
protection of the welfare of human research subjects and adherence to
the most rigorous ethical and scientific standards.

Along with public comments, EPA will also carefully consider advice
expected later this year from the National Academy of Sciences.

This process will allow EPA to review its approach to human subjects
research and develop a rule or policy in a transparent and
participatory manner. Comments on this ANPR will be accepted for 90
days.

The Federal Register notice can be found at:
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-GENERAL/2003/May/Day-07/g11002.htm.

* * *

EPA distributes its Pesticide Program Updates to external stakeholders
and citizens who have expressed an interest in OPP. activities and
decisions. We have established an electronic list serve for people who
want to keep abreast of pesticide issues and decisions. This update
service is part of EPA's continuing effort to improve public access to
Federal pesticide information. To subscribe or unsubscribe to our
automated mailing list, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/csb_page/form/form.html

For general questions on pesticides and pesticide poisoning
prevention, contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC),
toll-free, at: 1-800-858-7378, by email at np...@ace.orst.edu, or by
visiting its Web site at: http://npic.orst.edu

For information about ongoing activities in the Office of Pesticide
Programs, visit our homepage at: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/.

Or call or write us directly at:

Communication Services Branch
Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004-2403
703-305-5017

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

GROUP WANTS STATE FUNDING FOR RADIATION STUDY

Date: 030519
From: http://www.nj.com/newsflash/jersey/

By Tom Bell, Associated Press, 5/19/03

Trenton - A group that studies the effects of radiation on people
living near nuclear power plants wants the state to help fund a look
into the levels of a byproduct chemical in children's baby teeth.

The Radiation and Public Health Project said Monday that, among other
things, it is trying to determine whether there is a link between
cancer rates and the Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Lacey
Township.

The group is seeking $25,000 in state funding for an examination of
the levels of Strontium-90 found in the baby teeth of children with
cancer as compared to kids without the disease.

The group spoke at the Statehouse Monday accompanied by actor Alec
Baldwin, who helped in the effort to collect baby teeth in the area
near the Oyster Creek plant.

Assemblymen Matt Ahearn, D-Bergen, and Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer, also
spoke in support of putting the funds in the state budget.

Sr-90 is only produced in nuclear reactors and atomic bombs. It gets
into the bloodstream, gathers in bones and teeth, and raises the risk
of cancer, according to Joseph Mangano, the national coordinator for
the group.

Mangano said the baby tooth study shows levels of the chemical found
in baby teeth of those without cancer in Ocean and Monmouth counties,
which are near the Oyster Creek plant, are 21 percent above those
found in tooth collections in other counties in the state.

Mangano said the baby teeth from children with cancer are needed to
further the study and possible connection to Sr-90.

High rates of childhood cancers have been reported in Toms River,
which is 9 miles from the Oyster Creek plant.

New Jersey's overall rate of Sr-90 was below national levels, the
group said.

Baldwin said the state should help to fund the study.

"You don't need a terrorist attack for public health and safety to be
compromised by these nuclear facilities," he said.

David Simon, a spokesman for Oyster Creek plant owner AmerGen Energy
Co., criticized the Radiation and Public Health Project for what he
said was a lack of statistics on the matter.

"They are picking a number out of the air," Simon said. "That's
pretty weak when compared to statistics and data."

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

EVESHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LEADER IN SAFER PEST CONTROL

Date: 19 May 2003
From: Jane Nogaki {jano...@eticomm.net}

Evesham Township School District
and
New Jersey Environmental Federation

May 19, 2003

Marlton - Springtime pests - insects and weeds- can provoke chemical
assaults, but not by the Evesham Township School District, a national
leader in protecting children and staff from pests and hazardous
pesticides. Schools across the country are adopting safer pest
management practices that do not rely on hazardous pesticides,
according to Safer Schools: Achieving a Healthy Learning Environment
with Integrated Pest Management, a report released by the School
Pesticide Reform Coalition and Beyond Pesticides.

"We are proud of the fact that Evesham School District switched to
safer pest management practices ten years ago, ensuring a safe and
healthy school environment for our students and staff," said John
Bigley, Superintendent.

According to the report, many schools have chosen to adopt safer pest
management strategies (known as Integrated Pest Management or IPM)
instead of chemical intensive methods because of the risk that
chemical pesticides pose to children and other school user's health.
IPM is a program of prevention, monitoring and control that reduces
the need for pesticides by 50-90%. Non toxic methods are used
primarily, and least-hazardous chemicals are used as a last resort, if
at all.

Demonstrating non toxic pest management techniques used by Evesham
schools, Facilities Manager Joseph Tobens said "Rarely is there a need
to apply pesticides inside our buildings or on school property. Proper
cleaning and maintenance, plugging holes and cracks, repairing leaks,
monitoring and inspection - all these methods are used . We hand weed
the playground area to maintain it without the use of pesticides,
recognizing that children roll, crawl, dig and walk in the mulch
around the playground area." "Protecting children from unnecessary
pesticide exposure is what IPM is all about,"said Jane Nogaki,
Pesticide Program Coordinator for the NJ Environmental Federation
(NJEF). "Evesham School District is a leader in implementing safer and
more effective pest management strategies. Their example will help
encourage other schools, states, and the federal government to put in
place safer pest management programs for schools and communities
nationwide," she added.

A recently passed state law will require all private, public and
charter schools in New Jersey to adopt IPM policies and practices by
June, 2004.

The report, Safer Schools, and information about IPM can be viewed at
the website http://www.beyondpesticides.org.

* * *

Contacts:
Jeanne Smith, Evesham School District 856-983-1800 x 5030
Jane Nogaki, NJ Environmental Federation 856-767-1110, 856-912-6790

Jane Nogaki
NJ Environmental Federation
223 Park Ave
Marlton NJ 08053
856-767-1110
856-768-6662 fax
jano...@eticomm.net

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

STUDENTS HIGHLIGHT URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Date: 19 May 2003
From: "Greater Newark Conservancy" {g...@citybloom.org}

NEWARK MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS HIGHLIGHT URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

May 20, 2003

Students from three middle schools in Newark conducted research,
prepared presentations, and will address local policy makers and
environmental professionals through an interactive video-conference.

WHAT:
Greater Newark Conservancy created a distance-learning unit that
explores real-life environmental issues. Teams of teachers (Science,
Social Studies, Language Arts, Technology) participated in a
professional development seminar that emphasized hands-on, interactive
teaching and learning strategies. Teachers received curriculum
materials and on-going support to implement the program. Students from
the three schools worked with their teachers prior to meeting via
video-conferences. Video-conferences served as the link between
students from different schools. This link allowed for students to
share their concerns and educate their peers. The culminating event of
the unit is an interactive video-conference in which students will
advise their local policy makers and environmental professionals of
the environmental issues that affect their lives.

WHO:
Greater Newark Conservancy's Distance Learning Program (funded by
Verizon); Eighth grade students from Maple Ave. and Hawthorne Ave.,
and seventh grade students from Newton St. Schools; Science, Social
Studies, Language Arts, and Technology teachers.

WHERE:
Video-conference held at Verizon's Callahan Center, 540 Broad St.,
Newark. Other interactive television sites include: Camden Middle
School, University High School, and Maple Ave. School.

WHEN:
Friday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

WHY:
The environment provides an integrated context for learning. Students
are invited to explore real-life issues and do something about them.
The interdisciplinary teaching strategy allows for students to
transfer knowledge and apply it across disciplines. Newark's
environment is often overlooked. However, the city is in need of major
environmental improvements. These improvements will improve the
quality of life for all residents. Students should be given the
opportunity to be heard by those who make decisions about their
environment.

For more information about the "My City, My Responsibility" distance
learning program, contact Susan Bartol, Manager of Distance Learning
Programs, (973) 642-4646.

* * *

The Greater Newark Conservancy
303-9 Washington St., 5th Floor, Room 3
Newark NJ 07102
Tel: 973-642-4646
Fax: 973-642-2218
Email: in...@citybloom.org
Web: http://www.citybloom.org/

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

PHASE TWO: NEXT PART OF BEETLE BATTLE UNDERWAY

Date: 030518
From: http://www.zwire.com/

By Donald M. Kelly, Jersey City Reporter, May 18, 2003

With the return of spring to Newport comes the renewed combat between
man and Asian long horned beetle.

The United States Department of Agriculture has begun the second
phase of its eradication program in the area where the tree-devouring
menace was first discovered in October of 2002, when a local resident
saw one of the creatures flying from one tree limb to another.

Starting on May 20 and running for approximately 10 days, the USDA
will begin treating trees in Jersey City that are susceptible to the
Asian long horned beetle with pesticides. Daniel J. Parry, public
affairs specialist with the USDA, stressed at City Hall Tuesday that
there would be no spraying and that all pesticides would be either
inserted into the soil around the trees or into the trees themselves.

When the insect invasion was first detected, the USDA and the New
Jersey Department of Agriculture set up a quarantine area, which
covered a large portion of the Newport area of Jersey City. The
quarantine zone reaches from Second Street in Jersey City to a small
portion of Newark Avenue in Hoboken. In January of 2003, USDA workers
begun the removal of trees infected with the beetle. The beetle
attacks many different hardwood trees, according to Parry - including
sugar maples, poplars and willows.

The trees slated for treatment at the end of the month are located in
a radius of half a mile from the site of the tree removals, said
Michael Stefan, director of the USDA's Surveillance and Emergency
Program, Plant Protection Service.

"We removed 461 host trees which showed signs of infection," said
Stefan. "Since then we have replaced them with 200 new trees and have
60 to go."

Christine Markham, director of the USDA's Asian Long horned Beetle
program, said the majority of the pesticide treatments will be done
through the soil surrounding the trees.

"The pesticide will be injected at levels below the soil top of six
to 12 inches," Markham explained. "We decided to go that far below the
soil surface in case dogs or children decided to play in the soil."

Markham added the pesticide would be drawn into the trees as the
roots take in water and nutrients. Markham noted that the same
techniques had been used in Asian long horned beetle eradication
programs in Chicago and New York City, and no harm was found done to
trees or animals in the area.

"Tests were made on twigs and bark taken from the tress which were
treated," Markham stated. "There have been traces of the pesticide
found in trees for about a year."

In the case of runoff into nearby water sources, Markham said no
traces of pesticide have been found in ponds or rivers.

In some instances, such as trees being surrounded by concrete or
asphalt, the pesticide will be introduced directly into the lower
portion of the trunk. According to Markham, the trunk drilling process
takes about one afternoon.

Four holes are drilled into the tree early in the day, and small
containers of the pesticide are placed in the holes, Markham said. "It
takes about a day for the tree to absorb the pesticide," she said.

RESIDENTS WILL GET NOTICES

Stefan said that before the pesticide treatments begin, residents in
the quarantine zone will receive notification in the form of notices
left on their front door handles.

"On the notices will be the times of the treatments, where they will
be taking place and phone number for the USDA that people can call for
more information," said Stefan.

The Asian long horned beetle, native to mainland China and other
parts of Far East, first became a problem in 1948 with large scale
planting of poplar trees in China.

"During World War II, many of the trees were cut down for the war,"
Stefan explained. "Before that, the beetles weren't a problem. With
the planting of the poplars, it was like they put out a lot of Asian
long horned beetle food."

The beetle population increased, but did not reach America until the
late 1999s, when trade between the United States and China sharply
increased. While there is no set theory on how the insects reached
America, Stefan said the majority of experts believe the bugs arrived
after eating untreated wood palates on which merchandise from China
was shipped.

"The beetles were first found in a suburb of Chicago," Stefan said.
"After that, the beetles were detected in New York City."

USDA officials are uncertain as to how the Asian long horned beetle
made its way across the Hudson River to Jersey City.

"There are a number of theories about how the beetle got here," added
Stefan. "It could have come over in a truck going through one of the
tunnels. It could have flown, and it could have been blown here during
a storm."

Stefan noted it was likely that a large number of beetles made the
journey from New York City to Hudson County, but many of them didn't
survive the migration.

"On the other hand, it only takes one fertilized female," Stefan
explained. "The trees were already here."

For more information on the Asian long horned beetle, call
(609) 984-3000. Further information is located at:
http://willow.ncfes.umn.edu/asianbeetle/beetle.htm.

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

HUNTERDON LAND TRUST ALLIANCE SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Date: 19 May 2003
From: "Jim Amon" {dr...@blast.net}

The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance is seeking an Executive Director.
the Executive Director must be:

a. A dedicated environmentalist

b. Familiar with land trust proceedures

c. An experience fund-raiser

d. A proven self-starter

e. A good writer

f. A good manager

g. Willing to do routine office work

h. Good with inter-personal relations

The Executive Director is a full time, salaried employee of the HLTA,
recommending operational, budgeting and staffing plans to the Board of
Trustees and implementing the Board's decisions and policies. The
Executive Director will:

a. Supervise all othe HLTA employees

b. Be responsible for all communication systems

c. Recruit and oversee volunteers when appropriate

d. Keep files and financial records in good order

e. Prepare and distribute materials for committee meetings

f. In coordination with the Board, identify potential granting
programs and prepare applications, identify potential events and
execute administrative support for them and direct and administer
membership or gift programs

Salary and benefits are competitive. Applicants should send a cover
letter, references and a resume to:

The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance
POB 143
Sergeantsville NJ 08557
Email: HL...@earthlink.net

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

PROGRAMS AT THE MANASQUAN RESERVOIR ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

Date: 16 May 2003
From: "Joseph Reynolds" {jrey...@co.monmouth.nj.us}

FUN FRIDAY NIGHT PROGRAMS AT THE
MANASQUAN RESERVOIR ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER

Howell - With summer upon us again, now is the perfect time to
explore the history, music, and ecology that compose our environment.

The Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center in Howell, New Jersey
invites people of all ages to spend Friday nights to explore wetlands,
lighthouses, folk music, and the Pine Barrens.

Below is a list of programs. The price for each program is $7.00 per
person, with children under 12 free. To register, please call
(732) 842-4000, ext 1. Have the program number ready to register. All
shows are from 7-8:30pm.

Friday, June 6
LIGHTHOUSES OF NEW JERSEY
Did you know that the oldest operating lighthouse in America is in
Monmouth County? Join Bill Volpe of the New Jersey Lighthouse Society
for a fun and interesting evening to find out how lighthouses have
been lighting our shores and our lives since the early 1700s. Program
# I8932A

Friday, June 20
DISCOVER A NEW JERSEY COASTAL WETLAND
Whether you call them marshes or swamps, wetlands support a great
diversity of plants and animals, including many endangered and
threatened species. Meet Dave Grant from the Ocean Institute at Sandy
Hook as we discover just how fascinating wetlands are. Program #
I8732A

Friday, July 11
RAISING PUPPIES AS SEEING-EYE DOGS
Puppies are adorable and cute, but they also can be trained to be a
guide dog for a needy person. Join Barbara Fuller, an expert on Seeing
Eye dogs. We will have an enjoyable evening as she goes over the
criteria and training needed to provide a harmonious relationship
between your puppy and a handicapped person. Program # I2833A

Friday, July 25
THE PINE BARRENS: A LIFE
The Pine Barrens is more than scrub pine and white cedar forests; in
addition, nearly 500,000 people live in this beautiful, natural area.
Join up with Brenda Conner for a fun evening, as she recounts her
childhood and current life as a "Piney." Topics include wildlife
trapping, cranberry farming, and Pinelands history. Program # I2933A

Friday, August 8
APPALACHIAN MUSIC & FOLK TALES
Join us as we take you back to a time of our ancestors. Bonnie Leigh,
an accomplished folk recording artist, will perform traditional folk,
historical, and county music for all ages. Songs deal with a simple
life and the great outdoors. Be prepared to sing along and be amused.
Program # I3033A

Friday, August 22
PINE BARRENS: UP CLOSE & NATURAL
Meet Margart O'Gorman from the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. She
will provide a fascinating evening showing a new nature film on the
region's captivating natural history, plants, and wildlife. The film
is followed by questions and answers about Pinelands ecology and the
efforts to protect its forests and streams. Program # I3133A

The Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center is located off of
Georgia Tavern Road in Howell, NJ. It is east of Route 9; and near
exit 28 on I-195.

For more information about a specific program, please contact Joe
Reynolds, Park Naturalist, at 732-751-9453.

* * *

Joseph Reynolds
Naturalist, Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center
Monmouth County Park System
732-751-9453 Fax 732-751-0235
http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

SALEM COUNTY SEMINAR FOCUSES ON WATERSHED - MAY 21

Date: 030519
From: http://www.nj.com/news/sunbeam/

Today's Sunbeam, May 19, 2003

Pilesgrove Twp. - The Salem County Watershed Task Force and Concerned
Pilesgrove Residents are sponsoring a special seminar Wednesday which
will focus on how state regulations can affect the Salem County
landscape.

The seminar will be held at the Upper Pittsgrove Township Hall, at
Pole Tavern Circle (intersection of U.S. Route 40 and state Route 77).

The event will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Kevin Broderick, manager of Coastal Regulation for the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection's Land Use Regulation Program,
will be the featured speaker.

Topics that will be discussed include:

Freshwater wetlands - our county is blessed with many

Endangered species - some species in our County may be at risk

Waterfront development (CAFRA) - how it is regulated

C-1 waterway designations - protection for our area waterways

Stream corridor protection - what can be done to protect our streams

Stormwater regulations - how run off can be regulated/ controlled

The BIG Map - what it means for Salem County

For more information, call 358-4138.

* * *

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

WMA 3 STREAM MONITORING TRAINING - MAY 31

Date: 19 May 2003
From: MacKenzie Hall {mackenz...@yahoo.com}

SKYLANDS CLEAN OFFERING STREAM MONITORING PROGRAM

People of all ages and backgrounds are invited to become trained
volunteers in a state-wide stream monitoring program. Skylands CLEAN,
a local nonprofit environmental advocacy group, will hold a training
session to teach people how benthic macroinvertebrates - the "bugs"
that live on our stream bottoms - can be used as indicators of water
quality.

This Biological Assessment Teams (BATS) event is part of an initiative
to educate communities about watershed issues and stimulate water
quality monitoring across the state. AmeriCorps members are stationed
throughout New Jersey to accomplish these goals. Watershed Ambassador
MacKenzie Hall is charged with Watershed Management Area (WMA) 3,
which includes the Ramapo, Wanaque, Pequannock, and Pompton Rivers as
well as all of the land and tributaries that drain to them. Ms. Hall,
who is hosted by CLEAN, will lead the BATS training.

The session will be held at Weis Ecology Center, on Snake Den Road in
Ringwood, on May 31st. The training will begin with a classroom
introduction at 9:30 am, followed by a fun and interactive in-stream
segment. The day is expected to wrap-up around 12:30. There is no
charge to attend and no previous knowledge is needed. The training
will take place regardless of weather, so volunteers should come
prepared for pouring rain, hot sun, bugs, and anything else nature may
bring.

To register or learn more, please call the office Skylands CLEAN at
(973) 616-1006.

* * *

MacKenzie Hall
NJ Watershed Ambassador, WMA 3
p: 973-616-1006
f: 973-616-8838
mackenz...@yahoo.com

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tina Bologna - Editor - bol...@gsenet.org

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Back issues of the Garden State EnviroNews are available at
http://www.gsenet.org/library/11gsn/11gsn.php

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Garden State EnviroNet, Inc.
19 Boonton Ave, Boonton NJ 07005
Tel: 973-394-1313 - Fax: 973-394-9513
mai...@gsenet.org - http://www.gsenet.org/

EnviroNews mailing lists:
TEXT - subscribe-en...@gselist.org
HTML - subscribe-en...@gselist.org

0 new messages