Meadowlands Remediation and Redevelopment Project

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Meadowlands Remediation and Redevelopment Project State of New Jersey Office of the Inspector General Mary Jane Cooper, Inspector General Meadowlands Remediation and Redevelopment Project February 28, 2008 Office of the Inspector General Meadowlands Remediation and Redevelopment Project ~ Table of Contents ~ I. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................... 1 A. Scope of Investigation........................................................................................................... 1 B. Investigative Process............................................................................................................. 3 C. Standards ............................................................................................................................... 4 D. Format of Report................................................................................................................... 4 II. CONCLUSIONS....................................................................................................................... 5 A. NJMC Enters Agreement with Private Entity....................................................................... 5 B. Private Entity Seeks Public Financial Assistance ............................................................... 15 C. Private Entity Mismanages Project ..................................................................................... 20 D. Summary ............................................................................................................................. 25 E. Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 27 III. LANDFILL CLOSURE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT....................................... 31 A. New Jersey Meadowlands Commission ............................................................................. 31 1. Management of Solid Waste and Landfill Closure.......................................................... 34 a. Department of Environmental Protection Regulatory Control ..................................... 35 b. NJMC Landfill Closure Methodology.......................................................................... 37 2. Development of the Meadowlands ................................................................................... 38 a. Brownfield Act Encourages Private Development ....................................................... 38 b. Redevelopment Plans for Rutherford and Lyndhurst ................................................... 39 B. NJMC Partners with EnCap for Meadowlands Remediation and Redevelopment Project . 41 i 1. NJMC Requests Statements of Qualifications................................................................. 41 2. Creation of EnCap............................................................................................................ 42 3. EnCap Overstates Its Qualifications and Experience ...................................................... 45 4. NJMC Selects EnCap....................................................................................................... 48 5. EnCap’s “Gold Coast” Vision ......................................................................................... 52 a. EnCap Encourages Expansion of Project Area............................................................. 53 b. EnCap Realizes Its Vision Will Increase Costs ............................................................ 54 6. Re-Creation of EnCap...................................................................................................... 56 a. New Ownership............................................................................................................. 56 b. NJMC Not Aware of Full Extent and Significance of Changes ................................... 58 7. EnCap Takes Control....................................................................................................... 64 IV. NJMC AND ENCAP WORK TO FULFILL CONTRACT TERMS ................................... 65 A. Property Amassed for EnCap Development ....................................................................... 65 B. EnCap Obtains Project Insurance and Performance Bond.................................................. 66 C. NJMC Closure Fund Depleted ............................................................................................ 67 D. NJMC Limited Review and Approval ................................................................................ 69 E. Agreement Amended to Provide EnCap Ownership of the Property.................................. 71 F. Expansion of EnCap Vertical Development Rights ............................................................ 73 G. Attempts by EnCap to Develop Porete Avenue, North Arlington...................................... 76 V. DEP REQUIREMENTS FOR MEADOWLANDS REMEDIATION................................... 81 A. DEP Permits........................................................................................................................ 81 B. Landfill Closure Methodology............................................................................................ 83 1. Cover System................................................................................................................... 84 ii 2. Fill Protocols.................................................................................................................... 85 a. Below Barrier................................................................................................................ 85 b. Cap ................................................................................................................................ 86 c. Above the Barrier.......................................................................................................... 86 C. Fill Acceptance Procedures and Certifications ................................................................... 87 D. Application/Certifications................................................................................................... 89 E. Fill Delivered to the Site...................................................................................................... 90 F. Ground Improvement Program............................................................................................ 91 VI. ENCAP OBTAINS PUBLIC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM EDA ........................... 92 A. EDA Financial Assistance for Private Entities ................................................................... 92 1. Creation and Purpose of the Economic Development Authority..................................... 92 2. The EDA Funding Process............................................................................................... 94 B. EnCap’s First Application for EDA Financial Assistance.................................................. 95 1. EnCap’s Amended Application ....................................................................................... 97 2. EDA Approval of $145 Million in Bonds for Project...................................................... 99 3. 2001 Insurance Coverage............................................................................................... 101 C. March 2004 EnCap Application to Restructure Its Loan.................................................. 103 1. EDA Board Approval of Refunding Plus $5M........................................................... 105 2. EnCap Amends Collateral.............................................................................................. 107 3. 2004 Insurance Coverage............................................................................................... 109 D. EDA Financial Assistance Repaid in Full......................................................................... 110 VII. ENCAP OBTAINS $212M IN PUBLIC FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM EIT/DEP .................................................................................... 111 A. Environmental Infrastructure Trust................................................................................... 111 iii B. Department of Environmental Protection ......................................................................... 113 C. EnCap representatives Identify EIT and DEP Loans as a Source of Financing ............. 114 1. EnCap Proposes EIT/DEP Financing ............................................................................ 116 2. EIT and DEP Review of EnCap Proposal...................................................................... 118 3. Negotiations Concerning Terms of the Loans ............................................................... 121 a. Interest Rate ................................................................................................................ 122 b. Proposal for Bullet Maturity ....................................................................................... 123 c. Brownfield Reimbursements....................................................................................... 124 d. State Rejects EnCap’s Proposed Terms...................................................................... 125 D. EnCap and EIT/DEP Reach Agreement ........................................................................... 126 1. Security for the EIT Loan .............................................................................................. 128 2. Security for the DEP Loan............................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Results of the 2007 New Jersey General Elections
    Results of the 2007 New Jersey General Elections On Tuesday, November 6, 2007, New Jersey voters went to the polls to select all 120 seats in the Legislature. Yesterday’s general election altered the current make-up (50-30) of the State Assembly and the Senate (22-18). The Democrats retain control of both houses. The new make-up of the Assembly will be 48-32 and the Senate will be 23-17. After a lame duck session which begins on November 8, 2007, the new members of the Legislature will be sworn in on January 8, 2008. Efforts to resolve leadership in both houses will take place this week. Strong signals are that Senate President Dick Codey (D) will remain in his current leadership role with Joe Vitale, Paul Sarlo and Steve Sweeney vying for majority leader and budget committee chairman respectively in the upcoming Senate leadership election. Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R) is reportedly going to forgo his leadership role in favor of Senator Tom Kean, Jr. (R) with Lance potentially to take over as the ranking Republican member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts (D) will retain his Speakership, backed up by current Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman. Minority Leader Alex DeCroce (R) is expected to retain his Assembly Minority Leader position. We will keep you apprised as to the final decisions on leadership. With a few notable exceptions, all incumbent legislators defeated their general election challengers. The following is a breakdown of the election results from the targeted districts – which are usually the most publicized, contentious and expensive campaigns in the State: District 1 (Atlantic/Cape May/Cumberland) – This split district has now gone to the Democrats with the election of incumbent Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew (D), who defeated incumbent Senator Nick Asselta (R) for the Senate seat by a 56-44 percent margin.
    [Show full text]
  • Given Circumstances Encountered, Scutari Can Become Moral Compass
    Page 4 Thursday, January 22, 2004 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The ABCDICTIONOPQRSTDECEPTIONUVWXYZ Scotch Plains – Fanwood Letters to the Editor The Westfield Leader TIMES — Established 1890 — — Established 1959— Westfield’s Rob Ratner Counters DD The Official Newspaper of the Town of Westfield Official Newspaper of the Borough of Fanwood DDTM and the Township of Scotch Plains Le Poidevin’s Presidential Politics Diction Deception Member of: Member of: New Jersey Press Association In her histrionic attempt to slime deny the existence of global warming or New Jersey Press Association • National Newspaper Association Below are four arcane words, each National Newspaper Association Scotch Plains Business & Professional Association MoveOn.org, America’s fastest-growing other scientific realities. They don’t ap- Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Fanwood Business & Professional Association grassroots political movement, Michelle point extremist ideologues as federal with four definitions – only one is cor- rect. The others are made up. Are you Periodicals – Postage Paid at Westfield, New Jersey Periodicals – Postage Paid at Scotch Plains, New Jersey LePoidevin has again publicly displayed judges, permit business cronies to defile the embarrassing consequences of prat- the environment, squander the Clinton sharp enough to discern this deception of P.O. Box 250 • 251 North Avenue, West P. O. Box 368 • 1906 Bartle Avenue diction? Westfield, N.J. 07091 tling about issues of which she obviously budget surplus or reduce income taxes Scotch Plains, N.J. 07076 hasn’t the slightest knowledge. Yet, this for the wealthiest of the wealthy. If you can guess one correctly – good Tele: (908) 232-4407 • E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.goleader.com • Fax: (908) 232-0473 brand of rhetorical sputum is, in a way, It’s also unthinkable that a saint would guess.
    [Show full text]
  • Read It Here
    NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION EVELYN PADIN, PRESIDENT Law Office of Evelyn Padin 286 First Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 201-963-8822 • FAX: 201-963-8874 [email protected] May 4, 2020 Via Electronic Mail The Honorable Paul Sarlo 496 Columbia Boulevard Wood-Ridge, New Jersey 07075 The Honorable Clinton Calabrese 613 Bergen Boulevard Ridgefield, New Jersey 07657 Re: S2346 (Sarlo)/A3919 (Calabrese) – Extends certain permits during COVID-19 emergency Dear Senator Sarlo and Assemblyman Calabrese: We thank you for your continued leadership during this pandemic. On behalf of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA), we thank you for addressing the extension of permits under the Municipal Land Use Law in S2346 (Sarlo)/A3919 (Calabrese). The association generally supports this bill with the following amendments in order to ensure a definitive quantifiable period of time that is not contingent upon the lifting of the emergency declaration. Specifically, rather than generally extending the time for decisions on planning board applications by a timeframe that is dependent on the rescission of the public health state of emergency, the NJSBA recommends a definitive 60-day extension for decisions (to 180 days) after the application is deemed complete. In addition, the NJSBA recommends enumerating with certainty the extension of deadlines to grant or deny applications pursuant to the “Municipal Land Use Law” by 150%. An amended version of this bill is attached to this correspondence for your consideration. These amendments seek to balance the government’s need for additional time to act under the circumstances with an applicant’s need for a reliable, more certain decisional timeframe on proposals.
    [Show full text]
  • Is Pistol Range Shot to Death? Nick's Plans to Wood-Ridge Facility Faces Obstacles in 2010Looks to Withhold Rebound State Aid After Fire by Susan C
    Wood-Ridge • Coristadt • East Rutherford • Rutherford • Lyndhur* • North Arlington Pulse of the Meadowlands^" Meadowlands Cup winners accept trophy * PageA7 Dining Guide Page B7 Established 1894 www. LeaderNewspapers.net Thursday, December 10, 200S TIMELINE Same-sex marriage in the near future? 2006 • State Legislature passes civil union law. By Suson C. MMMT full Senate on Dec. 10. If approved there, the statements from people on both sides of the Dec. 7, 2009 SENIOR REPORTER Assembly has time to act on the bill before issue, seven senators agreed with Weinberg, • State Senate Judiciary Committee approve* ' Gov. Jon S. Corzine leaves office. Corzine giving them a victory over six others who Freedom of Religion and Equality in Civil Marriage TRENTON — After a marathon session has promised to support the legislation; remained opposed to legalizing gay mar- ACL that stretched from the early afternoon Governor-elect Chris Christie has not. riage. Dec. 10,2009 hours until after 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. "In this country, we do not afford some State Sen. Paul Sarlo, from Wood-Ridge, • State Senate is expected to vote on the same- 7, the state's Senate Judiciary Committee people full civil rights and some people par- who chairs the Judiciary Committee, voted sex marriage bill. narrowly approved a controversial same-sex tial civil rights," said Sen. Loretta Weinberg, no. Instead of redefining marriage, the January 2010 marriage bill that extends the definition of one of the bill's sponsors. Legislature should fix problems with the • If approved, the state Assembly will consider marriage in New Jersey to include gay and The evidence is clear: Civil unions have current civil union law, Sarlo indicated.
    [Show full text]
  • Honor Final Draft
    Advocating for Students with Exceptional Needs in Public Education By: Cassandra Fenton Project Description When creating this project, my goal was to combine my knowledge and experiences from my major in political science and my participation in the teacher certification program. To that end, this project is a political activism campaign that seeks to empower those in the education field, specially advocates for students with exceptional needs, to exercise their political voice. I have too often felt the sentiment of disenfranchisement by those are not actively involved in politics. In order to address this negative perception of politics and government, my project strives to inform professionals in the education field of their ability and right to exercise their political voice. Those in the field are the most equipped to advise policy surrounding special education, and this expertise can be of great use for politicians. The primary component of my project are two issue letters that can be sent to representatives to advocate for the rights of students with exceptional needs. The first letter tackles the issue of lack of adequate funding for special education by the state. The second letter addresses the general disrespect for the teaching profession as well many of the obstacles teachers must overcome to educate their students effectively. While these letters can be sent as is, they are meant to inspire professionals in the field to share their own expertise with their representatives. I have also included a graph to demonstrate that a vote carries more weight at lower levels of government, for which less people come out to vote, as opposed to the highest offices, which attract the greatest voter turnout.
    [Show full text]
  • Bipartisan Transportation Plan Gains Support
    New Jersey Legislature News BIPARTISAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN GAINS SUPPORT Backed by a wide range of organizations and advocacy groups and joined by legislators from both parties and both houses of the Legislature, Senator Paul Sarlo and Senator Steve Oroho said today they will continue to work to gain additional support for their plan to renew the Transportation Trust Fund and introduce their detailed legislation immediately, preventing the fund from going broke and providing a dedicated, long‐term funding plan to meet the state's critical transportation needs as well as immediate and long‐term economic benefits. Joining in support were Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Republican Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, the Assembly sponsor of the plan that includes a series of tax‐saving measures. "This is a detailed plan that will address the state's critical transportation needs at the same time it creates jobs and delivers a significant boost to the economy," said Senator Sarlo, a sponsor of the bill. "It also includes a series of tax saving measures to aid the working poor, retirees and middle class families. We have bipartisan participation and support in both the Senate and Assembly." The TTF would gain the resources to invest $2 billion a year for 10 years to repair, upgrade and maintain the state's roads, bridges, tunnels and railways, the "lifeblood of the New Jersey economy," Senator Sarlo said. The funds would be generated by increases in petroleum taxes that, if passed along to motorists, could add 23 cents to the cost of a gallon of gas.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 New Jersey Election Results
    2013 New Jersey Election Results SUMMARY As indicated by all of the pre-election polls Governor Chris Christie (R) cruised to victory over challenger State Senator Barbara Buono (D). With this significant re-election victory the Governor’s 2016 national aspirations become even more realistic. At the same time Chris Christie’s win did not result in down ballot coattails, both houses of the New Jersey Legislature remained under Democratic control with only two Republican gains in the Assembly. GOVERNOR As expected, Governor Chris Chirstie (R) easily won re-election for a second term as Governor of the State of New Jersey over challenger State Senator Barbara Buono (D) by a resounding margin of 60% to 38%. The Governor carried every county in the state with the exception of the traditional democratic strongholds of Essex and Hudson. Even in those democratic areas Buono’s margin of victory lagged far behind normal pluralities. LEGISLATURE Targeted Districts 1st Legislative District (Cape May and parts of Atlantic and Cumberland Counties) Incumbent State Senator Jeff Van Drew (D) withheld a significant challenge from Susan Schmidt (R) winning the district with 59% to 40% percent of the vote and Assemblyman Bob Andrzejcak retained his seat with 27% of the vote. However - Republicans may have picked up one seat with Cumberland County Freeholder Sam Fiocchi (R) defeating incumbent Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D). The incumbent faced criticism since The Star-Ledger reported how he used his position to try to get out of a speeding ticket. Since the difference between the candidates is only 1284 votes a recount is possible.
    [Show full text]
  • June 27, 2016 Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto Senate President
    June 27, 2016 Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney 1 Harmon Plaza, Suite 205 935 Kings Highway, Suite 400 Secaucus, NJ 07094 West Deptford, NJ 08086 Dear Speaker Prieto and President Sweeney: On behalf of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its 264 member airlines, many of which operate out of airports in the State of New Jersey, I am writing to express our strong opposition to two pending legislative proposals (A11/S2411) which seek to increase dramatically the state’s aviation fuel tax rate. The stated purpose of this increase is to replenish the state’s Transportation Trust Fund in order to pay for non-aviation-related infrastructure items such as roads, bridges, and tunnels. An increase of the tax on aviation fuel of the magnitude proposed can only damage New Jersey’s airports and the communities they serve in the competition for increased connectivity. Commercial air transport to and from New Jersey generates $22 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 150,000 jobs. In addition to direct spending, jobs, and tax revenue, international aviation is an infrastructure asset that helps to enable foreign direct investment, business clusters, specialization, and other spill-over impacts on the economy. Increasing so significantly the cost of airline operations to and from New Jersey would clearly put this success story at risk. Moreover, because amounts collected through the increased levies would be allocated to purposes unrelated to aviation, the proposed legislation would violate federal law. 1 For fuel taxes attributable to aviation operations at any airport that has been the recipient of federal assistance, the statute prohibits the use of tax proceeds for any purpose other than the capital or operating costs of (1) the airport, (2) the local airport system, or (3) any other local facility that is owned or operated by the person or entity that owns or operates the airport that is directly and substantially related to the air transportation of passengers or property.
    [Show full text]
  • Panel Pushes Controversial Nomination for Pinelands Commission to Full Senate
    Panel Pushes Controversial Nomination for Pinelands Commission to Full Senate Tom Johnson | February 25, 2015 Critics contend appointment sends wrong message to conservation community, do what governor says or be prepared to be replaced Sen. Christopher (Kip) Bateman (R-Somerset) By a narrow margin, the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday voted to approve the nomination of Robert Barr to the Pinelands Commission, an appointment almost universally opposed by the conservation community. The action marked the third time Barr had come up before the panel, which had previously failed to garner enough votes to release the nomination and send it to the full Senate. Yesterday’s approval cleared the committee in a 7-5-1 vote. His nomination drew protests from many environmental groups and lawmakers, mostly because he would replace a commissioner who had refused to back a controversial natural gas pipeline project through preservation areas of the Pinelands. “I view this as stacking the deck when you don’t get the results you want. This is wrong,’’ said Sen. Chris (Kip) Bateman (R-Somerset), the only Republican on the committee to vote against the nomination. Sen. Nia Gill (D-Union) agreed. “This is about power. If you disagree with Gov. (Chris) Christie, you will be replaced,’’ Gill said. The controversy over the appointment emerged from a deadlocked vote in which the Pinelands Commission refused to approve a memorandum of agreement that would allow construction of a 22- mile natural-gas pipeline in the Pinelands proposed by South Jersey Gas. The proposed pipeline, designed to deliver natural gas to the former B.L.
    [Show full text]
  • NJ State Legislature
    HPAE 2017 General Election Endorsements Ambassador Phil Murphy for Governor Sheila Oliver for Lt. Governor NJ State Legislature District Title Candidate Name COPE Recommends Incumbent 1 Senate Jeff Van Drew (D) Endorsement Yes 1 Assembly Bob Andrzejczak (D) Endorsement Yes 1 Assembly R. Bruce Land (D) Endorsement Yes 2 Senate Colin Bell Endorsement Yes 2 Assembly Vincent Mazzeo (D) Endorsement Yea 2 Assembly John Armato Endorsement Yes 3 Senate Steve Sweeney (D) Endorsement Yes 3 Assembly John Burzichelli (D) Endorsement Yes 3 Assembly Adam Taliaferro (D) Endorsement Yes 4 Senate Fred Madden (D) Endorsement Yes 4 Assembly Paul Moriarity (D) Endorsement Yes 4 Assembly Gabriela Mosquera (D) Endorsement Yes 5 Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D) Endorsement Yes 5 Assembly Arthur Barclay (D) Endorsement Yes 5 Assembly Patricia Egan Jones (D) Endorsement Yes 6 Senate James Beach (D) Endorsement Yes 6 Assembly Louis D. Greenwald (D) Endorsement Yes 6 Assembly Assemblywoman Endorsement Yes Pamela R. Lampitt (D) 7 Senate Troy Singleton (D) Endorsement *Assembly 7 Assembly Herb Conaway (D) Endorsement YES 7 Assembly Carol Murphy(D) Endorsement No 8 Senate George Youngkin (D) Endorsement No 8 Assembly Maryann Merlino (D) Endorsement No 8 Assembly Joanne Schwartz (D) Endorsement No 10 Assembly Raymond S. Baker (D) Endorsement No 11 Senate Vin Gopal (D) Endorsement No 11 Assembly Joann Downey (D) Endorsement Yes 11 Assembly Eric Houghtaling (D) Endorsement Yes 14 Senate Linda Greenstein (D) Endorsement Yes 14 Assembly Wayne DeAngelo (D) Endorsement Yes 14
    [Show full text]
  • A Faith in the Future – a Belief in Action Elected Federal Officials
    A FAITH IN THE FUTURE – A BELIEF IN ACTION ELECTED FEDERAL OFFICIALS President Donald J. Trump Senator Robert Menendez (D) Senator Cory Booker (D) 202-456-1111 202-224-4744 202-224-3224 www.whitehouse.gov/contact www.menendez.senate.gov www.booker.senate.gov House - Josh Gottheimer (D) House - William Pascrell (D) House – Albio Sires (D) 202-225-4465 202-225-5751 202-225-7919 www.gottheimer.house.gov www.pascrell.house.gov www.sires.house.gov ELECTED STATE/ COUNTY OFFICIAL Governor Philip Murphy (D) Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III (D) P.O Box 001 1 Bergen County Plaza Trenton, NJ 08625 Hackensack, NJ 07601 609-292-6000 201-336-7330 www.state.nj.us/governor/contact [email protected] DISTRICT 32 Edgewater, Fairview Senate-Nicholas J. Sacco (D) Assembly-Angelica M. Jimenez (D) Vincent Prieto (D) 201-295-0200 201-223-4247 201-770-1303 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISTRICT 35 Elmwood Park, Garfield Senate-Nellie Pou (D) Assembly-Shavonda E. Sumter (D) Benjie E. Wimberly (D) 973-247-1555 973-925-7061 973-925-7061 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISTRICT 36 Carlstadt, Cliffside Park, East Rutherford, Little Ferry, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, North Arlington, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, South Hackensack, Wallington, Wood-Ridge Senate-Paul Sarlo (D) Assembly-Clinton Calabrese (D) Gary Schaer (D) 201-804-8118 201-943-0615 973-249-3665 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISTRICT 37 Alpine, Bogota, Cresskill, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Hackensack, Leonia, Northvale, Palisades Park, Rockleigh, Teaneck, Tenafly Senate-Loretta Weinberg (D) Assembly-Valerie Huttle (D) Gordon Johnson (D) 201-928-0100 201-541-1118 201-530-0469 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] DISTRICT 38 Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook Senate-Joseph Lagana (D) Assembly-Lisa Swain (D) P.
    [Show full text]
  • Response to Comments on the DEIS and SDEIS1
    Chapter 18: Response to Comments on the DEIS and SDEIS1 A. INTRODUCTION This chapter responds to all substantive comments received on the DEIS published in February 2007 and the SDEIS published in March 2008. The DEIS and its Notice of Availability was distributed to interested agencies and individuals and were posted on the ARC website in advance of the February 9, 2007 Federal Register notice. NJ TRANSIT advertised information about the public hearings in over 20 publications in New York and New Jersey. The DEIS public hearings were held on March 12, 2007 in Newark, New Jersey, on March 14, 2007 in North Bergen, New Jersey and on March 27, 2007 in Manhattan, New York. The DEIS public comment period began on February 9, 2007 and concluded on April 10, 2007. The SDEIS and its Notice of Availability were distributed to interested agencies and individuals and was posted on the ARC website in advance of the March 14, 2008 Federal Register notice. NJ TRANSIT advertised information about the SDEIS public hearings in nine publications in New York and New Jersey. The SDEIS public hearings were held on March 31, 2008 in Newark, New Jersey and on April 1, 2008 in Manhattan, New York. The SDEIS public comment period began on March 14, 2008 and concluded on April 28, 2008. This chapter presents the agencies, organizations and individuals that commented on the DEIS and SDEIS, and summarizes and responds to those comments. Section B of this chapter lists the resource agencies, elected officials, local governments, community boards, organizations and individuals that provided comments on the DEIS and the SDEIS.
    [Show full text]