ThePINELANDER

NEWSLETTER OF THE PINELANDS COMMISSION/ SUMMER 2005 A Succession of Pinelands Protectors James Florio ends accomplished term as Pinelands Chairman, Betty Wilson selected to lead as Chairperson

ormer Gov. James J. Florio can project is being led by the Pinelands look back on the past three years Commission, in partnership with Fas Chairman of the Pinelands , the U.S. Commission with a strong sense of Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish & pride and accomplishment. Wildlife Service and the New Jersey Florio, who stepped down at the end Department of Environmental of his term, can also look ahead with Protection. confidence in the future of the Under Florio's leadership, the $13 Commission and its new leader. million Pinelands Conservation Fund On June 9, Acting Gov. Richard J. was established. The fund provides Codey appointed Betty Wilson as the money that will be used to protect new chairperson of the 15-member James J. Florio Betty Wilson important natural, cultural, historic and Pinelands Commission and nominated agricultural resources through the pur- her for a second term on the Commission. chase of land and conservation easements. Affairs for the New Jersey Department of “The Pinelands Commission is in excellent The fund also will sustain critical research Human Services from 1990-1993. hands,” said Florio, who has known Betty and community planning efforts for years to Wilson, a founding member of the Wilson for many years from their time in the come. Pinelands Preservation Alliance, said she is New Jersey Legislature and on the Also during Florio's tenure, a task force honored to have the opportunity to continue Pinelands Commission. consisting of non-governmental organiza- Florio’s work and strong leadership. Wilson, a Burlington County resident who tions as well as state, county and municipal Florio, who was appointed as chairman by was appointed to the Commission in 2002, officials began evaluating growth projec- then-Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2002, brings a wealth of experience to the posi- tions in Southern New Jersey for the first leaves behind a strong legacy as a pioneer tion. time in 25 years in an effort to determine and proponent of Pinelands protection. A summa cum laude graduate of Jersey how to plan for future development in the As a U.S. Congressman, Florio sponsored City State College (now Jersey City Pinelands. legislation in 1977 that established the University), Wilson served in the New Florio's term also was marked by ground- Pinelands National Reserve. Jersey General Assembly from 1974-1975. breaking, sub-regional conservation efforts During his term as the Commission’s She also served as the Assistant devised to take a closer look at critical areas Chairman, Florio led the development of a Commissioner of the New Jersey of the Pinelands. five-year strategic plan to advance perma- Department of Environmental Protection The Pinelands Commission completed two nent land protection and community devel- (DEP) in 1976-1977 before becoming the community planning projects for growth opment in the Pinelands. Five strategies and DEP's Deputy Commissioner. During that areas in Hamilton and Winslow townships eight initiatives were set forth for land pro- time, she oversaw the agency’s natural during Florio's term. A third project, this tection, and seven strategies and 11 initia- resource management, Pinelands policy and time in Egg Harbor Township, has begun. tives were devised for community develop- review process, among other things. Also under Florio's leadership, the ment. Wilson also was the Associate Director of Commission instituted a project aimed at Also during his term, one of the most com- Recreation Programs for the U.S. developing a systematic way for govern- prehensive water resource projects in New Department of Interior in 1980, the Deputy ment to ensure that septic systems are prop- Jersey’s history was launched to determine Commissioner of the New Jersey erly maintained and managed over the long how Southern New Jersey’s water supply Department of Labor and Industry in 1981 term. and Assistant Commissioner for Public needs can be met without impacting the Pinelands. The 6-year, $5.5 million The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 2 Commission Approves Plan for $13 Million Conservation Fund The New Jersey Pinelands Commission according to John C. Stokes, the Executive mission right-of-way maintenance plan has approved a plan to direct the use and Director of the Pinelands Commission. project, also set forth in the BPU agree- management of the new Pinelands "We invited public input on the proposal ment. This project is developing a man- Conservation Fund. and held a public forum in January,” agement approach to maintain early suc- The Fund was recently created as part of Stokes said. “As a result, the Commission cessional habitats along electric rights-of- an agreement with the New Jersey Board received recommendations from 18 public way within the Pinelands while maintain- of Public Utilities (BPU) to permit the con- and non-profit organizations." ing transmission safety and reliability. struction and upgrade of an electric trans- The objectives of the permanent land The third component of the plan will mission line through eastern portions of protection component will be to protect support ongoing community planning and the Pinelands. important natural, cultural, historic and design efforts in Pinelands municipalities. Under the agreement, the special fund agricultural resources through the purchase This will build upon the work of the Dodge was set up to "further the Pinelands protec- of land and conservation easements. Foundation-supported Pinelands tion program and ensure a greater level of Funding will be appropriated for the Excellence Program, which develops com- protection of the unique resources of the acquisition of lands that are recommended munity action plans to create livable and Pinelands Area." as part of regional or sub-regional plans sustainable communities. The utility constructing the transmission adopted by the Commission or through The Pinelands Conservation Fund plan lines, Atlantic City Electric (formerly other acquisition recommendations also sets forth policies for the investment, Conectiv), is providing $13 million to approved by the Commission. Priority management and administration of Fund establish the fund. will be given to projects that supplement monies. To date, the Commission has The Pinelands Commission approved the Pinelands Conservation Fund proceeds received $9.75 million. The remaining plan during its April meeting. with other state, federal, local or private $3.25 million is scheduled to be received The plan dedicates the funding to three funding. on or before March 13, 2006. types of projects: $6 million dollars will Funds disbursed under the conservation be allocated for permanent land protection, planning and research component must $3.5 million will go toward conservation also directly benefit the conservation of planning and research projects and $3.5 Pinelands resources, including the funding A copy of the Pinelands Conservation million will support community planning of sub-regional conservation planning Fund policy is available on the Pinelands and design initiatives. projects and applied scientific research Commission website at: The Pinelands Conservation Fund was projects. This portion of the fund will sup- (www.nj.gov/pinelands/infor/news/cons_f developed with extensive public input, port the ecologically based electric trans- und.pdf) Commission Provides Guidance to School Districts The Pinelands Commission and New can use early in their planning process, consistent sites on which to build a new Jersey Department of Education have sent which should help them avoid potential school facility. By identifying sites that are a list of regulatory guidelines to every land-use or regulatory conflicts and result likely to meet Pinelands land use and school district in the Pinelands in an effort in Pinelands-consistent projects that are development requirements, school districts to help school officials properly and more finished in a more orderly and efficient can avoid sites that are likely to raise major efficiently plan school construction proj- manner," said John C. Stokes, Executive land use or regulatory hurdles that signifi- ects. Director of the Pinelands Commission. cantly delay or hinder the process for siting The Commission recently mailed the The guidelines include details on the a school facility. guidelines to all 48 school districts located process for gaining the necessary In addition, the guidelines make note of within the Pinelands Area, which covers approvals for expansion or construction at requirements regarding public sanitary portions of seven counties in Southern existing school facilities as well as the sit- sewer systems, wetlands buffers and New Jersey. ing and construction of new school facili- stormwater management in the Pinelands, The guidelines were prepared in conjunc- ties in the Pinelands. The location of edu- as well as the special protection afforded to tion with the New Jersey Department of cational facilities in the Pinelands is gov- rare plants and animals. The Pinelands is Education. They describe how school dis- erned by the land use policies of the home to 44 threatened or endangered tricts can plan and design their school Comprehensive Management Plan. The species of animals and approximately 90 facility projects in a manner that avoids policies are implemented through munici- threatened or endangered species of plants. conflicts with the relevant zoning and pal zoning ordinances that have been In cases where a proposed site has suitable environmental policies of the Pinelands approved by the Pinelands Commission. habitat for one or more rare plants or ani- Comprehensive Management Plan, the The guidelines, for example, recommend mals, a field survey may be required to rules that govern development and land that school districts contact the Pinelands determine whether a particular project may use in the Pinelands. Commission's Land Use Office early in impact the critical habitat onsite. "These guidelines will provide school dis- their planning process and request assis- tricts with important suggestions that they tance in identifying one or more Pinelands- The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 3

Governor nominates candidates for re-appointment to the Pinelands Commission

In addition to nominating Betty Wilson, Environment and Vice President of the on the Board of Trustees of Burlington Acting New Jersey Gov. Richard J. Codey Board of the Fund for New Jersey. At the County College, including seven years as has nominated Candace McKee Ashmun, local level, she has served on the Chair. He served as Chairman of the Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell Jr., Stephen V. Lee Bedminster Board of Education, Board of Burlington County Planning Board, as a III and Edward Lloyd for reappointment to Adjustment and Environmental member of the County Farmland the Pinelands Commission. Commission, and served as Vice Chair of Preservation Committee, and on the Codey formally submitted the nomina- the Far Hills Planning Board. Pinelands Environmental Council, an tions to the New Jersey Senate in June. The Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell Jr., who lives in agency that preceded the Pinelands nominations are subject to the review and Burlington County, has served on the Commission. consent of the Senate. Pinelands Commission since 2002. He has Edward Lloyd, who lives in Essex The Pinelands Commission is comprised served as pastor of Evergreen Baptist County, was appointed to the Pinelands of 15 members. Seven of the members are Church in Palmyra since 1969, during Commission in 2002. Lloyd is a Clinical appointed by the governor, while one is which time the church membership has Professor of Environmental Law at appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the grown from 60 people to more than 400 Columbia Law School. He previously Interior. In addition, each of the seven families. He serves as the Fourth Vice- served for 15 years as Director of the counties in the Pinelands appoints one President of the National Baptist Rutgers University Environmental Law member. Convention and is a member of the Clinic. Lloyd is also General Counsel and Members of the Commission serve stag- Convention's Foreign Mission Board. Dr. past Executive Director of the New Jersey gered, three-year terms and are not paid for Campbell serves as moderator of the Public Interest Research Group. He has their service. Bethany Baptist Association of Southern served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Although the terms of the five nominees New Jersey and is past President of the Committee on Environmental Litigation, have previously expired, all have agreed to Baptist Ministers Conference of and has testified before Congressional and continue to serve on the Commission in a Philadelphia and Vicinity as well as the legislative committees on issues including hold-over capacity. Baptist Pastors’ Conference of Burlington energy conservation, solar power, clean Candace McKee Ashmun, who lives in County and Vicinity. water standards and regulations, freedom Somerset County, has served on the Stephen V. Lee III, who also lives in of information, water supply planning and Pinelands Commission since its creation in Burlington County, was first appointed to conservation, and solid waste. 1979. Ashmun has also served on the State the Pinelands Commission in 1982. A Gov. Codey's nomination of the four Planning Commission and as Executive partner in Lee Brothers, Inc., an 1,800-acre Commission members comes on the heels Director and three-term President of the cranberry and blueberry farm in the heart of his recent appointment of Betty Wilson Association of New Jersey Environmental of the Pinelands, Lee also serves on the to serve as chairperson of the Pinelands Commissions. Ashmun is a trustee of the Board of Directors of Ocean Spray Commission and her nomination for reap- Coalition for Affordable Housing and the Cranberries, Inc. Lee served for 16 years pointment to a second term.

Conservation project in Southern Evesham and Medford progressing

Work continues on an innovative natural a Steering Committee comprised of offi- Since then, the project committees have resource planning project that the cials from Medford and Evesham as well been discussing a series of regulatory and Pinelands Commission launched last year as a representative from the New Jersey non-regulatory preservation strategies in Southern Evesham and Medford town- Department of Environmental Protection designed to respond to the specific charac- ships in Burlington County. and the Pinelands Commission. teristics of the project area. Strategies The southern portions of the two town- The Steering Committee appointed an include a series of zoning changes that are ships include large areas designated under 18-person Project Advisory Committee intended to adjust the land use patterns in the Pinelands protection program for mod- and a 17-person Technical Support Group Medford and Evesham and create the est amounts of residential development. to help guide the Steering Committee’s opportunity for enhanced resource preser- However, data compiled in recent years decisions. The Steering Committee also vation. Non-regulatory strategies generally has shown that the area has a high concen- contracted a project facilitator, who, work- fall into three major categories: land acqui- tration of rare plants and animals. ing with Pinelands Commission staff, has sition, inventory needs and land steward- The Pinelands Commission received a helped guide the project planning process. ship. $73,000 grant from the William Penn Since the Steering Committee’s first meet- The Final Plan for the project area will be Foundation in 2004 to fund efforts to ing in August 2004, the three project com- presented to property owners and other develop a detailed conservation plan for mittees have been meeting regularly. interested parties during a public meeting the 22-square-mile area. A natural resource inventory of the proj- tentatively scheduled for October. Thus far, the Commission has organized ect area was completed in December 2004. The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 4

Challenges, Opportunities Lie Ahead in the Pinelands

By James J. Florio local residents and officials, to make the Foundation has allowed the Pinelands federal legislation and the state’s Pinelands Commission to hire nationally acclaimed The more things change, the more they Protection Act a living document. planning and transportation consultants to stay the same. For me, as sponsor of the federal legisla- help Hamilton Township in Atlantic In 1973, when I was a young New Jersey tion that set Pinelands preservation in County and Winslow Township in Camden assemblyman, the nation experienced an motion and as chairman of the Pinelands County prepare “smart growth” communi- energy crisis caused by an Arab oil embar- Commission, now finishing my three-year ty development plans. go. A frantic public sought “energy inde- term, this is a perfect time to reflect on Meanwhile, a task force of public and pendence” by authorizing oil drilling off what has happened. private partners is near- our coastlines. Any oil found would be Development in the “Development in the ing completion of a proj- transported via pipeline to our refineries on Pinelands has taken Pinelands has taken ect that will be indispen- place where it should – sable as the commission the Delaware River. A route for those lines place where it should -- would be through the Pinelands. and hasn’t where it determines how best to I went off to Congress in 1974, and con- shouldn’t. The fragile and hasn’t where it adjust zoning in the gressional action to stop oil drilling off ecosystems crucial to shouldn’t. The fragile Pinelands. New Jersey was taken. The potential threat supporting diverse These are but a few of to the Pinelands stuck with me, however, aquatic, plant and ani- ecosystems crucial to the coordinated, collab- and prompted my authorship of the federal mal communities have supporting diverse orative steps being taken remained intact. to protect the Pinelands Pinelands legislation, which President aquatic, plant and ani- Jimmy Carter signed into law. The challenge is to for future generations. Sometimes, looking back at “what might keep it that way. That’s mal communities have No shortage of chal- have been” can be cause for regret. But why the Pinelands remained intact. The lenges lies ahead. To that’s certainly not the case with New Commission is leading a meet them, the stewards Jersey’s best-kept, million-acre secret: the team of state, federal challenge is to keep it of the Pinelands will Pinelands. and university scientists that way.” have to keep alive the If those of us who were concerned about in a study of the lessons of the past 25 preserving this magnificent expanse – and Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer that supplies years. That means being forward-looking the drinking water supply that lies beneath water to South Jersey. The aim of this and open to new ideas for furthering the it – had not acted 25 years ago, it’s not hard unparalleled research project is to help pol- goals of the Pinelands Protection Act – to imagine what the area would look like icy-makers determine how much water can particularly those that help to better protect today. It’s not hard to imagine because it be taken from the aquifer without harming water resources, properly manage forests would have looked like so much of New the Pinelands environment and coastal and maintain strong, economically sustain- Jersey that has not been protected. The estuaries; a wrong guess would have pro- able communities. economic boom of the 1980s and 1990s found environmental and economic conse- I’m confident that the Pinelands would surely have resulted in unsustain- quences. Commission will remain dedicated and able development and depleted water sup- Another key element is the $13 million vigilant in its efforts to protect this very plies. Pinelands Conservation Fund established special part of New Jersey. What might have seemed at the time to to sustain important initiatives for years to offer short-term rewards would surely come. This fund will provide much-needed have led to long-term degradation. The support for land-acquisition, applied Pinelands would have lost its character and research and sound community planning. Sub-regional conservation efforts, under- James J. Florio served as New Jersey’s viability – and New Jersey would have governor from 1990 to 1994 and recently been a poorer place for it. (And that’s what taken with the support and assistance of municipal governments in Jackson, completed a three-year term as Chairman would likely have happened in the of the Pinelands Commission. Highlands if the preservation process had Manchester and Barnegat townships, have not recently been set in motion there). But better protected thousands of acres in the the legislative measures taken a quarter- Toms River basin and Ocean Acres area. century ago are not the sole reason the In Burlington County, with help from a Pinelands have escaped sprawl and William Penn Foundation grant, we also overdevelopment. are partnering with Medford and Evesham It has taken the constant vigilance of ded- townships to help protect a 14,000-acre icated staff and members of the Pinelands area adjoining one of the Pinelands’ crown Commission, working hand in hand with jewels: Wharton State Forest. Support from the Geraldine R. Dodge The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 5

16th Annual Pinelands Short Course Continued a Successful Pinelands Tradition Approximately 375 Pinelands enthusiasts, People are drawn to the Pinelands, or The main goal of the Pinelands Short 19 very knowledgeable presenters, Pine Barrens, for many reasons. Course has always been to educate people Pinelands Commission staff, Burlington Some find a sense of wilderness or wild about the importance of the unique natural, County College staff, and volunteers came in the region, while others are intrigued by historic and cultural resources of the together March 5 to the unique flora, Pinelands, while raising awareness and make the 16th annual fauna, habitats and appreciation of the region. Pinelands Short ecology. The Short Course also promotes the Course a great suc- The folklore, leg- ongoing efforts of the Pinelands cess. ends and mysteries Commission, which is charged with pre- The Pinelands of the Pinelands are serving, protecting, and enhancing the nat- Commission contin- a calling for others. ural and cultural resources of Pinelands. ued its partnership After all, when with Burlington you're in the area, County College to there is always a hold the event at the chance to meet the college’s Pemberton Jersey Devil. Township campus for The 16th annual the second straight Pinelands Short year. Maris Gabliks, chief fire warden of the New Course continued Mark your Calendar A longtime partici- Jersey Forest Fire Service, discusses the fire- its long tradition of and Save this Date: pant who has attend- prone ecosystem of the Pinelands during the providing the public well-attended Pinelands Short Course. ed all 16 years of the with an opportunity March 4, 2006 course told event to increase their 17th Annual organizers that he believes this year's pro- knowledge, understanding, and gram was one of the best ever. experiences of the Pinelands. As in the Pinelands Short Course Many attendees noted that they enjoy past, the participants profited from inter- at Burlington County College traveling through the Pinelands on their acting and learning from many of the lead- way to and from the event. ing experts, professionals, and educators in Once more, the college's location pro- the field of Pinelands topics. vides many opportunities for field trips to local Pinelands destinations, giving partic- ipants a chance to experience them first- hand. The course featured 10 new programs, a total that seemed to spur renewed interest in the Short Course from many past partic- ipants. Among other things, the new programs included discussions and presentations on timber rattlesnakes, the Revolutionary War history in the Pinelands and traditional uses of native Pinelands plants. Also, for the first time the course featured a performance by the Sugar Sand Ramblers, who performed traditional Pinelands music. A good sign for the future of the event is that many of the attendees participated in the course for first time. In their evaluations of the course, many people said they enjoyed the program and Hundreds of Pinelands enthusiasts increased their knowledge of and appreciation for the was sure it would not be their last. Pinelands during the event held at Burlington County College’s Pemberton Township campus. The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 6 Zoning Changes in Jackson’s Toms River Basin Approved The Pinelands Commission has approved The re-zoned areas will be re-designated dation to require mandatory clustering of sweeping amendments to Jackson as lower-density Pinelands Forest Area and residential development in a number of Township's land use and development ordi- Rural Development Area. zoning districts. Development will be nance, seeking to better protect the town- In addition to the Villages, approximately directed to the most appropriate locations ship’s natural resources. 760 acres of land will be re-zoned from on a property so that important environ- The changes, which include re-zoning Rural Development to Forest Area and mental attributes on a site are protected. ecologically-important land, are the result about 350 acres along the Toms River will Undeveloped portions of sites will be per- of a special sub-regional conservation be re-zoned from Regional Growth to manently protected through conservation planning project coordinated by the Rural Development. easements. Commission. The zoning changes not only reflect exist- Clustering is an important component of The amendments are the culmination of ing land uses, but also the presence of wet- this conservation plan. It promotes the cre- two years of cooperative work by Jackson lands systems and other environmental ation of greenways and wildlife corridors, Township officials, Commission staff and a conditions. maximizes contiguity of protected lands, team of representatives from non-profit, The Pinelands Commission identified the protects habitat for rare and endangered county, state and federal agencies. Toms River Corridor as a priority because species, provides development opportuni- The success of the Toms River Task of potential threats to high-quality ecosys- ties in the appropriate locations and mini- Force, established by the Commission in tems and the habitat for rare plants and ani- mizes fragmentation of the natural land- April 2003, has set a high standard for mals. scape. future sub-regional conservation planning The zoning in place will better protect Jackson Township officials are to be com- efforts designed to address areas where these important resources and provide mended for stepping up to the plate and potential conflicts exist between Pinelands increased predictability for landowners. making these vital improvements to their development and resource-protection stan- Overall, the amended ordinance will local zoning. Bold changes that protect the dards. result in a net increase of 1,450 acres in the environment are never easy decisions to The changes approved by the Commission Pinelands Forest Management Area, a net make and require significant, detailed implement some of the key recommenda- decrease of 350 acres in the Regional analysis, deliberation and consensus-build- tions of the February 2004 Regional Growth Area and a net decrease of 1,100 ing. Natural Resources Protection Plan for the acres in the Pinelands Village areas. The outcome here will be more sustain- Toms River Corridor. Among them is a Viewed together, the zoning changes able natural resources and a more livable reduction of the Township's three authorized today could result in a reduction community. Pinelands Villages -- Cassville, Legler, of as many as 1,500 future housing units in and Vanhiseville -- by some 1,100 acres to the impacted districts. make them more proportionate to their Another significant change is the imple- existing size and character. mentation of the Task Force’s recommen-

A typical Pinelands meadow near the area known as the former village of “Friendship” located in Wharton State Forest. Photo by Joel Mott The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 7 Pinelands Commission launches redesigned Web site In cooperation with the New Jersey Office of Information Technology, the Pinelands Commission has redesigned and enhanced its Web site. The main goal of this joint project was to upgrade the Commission's Web site to meet the Internet standards, technology, and branding of the State of New Jersey. In addition to those enhancements, the Web site has been designed with the user in mind, providing easy navigation and an abundance of information in a user-friend- ly manner. The redesigned Web site offers a myriad of new features such as detailed fact sheets discussing a variety of Pinelands topics and the new on-line information center, which includes numerous reports, studies, newsletters, status reports, and other valu- able sources of information. The Web site is indexed into nine topical sections, including: Home Page: This page is an instant gate- way to a variety of key information such as how to contact the Commission, employ- Log on to: ment opportunities at the Commission, www.nj.gov/pinelands news and announcements, a calender of events and site map of the entire Web site. Also included are links to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, where Land Use and Planning: This section bolster understanding of the unique and Pinelands license plates can be purchased, guides you to information about how the complex resources of the Pinelands. This as well as access to Open Public Records goals of the Pinelands Protection Program section provides insight into the research Act (OPRA) information and request and the CMP are achieved through the conducted and data collected by the forms and the Pinelands Municipal Office of Land Use and Technology. Commission and its Science Office. Council home page. The navigation index Include here are CMP Amendments, the Information Center: This on-line for the entire site is located on the left- nine Pinelands Management Areas, Land resource is designed to provide visitors hand side of the page. Capability Map, Local Conformance, GIS with access to a wealth of information Pinelands National Reserve: This sec- information, and Special Projects. The about the Pinelands and the endeavors of tion provides information about the make Pinelands Commission is continually the Pinelands Commission, including news up of the reserve, discussing topics such as engaged in various special projects. This releases, fact sheets, annual reports, size, history, people, economy, plants, section will connect you to information newsletters, brochures, maps, studies, wildlife, and climate of the area. Included about the special projects and provide technical guides, the Pinelands Speakers in this section is a summary of the details on opportunities for public partici- Directory, the Commission's on-line Pinelands Comprehensive Management pation in these projects. Curriculum Guides and more than 50 links Plan (CMP). Application Services: This section pro- to other Pinelands-related Web sites. About the Commission: In this section, vides a brief introduction into the process Pinelands Pastimes: This fun-filled sec- you can find information specifically about of filing an application with the Pinelands tion provides information for all ages the Commission as well as Commission- Commission. This section will guide you about Pinelands events, and opportunities sponsored events and meetings. through the decision making process and to enjoy the many treasures of the Municipal Council: Composed of 53 help you decide whether or not you need to Pinelands. Included are helpful tips such Pinelands Area mayors or their designees, apply to the Commission and what fees as the Pinelands Guide to Recreational the Pinelands Municipal Council works would or would not apply to you. Opportunities, Historic Sites, Nature closely with the Pinelands Commission. Application forms can be downloaded Centers, and Field Trips in the New Jersey The Commission sponsors a Web site to from the site and printed out for use. Pinelands and "Take Ten," a listing of five help the Council post announcements and Research and Science: The Commission hiking and biking trails through the meeting dates. is engaged in a host of research projects to Pinelands. The PINELANDER, SUMMER 2005 PAGE 8 Pinelands Excellence Program Update

In January 2005, the Pinelands are developed, the consultant and ment strategies, the consultant will assist Commission received a second grant from Pinelands Commission staff will work the Township to take those actions deemed Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation to contin- with Egg Harbor Township to identify, for- necessary for implementation. ue the Pinelands Excellence Program. This mulate and "fit" the strategies to meet the The issues to be addressed through the program is aimed at building on the initial particular needs of the community. Egg Harbor Township community plan- experience with Hamilton and Winslow In order to ensure community “owner- ning process and the strategies employed township’s Livable Community Action ship,” the strategy identification and devel- in Hamilton and Winslow Townships will Plans. With assistance from nationally opment process must be driven by elected be instructive to growing communities renowned planning and community design officials and residents of the participating throughout the Pinelands. Consequently, at consultants, the Pinelands Commission municipality. the conclusion of the project, the consult- hopes Egg Harbor Township will refine, Regardless of the tools the Township ant will assist the Commission to conduct expand and apply a range of community seeks to implement, it is essential that the two seminars to help educate officials and design tools. The selected planning firm municipality be a full partner throughout community leaders throughout New Jersey will work with the Township to develop all the phases of this project. It will be the about practical and specific solutions to and detail high-priority strategies that may consultant's responsibility to outline an their growth management issues and the include linked open space plan implemen- effective process to accomplish this objec- public process that can be used to help tation, commercial and residential design tive. To ensure broad community support, identify and plan for them. standards and architectural guidelines, as the planning process will provide frequent well as identifying appropriate sites for opportunity for community input as the community facilities. plan evolves. Following the identification Once the community design strategies of specific community design and develop-

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PO Box 7 New Lisbon, NJ 08064 609.894.7300 www.nj.gov/pinelands/ [email protected]

Betty Wilson Chairperson John C. Stokes Executive Director Paul Leakan Editor Joel M. Mott Assistant Editor The PINELANDER Newsletter of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, Summer 2005