From New Jersey's current governor: Highlands Update -- Thank You!

 

 

(Note: This is truly enough to, as they say, 'gag a maggot'. Just look at the use of variations of the word 'protect' and substitute with variations of the word 'control' and you'll see the intent. "The Highlands" is part of The Wildlands Project. The arrogance is unmistakable as he "thanks" New Jersey citizens for "participating in the process." There was no participation. County commissioners have the chance, all over America, to keep "sustainable development" and other global schemes out or to remove them -- these things follow the "Think Global; Act Local" pattern. It is imperative that they do, that they resist the megabucks of grant money being waved under their noses by the EPA: grant money that is taxpayer dollars. It's akin to buying your own hanging rope. This is water control on top of private property control; ranchers and farmers, your water is next. Here in Ohio, we already have the 'siren song' of the EPA and its ostensibly benign "Watershed Protection Group," which bristles with the very same "partners" that were here with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from 1999-2002, seeking to shut down a vast area of Ohio and stop all farming here. Florida, you're staring The Wildlands Project in the fact, under its many stalking horse names: Comprehensive Everglades RESTORATION Project, South Florida Ecosystem RESTORATION, etc. Kansas, they call it the "Buffalo Commons" in your state.)

 

June 11, 2004

 

On behalf of everybody in New Jersey, thank you.

 

After decades of failed efforts, we have successfully protected the drinking water for 4.5 million residents of our state and preserved one of the most beautiful areas of the Garden State.

 

With your support and the leadership of Senator Bob Smith and Assemblyman John F. McKeon, the State Legislature passed our Highlands Protection Act. 

 

This Act – the most important environmental legislation in 25 years – will stop reckless over-development in this vitally important area for New Jersey.

 

We simply could not wait any longer to pass this Act.  The population of the Highlands is growing 50% faster than the rest New Jersey.  As the source of drinking water for half of our state’s residents, we had to act now.

 

The Highlands Act is our latest success in protecting the environment.  In the last two and a half years we have helped preserve 51,000 acres of open space and more than 38,000 acres of farmland.  In addition we have:

 

· Designated C1 water protections around the State, setting the toughest standards for water tables.

· Provided an additional $50 million to protect drinking water, open space, and farms in the Highlands, without increasing the cost to taxpayers.

· Led a lawsuit in conjunction with 13 other states, against the United States Environmental Protection Agency, over rollbacks to the Clean Air Act.

· Developed “Clean Car” legislation that will use California’s Low Emission Vehicle Two standards (LEV-2) – providing New Jersey with one of the cleanest automobile fleets in the nation.

 

Once again I thank you for participating in the process. 

 

I look forward to working with you on critical issues, such as this, in the future.

 

With all good wishes,

James E. McGreevey