South Jersey Bayshore Coalition Positions
Land Use
Sewer Service Areas, May 10, 2011
To NJ Department of Environmental Protection supporting draft mapping for proposed future sewer service areas (SSA) in Salem and Cumberland Counties as a means to recognize and protect the ecological significance of the region and the precious yet vulnerable resources which define it. Also recognizing that SSA extension into environmentally sensitive areas may be appropriate in certain limited circumstances, where necessary to facilitate a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program.
Middle Township materials for Plan Endorsement Jan. 6, 2011
Letter to Office of Smart Growth raising concerns about Middle Township’s efforts to obtain State Plan Endorsement through required updates to the town Master Plan and Land Use Plan. Addressed significant inconsistencies between the Township’s Plan Endorsement and Master Plan objectives, in particular the overall amount of growth and development called for in the proposed plan.
Millville City Plan for Union Lake March 23, 2011
Open letter to Millville Planning Board to commend the Board on its draft land use plan for the 395-acre area on east side of Union Lake. The plan is a fine example of how development and nature protection goals do not need to compete; but can be part of an overall economic strategy.
Millville Lakeshore Conservation District Feb. 19, 2010
Letter to Millville Planning Board providing input on a future land use strategy for the 315 acres of land within the Lakeshore Conservation District. The Coalition firmly believes that the highest and best use for all remaining lakeside lands, including the 60-acre “Bluffs” tract along the southwest shoreline of Union Lake, is public acquisition. If outright preservation of the remaining tract fails to transpire, the Coalition recommends a clustered development plan.
Salem County Improvement Authority Landfill Expansion Sept. 16, 2010
Letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to express opposition to the expansion application of an existing solid waste landfill in Alloway Township. Opposed the proposal to clear and fill a 10-acre stand of mature forested wetlands for the expansion
Open Space Preservation
CELCP Application, Sea Breeze Project Area/Zander Property May 4, 2011
Letter to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in support of NJ DEP grant application to the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) for the acquisition of the T. Zander and Sons, Inc. property to expand Dix Wildlife Management Area in Fairfield Township.
CELCP Applications for Cohansey & Tuckahoe River Greenways, March 30, 2010
Letter to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection supporting for NJ DEP’s grant application to the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program to expand both the Cohansey River and Tuckahoe River Greenways.
Cumberland County Open Space Plan, Feb. 10, 2011
Letter to Cumberland Dept. of Planning and Development commenting on the County Open Space & Recreation Master Plan (OSRMP). Recommends the Green Acres Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Guidelines adhered to in the document and language inserted that accentuates the importance of Cumberland’s open space for forest habitat, biodiversity, wildlife, water quality, recreation and ecotourism dollars.
Species Protection
Habitat Suitability Determination (HSD) Review Process May 12, 2011
Letter to NJDEP regarding Habitat Suitability Determination urging that the process be transparent and provide adequate opportunity for public review and comment with public notice given in the DEP Bulletin.
Regional Protection
Coastal Heritage Trail July 19, 2011
Letter to US Senators and Congressmen from NJ requesting extension of the National Park Service’s (NPS) oversight of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route’s program, currently scheduled to sunset September 30, 2011.
National Heritage Area designation Feb. 12, 2010
Letter to Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Sen. Robert Menendez and Congressman Frank LoBiondo regarding recognition of the South Jersey Delaware Bayshore as a National Heritage Area and asking for support of appropriation and authorization bills that would allow us to conduct a Feasibility Study of a NHA for the region.
Delaware River Dredging Jan. 22, 2010
Letter to Governor Christie opposing the proposed deepening of the Delaware River and applauding Governor’s public statements against the deepening. Asked to pursue litigation that will require the Army Corps to comply with NJ and federal law as it applies to the Deepening.
Energy
Salem Tidal Energy Project Jan. 9, 2011
Letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding Natural Currents Energy Services’ application for a preliminary permit proposing to study the feasibility of the Salem Tidal Energy Project. Asked that FERC require the applicant to adequately address potential environmental impacts of the proposed tidal turbine project to the aquatic environment, surrounding wetlands and wildlife resources.
Potential Land Swap in Lower Alloways Creek, Sept. 8, 2010
Letter to US Army Corps of Engineers with concerns about the Corps’ negotiations with PSEG regarding a land swap so that PSEG could secure title to 84 acres on Artificial Island for the purposes of constructing a new nuclear power plant, (“Salem 4”). The land swap is a major federal action that will affect the human environment and therefore is subject to NEPA.