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Draft Policy Paper: Environmental Policy—Open Space

Preservation Of Open Space

GPNJ recently joined the efforts of two local coalitions of environmental  groups attempting to preserve open space. The first involves plans by  Wal-Mart to develop land surrounding a local pond.  Some Green activists believe that the pond may be only the first location targeted by Wal-Mart who  may be using that to draw attention away from their actual plans.  According  to "How Wal-Mart is Destroying America," Wal-Mart often has independent  developers purchase lots for "undetermined" retailers.  These developers do  all the research, lobby to change codes, get the variances, and then turn  everything over to Wal-Mart.

The other is a battle to preserve the Hackensack Meadowlands instead of  turning it over to Meadowlands Mills to build a mega-mall. The Meadowlands  continues to be at risk from developers and a state agency which seems  determined to continue facilitating urban sprawl. Incredibly, ONLY 900 OUT OF  ITS 8,500 ACRES ARE PERMANENTLY PRESERVED!

Some federal and state agencies have significant objections to the current  proposals.  Hurricane Floyd and its aftermath show the folly of continued  development in wetlands. More development in wetlands and floodplains means that future flooding can and will be much worse.  Nearly 7,000 people have already signed petitions calling for the establishment of a Hackensack  Meadowlands National Wildlife Refuge and more are signing on each day.

GPNJ and the Bergen County Greens support this effort spearheaded by the  Hackensack Meadowlands Preservation Alliance.  The Alliance seeks to protect  the wetlands of the Hackensack Meadowlands, the ecological heart of the region; direct economic development to existing centers; and prevent sprawl  development in wetlands areas.