Vol. 31 No. 2 OOvveerr 2233,,000000 MMeemmbbeerrss iinn NNeeww JJeerrsseeyy April-June 2002

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DATED MATERIAL DO NOT DELAYNonprofit

OrganizationU.S.Postage

PAIDSierra Club

Inside…New Highlands Committee. . . . . . 2Bill Wolfe moves to the DEP . . . . 2Slide Show on Utah Wilderness . . 2Population Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2ATV Wreckreation! . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Editorial: Spot Zoning . . . . . . . . . . 3Pyramid Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Essex Environmental Center . . . . 3Chair’s Message: Drought . . . . . . 3Farmland Protection in NJ . . . . . . 4Eye On Washington . . . . . . . . . 4-5Group News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9Ecological Reconnaissance . . . . . 9Membership Form . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Outings for April-June . . . . . . 10-12Chapter Leader Directory . . . . . . 12

New DEP CommissionerAttends Chapter Meeting

(Continued on page 12)

Bradley Campbell, newly installedCommissioner of the NJ Department ofEnvironmental Protection, was an hon-ored guest at the Chapter ExecutiveCommittee’s monthly meeting on Feb 9,held at Chatham Boro Library.

Jeff Tittel, our Executive Director,introduced Brad as formerly Director ofEPA Region III (Philadelphia), and as“already having attended one more ofour meetings than his predecessor.” Mr.Campbell expressed hope that thiswould be only the first of many chancesto meet. He spoke candidly about themany difficulties he is facing in improv-ing the functioning of the DEP. He alsosaid:

• Enforcement of regulations will bea priority for him.

• He wants to bring together theDEP’s Natural Resources Branch and itsRegulatory elements.

• He is planning a week of press con-ferences to put all issues on the table.

Club members, led by our Chair TinaSchvejda, offered him the services of ourthousands of volunteers, and noted thatwe also network with the members ofmany other environmental organizations.

Conservation Co-Chair Laura Lynch pre-sented Campbell with a freshly preparedsummary of the Chapter’s major issues inNew Jersey [available on the ChapterWebsite], and asked him to select issuesthat we could develop in common.

He responded that he wants initially toidentify a few places in New Jerseywhere we could marshal many resourcesaround a project that would have highpublic visibility, such as a river that

by Gina Corola and Dick Colby

could be made fishable and swimmable,or an urban area with a high rate of childasthma that could achieve better airquality. Some members suggested aHighlands focus, or a Meadowlandsfocus, or making the visual impact oflanding at Newark Airport more like thevisual impact presented at mostEuropean airports.

Steve Knowlton, Chair of the JerseyShore Group, suggested that the DEP tellus how much water we have and letwater supply dictate how much growthwe can have. Campbell replied thatthere should not be an absolute limit togrowth. The water discussion continuedwith the following comments:

• Campbell hopes to promote waterrecycling.

• He suggested using Green Acresfunds to remove pavement to improvegroundwater recharge.

• Jeff Tittel noted that there is nowater planning now.

• Dick Colby reported on a meetingwith a major Sewage Authority at whichthe cost of recycling effluent for irrigat-ing golf courses was deemed prohibi-tive, in part because of unreasonableDEP standards.

Bob Campbell, our Clean Air IssuesCoordinator (and no relation), said thereis no agency of State government advis-ing residents on how to conserve water,and suggested that the DEP should takethe lead. The Commissioner agreed thatcommunication is weak.

Julie Akers, representing the SouthJersey Group, suggested that Earth Day

The Sierra Club has endorsedAssemblyman David Russo (R) for elec-tion to the U.S. Congress in the 5thDistrict (northern edge of the State:much of Warren, Bergen, Sussex andPassaic Counties), in both the June pri-mary and the November general elec-tions.

This is the most important race in NewJersey this year, due to the retirement ofincumbent Rep. Marge Roukema (R), andthe opportunity for the District tochange parties, affecting the delicatenationwide balance in Congress. Asm.Russo is not only the best-qualified candi-date generally but also the only strongenvironmental candidate. We haveworked personally with him in cam-paigns to preserve the Highlands and toprotect our air and drinking water.

According to Jeff Tittel, ChapterDirector, “Dave Russo is not only goodon the issues but he is someone you cantrust and work with, unlike his primaryelection opponent Senator Cardinale,who says he listens but won’t let youspeak.” (Sen. Cardinale recently refusedto let Jeff address his committee!) Incontrast to Cardinale and some othercandidates who didn’t even respond toour questionnaire on environmentalissues, David Russo has always respond-ed, and in fact received our endorsementfor his Assembly race every time he hasrun.

Russo sponsored Assembly bills that ledto the cleanup of underground storagetanks, the preservation of Sterling Forest,

by Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director

We survived the Legislature’s lameduck session in January! The Quarry Billwas stopped for the sixth time. A bill giv-ing towns the right to veto the listing ofmunicipal property for historic preserva-tion passed both houses of theLegislature, but we convinced the ActingGovernors to exercise a pocket veto. Wejoined a coalition that got the PublicAccess to Government Records Billpassed, a major victory for open govern-ment. We ended up doing better thanthe budget!

Governor McGreevey has actually beenappointing environmentalists to key posi-tions, including Curtis Fisher, formerlyDirector of NJPIRG, now the Governor’sPolicy Advisor on Environment andConsumer Affairs; Jeanne Fox, former EPARegion II Administrator, now President ofthe Board of Public Utilities; BradleyCampbell (see story above), and JamieFox, former Chief of Staff to SenatorTorricelli, now DOT Commissioner.

There have also been some setbacks.When Governor McGreevey told hisDepartment chiefs to get rid of non-titledor political positions, the CommunityAffairs Commissioner, Susan Bass Levin,fired the entire professional staff of theOffice of State Planning. Since that deba-cle, the Governor has issued anExecutive Order on Smart Growth that

ASM. DAVID RUSSOENDORSED FOR CON-GRESS IN THE 5TH CDby Rich Isaac, Chapter Political Chair

and campaign finance reform. He was ViceChair of the Assembly EnvironmentalCommittee, working closely with formerAssemblywoman Maureen Ogden to shapeenvironmental legislation. According tothe New Jersey Public Interest ResearchGroup scorecard, Assemblyman Russoscored 89 in 2001 and 100 in 2000, com-pared to Senator Cardinale who scored 55and 63 respectively, and AssemblymanGarrett who scored 40 and 50.

If you would like to volunteer to helpDave Russo win this important election,please call me at my home, 973-716-0297.

View From The Capital: THE NEW ADMINISTRATIONsets up a Smart Growth Policy Council,within the Governor’s Office, to imple-ment the State Plan. This Order will actu-ally do more to implement the State Planthan any action by any previous governor.The Department of Community Affairshas hired back close to 50% of the plan-ners who were let go, and is looking nowto staff the Smart Growth Office. Theunfortunate firings actually moved sprawlfurther up on the Governor’s agenda forhis first year. We went from lemons tolemonade in a matter of a week!

The most pressing issue facing the newAdministration is a $3 billion shortfall inthis year’s budget. Unlike the 1994 budgetin which Governor Whitman cut DEPspending disproportionately, especially inareas of enforcement, this year’s DEP bud-get cuts preserved core programs. Most ofthe cuts are for pork barrel projects suchas $25 million for beach replenishment,$13 million for dam repair, money for theGreen Brook Flood Control Project, dredg-ing of marinas, and $16 million for newsewer plants in Salem County that wouldhave promoted sprawl.

We were able to increase funding forparks from $10 million to $20 million.

The Governor has said he will restoreother programs we feel are important, ifwe can come up with offsettingsavings. The real test will come withnext year’s budget, since the current

estimated shortfall is up to $6 billion.Now let’s consider the changes in the

Legislature. Most strikingly, for the firsttime in many years we have anEnvironmental Committee in theAssembly whose chair and a majority ofmembers have strong environmentalbackgrounds. Many of our bills, that inpast years never even had a hearing,have come out of the EnvironmentCommittee. The Senate will be more of achallenge since there is 20-20 deadlockbetween the parties, but we believe thatwith careful maneuvering there is achance for many environmental bills tomove. We are attempting to forge acoalition between pro-environmentalDemocrats and Republicans to bring ourlegislation onto the floor.

We can still expect many challenges,because the special interests havemoney, power and influence in Trenton.However, for the first time in many yearsthere is a positive framework forchange. There are many good people inpowerful positions, willing to supportus. Club members will still need to helpmake the difference, applauding whenthe Governor and Legislature do theright thing, and blowing whistles (send-ing e-mails, making phone calls, writingletters to editors, organizing delegations,cultivating the media) when they do thewrong thing. Together we can—-do it!

ENDORSED CANDIDATES FORFEDERAL OFFICE

Senate: Sen. Robert Torricelli (D)

NJ-1: Rep. Robert Andrews (D)NJ-2: Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R)NJ-5: Asm. David Russo (R)NJ-6: Rep. Frank Pallone (D)NJ-8: Rep. William Pascrell, Jr. (D)NJ-9: Rep. Steven Rothman (D)NJ-10: Rep. Donald Payne (D)NJ-12: Rep. Rush Holt (D)NJ-13: Rep. Robert Menendez (D)

Full-time position for a crafter and cri-tiquer of State environmental legislationand regulations -- concerned with openspace protection, land use, solid waste,water supply, wastewater treatment, airpollution, other pollution abatement.Also some lobbying, and helping volun-teers with local issues. Send credentialsto Sunil Somalwar (PersonnelCommittee Chair), at address shown onthe leader list (p. 12).

Chapter seeks aPolicy Director

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About 20 members attended the initialmeeting of the Sierra Club HighlandsCommittee, chaired by Bill O’Hearn. RossKushner. (Pequannock River Coalition) andJill H. (AMC) represented their organiza-tions. Betsy Kohn and Ellen Pepin repre-sented North & Northwest Groups. DaveMattek drove up from Central Jersey. Therewas a good mix of seasoned veterans ofpast Highlands campaigns and new faces.

After a round of introductions, Billasked the audience to identify threats tothe Highlands and items promotingHighlands conservation. Two large flip-chart pages were filled. Time (1.5 hrs)

NJWild!, Sierra Club Singles, and theLoantaka Group are co-hosting WildUtah: America’s Redrock Wilderness onMonday, May 13 at Chatham BoroLibrary, located on Rte. 124 in Chatham.The program begins at 7pm and is freeand open to the public.

Wild Utah: America’s RedrockWilderness is a unique multi-mediaslideshow documenting citizen efforts todesignate some public lands as Wildernessin southern Utah’s spectacular canyoncountry and deserts. This 20 minute jour-ney through redrock splendor invigoratesand motivates viewers to participate in themovement to protect these unique lands.Wild Utah: America’s Redrock Wildernesswas made possible through the generousdonation of photos, music and words fromconcerned Utahns who wish to pass thisheritage onto future generations, includinga special reading by Pulitzer Prize winningauthor Wallace Stegner from his famousWilderness Letter.

Sierra Club Highlands CommitteeOff to a Great Start

WILD UTAH:America’s RedrockWilderness

National/International: Editorialsaround the country, such as the one thatappeared on February 6, 2002, in thePittsburgh Post-Gazette, have criticizedthe President for appeasing anti-choicerepresentatives such as Chris Smith (R-NJ, CD-4) who lobbied for nonpaymentof the $34 million in UNFPA fundsauthorized by Congress for family plan-ning around the world. When 97% ofthe world’s population increase will takeplace in developing nations, whoalready suffer unspeakable hardships,this funding is crucial. You can voiceyour concern by calling the WhiteHouse at 202-456-1414. Let thePresident know you want this $34 mil-lion released and that his 2003 budgetneeds to provide increased funding for

family planning rather than the $0 he hascurrently proposed.

Local/State: The contraceptive coveragebills we worked for in the last session ofthe NJ legislature died at the end of theyear. These bills would have requiredhealth plans to cover contraceptives if theyalso covered other medication/medicaldevices. Fortunately, Senator Diane Allen(R-7) and Assemblymen Reed Gusciora (D-15) and Neil Cohen (D-20) immediatelyreintroduced new legislation. Work is pro-gressing on the bills and we will notify youlater in the year about contacting your leg-islators to sign on as cosponsors.

If you would like to be more involvedin population issues, please contact meat (phone) 609-259-6438, or e-mail me atblt44blt@aol.com.

POPULATION ISSUES UPDATEby Bonnie Tillery, Population Issues Coordinator

Last year, the federal government pro-vided New Jersey with $814,000 forRecreational Trails Program projectswith gas tax revenues distributed underthe Transportation Equity Act for the21st Century, or TEA-21. TheRecreational Trails Program providesfunds to the states to develop and main-tain recreational trails and trail-relatedfacilities for both non-motorized andmotorized recreational uses: hiking, bicy-cling, in-line skating, equestrian use,cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle rid-ing, four-wheel driving, etc.

This Program requires that 40 percentof a state’s funds in each fiscal year beapportioned for “diverse” recreational trailuse (mixed motorized and/or non-motor-ized uses), 30 percent for motorized recre-ation, and 30 percent for non-motorizedrecreation. Unfortunately, the rules specifythat if there are insufficient eligible motor-ized projects in a fiscal year, the state mustobligate unused funds for motorized pro-jects as they are developed. And if a statefails to obligate all its funds, then it willlose money in the following years.

Difficult to understand? Well, here inNew Jersey we’ve had insufficient eligiblemotorized projects since the Program wasreauthorized in 1998. There are currentlyonly two legal motorized trail facilities,and these two areas just can’t spendenough money, hard as they try.Motorized vehicles do so much damage tolandscape that last year the New Jersey OffRoad Vehicle Park (NJORV) in Chatsworth(with 3000 members) received $39,000from TEA-21 for “trail remediation and clo-sure,” and the Egg Harbor TownshipPolice Athletic League (PAL) Ridge Avenuefacility (with 200 members) needed andreceived $25,000.

That still left $180,000 unspent of the30 percent motorized use allocation for2001, plus some additional money frompast years, so the Egg Harbor PAL was

granted an additional $194,243 to pur-chase and develop a new motorized trailfacility in the Betsy Scull area, a privatelyowned, undisturbed woods with excep-tional habitat resource values, includingseveral streams and significant wetlands,in the Elwood Wildlife Corridor and inthe federally designated river corridor ofthe Scenic and Recreational Great EggHarbor River.

In order to protect its lands fromsevere damage by renegade motorizedtrespassers, the NJ Department of Parksand Forestry has had the very good senseto prohibit all ATV use in our State parksand forests. But now, with pressure tocapture New Jersey’s fair share of UncleSam’s tax dollars, Parks and Forestry isabout to open State land to motorizedrecreation. And instead of relegatingmotorized users to already severely dam-aged sites like old quarries and sand pits(as is the case with the NJORV and PALlocations), the State is proposing the useof undisturbed, sensitive Green Acreslands in West Milford, and the BetsyScull site in Egg Harbor Township.

So here we have a small minority of allpublic recreationists wanting to tear upnice virgin lands, and promoting themyth that, if they are given more scenic,legal places to ride, then there will befewer law enforcement problems creat-ed by all the illegal riders. Incidentally,law enforcement is not among the per-missible uses for TEA-21 funds.

The NJ Department of Parks andForestry is currently developing a pro-posed policy on the lease of State landfor motorized trails. Hopefully, by thetime you read this, there will be an openperiod for comments, and you will beable to make your voice heard. Pleasecontact me if you need addresses orother help in sending a message. Thefeds have led us into temptation. Will webe delivered from noisy, air-polluting,terrain-destroying motorized vehicles?

UNCLE SAM PAYS FOR MOTORIZEDWRECKREATION IN NEW JERSEYby Fred Akers, Conservation Chair of the South Jersey Group

Jewell

Broker/ Owners – Joyce & Douglas Jewell

Specializing in SALES & SUMMER RENTALS inWildwood Crest, Diamond Beach, North Wildwood and

Wildwood, including the resorts of Seapointe Village,Ocean Place, Diamond View, LaQuinta, …. and more.

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went by quickly, and a number of folksretired to a local pizza place with Bill tocontinue the conversation.

Bill ran a great meeting, supported byTina Schvejda. A fine beginning!

There is now a “Sierra Highlands”unmoderated discussion list-serve for thisCommittee. The list is open to anyonewith an interest in conservation of theHighlands. Anyone may subscribe bysending a blank email to NJ-Sierra-Highlands-subscribe@topica.com.

Next meeting is April 2, 7:30pm,Oakland Library. Bill O’Hearn’s e-mailaddress is: William_OHearn@juno.com

In March, Bill Wolfe, our PolicyDirector, moved office and changedboss. He is now Policy Advisor to thenew DEP Commissioner. Bill has a pro-fessional land-use planning background,and worked for the DEP and the NJEnvironmental Federation before join-ing the Sierra Club's Chapter staff in1997, under our first Director, TimDillingham. He served as our ActingDirector for the four months after Timleft us in 1998. His main job has been tocritically examine proposed State legis-lation and regulations, and to work withlegislators and State employees toimprove environmental protection. Heis admired for his ability to delve intothe fine print. He also joined many land-use battles, including that over theMerrill Lynch site in Hopewell Twp,and that over the Meadowlands Mall.Also, he will be remembered withrespect (if not admiration), for his force-ful participation in debates settingChapter policy on several contentiousissues. We wish him every success.

Commissioner Campbellhires our Bill Wolfe

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Recently the Princeton RegionalPlanning Board voted to approve, “inconcept,” an overlay ordinance to permit“market rate” housing for seniors—thoseover the age of 62, truly youthful seniorsby modern standards—on land previous-ly studied and declared unsuitable forhigh density use, because it is fragile,outlying, and best left as close to naturalas the law allows.

The seniors who will move to thesenew projects on the Princeton Ridge orMount Lucas Road are not objects ofcharity. This is “market rate” housing—itwill cost whatever the market will bear.This overlay zone will be for people of acertain age who can afford costly homeson land that was previously studied anddeclared unsuitable for intensive devel-opment of any kind, whether for seniorhousing or anything else.

The practice of spot zoning hasbecome a trend in New Jersey: known asan “overlay ordinance,” it is betterdubbed an “override ordinance” becauseit overrides the carefully-crafted zonesestablished by law, pursuant to a com-munity’s master plan.

Why is this happening? Because of theclassic response of local politicians toaccommodate a pressure group that is per-ceived to have clout. Will local officialsawaken to what they are doing or willthey enact these override ordinances andleave it to the courts to strike them down?

All communities work best when theywork together, and that’s what the com-prehensive planning process does; nosingle group should get a “veto” to over-ride the public interest—or the zoning

New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic Stateshave been in the grip of a drought for sev-eral years. Hurricane Floyd gave us a“break” a few years ago, but the droughthas continued. Precipitation in the statein October, November and December2001—4.30 inches—was the lowest end-of-year total since records began in 1895.

NJ has received only 66% of normalprecipitation in 2001. The dry conditionsin January and February, 2002, did nothelp the problem.

These are extremely important issuesand facts that face everyone who residesalong the northeastern seaboard. The Mid-Atlantic region has been hit the hardest,and our most-densely populated state is ina critical position. There are too manypeople, without direction from state gov-ernment, trying to use water as if therewere still plenty to spare.

North Jersey receives its drinking waterthrough surface percolation into lakes,streams and reservoirs. The Highlandsregion is the watershed for more than 3million people. Land left in its naturalstate slows and filters water running intolakes, thus helping to insure the futurehealth of this natural system. Withincreased building in the region, land lostto development and more impermeablesurfaces with pavement and roads, wateris lost to reservoirs.

According to the latest soil moisturedeficit statistics from the ClimatePrediction Center, northern New Jerseyrequires 5.47 inches of rainfall to end thecurrent drought. Coastal New Jerseyrequires almost 10 inches of rainfall toend the drought that ranks in the top 5%driest mid-winter seasons on record. Thelong-term Palmer Drought Index ratesthe New Jersey soil moisture conditionas moderate to severe drought.

Southern NJ obtains water from aquifers.People are drinking 30,000-year-old waterfrom deep within the earth. Surface waterquickly runs out to sea. With the entirebuilding bonanza over the last couple ofdecades the ever demanding and increas-ing needs for water are rapidly dwindlingfixed water supply.

The NJ Chapter of Sierra Club feel thatthe DEP needs to take a much closer,and broader, look at water supply issuesin many of its permitting programs. Itmust do far better, especially in coastalzone areas where consumptive use andloss of recharge is a major long run, andin some places immediate, problem.

Due to continued dry weather anddeclining reservoir and stream flow levels,DEP Acting Commissioner Bradley M.Campbell expanded the existing regionaldrought warning to several more coun-ties. “Water supplies are at alarmingly lowlevels for this time of year,” saidCampbell. “We need everyone to takecommon-sense steps to reduce water useand avoid water waste.”

Bill Wolfe, NJ Chapter’s PolicyDirector, stated, “Unless a drought emer-gency is declared by GovernorMcGreevey, the DEP’s powers to managethe problem are limited, particularlyDEP’s ability to restrict water use.”

Wolfe further suggested the following-1) DEP should stop issuing new water

allocation permits;2) DEP should limit new well drilling

permits to only those wells that replaceexisting wells that have gone dry;

3) DEP should review and limit anyextension of existing water supply infra-

Last November 2001, the SierraSingles Section, in conjunction withDave Ogens of the Essex County Groupand the Master Gardeners of Essex, led a“clean-up” of the Environmental Centerin Roseland. Thirty volunteers, alongwith NJIT Water Watch students,cleared trails, chopped dead trees,cleared the children’s jungle gym area,and removed much of the garbage thatlittered the site. In the process, an obsta-cle course, climbing apparatuses, adinosaur fossil display, and many over-grown trails were uncovered. Coffee anddonuts were donated by Starbucks andDunkin Donuts.

One of the intentions of the clean upwas to publicize the neglected Center’sclosure ten years ago, due to budget con-

The Friends of Pyramid Mountain, aconservation group in Morris County,want to protect a 34-acre wetland proper-ty that sits directly between PyramidMountain Natural Historical Area (a MorrisCounty Park) and the Butler Reservoir (apublic drinking water supply).

Since May, 2001, the group has beenmaking pleas to local and State agenciesto protect this “ecological wonderland”which consists of streams, wetlands,forests, rare geological formations,wildlife, and hiking trails. The propertyabuts Pyramid Mountain NaturalHistorical Area and is a critical link in theNJ/NY trail system, which is a main rea-son why the Morris County ParkCommission wants to see it annexed tothe Park.

The Morris County Open Space TrustFund property appears destined for dev-astation, since a developer is close to

Guest Editorial: SPOT ZONINGby R. William Potter, a practicing attorney in Princeton, New Jersey

ordinances enacted from a comprehen-sive Master Plan.

When a town council yields to a spe-cial interest and rezones land to allow adevelopment project otherwise prohibit-ed by the “underlying” zone, it ignorescountless hours spent in devising a com-prehensive plan for the community. Thecourts call that spot zoning and it’s ille-gal because it violates one of the coreprinciples of zoning.

This is the mandate that a town divideland into “zones” in accordance with a“comprehensive plan” for the entirecommunity. Comprehensive planning inturn depends on months of hard work:Inventories of the land and waters.Studies of the “carrying capacity” ofroads and sewers. Consultation with theentire community. Public hearings. It is athoughtful process of “bottom up” plan-ning leading to the land use policieswhich are then enshrined in the zoningcode, as the finished product.

All that is discarded when the overlayordinance arrives, literally to “override”the planning process with new zones tai-lored for specific developments on oneor more sites. Hence the judicial pejora-tive “spot zoning.” The overlay hasbecome the favorite tool of elected offi-cials bent on opening up some of the lastand most fragile land to intensive hous-ing “age-restricted” for senior citizensonly, and not simply the low-income, butthe wealthy, too.

Overlay ordinances should be rejected;they are spot zoning by another name.(The views expressed are Mr. Potter’s;not those of his firm or clients).

Chair’s Message:SEVERE DROUGHT IN NEW JERSEYby Tina Schvejda, Chapter Chair

structure/water lines4) DEP needs to reconsider existing

water allocation permits to prevent thepermit holders from increasing their cur-rent actual water use to their permitteduse without DEP approval;

5) DEP should consider the ecologicaland water quality impacts of inter-basintransfers of water during the emergency.DEP has already reduced minimumriver/stream passing flows - if low flowconditions persist during warm tempera-tures, high nutrient and pollutant levelswill create very bad ecological andwater supply conditions;

6) DEP should work with major usersto mandate water conservation,

7) DEP must better protect wetlandsbecause they store huge amounts of water.

After the emergency is over, DEPshould:

1) develop mandatory and enforceablewater budgets for each watershed;

2) revise/update the 1994 ConsumptiveUse Report and implement its recommen-dations;

3) revise/update the 1996 WaterSupply Master Plan and implement itsrecommendations;

4) develop a planning and permitreview process for water line extensionssimilar to the current waste water infra-structure process;

5) develop and promulgate revisedwater allocation regulations,

6) develop a program that limits devel-opment and new water allocation per-mits and sewer line extensions(Treatment works Approval permits, orWater Quality Management Planapprovals) in deficit watersheds,

7) develop a program that mandatesstorm water recharge,

8) develop a program that mandates ben-eficial reuse of certain wastewaters in cer-tain areas, especially in the coastal plain,

9) greatly limits golf course and otherfrivolous intensive uses,

10) ratchets down on the pollutiondischargers above water supply intakes,

11) protects water supply watershedstreams and reservoirs.

If we don’t implement and enforcemore stringent, stricter laws and per-mits in NJ, our State will be unable toprovide residents with an adequatewater supply for the rest of 2002 andinto the future.

This article was written February, 2002,when we were experiencing a severedrought throughout most of the State.Perhaps by the time you read this commen-tary the situation will have gotten better.

For information on how to conservewater, go to http://sierraactivist.org/website or DEP’s drought web site athttp://NJDrought.org or call 1-800-4-ITS-DRY. The site also links to the USGSweb page and that of the Delaware RiverBasin Commission.

Conservation Action needed toSave a Piece of Morris Countyby Jeff Derwin, member of Friends of Pyramid Mountain

receiving permits to build a housingdevelopment on it.

The New Jersey ConservationFoundation, the Morris LandConservancy, the Morris County ParkCommission, and the Boroughs ofKinnelon and Butler, in conjunctionwith the Friends of Pyramid Mountain,are now making a public appeal tohelp save the property from destruc-tion.

An exciting website with pho-tographs, maps, and other details hasbeen created to help expand publicawareness and promote a call to action,for support of this highlands conserva-tion project named the PyramidMountain Park Extension. Please view itat http://www.kinnelon.com (click thePyramid Mountain banner), or call 973-492-8048 for more information. Time isrunning out!

straints. We hope to revive it to its formerglory. In its heyday, this Center was usedto teach school children about the envi-ronment and biology. Currently this sitelanguishes without staff - although theCounty Parks Department maintains itsbuildings. Sadly, Essex County is the onlycounty in New Jersey that doesn’t have itsown Environmental Center. School busestransport children all the way out to theGreat Swamp in Morris County or SandyHook for field trips. Those Centers arepresently functioning at overcapacity. Webelieve that with enough support ourendeavors will be fruitful.

The Environmental Center, located onthe southern edge of Hatfield Swamp, isuniquely positioned on the Passaic Riversurrounded by hardwood forest to the

Outings Report:REVIVAL OF THE ESSEX COUNTYENVIRONMENTAL CENTERby Joyce Haddad, Outings Chair of the Chapter Singles Section

east and wetlands to the west. It pro-vides a wonderful learning environmentfor students to study these three distinctecosystems. We anticipate involving thelocal colleges and universities to studywildlife habitat and the environment.The site includes 23 acres and severalstructures. The main building, GaribaldiHall, houses a Rutgers’ CooperativeExtension office and has a large meetinghall, several smaller offices, a kitchen

and public bathrooms. The SinglesSection uses the meeting hall for MovieNights and other socials. There is a largegarage where the canoes that the SierraClub uses for their trips are housed. Afew smaller structures are used for stor-age. The Master Gardeners recentlyrebuilt the greenhouse on the propertythat was financed through their fundrais-ing and grant monies.

(Continued on page 9)

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BUSH ADMINISTRATION The League of Conservation Voters

released its 2001 Presidential ReportCard, assigning President George W.Bush a D- for poor environmental perfor-mance during his first year in office. The32-page report grades the administrationon appointments (D), budget (D+), andinitiatives (F) ranging from energy andclimate change (F) to pollution and pub-lic health (D). The report card showsthat corporate interests, and not the pub-lic interest, drive administration policy.

The environment was rarely men-tioned in President Bush’s first State ofthe Union address. The address, whichcame at the end of the President’s firstyear in office, was focused on the waron terrorism.

In response to the address, the SierraClub urged the President to match hiscommitment to safeguard our bordersagainst terrorism with a renewed effortto protect our homeland—and the wildplaces that make it so special—againstpollution, drilling and other develop-ment by the energy, mining, and loggingindustries.

The Bush Administration announcedthat it will no longer consider a business’record of environmental, tax or laborabuses when handing out federal con-tracts, overturning a rule put in place onformer president Bill Clinton’s last day inoffice. Bush’s Office of Management andBudget, which reviews federal rules, hasalso singled out 12 other guidelines onenvironmental protection for change orabolishment.

AGRICULTURECharles Schwab — whose net worth is

estimated to be $4 billion — doesn’thave to foot the entire bill for his privateduck club. He gets plenty of financialhelp in the pursuit of his sport. Last year,he and his family received $564,000 infederal price supports for growing rice.

Despite having a real agricultural econ-omy, New Jersey gets shafted when itcomes to federal aid. A new studyreleased last week shows that, over thepast five years, New Jersey has nettedonly $1 for every $1,580 in federal farm-ing subsidies doled out by Congress.

AIR POLLUTIONThe Bush Administration has given

every indication that it wants to weakenan important law that forces dirty, coal-fired power plants to clean up theiremissions. The prospect of regulatoryrollback has prompted many utilities tosnub a long-standing government pushto install expensive clean-air upgrades totheir old generating plants. Why botherwhen Washington may soon make thecostly rules go away?

ARCTIC REFUGEPresident Bush claimed that America’s

workers support his controversial pro-posal to open the Arctic NationalWildlife Refuge (ANWR) to energyexploration. But conservation groups saymany labor leaders oppose the plan, andthe shareholders of oil giant BP are ask-ing the company to carefully weigh therisks of drilling in the Refuge.

John Hovis, United Electrical, Radioand Machine Workers of America UnionGeneral President, had this to say: “TheBush-Cheney scheme to drill for oil inthe Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and

by Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director

STATE-WIDE WRAPUP

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to encourage oil and gas drilling in othersensitive areas of our country, is no solu-tion. The large energy corporations whohave crafted the Bush-Cheney plan aremerely looking to cash in on their elec-tion ‘investment’ at the expense of theenvironment and consumers.”

The Interior Department has conclud-ed that oil drilling in the ANWR wouldnot violate U.S. treaty obligations to pro-tect polar bears, rejecting at least twodraft reports by its main biologicalagency suggesting otherwise.

BUDGETThe budget released by the Bush

Administration - the nation’s first deficitbudget in four years - is meeting criti-cism from all corners, particularly fromthe environmental community. At apress conference, representatives fromseveral conservation groups denouncedthe financial “shell game” employed bythe administration to fund its priorities.

ENERGYWith war in the oil-rich Middle East

and memories of energy shortages lastyear, President Bush is offering a newbudget that pushes development of moreoil, gas and coal on public lands in theWest.

A federal agency has found that allow-ing a company to drill eight natural gaswells on federal land adjacent to theUpper Missouri River Breaks NationalMonument and within it will have littleenvironmental impact.

The Bush Administration is openingthe red rock country near two of Utah’spopular national parks to oil and gasdrilling, over the objections of some parkrangers in the Southwest and govern-ment scientists.

A proposal to search for oil in the BigCypress National Preserve by detonatingdynamite in 14,700 holes and drilling a11,800-foot exploratory well has won ini-tial approval from the National ParkService.

The Bush Administration appealed afederal court ruling that effectively halt-ed new oil drilling off the Californiacoast by requiring state officials toreview any new exploration plans.

Because of a compromise between theBush Administration and the President’sbrother Jeb, the Governor of Florida, thefederal government will sell leases forpetroleum drilling off Florida for the firsttime in more than a decade.

A dozen years have passed since theExxon Valdez struck Bligh Reef anddumped 11 million gallons of NorthSlope crude into Prince William Sound,in Alaska. But new studies have foundthat oil still fouls some beaches whilecertain species continue to suffer andhave yet to bounce back.

ENRONVice President Dick Cheney said he

would not give congressional investiga-tors records from the Administration’senergy policy development, invitingwhat legal experts say would be thehighest profile court fight betweenCongress and an administration sinceWatergate.

Former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay, afriend and backer of President Bush, gavethe White House recommendations forappointment to a federal energy commis-sion last spring. Bush eventually appoint-ed two of the people on Enron’s list.

President Bush and Vice PresidentCheney have said their refusal to giveCongress information about the adminis-tration’s contacts with energy industryexecutives was based on the executivebranch’s fundamental right to receive“unvarnished” advice from people out-side the government. But two months

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“It’s not how well you farm theland but how well you farm thegovernment.”

In 1935, New Jersey’s first State Planproposed to save 2 million acres of farm-land. In 1998, Governor Whitman pro-posed to save half a million acres offarmland. So far in New Jersey we haveonly permanently protected approxi-mately 150,000 acres of farmland.

Current farmland zoning practices areproducing more houses than crops inour farm fields. When East Amwell andReadington changed from 2 acre to 6acre residential zoning (a change thatreduced the number of new building lotsthat could be put on a farm), the formerSecretary of Agriculture, Art Brown,opposed thechange, andthe FarmBureau joinedwith the NJB u i l d e r sAssociation in a lawsuit to try to stop therezoning. The Vice President of the FarmBureau who sued was just named thenew Secretary of Agriculture.

When Governor Whitman obtainedher open space and farmland legislation,the agricultural community won lan-guage in that legislation that requiresbasing the cost of buying (i.e. protect-ing) land on whatever zoning was inplace in 1998. This year additional legis-lation was passed mandating that landacquisition values be based on whateverwastewater management planning ruleswere in place in 1998. This makes for avery confusing method of appraisals, andalso makes the land more expensive. It’slike trading in your 1998 car this yearand getting the 1998 value of the car.Land should be appraised at fair marketvalue. The net effect of these rigged val-uations is to make the land more expen-sive: for a fixed appropriation of openspace dollars, it means we save less land.

Another program that is supposed tohelp save farmland is the FarmlandAssessment Program. Any property inNew Jersey that is five acres or larger,and produces $500 worth of income peryear, can get a tax break. Such lands areassessed at only 5% of their marketvalue. This tax break results in over $250million a year in revenue loss to munici-palities alone. The program is used bymany developers to bank land for years -until they are ready to build. 14 of the 18largest farmers in New Jersey are devel-opers or real estate speculators. In somecounties half of all farmland is owned bydevelopers and real estate speculatorstaking advantage of a Program that issupposed to protect farmers, but isinstead used to protect developers.When they convert this land to develop-ment they pay virtually no penalty. Ofthe remaining farmers, 25% of thosereceiving Farmland Assessment are “gen-tlemen farmers” — estate owners sellingwood or hay to neighbors.

Most people think that farms arebenign to the environment. This mayhave been true 100 years ago, but todayfarms use a tremendous amount of ener-gy, water and chemicals. Yet most envi-ronmental protection laws and regula-tions either exempt farms or permit self-regulation. For example, cranberry grow-ers in the Pinelands who apply fertiliz-ers, pesticides and herbicides areexempt from surface water quality stan-dards. According to the USGS, nitratelevels in South Jersey wells are the high-est in the country. Almost all thosenitrates come from farms. The worst vio-lator of clean water standards in NewJersey is a farm in Hunterdon County.There are no limits on the amount ofgroundwater that can be withdrawn forfarm irrigation and this has led to thedepletion of aquifers in many parts of

New Jersey. There are also specialexemptions for the agricultural industryin New Jersey’s Freshwater WetlandsLaw, such as the one that allows destruc-tion of 10 acres of wetlands per year toexpand a cranberry operaon.

The farm lobby is one of the mostpowerful in the State, due not only to itsown power but to its alliances with theNJ Builders Association, the chemicallobby, realtors and other groups thathave historic anti-environmental records.Earlier this year it worked with thechemical industry and the builders topass legislation that prevents municipali-ties from having standards stricter thanthe DEP’s when it comes to cleaning upfarmland contaminated by historic pesti-

cide use, suchas arsenic. TheDEP regula-tions werewritten by thea g r i c u l t u r a l

industry. The Farm Bureau is more pro-development even than the BuildersAssociation. Many towns that try to planand zone to save farmland have seen thewrath of the farm lobby. Harassment,intimidation and threats are all tacticsthat have been used to stop towns fromdownzoning. It opposed the State Planthe first time around; it opposed preser-vation in the Highlands; it opposedstrengthening the watershed rules; andit opposed TDR legislation.

The Secretary of Agriculture is notpicked by the Governor (with adviceand consent of the Senate), but rather isappointed by the State Board ofAgriculture. According to the NewJersey Law Journal, “this arrangementturns the New Jersey constitutionalstructure on its head.” It’s like theChemical Industry Council appointingthe DEP Commissioner. The Board ofAgriculture also directs agriculturalresearch at Cook College and has usedits power to block environmentalresearch on the impacts of farming.

The Sierra Club wants to protect farm-ing in New Jersey. We desire to changethe Farmland Assessment Program asother states have done so that only realfarms qualify. (For example, in NewYork State you need 10 acres and $5,000worth of farming income to qualify.)When farmland goes to developmentthere should be a stiff penalty, such asthe imposition of full taxes for the previ-ous 10 years, and with those moneysgoing to the Farmland AcquisitionProgram. We would like to see zoningdensities that protect the viability of agri-culture rather than promote develop-ment, such as the AgriculturalPreservation zoning in the Pinelands.Another option, used by Maryland’sAgriculture Protection Area, permits aproperty owner either to sell develop-ment rights or transfer developmentrights to a growth area. New Jersey des-perately needs legislation to allow trans-fer of development rights. Farms andagri-business should have to complywith the same environmental protectionrules and regulations that apply toeverne else, and enforcement should beby the DEP. We need a Secretary ofAgriculture picked by the Governor(with the advice and consent of theSenate), who is answerable to the peo-ple rather than to the farm lobby. TheBoard of Agriculture should include rep-resentatives from consumer groups,environmental groups and farm workers.According to the US Department ofAgriculture, we are losing farmlandfaster today than at any time in ourState’s history, and twice as rapidly asany other state. Unless we work tochange the way we do business, thenext generation of children will have togo to the mid-West to see a farm.

by Dennis Schvejda, Chapter Conservation Co-Chair and Federal Issues Coordinator

EYE ONWASHINGTON

The Sierran’s Quarterly ReportOn Major Environmental

Issues Before The U.S. Congressand Federal Agencies

“Many towns that try to plan and zoneto save farmland have seen the wrath ofthe farm lobby. Harassment, intimidation

and threats are all tactics...”

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ago, the Bush Administration authorizedthe release to Congress of thousands of e-mail communications by senior WhiteHouse officials in the Clinton administra-tion, including messages sent by outsideadvisers and senior aides to VicePresident Al Gore.

Sixty-seven percent of Americansbelieve the Bush Administration is eitherhiding something or lying about its rela-tionship with Enron Corp., up from 53%the week before, says a CBS-New YorkTimes poll.

The public could soon learn howmuch influence Enron CEO Ken Lay andother power-company executives had inghostwriting the Bush Administration’senergy plan. After numerous attempts byCongress and others to find out howmuch influence polluting industries hadin drafting the energy plan, the SierraClub filed a suit against Vice PresidentCheney’s Energy Task Force, which pre-pared the proposal.

EPAA federal judge has temporarily halted

a Bush Administration plan to reshufflethe office of the EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s hazardous wasteombudsman.

There has been a steep decline in envi-ronmental enforcement during PresidentBush’s first year in office, according tofigures released by Public Employees forEnvironmental Responsibility.

The computer model the EPA uses todecide whether homes are dangerouslycontaminated with industrial solventfumes seriously underestimated the riskin one Denver-area home and probablyin hundreds of cases across the country.

The EPA has announced that the feder-al government will not regulate levels ofdioxin in sewage sludge that is incinerat-ed or placed in sludge landfills or con-tainment ponds.

Anthrax may get ink, but every day850,000 U.S. facilities use dangerouschemicals. More than 7 billion pounds ofthem end up in the environment.

FORESTSThe Bush Administration wants

Congress to approve a plan for “charterforests,” a new category of federal forestland that would be managed locally.Some Democrats and conservationistsworry it’s an attempt to circumvent envi-ronmental protections. They’re alreadyupset that the Bush administration isrevising Clinton-era forest policies,including the “roadless rule” that protect-ed more than 58 million acres from mostlogging and road construction.

The U.S. Forest Service sometimes usesfederal funds provided under theNational Fire Plan for non-fire relatedprojects, finds a new report by the U.S.Department of Agriculture’s Office ofInspector General.

GENETIC ENGINEERINGIn a victory for companies that devel-

op genetically modified plants, the U.S.Supreme Court ruled that seeds and seed-grown plants can be patented.

While the Nation’s attention was occu-pied by war and terrorism, US scientistsquietly conducted the world’s first con-fined field test of a genetically modifiedinsect.

JUDICIARYIn the first year of Bush’s presidency,

environmental protections have taken aback seat to industry concerns, accord-ing to attorneys who represent environ-mental groups in court. “Under thisAdministration the courts have becomethe forum of choice for rolling back envi-ronmental protections,” said EarthjusticeExecutive Director Buck Parker.

Federal agencies have flouted a GulfWar-era law requiring most of theirnewly purchased vehicles to run on alter-native fuels, environmental organizationscharge in a lawsuit. The suit filed in SanFrancisco federal court accuses 18 feder-al agencies of failing to follow the 1992Energy Policy Act, signed by then-President George Bush. The act was sup-

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posed to reduce America’s dependenceon oil by encouraging use of other fuels,such as natural gas.

The nomination of a Pennsylvania dis-trict court judge by President. Bush tothe U.S. Court of Appeals for the ThirdCircuit is being challenged by 27 nation-al environmental and community groups.They claim that, as a district court judge,D. Brooks Smith handed down rulingsthat favored industry interests over envi-ronmental protection and public health.

MILITARYAfter years of denying any link

between illness and service in thePersian Gulf war, military officials saidthat veterans of the conflict were nearlytwice as likely as other soldiers to sufferALS, the fatal neurological illness knownas Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The U.S. Navy and the National MarineFisheries Service have released a reportacknowledging the role that the Navy’sexperimental sonar played in the deathsof 17 marine mammals in the Bahamaslast year. The report is the agency’s firstofficial admission that sonar may con-tribute to whale beachings.

MININGFederal regulators approved the largest

railroad construction project in modernhistory, a 900-mile $1.4 billion line tohelp move Wyoming coal to powerplants in the East and Midwest.

The day after Christmas, officials of theU.S. Forest Service and the state ofMontana approved a plan by SterlingMining Co. to build Rock Creek mine. Ittook 14 years to win approval, but thebattle is far from over. It’s a battle worthfighting. Sterling would create a 500-acreindustrial site in the midst of Montana’sCabinet Mountain Wilderness. Thosewho discover it, like Theodore Rooseveltmore than a century ago, are awed by itsscenic grandeur. This place was amongthe first 10 areas officially protected aswilderness by action of Congress.

Charging that new BushAdministration rules governing hard-rockmining on public lands will stick taxpay-ers with cleanup costs for toxic messes,environmentalists sued to block the reg-ulations from going into effect.

The Bush Administration will lift atwo-year moratorium on new miningclaims on more than 1 million acres offederal lands in southern Oregon. TheClinton Administration ordered the tem-porary ban last year to foster a debateover a new national monument.

NUCLEARThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission

has failed to adequately ensure that own-ers have enough money to safely own,operate and later decommission nuclearpower plants, a Congressional reviewsays.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abrahamselected Nevada’s Yucca Mountain, 90miles northwest of Las Vegas, as the finalresting place for tens of thousands oftons of nuclear waste.

National environmental, public inter-est, and safe energy organizations blastedAbraham’s recommendation that YuccaMountain be developed into the coun-try’s repository for high-level atomicwaste. Citing intense earthquake and vol-canic activity at the site, the risks oftransporting the highly radioactivewastes cross-country, as well as the pro-posed dump’s huge and still rising costs,the groups charged that Abraham’s rec-ommendation is based on politics, notscience.

The Energy Department plans to askpermission to dispose of nuclear waste atYucca Mountain before it has finisheddesigning the repository, and it hopes tobegin burying the waste long before itknows how to seal the tunnels, depart-ment officials said in testimony before anindependent science advisory panel.

A panel of scientists says the EnergyDepartment’s plan is fraught with uncer-tainties. They say that, no matter wherethe waste is put, it will be impossible toavoid unexpected problems over the

more than 10,000 years the material willbe highly radioactive.

PUBLIC LANDSA federal judge Thursday upheld

President Clinton’s creation of six nation-al monuments in Arizona, Colorado,Oregon and Washington, ruling theywere valid exercises of a 95-year-old law.

Internet access to the U.S. Departmentof the Interior across the country, includ-ing e-mail and Web sites, was shut downfor several months by a federal judgewho said the action was needed to pro-tect hundreds of millions of dollars in agovernment-run trust for NativeAmericans.

President Bush is said to be consider-ing for an Interior post the executivedirector of the Cody, Wyoming,Chamber of Commerce, who is also aformer aid to Dick Cheney and an out-spoken opponent of Yellowstone’ssnowmobile ban.

A federal review of snowmobile use inYellowstone and Grand Teton NationalParks has found little evidence to chal-lenge a Clinton Administration decisionto ban the machines because of theirimpact on the environment.

Wholesale killing of coyotes andmountain lions, and opening up protect-ed areas to new power transmissionlines, could now be allowed in Arizona’sfive recently created national monu-ments under a new policy quietly issuedlast month by Interior Secretary GaleNorton.

TOXICSThe Bush Administration is consider-

ing allowing data from human testing oftoxic pesticides to be part of regulatorydecisions, a step that would run counterto a Clinton Administration scientificadvisory panel. Critics say it would vio-late the Nuremberg Code adopted afterWorld War II.

WATER POLLUTIONAccording to the EPA, more than 1.2

trillion gallons of untreated sewagepours into waterways each year fromaging sewer systems designed to over-flow when it rains.

The Bush Administration weakenedseveral rules designed to protect thou-sands of streams, swamps and other wet-lands from destruction through theClean Water Act, despite opposition tothe changes from two of its own envi-ronmental agencies.

CONGRESSARCTIC REFUGE

If Congress approves drilling for oiland gas in the ANWR, it will be breakingwith government practice of the last 35years, which has limited when drillingmay occur in refuges, the GeneralAccounting Office has concluded.

As the Senate debates the patrioticmerits of drilling for oil in Alaska’sANWR, a new report by BP PLC docu-ments widespread operational problemsat its giant oil field in neighboringPrudhoe Bay.

The Senate overwhelmingly opposedthe latest attempt to drill in the ANWR,by a vote of 94-1. Offered by Minority

Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.), the amend-ment was contained in the House-passedenergy bill (minus the $33 billion inenergy subsidies) along with a moratori-um on human cloning. The measurewould have done nothing to aid con-sumers, was a threat to the environment,and offered false promises of nationalsecurity. Senator George Allen (R-VA),cast the lone affirmative vote.

ENERGYGovernment subsidies to oil, coal and

nuclear power industries could double ifthe Senate passes the House energy bill(H.R. 4), according to a report releasedby the Green Scissors Campaign.“Running on Empty: How Environ-mentally Harmful Energy SubsidiesSiphon Billions from Taxpayers” detailsnew and existing subsidies to oil, coal,gas and nuclear power industries thatwould total $62 billion over the next 10years.

New wind farms installed across theUnited States in 2001 will produceenough electricity to power 475,000average American households, accordingto a year end analysis by the AmericanWind Energy Association. It was a recordyear, but the ongoing Congressional bat-tle over an economic stimulus packagehas stalled renewal of the wind produc-tion tax credit, stranding hundreds ofmillions of dollars in wind power invest-ments in states like Montana, Oregon,South Dakota, and West Virginia.

NUCLEARThe House passed H.R. 2983, a bill to

reauthorize the Price-Anderson Act until2017, by voice vote. The act limits thefinancial liability of nuclear power plantoperators in the event of a major acci-dent or terrorist attack.

PESTICIDESA congressional committee has killed

legislation seeking to protect publicschool children and staff from certainpesticides. The provision was backed byDemocrats, the nation’s largest teachersunion and even a pesticide group, but itwas opposed by Republicans and theNational School Boards Association, waryof jurisdictional disputes and the possi-bility of costly, and unfunded, mandates.

TRADEThe House of Representatives voted to

approve “Fast Track,” H.R. 3005, by avote of 215 to 214. Specifically, H.R.3005 would allow trade deals to includeprovisions like Chapter 11 of the NorthAmerican Free Trade Agreement. Theseconditions encourage “regulatory tak-ings” claims by foreign companies, andthreaten hard-won laws and regulationsthat protect citizens and naturalresources. Additionally, the bill would donothing to prevent countries from lower-ing their environmental standards to gainunfair trade advantages.

Voting NO for New Jersey (FOR theenvironment, against Fast Track):Andrews, Holt, LoBiondo, Menendez,Pallone, Pascrell, Payne, Rothman, Smith.Voting YES, against the environment:Ferguson, Frelinghuysen, Saxton. Did notvote: Roukema.

Group NewsFrom around the state

HOW TO IDENTIFY YOURGROUP (BY COUNTY)

NNoorrtthhwweesstt JJeerrsseeyy GGrroouupp:: Sussex & WarrenHHuunntteerrddoonn CCoouunnttyy GGrroouupp:: HunterdonNNoorrtthh JJeerrsseeyy GGrroouupp:: Passaic & BergenRRaarriittaann VVaalllleeyy GGrroouupp:: Somerset & MiddlesexWWeesstt JJeerrsseeyy GGrroouupp:: Gloucester, Camden & BurlingtonSSoouutthh JJeerrsseeyy GGrroouupp:: Atlantic,Cp May,Cumblnd,Salem

EEsssseexx CCoouunnttyy GGrroouupp:: EssexHHuuddssoonn GGrroouupp:: Hudson & SE BergenLLooaannttaakkaa GGrroouupp:: Morris & UnionJJeerrsseeyy SShhoorree GGrroouupp:: Monmouth & OceanCCeennttrraall JJeerrsseeyy GGrroouupp:: Mercer

These designations are approximate: members are welcome toparticipate in whichever Group(s) they find convenient

Northwest Jersey Group(Sussex and Warren Counties, approximately)

WWeebb ssiittee:: hhttttpp::////ppeeppiinn..hhoommee..aatttt..nneett. We are also accessi-ble from the NJ Chapter Web site.

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::CChhaaiirr:: Ellen Pepin 973-252-5137

epepin@worldnet.att.netVViiccee CChhaaiirr:: Joseph Pepin 973-252-5137

pepin@worldnet.att.netTTrreeaassuurreerr:: Donna Rubin 973-726-9278SSeeccrreettaarryy:: Debbie Hambright 973-729-8015PPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Dean Shemenski 908-684-1515

dshemenski@billbehrle.comPPuubblliicciittyy CChhaaiirr:: Claire Cifelli 973-726-8606OOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: Jim Palmer 908-852-6966

CCaallll ttoo AAccttiioonn:: Northwest New Jersey needs a strongSierra Club to protect its environment from the chal-lenges of increasing over development. We need tohave the commitment and talents of all of our members.We have a need for people to help us in our conserva-tion efforts and we also need the help of people whoare willing to serve as outings leaders. We would alsolike to see more people attend our monthly meetings.Come and meet your fellow Sierra Club members.

LLOOCCAALL IISSSSUUEESS::RRoouuttee 1155 WWiiddeenniinngg:: from Wharton to its terminus atRte. 206. The widening will not only disturb the centralpart of the highlands, but will lead to more sprawldevelopment and more congestion. Anyone interestedin helping please call Ellen Pepin.

HHiigghhllaannddss PPrrootteeccttiioonn:: A new Highlands Committee hasbeen formed to seek protections for this valuableresource. If you are interested in helping please callEllen Pepin.

MMEEEETTIINNGG SSCCHHEEDDUULLEE::Our general meetings take place on the THIRDWEDNESDAY of each month in Sparta. Meetings are at8pm. Please call for the meeting place. The next generalmeetings will be:

AApprriill 1177:: Hamburg Mountain: Dennis Miranda will talkabout the latest happenings concerning the Intrawestdevelopment on Hamburg Mt. He will also talk aboutthe wildlife of the area.

MMaayy 1155:: Endangered Species: We will have a representa-tive of the NJ Division of Fish Game and Wildlife who willgive us a presentation on the endangered species of NJ.

JJuunnee 1199:: The topic is TBA. Please call or go to our web-site for further information.

Hunterton Group - Newly Forming!(Hunterdon County, approximately)

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::AAccttiinngg CChhaaiirr:: Ruth Prince 908-284-9103

The Hunterdon County group has just formed, followinga unanimous vote by the Chapter Executive Committeeon November 10, 2001. Our meetings take place at 7pmon the THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month at theFlemington Public Library, 118 Main St at the corner ofMaple Ave. and Main St, Flemington.

UUppccoommiinngg mmeeeettiinnggss aarree sscchheedduulleedd ffoorr::AApprriill 1177,, MMaayy 1155,, JJuunnee 1199

Our group membership is currently concentrated inRaritan and Readington Townships, with some membersfrom Clinton Township. In order for our group to betteraddress all of Hunterdon County’s issues, we requestand encourage members from other Hunterdon CountyTownships to join us at our meetings. Please also feelfree to email the acting chair, Ruth Prince, at princepho-to@sprintmail.com.

LLOOCCAALL IISSSSUUEESS::The proposed expansion of Soleberg Airport inReadington Township, funded by the New JerseyDivision of Aeronautics, is a critical issue for the County.While this privately owned airport currently occupiesonly 57 acres, the private owner’s complete holdingsare 726 acres. The owner has been attempting toexpand since 1969. The acreage includes state-endan-gered grassland habitat - which supports state-endan-

gered avian species, as well as wetlands and other envi-ronmentally sensitive elements. Readington Townshiphas so far worked very hard to maintain its rural and his-toric character, and has been very aggressive in acquir-ing farmland and open space. The Township Committeehas attempted to negotiate fairly with the owner, toacquire the property at fair market value and allow thecontinued use of the airport for recreational aircraft,under municipal control. The owner appears intent onrunway expansion, which in the short term will invitebusiness jets, larger aircraft and helicopters. In the longterm, the acreage could be used for the many types ofcommercial development that accompany airportexpansions. Note that both the LaGuardia andMorristown Airport sites are less than 700 acres.

Our Group’s focus will be to encourage more balancedmedia coverage of this issue via press conferences andeditorials, support and encouragement of theReadington Township Committee’s eminent domainapproach, community outreach, and participation in thepublic hearings. The Raritan Valley Group will be join-ing us in this important endeavor.

We continue to be involved in the Raritan Townshipproposed re-zoning of the Flemington Fairgrounds. Theunique zoning designation being proposed could beused elsewhere in the Township to the advantage ofdevelopers. We support the Citizens for Parkland law-suit against the Raritan Planning Board, and will contin-ue to apply pressure to avoid further development andsprawl in our “hotbed of development” Township.

TTRRAAIINNIINNGG aanndd OOUUTTRREEAACCHH::We plan on membership drives to increase our effec-tiveness in the County. We will also pursue trainingfrom our more seasoned Chapter members to increaseour effectiveness. We will be conducting some educa-tional outreach in the warmer months, to include aworkshop on sustainable and pesticide-free gardeningand landscaping. We also hope to put together a streamcleanup with a watershed association in the county.

North Jersey Group(Northern Bergen and all of Passaic Counties,approximately)

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::GGrroouupp CChhaaiirr:: Betsy Kohn 201-461-4534

BetsyKohn@aol.comVViiccee CChhaaiirr:: Hugh Carola 201-692-8440

HCarola@aol.comCCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CCoo--CChhaaiirrss:: Tom Thompson 201-848-1080

etrans743@aol.comand Alexandra Sola 201-229-9638

MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp CChhaaiirr:: Ellen Friedman 201-587-1263EFrie@rcn.com

PPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Sue Hinsman 973-636-9166suzieq@att.net

OOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: Kerry Millerksmiller2@juno.com

SSeeccrreettaarryy:: Sue Hinsman 973-636-9166suzieq@worldnet.att.net

TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Mary Ellen Shaw 201-489-1588MaryEllenShaw@msn.com

HHiigghhllaannddss CCoommmmiitttteeee:: Bill O’Hearn 973-962-0562william_ohearn@juno.com

Invitation for all to attend an award ceremony andhike for Bergen County Executive Pat Schuber.

Date: June 1, National Trails Day Place: Ramapo Reservation (by Scarlet Oak Pond)Time: 10:30 am Award and tree planting ceremony for various Bergen

officials at 10:30 followed by a hike for all who attend.For more information, contact Tina Schvejda.

EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE AANNDD CCOONNSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::Held at 7:30 pm on the THIRD MONDAY of the month

PPaaggee 66 TThhee JJeerrsseeyy SSiieerrrraann:: AApprriill--JJuunnee 22000022

RReeccyycclliinngg ttiipp:: ttaakkee eemmppttyy sshhooppppiinngg bbaaggss bbaacckk ttoo tthhee ssttoorree aanndd rreeuussee tthheemm..

at a location and time to be determined. Contact BetsyKohn, Hugh Carola or Tom Thompson (see above) formore information.

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::For the convenience of members, general meetings areheld twice a month in two different locations — on theSECOND THURSDAY at the Flat Rock Brook NatureCenter, 443 Van Nostrand Avenue in Englewood, 201-567-1265; and on the THIRD THURSDAY at the OaklandPublic Library, Municipal Plaza in Oakland, 201-337-3742. The meetings begin at 7:30 pm. Programs andlocations are indicated below.

AApprriill 1111:: (Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Englewood):“Tropical Ecology: Rainforests of the Amazon and CostaRica” - slide presentation by naturalist and hiker PeterKukle, based on his experience in these regions. Withspecial attention to the vegetation, wildlife (especiallymonkeys and birds), and problems of deforestation.

AApprriill 1188:: (Oakland Public Library): “Tropical Ecology:Rainforests of the Amazon and Costa Rica” (see above,Apr 11).

MMaayy 99:: (Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Englewood):“Campaign to Close Indian Point” - presentation by KyleRabin of the Hudson Riverkeeper about efforts to shutdown the nuclear plant, pending a full review of its vul-nerabilities to terrorist attacks, its security measures andevacuation plans. With some 20 million people locatedwithin a 50-mile radius of the plant, many New Jerseycommunities can play a key role in this campaign.

MMaayy 1166:: (Oakland Public Library): Program to bearranged.

JJuunnee 1133:: (Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Englewood):“Fixing Mass Transit in North Jersey (so folks will gladlyleave their cars at home)” - a presentation by RalphBraskett of the Committee for Better Transit about whatrealistically can be done to build a European-style inte-grated public transit system. With a review of theregion’s transportation history, public and private opera-tors, decision-making, and future plans.

JJuunnee 2200:: (Oakland Public Library): “Fluttering Gems ofNew Jersey,” presented by Chris Williams of the NorthAmerican Butterfly Association.

OOPPPPOORRTTUUNNIITTIIEESS FFOORR VVOOLLUUNNTTEEEERRSS TTOO HHEELLPP WWIITTHHCCOONNSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN IISSSSUUEESS AANNDD PPOOLLIITTIICCAALL EENNDDOORRSSEE--MMEENNTTSS:: We are currently working to protect SterlingForest, the Ramapo Watershed, the NJ Highlands, andthe Meadowlands, and to keep commuter ferries andbuses out of Palisades Interstate Park, and to save theHackensack River’s Van Buskirk Island as a passive park.We are also meeting with candidates for public office aspart of Sierra Club’s political endorsement process. Ifyou would like to become more active and help withthese efforts or with other issues, e.g., air or water quali-ty, endangered species, transportation or environmentaljustice, please contact Betsy Kohn, Hugh Carola or TomThompson (see above).

HHIIGGHHLLAANNDDSS CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE:: If you are interested in pro-tecting the NJ Highlands from inappropriate develop-ment, come to a Highlands Committee meeting. Tolearn more, please contact Bill O’Hearn, HighlandsCommittee Chair at 973-962-0562 orwilliam_ohearn@juno.com

EE--MMAAIILL NNOOTTIICCEESS:: If you would like to receive notices ofmeetings, hikes and issue alerts, send your e-mailaddress to BetsyKohn@aol.com. Please note: your e-mailaddress will not be shared with anyone else.

Hudson-Meadowlands Group(Hudson County and southern Bergen County:Lyndhurst, Rutherford, East Rutherford, Carlstadt,Ridgefield, Edgewater, Cliffside Park and Fairview)

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS ((PPrroovviissiioonnaall))::CChhaaiirr:: Steve Lanset 201-860-9870

slanset@hotmail.comVViiccee CChhaaiirr Louise Taylor 201-224-3754&& MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp:: l.g.taylor@erols.comPPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Bob Honsinger 201-886-0919

lcrb@worldnet.att.netTTrreeaassuurreerr:: R. Jim Legge 201-876-1734

rjlegge@hotmail.comSSeeccrreettaarryy:: Tina Munson 201-941-5784

artina@rcn.comPPrrooggrraammss CChhaaiirr:: Joy Brown 201-886-8107OOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: Doug Held 201-610-9541

drichardh@hotmail.com

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: AApprriill 2222:: At St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church, ParishCenter, 8th and Washington Sts., Hoboken, 7:30 pm.Topic to be announced.

GGrroouupp mmeeeettiinnggss ooffffeerr iinntteerreessttiinngg ssppeeaakkeerrss,, iinnvvoollvveemmeenntt,, ffeelllloowwsshhiipp,, aanndd uussuuaallllyy ffoooodd!!

TThhee JJeerrsseeyy SSiieerrrraann:: AApprriill--JJuunnee 22000022 PPaaggee 77

(Continued on page 8)

Loantaka Group(Morris and Union Counties, approximately)

wweebb ssiittee:: wwwwww..eennvviirroowweebb..oorrgg//nnjjssiieerrrraa//llooaannttaakkaa

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::GGrroouupp CChhaaiirr:: Paul Sanderson 908-233-2414

paulmsanderson@aol.com TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Jack Kopp 732-381-4919

jmk259@home.comSSeeccrreettaarryy:: Gail Chase 973-267-5769

chasegail@aol.comCCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn::MMoorrrriiss CCoouunnttyy:: Open Position. If you are interested,

call Paul Sanderson.UUnniioonn CCoouunnttyy:: Open Position. If you are interested,

call Paul Sanderson.HHiigghhllaannddss CCoooorrddiinnaattoorr:: Phil L’Hommedieu 973-425-2808

plhommedie@aol.comLLeeggiissllaattiivvee CChhaaiirr:: Ken Johanson 908-464-0442

kjohan@home.com PPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Meiling Chin 908-490-1054

chinmeiling@yahoo.comPPrrooggrraammss && CCaalleennddaarrss:: Bob Johnson 908-771-9676

robert.johnson@comcast.netMMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp:: Open position. If you are interest-

ed, call Paul SandersonPPuubblliicciittyy CChhaaiirr:: Janice La Gala 973-895-2143

jlagala@cs.com (before 9pm)GGrreeeennbbrrooookk:: Bob Muska 908-665-2296

rmuska@erols.comIInnvvaassiivvee PPllaannttss:: Franz Leinweber 973-328-4625

fjleinweber@aol.comAAiirr QQuuaalliittyy: Bob Campbell 908-273-5720

wrobc@intac.com

The Loantaka Group Officers welcome the chance tomeet you and to introduce ourselves at one of our gen-eral meetings. Please see the meeting schedule belowand join us!

We have some open positions on our ExecutiveCommittee. If you are interested in becoming more active,please contact Paul Sanderson. Members are always wel-come to attend an Executive Committee meeting.

To join our mailing list, send a blank email to:Loantaka-Group-Announcements-subscribe@topica.com

EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::Meetings are held on the FIRST TUESDAY of the monthat 7:30 pm in the Library of the Chathams. You are invit-ed to join us.

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::Meetings are held on the SECOND WEDNESDAY of themonth at 7:30 pm in the Library of the Chathams, 214Main St. (Route 124), Chatham. Everyone is welcome!Library phone: 973-635-0603

MMEEEETTIINNGG SSCCHHEEDDUULLEE::MMaarrcchh 1133:: National Outings: Have you ever consideredgoing on one of the many National Outings that the SierraClub offers each year but needed some incentive? Or areyou an armchair traveler that enjoys seeing photographsthat someone else has taken on their travels? Whicheveryou may be, come out for a scenic and informative slidepresentation that Peter Weckesser has compiled from the12-plus National Sierra Club Backpack and ServiceOutings that he has participated in over the years.

AApprriill 1100:: Watershed Protection: Michelle Burke, fromthe Great Swamp Assoc., will talk about watersheds,non-point source pollution and water runoff. Michellealso has a watershed model that shows visually hownon-point source pollution effects the environment.

MMaayy 88:: To be announced. Please refer to the website.

JJuunnee 1122:: Meet Senator Bagger: Our very special guestwill be Senator Richard Bagger. He was elected to theNJ State Senate in November 2001. During his 10-yeartenure in the Assembly over 121 bills of which he wasthe prime Assembly sponsor became law, includingmeasures concerning energy policy, open space preser-vation, and state budget. Senator Bagger is concernedwith environmental issues and will share his experi-ences with us and answer questions.

There are no meetings in July or August. Enjoy the sum-mer and we will see you in September!

Central Jersey Group(Mercer County, parts of Somerset and Middlesex)wweebb ssiittee:: wwwwww..ssiieerrrraaaaccttiivviisstt..oorrgg//ggeettbbuussyyOOFFFFIICCEERRSS::CChhaaiirr:: Mary Penney 609-688-0282

Penney4thoughts@aol.com

MMaayy 1133:: At St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church, ParishCenter, 8th and Washington Sts., Hoboken, 7:30 pm.Topic to be announced.

NNEEWWSS:: Keep up with Group happenings at warp speed! Pleasesend your e-mail address to Steve Lanset (slanset@hot-mail.com) and you will be added to our distribution list.We are especially trying to network members who sharesimilar environmental interests and to call meetings onshorter (two or three weeks) notice than usual. We arecurrently working on the Meadowlands Mall, LibertyState Park, and green transportation issues. Members areinvited to help with these or other local issues.

Essex County Group(Essex County, approximately)

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::CChhaaiirr:: Richard Isaac 973-716-0297

risaacx@aol.comMMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp:: George Cluen 973-744-7430

gcluen@hotmail.comCCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn:: Chris Weis 973-746-0459

CWeis@compuserve.comand Kyle Lischak 973-218-9388k.lischak@worldnet.att.net

PPoolliittiiccaall:: Janine Schaeffer 973-736-0898jschaeffer@sealtechcompany.comand Bob Wolff 973-509-7331robert_wolff@urscorp.com

MMeeddiiaa:: Camille Gutmore 973-667-2203cgutmore@hotmail.com

OOuuttiinnggss:: Dave Ogens 973-226-7107bandit29@aol.com

PPrrooggrraammss:: Sue Slotnick 973-564-9589PSue82@juno.com

TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Lori Tanner 973-857-0519LJensen@montclairlaw.com

SSeeccrreettaarryy:: Bob Wolffrobert_wolff@urscorp.com

EEnnvvll.. JJuussttiiccee:: Dawn Breeden 973-763-8968rossbreeden@verizon.net

RRaahhwwaayy RRiivveerr:: Kirk Barrett 973-313-1218kbarrett@cimic.rutgers.edu

AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS:: Working with the Sierra Club LoantakaGroup to preserve wetlands in the Passaic River Basin,continuing to ensure that the Essex County Park andOpen Space Trust Fund is implemented in a fair andconsistent way, and addressing environmental justiceissues.

****OOPPEENNIINNGGSS**** The Group has openings for those inter-ested in our Wetlands Campaign Committee and forthose who interested in environmental justice (EJ)issues! For those interested in our Wetlands Campaign,contact Kyle at 973-218-9388, or at: k.lischak@world-net.att.net. For those interested in learning more aboutEJ or other environmental issues, contact Rich at 973-716-0297, or at: risaacx@aol.com for details! Thanks!

EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::Held at 7:30 pm the FIRST MONDAY of the month.Please contact Rich at risaacx@aol.com or 973-716-0297for the location, which may vary.

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: Held at 7:30 pm on the SECONDTHURSDAY of the month at the Verona Park Boathouse,corner of Lakeside and Bloomfield Ave., Verona (unlessotherwise specified). For directions, please call Sue,973-564-9589.

AApprriill 1111:: Spring has sprung and one of its early harbin-gers, bees, are busy harvesting pollen and nectar fromearly flowers. Join Joe Lelinho to hear about these gen-tle, hard working little creatures. Joe will bring an activehive whose queen will be laying eggs and newborn beeswill be emerging from their cells daily.

MMaayy 2233:: Tour Montclair’s Presby Memorial Iris Gardens atthe height of their blooming season. This unique displaygarden was established in 1927 to honor Frank H. Presby,one of the country’s leading horticulturists and a founderof the American Iris Society. Presby features a collection ofapproximately 6 species and over 2,000 varieties of world-famous irises, some dating back to the 1500’s. A docent ledtour at 6:30 pm will enlighten you to the diversity of theelegant and playful rhizome, the iris. Please note the differ-ent date and time for this month’s General Meeting.

JJuunnee 1133:: Farmland: Over the past 40 years, New Jerseyhas lost thousands of acres of farmland to industrial,commercial and residential development. This rapiddevelopment has brought former urban/suburbandwellers to communities where land is in active agricul-tural production creating a crisis to conserve the agricul-tural land base. Join Gregory Romano, from the State’sDepartment of Agriculture, Farmland Preservation, in adialogue of how to support the agricultural industry forwhich New Jersey was nicknamed.

VViiccee CChhaaiirr:: Temporary VacancyCCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CChhaaiirr:: Laura Lynch 609-882-4642

llynch@mail.med.upenn.eduMMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp CChhaaiirr:: Corinne Egner

conskayakr@aol.comPPrrooggrraammss:: Don Griffin

dgriffin@dvic.comKen Maybergkmayberg@washington.trenton.k12.nj.us

Publicity Coordinator: Janet Black jblack8084@aol.com

TTrreeaassuurreerr// Bill Wowk 609-587-0502CCaalleennddaarr SSaalleess:: bwowk@aol.comPPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Tom Zolandz 908-874-4194

earthsounds@yahoo.comOOuuttiinnggss CCoommmmiitttteeee:: Don Griffin (see above)

and Marv Levy 609-397-2951mlevy1@eclipse.net

PPaarrkk IIssssuueess LLiiaaiissoonn:: Pat Sayles 609-737-3753plsayles@aol.com

LLeeggaall IIssssuueess:: Ed Pheiffer 609-581-1600ECPFEIFFER@aol.com

PPuubblliicc LLaannddss IIssssuueess:: Dave Mattek 609-737-1342

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::We hold our meetings at the Mary Jacobs Library inRocky Hill the SECOND WEDNESDAY of each month at7:30 pm. We welcome everyone to attend our meetingsand help in some way. We are working on several criti-cal issues: Reducing gridlock and sprawl in CentralJersey, Alternatives to the NJDOT routing of theMillstone Bypass, Water Quality, Access to publicspaces, many more.

DDRRIIVVIINNGG IINNSSTTRRUUCCTTIIOONNSS:: North on Route 206 to justbeyond Princeton Airport. Turn right (or east) at trafficlight which is the intersection with Route 518.South on206 to just past the traffic light for the MontgomeryCinema, turn left (or east) at the next traffic light whichis Route 518. Travel east on 518 to downtown RockyHill. Library will be on left (setback off road). Park in lotand come to the second floor community room.

PPRROOGGRRAAMM SSCCHHEEDDUULLEE::AApprriill 1100:: Thelon River Sanctuary: Join us as we canoe theThelon River Sanctuary in Canada’s Northwest Territories.Kevin McCarthy will lead us on a slide show explorationof this vast wilderness. Enjoy the adventure, wildlife, geog-raphy and historic sites of this remote Arctic River.

MMaayy 88:: “Living with Black Bears in New Jersey” - a slidepresentation by Steve Ember of the Bear Education andResource (BEAR) Group about the current bear situa-tion, dos and don’ts when encountering a bear, andhow we can peacefully coexist with bears. There was amove to hunt the black bear in New Jersey until thisdedicated group, and many other citizens put pressureon Former Governor Whitman to declare a one –yearmoratorium on the hunting of black bears. There is nocharge for this program and the public is cordially invit-ed to attend. Refreshments will be served.

JJuunnee 1122:: Appalachian Trail Program: Experience theAppalachian Trail (AT) through the slides of longtimehiker Don Griffin as he explains the project to improvethe AT and get it away from main roads in certain sec-tions. Learn tips for hiking the AT through New Jerseyas well as other sections.

EEAARRTTHH DDAAYY EEVVEENNTTSS::Join in the effort to improve Cadwalader Park inTrenton. This extraordinary park, designed by FrederickLaw Olmstead, is about to celebrate its 100th birthdayon May 2-5 with a huge festival and we’re helping withthe facelift! Volunteers are needed on Saturday, April 13and Saturday, April 27 from 9am to 2pm to help withtree planting, weeding, painting and more. Please dresscomfortably, bring along work gloves and water to par-ticipate! Hand tools, such as small shovels and troughsare also needed if you have them. Groups will meet nearEllarslie Museum on Parkside Avenue, Trenton. Checkour website for detailed directions and times: www.eng-lish.upenn.edu/~llynch/sierra

WWHHAALLEE WWAATTCCHHIINNGG TTRRIIPP TTOO CCAAPPEE MMAAYY!!Plans are underway to organize a whale-watching excur-sion on the popular Cape May Whalewatcher. Last year,the group had a great time so we are planning a repeattrip on June 2. See our website for registration and triptimes. Send an e-mail to our membership chairwomanCorinne if you want to attend at conskayakr@aol.com

Sierra Club NJ Enjoy it...Protect It T-shirts.All cotton t-shirts printed in earth tones are availablewhile supplies last! The shirts were designed bywildlife artist Bea Bork and feature a bold design with ablack bear, American Kestrel, and Blue Heron. Pleasespecify size: s/m/l/x-large. Please send $10.00 plus$2.50 for postage and handling to: Sierra Club-CentralJersey Group PO Box 392 Rocky Hill, NJ 08553. Includename, address and phone number please!

PPaaggee 88 TThhee JJeerrsseeyy SSiieerrrraann:: AApprriill--JJuunnee 22000022

A Footnote that will Live Forever: Consider a Bequest to the New Jersey Chapter - contact George Denzer (609-799-5839)

Raritan Valley Group(Middlesex and Somerset Counties, approximately)

This Group is reorganizing itself so that new membersand leaders are very welcome.

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::AAccttiinngg GGrroouupp CChhaaiirr:: Steve Ember 732-926-8964

sehiker@yahoo.comGGrroouupp VViiccee--CChhaaiirr:: OPEN POSITIONCCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CCoo--CChhaaiirrss:: Debbie Cohen

dabblerdeb@aol.comKathy Haskellkmhaske5@aol.com

PPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Dennis Andersondennisaza@aol.com

TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Steven Zawidsteven.e.zawid@intel.com

PPrrooggrraammss CChhaaiirr:: Steve Embersehiker@yahoo.com

MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp CChhaaiirr:: Blair Weiggverne@bellatlantic.net

SSeeccrreettaarryy:: OPEN POSITION PPuubblliicciittyy CCoo--CChhaaiirrss:: Kristy Throndson

kthrondson@earthlink.netMichael Pattonmikepatton@att.com

IISSSSUUEESS:: ((11)) Coordinating efforts with the HundertonCounty Group in opposing the extensive SolbergAirport Expansion in rural Hunderton County.Implementation of these plans will lead to noise, fueland light pollution, increased traffic and adverseimpacts on residential home values.

((22)) Fighting development along streams, wetlands,flood plains, and steep slopes to protect threatened andendangered species in Somerset and Middlesex Counties.Stop developers from buying sub-standard lots and pushingthrough permits and variances to construct new homes.

((33)) Continuing to monitor the environmental/health impact of the US National Stockpile Center inHillsborough, which contains the largest depository ofmercury in the nation. Assuring proper containment forexisting mercury while lobbying for removal of mercuryto another more suitable site.

((44)) Stopping the Green Brook Flood Control Project.Besides wasting enormous amounts of taxpayer funds, thisproject will eliminate 100 acres of wetlands, build miles oftall unsightly levees, and increase development pressurein the area where people are now hesitant to build.

OOppeenniinnggss:: The newly re-organized Raritan Valley Groupwelcomes new members and activists. Currently, thepositions of Group Chair, Vice Chair & Secretary areopen. If you are interested in participating in thegroup’s activities or filling any of the open positions,please contact Steve Ember, the Acting Group Chair.

EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: Held at 7pm, onthe FIRST TUESDAY of the month, at the SomersetCounty Library on 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater. AllSierra Club members are invited to attend.

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: Held at 7pm, on the SECONDTUESDAY of the month, at the Bound BrookPresbyterian Church at 409 Mountain Avenue in BoundBrook. Take the Mountain Avenue exit off Route 22towards Bound Brook. The church is on the right handside at the first stop light (Union Avenue – Route 28).

AApprriill 99:: The Amazon: Ted Settle will speak about hisboat trips down the Amazon River with the NYBotanical Society. He will also present a video that hecreated and narrated which depicts aspects of the natur-al world as well as activities of the indigenous people.

MMaayy 1144:: Sierra Club Basics: Lori Herpen of the SierraClub will speak and show a video about the Sierra Club– Who We Are – What We Do! Everyone is urged to par-ticipate and share their stories and viewpoints becausewe are a member/volunteer driven organization.

JJuunnee 1111:: Benefits of a Four-day Workweek: Dan Aronson,Professor of Economics and Environmental Science at RaritanValley Community College, will be speaking about the envi-ronmental benefits of reducing the work week, includingreduced emissions, fuel consumption and road congestion.

Jersey Shore Group (Monmouth and Ocean Counties, approximately)

WWeebb ssiittee:: hhttttpp::////nnjjssiieerrrraa..eennvviirroowweebb..oorrgg//~~nnjjsshhoorree//

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::GGrroouupp CChhaaiirr:: Steve Knowlton 732-747-7011

knowlton@worldnet.att.net77 Church St., Fair Haven, NJ 07704

VViiccee--CChhaaiirr:: George Newsome 732-949-0812newsome1@optonline.net

SSeeccrreettaarryy:: Judy Maxcy 732-458-5074CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn::MMoonnmmoouutthh CCoo..:: Steve Knowlton (see above)OOcceeaann CCoouunnttyy:: Michele Dillon 732-341-7699

mdillon@americom.netOOcceeaann CCoouunnttyy SSeeccttiioonn CChhaaiirr:: Michele Dillon (see above) WWeebbmmaasstteerr:: George Newsome (see above)TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Judy Maxcy (see above)PPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Laura Bagwell 732-741-8678

lbagwell@rcn.comOOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: Mike Verange 908-902-0718

mverange@aol.com MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp:: George Newsome (see above)PPrrooggrraamm CChhaaiirr:: Regina Maurer 732-335-1183

rmaurer@sprintmail.com

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::Held at 8pm on the FOURTH MONDAY of each month(except July, August, and December) at the Old WharfHouse, Old Wharf Park, Main Street and OceanportAvenue, Oceanport, NJ. Come early to socialize and enjoyrefreshments. For directions and information, please callRegina Maurer at 732-335-1183, or visit our web site.

AApprriill 2222:: Geronimo Country: Arizona, the GrandCanyon State, has served as a crossroads where manydifferent cultures and traditions have met and combinedinto a unique and colorful history, and present. Fromthe 21 Indian tribes who own more than a quarter ofthe state’s land, to the animal inhabitants (such as elk,coyote, bighorn sheep, mule deer and bald eagle) thatroam the publicly owned lands, this state continues toplay a lasting role in our country’s ongoing history. Joinus as group member Dennis Anderson shares his slidesand recollections of his travels and years living inSouthern Arizona.

MMaayy 2200:: Spring Green Night: PLEASE NOTE CHANGE INSCHEDULE—THIS IS THE THIRD MONDAY OF THEMONTH!!! Here is your chance to do something positivefor the environment. We will present current environ-mental issues—you will write letters to elected officialsand others. We supply the pens, paper, and stamps!

JJuunnee 2244:: Let It Burn???: Should all forest fires be extin-guished? Or do fires serve a natural purpose in forestecology? Join us in learning what role fire plays in theforests of New Jersey and how it can be managed insuch a densely populated state (no, we don’t “let itburn” here!). Our speaker is Steve Maurer, AssistantState Fire Warden with the Bureau of Forest FireManagement, NJDEP. He will give us an overview of for-est fire management practices in NJ, and may evenshare some tales of his adventures fighting fires, bothhere and out West.

SSPPEECCIIAALL EEVVEENNTT::JJuunnee 88:: EEnnvviirroonnmmeennttaall SSeerrvviiccee PPrrooggrraamm:: The Red BankEnvironmental Commission has received a matchinggrant from the NJDEP to create a nature trail on a vacantlot on the river, creating public access to the river. Thegrant only covers the cost of the design work in thisyear’s phase, and volunteers are needed to help imple-ment the design. Volunteers will clear shrub and non-native plants, and prepare a trail approximately 100 feetlong. The lot is located at 100 Locust Avenue, offShrewsbury Avenue, in Red Bank. Volunteers arerequested to bring work gloves, rakes, shovels, clippersand other digging implements, if they can. If you wouldlike to help, please RSVP to Marty Judd, at 732/957-1493, or mjudd@worldnet.att.net, no later thanThursday, June 6.

EEXXEECCUUTTIIVVEE CCOOMMMMIITTTTEEEE MMEEEETTIINNGGSS::The Group’s Executive Committee and ConservationCommittee meet monthly at members’ homes. All arewelcome to attend. For more information, please callSteve Knowlton at 732-747-7011.

OOCCEEAANN CCOOUUNNTTYY SSEECCTTIIOONN:: Conservation Committee /Business Meeting held the SECOND THURSDAY of eachmonth in the Toms River area. For more information,please call Michelle Dillon, 732-341-7699.

West Jersey Group(Camden, Gloucester and Burlington Counties,approximately)

WWeebb ssiittee:: uusseerrss..ssnniipp..nneett//~~ggiinnaacceeee//hhoommee..hhttmm

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::GGrroouupp CChhaaiirr:: Gina Carola 856-848-8831

ginacee@snip.netVViiccee--CChhaaiirr:: (vacant: volunteer needed)SSeeccrreettaarryy:: Karen Zbikowski 856-667-8853TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Trish Clements 856-768-5639

psclem@aol.comPPuubblliicciittyy CChhaaiirr:: Bud Kaliss 856-428-8071

budmilmilbud@yahoo.com PPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr:: Marie Hageman 856-589-0606PPiinneellaannddss RReepp:: (vacant: volunteer needed)CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CChhaaiirr:: Cathy Wisel 856-596-2771MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp CChhaaiirr:: Mike Brown 856-547-9221

eyebrown@snip.netFFuunnddrraaiissiinngg CChhaaiirr:: Reiss Tiffany 856-829-6405

r-stiffany@home.comPPrrooggrraammss CChhaaiirr:: Diane Gruszewski

ski1@snip.netOOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: (vacant: volunteer needed)IInnnneerr CCiittyy OOuuttiinnggss:: Jennifer Grenier 856-582-5512

and Maxine Vogt 856-779-9156

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: are held at 7:30 pm on the SEC-OND TUESDAY of each month, at the Unitarian Church,401 N. Kings Highway (Rte. 41), Cherry Hill (locatedbetween Rte. 70 and the convergence of Rtes. 38 and 73,just north of a traffic light at Chapel Avenue). Handicapaccessible parking and entrance in rear of building.

AApprriill 99:: Population Issues: The world population is 6.2billion and growing. How does this affect us here inNew Jersey and what can we do about it? Learn moreabout this Sierra Club major priority campaign of popu-lation stabilization/reduction of excessive consumption.Presented by Bonnie Tillery, Population Coordinator, NJChapter Sierra Club.

MMaayy 1144:: “Voices of the Earth”: Diane McColley, a profes-sor of English at Rutgers University’s Camden campus,studies ecological issues in literature. In a talk titled“Voices of Earth: 1600-2002,” McColley will explore theway that authors and poets have written about the envi-ronment and ecological issues over time.

JJuunnee 1111:: To be announced. Check the web-site.

JJuullyy aanndd AAuugguusstt:: No meetings. Please join us on an outing.

AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS::The West Group is working to prevent the environmen-tally dangerous Delaware Deepening. We are also work-ing on developing an Inner City Outings program andare looking for volunteers. Contact Maxine Vogt (above)or Jennifer Grenier (above) to help.

South Jersey Group(Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and SalemCounties, approximately)

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::GGrroouupp aanndd OOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: Tom Boghosian 609-272-9005

boghosia@atlantic.eduVViiccee--CChhaaiirr:: Donna Strack 609-927-6344

dnzi@aol.comCCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CChhaaiirr:: Fred Akers 856-697-3479

akers@gowebway.comPPoolliittiiccaall CChhaaiirr,, CCaalleennddaarr SSaalleess:: Dick Colby 609-965-4453

dick.colby@stockton.eduMMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp CChhaaiirr:: Gary Roman 609-625-3438SSeeccrreettaarryy//TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Julie Akers 856-697-3479

akers@gowebway.comCCaappee MMaayy IIssssuueess:: Douglas Jewell 609-463-8423

jewell@avaloninternet.net

Environmental Education Forum at Stockton College onSaturday, April 13: Club members are welcome to attend,without charge, a day-long series ofworkshops on topicsranging from the Pine Barrens to Global Warming. Boothswill offer representatives of Water Watch, NJ PIRG, CleanOceanAction, and the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.Contact: Scott Ackerman:envledforum@yahoo.com

MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: Group meetings are usually held on theTHIRD MONDAY of each month, at 7pm, usually at theWarren Fox Nature Center, Atlantic County Park, EstellManor (4 miles south of Mays Landing on NJ Rte 50 —milepost 15). Best to call one of the officers to confirmeach meeting - or (better yet!) send your e-mail addressto dick.colby@stockton.edu and be put on a distributionlist for notices of each meeting.

AApprriill 1155:: What to do about ATVs: Fred Akers, ourConservation Chair, will lead a discussion of Club, State,and regional governmental policies toward permittingthe use of these noisy, polluting, and terrain disruptingabominations.

GROUP NEWS(Continued from page 7)

BALLOT FOR RARITAN VALLEY GROUPOFFICERS (EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE)

Please vote for up to six candidates, and return the ballotby May 30 to: Raritan Group Ballot, c/o Bonnie Tillery(Chapter Secretary), 389 Sawmill Rd, Hamilton NJ 08620.

!! Steve Ember !! Kristy Throndson !! Debbie Cohen !! Michael Patton !! Kathy Haskell !! Write in:____________________!! Steven Zawid !! Write in:____________________

(The second column of boxes is for second members of family memberships.)

EEnneerrggyy ccoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn ttiipp:: ttuurrnn tthhee tthheerrmmoossttaatt ddoowwnn wwhheenn yyoouu''rree ggoonnee ffoorr tthhee ddaayy..

TThhee JJeerrsseeyy SSiieerrrraann:: AApprriill--JJuunnee 22000022 PPaaggee 99

MMaayy 1188 ((SSaattuurrddaayy!!)):: Horsehoe Crabs and the Birds whichFeed on Them: An outing somewhere on the DelawareBayshore, led by Mike D’Amico. Call Julie Akers for finaldetails.

JJuunnee 1177 ((eeaarrllyy ssttaarrtt:: 66ppmm!!)):: Park Ramble: The north endof the Atlantic County Park in Estell Manor, followed bya picnic potluck. Also organized by those remarkableAkers folk.

AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS:: Members in Cape May County should please pay atten-tion to frequent developments in the campaign tooppose extension of sewer lines (and thus permission todevelop!) in Cape May County. Contact Doug Jewell(jewell@avaloninternet.net) if you’d like to help.

Members in the watershed of the Great Egg Harbor Rivershould please pay attention to developments in theWatershed Association’s campaign to protect the river fromillegal docks, illegal moorings, unsightly cellphone towers,illegal use of powerboats, and other obnoxious/destructiverecreational/commercial practices. Julie Akers is theWatershed Association’s President, and Belinda Irizarry(609-567-4762) is our Watershed Coordinator.

Singles Section(A chapter-wide special interest activity includinghikes, social gatherings, cleanups, picnics, culturaloutings, and camping.)

Web site: hhttttpp::////nnjjssiieerrrraa..eennvviirroowweebb..oorrgg//~~ssiinngglleess//Phone announcements: 973-364-7573

To receive further information about events, please joinour listserver by sending an empty e-mail message to: NJ-Sierra-Singles-Announcements-subscribe@topica.com. Allevents, including those planned after publication, willbe announced by an e-mail message sent directly to youre-mail account.

If you prefer not to receive e-mail, you may view all mes-sages which have been sent to the listserver by going to:http://www.topica.com/l ists/NJ -S ierra -S ingles -Announcements/read

OOFFFFIICCEERRSS::CCoo--CChhaaiirrss:: Lou Ambrosio

lou.ambrosio@juno.comand Bob Johnsonrobert.johnson@comcast.net

OOuuttiinnggss CChhaaiirr:: Joyce Haddadjkhaddad@juno.com

CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn CChhaaiirr:: Bob Johnson (see above)TTrreeaassuurreerr:: Joyce White

joyce00201@yahoo.comWWeebbppaaggee ddeessiiggnneerr:: David Szalay

dszalay@home.com SSoocciiaall CChhaaiirr:: Kathy Holusha

Kathleen.Holusha@pfizer.comPPrrooggrraammss:: Open positionPPuubblliicciittyy:: Lynn Forrest

lvf77@msn.com

A special thanks to those volunteers who have helped outwith our events: Pete Baczinsky (NJAS),Paul Regan (HVO)And Tina Schvejda (ANWR) who spoke at our meetings,Ron Pate (Outings),Keith Khieu (Shore Days) ConnieFarley (Calendar Coord),Wilma Hurwitz and JanetCrowley for their efforts at Calendar sales. Mary Russell,Susan Long, Pat Montague Joan Housman, Wilma Hurwitzand Deborah Schwenk for Socials. Special thanks to PattiLynch for activities too numerous to list.

Open postions: Volunteers needed for the positions ofoutings leaders, secretary, membership chair/co-chairs,fundraising chair/co-chairs, and members of all commit-tees, including social event planners for Plaza Grille.Please attend a Planning/Executive Committee meetingor email any of the officers if you are interested.

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: (Each is followed by a PLAN-NING/ExCom MEETING.) Casual pizza gathering andintroduction to club issues and activities: SECONDMONDAY of each month at 6:30 pm, latecomers wel-come. Library of the Chathams, 214 Main St., Chatham(Main Street is Route 124.) Location may change in June.

GGuueesstt ssppeeaakkeerrss aatt mmoosstt mmeeeettiinnggss—please join the listserv-er or call 973-364-7573, option 3 for details. For directions,please see our webpage or call the library at 973-635-0603.

SSOOCCIIAALLSS:: FIRST WEDNESDAY of each month at 6pm.Join us for dinner in Morristown at the Famished Frog,RSVP required, join our list server for further details.

Also on the THIRD TUESDAY of each month at 7pm:Join us for dinner in Montclair. Restaurant to beannounced. R.S.V.P is required to jkhaddad@juno.comor (973) 364-7573. Option # 4 There will be a $3.00extra charge for nonmembers.

UUppccoommiinngg CClleeaannuuppss::AApprriill 77tthh ((SSuunn)) at Eagle Rock Reservation/Ron PateAApprriill 2211sstt ((SSuunn)) at South Mountain Reservation/Ron Pate(EARTH DAY)

UUppccoommiinngg hhiikkeess iinn SSoouutthh JJeerrsseeyy:: Please see PaulSerdiuk’s hikes/events in the outings section of thisnewsletter. There will be a $3.00 charge for nonmem-bers at hikes.

NJ Inner City Outings(another Chapter-wide special interest activity)

CChhaaiirr:: Anne Dyjak 732-560-0953Njicoutings@aol.com

NJ Inner City Outings is a community outreach programwhich provides wilderness adventures for inner cityyouth of NJ. Volunteer outings leaders and assistantsconduct outings on weekends for agencies and schoolswhich have established a partnership with NJ ICO. Ifyou would like to experience the rewards of introducingNJ inner city youth to the wonders of nature, yourinvolvement is encouraged and you are requested toattend a NJ ICO meeting.

GGEENNEERRAALL MMEEEETTIINNGGSS:: Meetings are held at 7pm onThursdays, every other month, generally in the SomersetCounty area. Please call or e-mail for meeting and out-ings information.

4000

Across the country, winter has had wildlife in itsgrip. In the Northern Rockies, grizzlies were in hiber-nation and bison were at lower elevations in search offood. In the Southwest, bald eagles made themselvescomfortable for the season. Up in the Northern Forestand Pacific Northwest, lynx made use of their snow-shoe-like feet. Even in the dark and cold that bridgesthe years, the wilderness is alive.

Here in Washington D.C., bureaucrats and electedofficials have been making plans for the Americanwilderness—plans that include increased logging, oildrilling, and opening up the last of our remote countryto motorized vehicles. They are making plans to tamethe wilderness, to rob our children of their outdoorheritage, to strip our nation of its natural wealth. Thiscannot be allowed to happen.

That is why I am writing to encourage you to sup-port what I believe is one of the most important con-servation groups today: ECOLOGICAL RECONNAIS-SANCE.

ECO-RECON was born from an intense passion forwilderness, individual freedom, and conscious action.It is the sweat, blood and guts of protecting our planetand its beings.

ECO-RECON was founded in March 2001 inBozeman, Montana. Since then it has helped organiza-tions, such as the Sierra Club, monitor snowmobiletrespass in Wilderness Areas, documented damages tothe backcountry caused by motorized recreation, con-ducted road-kill studies, recorded illegal salt lick hunt-ing sites and taken part in efforts to document grizzlybears in threatened wildlands.

ECO-RECON developed as a service project forVoyager Outward Bound to monitor motorized recre-ation damage on the Deer-Lodge National Forest. It hasestablished a program to train conservation activists inwilderness living skills so they can conduct their ownreconnaissance work and compile on-site informationfor use in lawsuits, administrative appeals and mediacampaigns.

The intelligence gathered by ECO-RECON has beeninvaluable in helping to build the case that, despitewhat politicians, bureaucrats and industry representa-tives say, motorized recreation is damaging to the land,and the traditional multiple-use management schemefor our national forests and areas administered by theBLM is in conflict with the ecological integrity of ournation.

That is why I encourage you to support ECO-RECON’S work in any way you can.

ECO-RECON is led by Director and founder TomArnold. Tom spent four years as a Marine with the 1stRecon Company, where he was trained in informationgathering and observation, amphibious and ground back-country travel, and land/water navigation. He conductedreconnaissance missions in seven countries in climatesranging from tropical jungles to the deserts of the MiddleEast. Tom is an experienced wilderness traveler, informa-tion gatherer, adventure racer and triathelete.

Tom is aided by Scott Anderson, a wilderness educatorand activist who, over the last six years, has worked allover the U.S. for a diverse set of organizations. He is aclimbing trainer for the Ruckus Society and has workedwith the Rainforest Action Coalition and StudentEnvironmental Action Coalition. In his spare time heworks as a volunteer at wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Tom and Scott are joined in their work byMoonshine, a certified therapy service dog.

ECO-RECON is working hard to gather the on-the-ground information needed to help conservation cam-paigns prevail in the courts of law and public opinion.Today, we need them in the field more than ever.

Please consider supporting ECO-RECON’S importantwork in 2002 and please forward this message to yourconservation minded friends.

CONTACT ECO-RECON atP.O. Box 6593Bozeman, MT 59771406-222-2913eco_recon@hotmail.com

Conserve Wilderness in 2002by Bart Semcer, former Chapter Biodiversity Issues Coordinator, now on National Sierra Club staff

NEW ZEALAND - AUSTRALIA TOURS

Walking, Wildlife, Garden. Small escorted groups or individual custom itineraries.

PACIFIC PATHWAYS(650) 595-2090

www.pacificpathways.com

along the river is a healing balm in hectic, troubled times.Although considerable progress has been made,

there is much more to be done. Future clean ups willinclude renovation of the interpretive trails and swampboardwalk, and establishing canoe ramps. The countyhas been cooperative and supportive of all our effortsand we are confident that they will continue to encour-age us. At the moment, however, it is up to us to raisethe money for all these improvements. We hope that,

REVIVAL OF THE ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER(Continued from page 3)

(Continued on page 12)

Dave Ogens, Essex County’s Outings Chair, and RonPate, a hike leader, have been leading hikes and canoetrips in this unique wetland habitat for several years. Thisis the last pristine, natural area in Essex County. It ishome to many migratory birds, the endangered bog tur-tle, and other wildlife not easily found in crowded EssexCounty. Our vision is to restore this Center as a gatewayto the natural world of rivers, wetlands and forests - forschool children and adults alike—to learn and explore.Hiking or canoeing in these quiet peaceful wetlands and

PPaaggee 1100 TThhee JJeerrsseeyy SSiieerrrraann:: AApprriill--JJuunnee 22000022

(open space line: symbolic of the Club’s commitment to preserve open space!)

APRILAPR 7 (Sun) Singles Hike and Clean-up at Eagle Rock Reservation. We will hike 3-4 miles at amoderate pace and clean up as we go. Bring water and snacks, wear hiking boots. Lunch to fol-low at a local restaurant to be announced at the hike. Rain cancels. Meet before 10:00 AM atthe Highlawn Pavilion Parking lot off Eagle Rock Avenue in West Orange. Take Route 280 toProspect Avenue (Exit 8B). Go north, right turn onto Eagle Rock Avenue, left turn into reserva-tion. All participants must sign a liability waiver. Work gloves will be provided. Leader: RonPate (973) 364-7573 option #2 (E)

APR 7 (Sun) Social Hike in Stokes State Forest. We will hike eight miles primarily along theKittatinny Ridge on the Appalachian Trail. Highlights include panoramic views from SunriseMountain and the Culver Fire Tower. Hiking boots are recommended and participants shouldbe in good condition. Meet BEFORE 10 AM at the park office off Route 206. Proceed north onRoute 206 past Branchville and Culvers Lake. Turn right into Stokes State Forest into the parkoffice parking area. Rain cancels. Leader: Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

APR 7 (Sun) Singles Hike at Wells Mills Park. 7 miles at a moderate pace. Hike marked hillytrails with spectacular views of Atlantic white cedar trees. No pets/children. Bring picnic typefood to share at tailgate Singles. Meet 9 AM at Hilton Hotel, Route70 Cherry Hill, rear parkinglot or meet at 10:00 AM in parking lot of park, on Route 532, 3 miles east off Route 72Waretown, Ocean Twp. Ocean Co. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 856-697-3870 eve. pis1@cccnj.net (W)

APR 14 (Sun) Hike at Hatfield Swamp Natural Area in West Essex Park. 6 miles at a moderatepace. Explore marshes, forested wetlands and the Passaic River along the Passaic River floodarea. Children 9 years or older and dogs are welcome. Bring binoculars, water and snacks. Thisis a swamp so it may be slightly muddy. Meet at 10 AM at the Master Gardeners Extension onEagle Rock Ave in Roseland, 1/2 mile west of the Eisenhower Pkwy and Eagle Rock Ave. Raincancels. Leader: David Ogens (973) 226-7107 (E)

APR 14 (Sun) Fourteenth Anniversary Hike in Harriman State Park. This event is my fourteenthanniversary of leading outings for Sierra Club. We will hike eight miles at a moderate pacealong various trails. Highlights include several viewpoints and beautiful Pine Meadow Lake.Hiking boots are recommended. Meet BY 10 AM at the Visitors Center on Seven Lakes Drive.Drive north on the Garden State Parkway (or Route 287 North) and take the Route 17 exit.Proceed north on Route 17 into New York. Immediately after the town of Sloatsburg, turn righton Seven Lakes Drive. The Visitors Center is less than two miles up Seven Lakes Drive. Raincancels. Leader: Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

APR l4 (Sun) Singles Seashore Boardwalk Hike. 7 miles easy pace. Hike the boardwalks ofBradley Beach, Avon and Belmar with spectacular views of the empty beach, sand dunes andocean. View the beautiful Victorian homes along the way. We will have lunch at one of the manyeateries in town. No children/pets. Meet by 8:30 AM at Hilton Hotel, Route 70 Cherry Hill, rearparking lot to car pool/caravan or meet at 10:00 AM at the Gazebo at the Great Auditorium, MainSt. Ocean Grove, NJ. Additional info from leaders. Leaders: Paul Serdiuk 856-697-3870 eve.pis1@cccnj.net or Nancy Hazelgrove 732-292-3102 indydunes@usamailbox.com (W)

APR 19-21 (Fri-Sat) Singles Whitewater Rafting. Whitewater raft the Leigh River with class IIIrapids. Sunday hike, bike or cave. Reservations must be in by April 6. Camp in Hickory Run SPor stay in local motels. Call leader to reserve space and for additional info. Meet by 7 AM atHilton Hotel rear parking lot to car pool/caravan to site or meet in Jim Thorpe, PA. Leader: PaulSerdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

APR 20 (Sat) Eight mile hike at a moderate pace in Harriman State Park. Participants must pre-register for this hike. Group size limited to 12 experienced hikers. Please e-mail the leader toregister and obtain details. Please register after April 1, 2002. Leader: Kerry Miller. E-mail:ksmiller2@juno.com (N)

APR 20 (Sat) Blauvelt Parks: Piermont-South Nyack. Strenuous 10 miles. Visit RocklandCemetery, an old Nike base and an abandoned National Guard rifle range. 2 quarts water.Hiking boots. Take Route 9W to Piermont NY. Meet in front of 450 Piermont Ave. (buildingwith mural) by 10:15 AM. LP out. Return via abandoned RR. Leader John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10 PM) or Jurasek@optonline.net (ACOC)

APR 21 (Sun) Earth Day - Singles Hike and Clean-up at South Mountain Reservation. We will hike4-5 miles at a moderate pace. Enjoy beautiful views of NYC and a 25 foot waterfall! Bring waterand snacks, wear hiking boots. Lunch to follow at a local restaurant to be announced at the hike.Take Route 280 to Pleasant Valley Way South. Go 3 miles into the reservation. Meet before 10:00AM in the Tulip Springs parking lot on your left just off Cherry Lane that runs between NorthfieldAvenue and South Orange Avenue in South Orange. Rain cancels. All participants must sign a lia-bility waiver. Work gloves will be provided. Leader: Ron Pate (973) 364-7573 option #2 (E)

APR 21 (Sun) Thompson Park/Brookdale Secret Hike. Join us on a moderate 6 mile hike that fol-lows part of the perimeter of the Swimming River Reservoir. Bring a drink and snack. Hikingshoes preferred. Take GSP to Exit 109. Head west on Monmouth County Rt. 520 approx. 2miles to Brookdale Community College. Make first right and proceed to parking area #1. Meetin the back right corner at 9 AM. Bad weather cancels. Confirmation/questions please call.Leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718, or mjverange@aol.com (JS)

APR 27 (Sat) Social Hike in Garrett Mountain Reservation. This is a singles-oriented activity;however, anyone who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike about 4 miles of rollinghills & rocky terrain at a moderate pace. Highlights include the view of New York & historicLambert Castle. Hiking boots are preferred and participants should be in good condition. Bringlunch or snack & 2 quarts of water. Clothing should be non-cotton. Meet before 10:30 AM atthe parking lot of Lambert Castle. Take Garden State Parkway North to Exit 153B (left). Proceedabout 1 mile on Route 3/46, & take exit for Valley Road on right. Make right onto Valley Road &drive about 2 miles until signs for Lambert Castle and make left onto driveway. Follow to Castleparking lot. Rain cancels. Leader: Joyce White at (908) 272-4478 or e-mailjoyce00201@yahoo.com (E)

APR 27 (Sat) Singles Flatwater Kayak Training. Learn how to handle a flatwater kayak orimprove your skills, great for beginners. Call leader to reserve space. After lake training we willdo the Wading River. Bring picnic type food to share at tailgate social after trip. No pets/chil-dren. Meet by 8:30 AM at Bel-Haven Canoes on Route 542, Atl Co., 12 miles E. of Hammonton.Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

APR 27 (Sat) Singles Moonlight Hike and Campfire. 6 miles moderate pace. Hike the Pines underthe Pink Moon and return to a campfire. Overnight camping available. Bring picnic type food toshare at tailgate social after hike. Atsion Lake, Burl. Co. From Route 206 take Atsion Rd. west 2miles, go past Goshen Pond Group site sign, take next road on left, look for OCSJ follow dirt roadto open field. Meet by 7:30 PM. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

APR 28 (Sun) Singles Hike Hartshorne Woods Park. 6 miles moderate pace. We will hike a trailwith hills and great view of Navesink River. Good physical condition and proper footwear rec-ommended. Bring lunch and water with you. Meet by 8 AM in rear parking lot Hilton Hotel, onRoute 70 Cherry Hill to car pool/caravan or meet at 10 AM at Buttermilk Valley Trailhead,Navasink Ave. off Route 36, Middletown NJ, Mon. Co. Leaders: Paul Serdiuk 856-697-3870 eve.pis1@cccnj.net or Michelle Pillar/Ray Bradford 732-780-5661 (W)

APR 28 (Sun) Social Hike in Harriman State Park. This is a singles-oriented activity; however,ANYONE who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike seven miles at a moderate pacepartially on the Appalachian Trail. Highlights include excellent views and the famous LemonSqueezer. Hiking boots are recommended. Meet BY 10 AM at the Lake Tiorati Circle on SevenLakes Drive. Drive north on the Garden State Parkway (or Route 287 North) and take the Route17 exit. Proceed north on Route 17 into New York. Immediately after the town of Sloatsburg,turn right on Seven Lakes Drive. The Lake Tiorati Circle is about eleven miles up Seven LakesDrive. Rain cancels. Leader: Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

MAYMAY 3-5 (Fri-Sun) Singles Hike Lake Placid, NY. We will hike a mountain in the High PeaksArea, a 4000 foot mountain peak. Group size determines peak. We will stay in a campground orHostel. Boots and good physical condition required. Camp Friday and/or Saturday nights. Callleader for meeting location, additional info, and directions. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

MAY 4 (Sat) Social Hike in Sourland Mountain Preserve. This is a singles-oriented activity; how-ever, anyone who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike about 3.5 miles of rocky ter-rain at a moderate pace. Highlights include Sourland Mountain & old growth forest. Hikingboots are preferred and participants should be in good condition. Bring lunch or snack & 2quarts of water. Clothing should be non-cotton. Meet before 10:30 AM at the parking area ofSourland Mountain Preserve on East Mountain Road. Take 206 through Somerville &Hillsborough - about 6 miles from the Somerville Circle to Route 514, which is Amwell Road.Make a right onto Amwell road and proceed 2 miles to East Mountain Road. Travel about 1 mileand you will see the Sourland Mountain Preserve entrance sign on right. Rain cancels. Leader:Joyce White at (908) 272-4478 or e-mail joyce00201@yahoo.com (E)

MAY 5 (Sun) Hike at Tulip Springs. 6 - 7 miles at a moderate pace. Hike the South MountainReservation and see some of the many highlights this 2000-acre tract has to offer including a 25-foot waterfall and a spectacular view of New York City and South Jersey. Children 9 years orolder and dogs are welcome. Bring water and snacks. Meet 10:00 AM in the Tulip Springs park-ing lot just off Cherry Lane that runs between Northfield Avenue and South Orange Avenue inSouth Orange. Rain Cancels. Leader: David Ogens (973) 226-7107 (E)

MAY 5 (Sun) Highlands Hike in Norvin Green State Forest (Special Interests: Conservation). Wewill hike about seven miles at a moderate pace in the Wyanokie Highlands. Scenery includesWyanokie High Point and views of Wanaque Reservoir. Participants are encouraged to protectthe threatened Wyanokies from development. Hiking boots are recommended. Meet BY 10 AMat the ProMart parking lot across from the Grand Union on Skyline Drive in Ringwood. TakeRoute 287 to Skyline Drive. Drive up Skyline Drive towards Ringwood. After about five miles,look for the ProMart on your left. Rain cancels. Leader: Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

MAY 11 (Sat) Mount Taurus. Moderate 6 miles. A long uphill, but at a moderate pace and withspectacular views of the Hudson. Take the Bear Mountain Bridge to route 9D North 7 miles toMain St. (Route 301). Go left down Main street to the end to meet the group at the train station.Meet at 10 AM. Joint with AMC. Leader John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10 PM) orJurasek@optonline.net (ACOC)

OutingsLearn more about your environment…take a Sierra Club educational hike!

GROUP OUTINGS COORDINATORSCentral Jersey: Don Griffin, 609-397-1513 (H)

122 N. Union Ave., Lambertville, NJ 08530 Essex County: David Ogens 973-226-7107 (H)

29 Hatfield Street, Caldwell, NJ 07003 Hudson: Vacant Jersey Shore: Mike Verange 908-732-8364 (H)

1497 W Front St, Lincroft, NJ 07738 Loantaka: Bob Muska 908-665-2296 (H)

95 Delmore Ave, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 North Jersey: VacantNorthwest Jersey: Joe Pepin 973-252-5137 (H)

4 Cathy Pl., Succasunna, NJ 07876Raritan Valley: Steve Ember (see below)South Jersey: Tom Boghosian 609-272-9005 (H)

3722 Lehigh Ct., Mays Landing, NJ 08330West Jersey: Dan Procida 609-767-2149 (H)

813 Old White Horse Pike, Waterford Works, NJ08089

River Touring: Fred Tocce 908-453-2205 (H) Rd 1 Box 277, Washington, NJ 07882

Inner City Outings: Anne Dyjak 732-560-0953 (H) NJ-ICO, 17 Mt. Horeb Rd. Warren, NJ 07059

Chapter Outings Chair: Steve Ember(sehiker@yahoo.com) 732-926-8964 (H)511 Grandview Street, Middlesex, NJ 08846

Outing Leaders: Please send July-September write-ups to your Group Outings Coordinator before April 30.If you are planning to lead an outing close to thebeginning of one of our bimonthly publication periods,please submit it for the previous Sierran, due to theoccasional lag in mailing. Also, please send outingrosters or sign-up sheets to the Chapter Office assoon as possible after each outing.

Note:If possible, leaders should send their tripdescriptions to the Group Outings Coordinator (or theChapter Outings Coordinator, if there is no GroupOutings Coordinator), instead of directly to theChapter Outings Coordinator. This is particularlyimportant for occasional leaders.

Group Outings Coordinators: Please submit yourJuly-September trip write-ups by May 5.

NOTES ON OUTINGS: All Outings are open to Clubmembers, guests and anyone interested in outings.Unless otherwise specified, the events are free andopen to the public. ALL participants must sign liabilitywaivers on ALL outings sponsored by Sierra Club.This is a new policy. Please check with the leaderbefore bringing small children on an outing. A parent orother responsible adult must accompany personsunder 18. At their discretion, leaders may permit petson outings if the event description specifically includesbringing pets. Sierra Club outings are arranged by volunteer lead-

ers who are in charge of the trip and responsible forthe safety, welfare and enjoyment of all participants.Leaders determine qualifications to participate, ade-quacy of equipment, routes to be followed, and spe-cial precautions to be taken. Please arrive adequatelyprepared and equipped. If you have any allergies,

please remember to bring your medication. Theleader has the final word in the conduct of the trip.Your cooperation will help assure a safe and pleasantouting.Please arrive early at the meeting place so that the

outing can start on time. For day hikes, lunch, water(at least a liter), extra clothing, rain gear, and emer-gency equipment should be carried in a small day-pack. For all except easy hikes, sturdy over-the-ankleshoes or boots should be worn. For most trips, youare expected to have your own equipment. In somecases, it may be rented from outdoor/camping suppli-ers -check the yellow pages or call the trip leader. Ifthe weather is questionable on the date of the outing,you may assume that it will take place, unless theschedule indicates otherwise.

Unless registration is required, such as for weekendtrips or river tours, or if you have a question about theouting, it is not necessary to contact the leader beforethe trip. Do not call to join a trip after the posted dead-line date. When phoning a leader, please honor his orher requested calling times and call 3 to 5 daysbefore the outing. Please include a self-addressed,stamped envelope (SASE) when writing to a leader.On popular trips, Sierra Club members will be givenpreference. To car pool to Steve Ember’s hikes, con-tact Bob Johnson at robert.johnson@home.com or908-771-9676.

Watercraft trips let you experience the unspoiledparts of our region, but water safety does imposespecial requirements. The size and skill of each partymust be appropriate to each river, so participation ineach trip must be at the discretion of the leader. Weask you to register at least one week in advance.Unless a phone number is provided, please send aSASE with an honest assessment of your paddlingexperience, whether you need or can offer a ride,your phone number, and any questions you mayhave. You will receive a description of the trip, withdirections, where you can rent a canoe, and what youwill need to bring. Almost all trip leaders can arrangefor partners to share a canoe if you will be coming byyourself. Unless stated otherwise: rental canoes areavailable, trips do not require advanced paddling skillor exceptional physical conditioning, public trans-portation is not available, non-members may partici-pate, and responsible smokers are welcome.

If you are a Sierra Club member interested in becom-ing an Outing Leader or have suggestions for newoutings, contact your Group Outings Chair or theChapter Outings Chair for assistance and furtherinformation. The Sierra Group contributing each out-ing is given at the end of the write-up, as follows:

(C) Central Jersey (JS) - Jersey Shore (L) - Loantaka (N) - North Jersey (NW) - Northwest Jersey (S) - South Jersey (W) - West Jersey (NJ) - NJ Chapter (H) - Hudson (RV) - Raritan Valley (IC) - Inner City Outings (RT) - River Touring (E) - Essex County (ACOC) - Atlantic Chapter

Outings Comm.

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MAY 11 (Sat) Singles Hike Bowman’s Tower and Wildflower Preserve Hike. 7 miles moderatepace. Hike over new trails with spectacular views of the preserve and the tower. Bring picnictype food to share at tailgate social after hike. No pets/children. Meet by 9 AM at Hilton Hotel,Route 70 Cherry Hill, rear parking lot to car pool/caravan or meet at 10:00 AM at Thomas-NeelyHouse parking, PA Route 32, 5 miles north of Washington Crossing SP. Bring quarters for park-ing fee. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

MAY 12 (Sun) Singles Hike at Hatfield Swamp in West Essex Park. We will hike 5 miles at amoderate pace through forested wetlands along the Passaic River. Meet at 10:00 AM at theEnvironmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland. Take Rt. 280, Exit 4A (EisenhowerParkway South), go right at 1st light onto Eagle Rock Avenue, ½ mile on left. Sign reads:“Rutger’s Cooperative Extension”. Bring water, snacks and hiking boots. Lunch to follow atlocal restaurant to be announced at the hike. Rain cancels. A $3 fee will be charged to non-members. All participants must sign a liability waiver. Leaders: Ron Pate (973) 364-7573option# 2 and Joyce Haddad (E)

MAY 17-19 (Fri-Sun) Singles Outdoor Weekend. Hike 7 spectacular water falls, mountain bike hillsand campout in the deep woods at Ricketts Glen SP, PA. Camping will be available both Fri and Satnights. Call leader by May 4 to reserve space. Meet by 7:30 AM in rear parking lot of Hilton Hotelon Route 70 Cherry Hill to car pool/caravan Sat or meet at Ricketts Glen SF office, Route 487, exit35 off I-80 PA Tpk at 10:00 AM. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

MAY 18 (Sat) Social Hike in Sherman Hoffman Sanctuary. This is a singles-oriented activity;however, anyone who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike about 4 miles of some-what rocky terrain at a moderate pace. Highlights include the Passaic River & bird watching.Hiking boots are preferred and participants should be in good condition. Bring lunch or snack& 2 quarts of water. Clothing should be non-cotton. Meet before 10:30 AM at the lower levelparking lot called SHERMAN SANCTUARY - NEW JERSEY AUDUBON SOCIETY VISITORS PARK-ING LOT. Take 287 to Exit 30B (Bernardsville/ US 202) and bear right at end of exit ramp. Atthe traffic light by the Old Mill Inn, go straight across onto Childs Road. At the fork bear rightonto Hardscrabble Road and proceed about 1 mile to the lower level parking lot (name notedabove) on right, just past the main entrance to the sanctuary. Rain cancels. Leader: Joyce Whiteat (908) 272-4478 or e-mail joyce00201@yahoo.com (E)

MAY 18 (Sat) Canoe Trip on the Passaic River. During this round trip tour we will paddle 4hours at a leisure pace stopping after 90 minutes to relax and observe wildlife and nature. In thisquiet area we may get lucky and see one of the many Blue Herons who live there. Bring lots ofwater, a hardy snack and comfortable clothes. Meet at 10 AM at the Master Gardeners Extensionon Eagle Rock Ave in Roseland, 1/2 mile west of the Eisenhower Pkwy and Eagle Rock Ave.RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. A limited number of canoes are available to rent at $10 per adult.($12 for non-members) A child or third adult can sit in the middle. Life jackets are requiredwhich come with each canoe. Rain date Sunday. Leader: David Ogens (973) 226-7107 (E)

MAY 19 (Sun) Hemlock Pond Circular. This is one of the hidden treasures of the Blue Mt. Lakesarea of the Delaware Water Gap NRA. Please meet at 10:30 at Dale’s Market on Rt. 94 inBlairstown. Leaders: Ellen and Joe Pepin 973-252-5137 (NW)

MAY 19 (Sun) Southern Allaire State Park (Special Interest: Geology). Moderate 5.5 mile hike isin the Northern fringes of the Pine Barrens. Bring a drink and snack. Hiking shoes preferred.Meet at 9 AM at large dirt parking lot on the right, off Hospital Rd. in Wall Township. Take GSPto Exit 98 for Route 34 South. Turn right onto Allenwood Rd. At “T” intersection (RamhornRd.), turn right. Make next left onto Hospital Road. The parking area is approximately 1 mile onthe right. Bad weather cancels. Confirmation/questions please call. Leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718, or mjverange@aol.com (JS)

MAY 19 (Sun) Social Hike in Wawayanda State Park (Special Interest: History). This is a singles-oriented activity; however, ANYONE who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hikeseven miles at a moderate pace. Highlights include engaging forest scenery and an old furnacethat was the center of the iron industry in New Jersey in the mid-1800s. Hiking boots are rec-ommended. Meet BY 10 AM at the Park Office off Warwick Turnpike north of UpperGreenwood Lake. Take Route 287 North to Route 23 North. Proceed about 8 miles on Route 23North. Turn right onto Union Valley Road. Bear left at the shopping center in West Milford.Then, bear left two more times following signs to Wawayanda State Park. Rain cancels. Leader:Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

MAY 25 (Sat) Singles Bike Ride. Class D ride 20+ miles with frequent stops. Ride flat roadsthrough pine barrens with rest/lunch stop in Chatsworth. Meet by 10 AM in parking area nearGroup camp site Lebanon State Forest. Enter forest off Route72, 1 mile E. of jct of Routes 70 &72. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

MAY 25 (Sat) Singles Hike, Campout and Campfire. 6-7 miles. Moderate pace. Hike over roadsand trails with a campfire at end. Bring picnic type food to share at tailgate social after hike.Overnight camping is available, call to reserve space. No pets/children. Meet by 7:30 PM atparking area opposite Group campsite area, Lebanon State Forest, enter forest off Route 72, 1mile E. of jct Routes 70 & 72. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

MAY 26 (Sun) Singles Kayak Trip. Enjoy a leisurely paddle down Oswego River. We will stop toexplore/swim along the way. Bring lunch with you in waterproof container. No pets/children.Meet by 9:30 AM at Bel-Haven Canoe Rentals, Route 542, Green Bank, NJ. Leader: Paul Serdiuk609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

JUNEJUN 1 (Sat) Canoe Trip on the Passaic River. During this round trip tour we will paddle 4 hours ata leisure pace stopping after 90 minutes to relax and observe wildlife and nature. In this quiet areawe may get lucky and see one of the many Blue Herons who live there. Bring lots of water, ahardy snack and comfortable clothes. Meet at 10 AM at the Master Gardeners Extension on EagleRock Ave in Roseland, 1/2 mile west of the Eisenhower Pkwy and Eagle Rock Ave. RESERVA-TIONS REQUIRED. A limited number of canoes are available to rent at $10 per adult. ($12 for non-members) A child or third adult can sit in the middle. Life jackets are required which come witheach canoe. Rain date Sunday. Leader: David Ogens (973) 226-7107 (E)

JUN 1 (Sat) Canoe Trip on the Passaic River. During this round trip tour we will paddle 4 hoursat a leisurely pace stopping after 90 minutes to relax and observe wildlife and nature. In thisquiet area we may get lucky and see one of the many Blue Herons who live there. Bring lots ofwater, a hardy snack and comfortable clothes. Meet at 2:30PM at the Environmental Center,621 Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland. Take Route 280, Exit 4A (Eisenhower Parkway South),turn right at 1st light onto Eagle Rock Avenue, ½ mile on left. Sign reads: “Rutgers CooperativeExtension”. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. A limited number of canoes are available to rent at $15per adult. ($18 for non-members) A child or third adult can sit in the middle. Life jackets arerequired which come with each canoe. Rain cancels. Leaders: Ron Pate (973) 364-7573 option#2 and Joyce Haddad (E)

JUN 1 (Sat) Singles Hike Delaware Water Gap. 8 miles moderate pace. Hike the KittatinnyRidge. Highlights include Dunnfield Creek ravine and picturesque Sunfish Pond. Hiking bootsrecommended. Bring lunch and water with you. Meet by 7:30 AM at Hilton Hotel, Route 70Cherry Hill, rear parking lot to car pool/caravan or meet at 10:00 AM at the Appalachian Trailparking lot on Route 80 West. Take 80 W. past Exit 4 and look carefully for rest area sign. LeaveRoute 80 at the Rest Area exit; however, continue down the exit ramp to DunnfieldCreek/Appalachian Trail parking lot. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

JUN 2 (Sun) National Trails Day Hike at Sunfish Pond. Let’s celebrate National Trails Day by hik-ing eight miles at a moderate pace on the Kittatinny Ridge. Highlights include Dunnfield Creekravine and picturesque Sunfish Pond. Hiking boots are recommended. Meet BY 9:30 AM at theAppalachian Trail parking lot on Route 80 West. Take Route 80 West past Exit 4 and look care-fully for the Rest Area sign. Leave Route 80 at the Rest Area exit; however, continue down theexit ramp to the Dunnfield Creek/Appalachian Trail parking lot. Rain cancels. Leader: SteveEmber, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

JUN 8 (Sat) Social Hike in Jenny Jump State Park. This is a singles-oriented activity; however,anyone who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike about 5 miles of hills & level ter-rain at a moderate pace. Highlights include panoramic vistas of the Highlands. Hiking boots arepreferred and participants should be in good condition. Bring lunch or snack & 2 quarts ofwater. Clothing should be non-cotton. Meet before 10:30 AM at the state parkoffice parking lot. Take Route 80 West to Exit 12(Route 521 - Hope) From the off ramp go lefton 521(under Route 80) for 1.2 miles. Turn left at the light in Hope (there is only one). Thentake the first right turn on Great Meadows-Hope Road. Travel 2.4 miles to Fair View Road. Turnleft on Far View Road. Follow 1.7 miles to the park office entrance on right. (turn right at theJenny Jump State Forest sign) Rain cancels. Leader: Joyce White at (908) 272-4478 or e-mailjoyce00201@yahoo.com (E)

JUN 8 (Sat) Eight to Ten mile hike at a moderate pace in the Shawangunks, New Paltz, NewYork. Participants must pre-register for this hike. Group size limited to 12 experienced hikers.Please e-mail the leader to register and obtain details. Please register after May 15, 2002. Leader:Kerry Miller. E-mail: ksmiller2@juno.com (N)

JUN 8 (Sat) Tuxedo Circular. Scenic hike of about 7 miles in Harriman Park. Follow a variety oftrails to Claudius Smith’s Den where we will stop for lunch. This is a moderate hike with a lotof history thrown in. Meet at the Tuxedo Railroad station on Route 17 in Tuxedo at 9:15.Leader John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10 PM) or Jurasek@optonline.net (ACOC)

JUN 8 (Sat) Red Bank - Environmental Service Program. The Red Bank EnvironmentalCommission has received a matching grant from the NJ-DEP to create a natural area park on avacant lot on the river, creating public access to the river. The grant only covers the cost of thedesign work in this year’s phase, and volunteers are needed to help implement the design.Volunteers will clear shrub and non-native plants, and prepare a trail approximately 100 feetlong. The lot is located at 100 Locust Avenue, off Shrewsbury Avenue, in Red Bank. Volunteersare requested to bring work gloves, rakes, shovels, clippers and other digging implements, ifthey can. If you would like to help, please RSVP to Marty Judd, at 732/957-1493, ormjudd@worldnet.att.net, no later than Thursday, June 6. (JS)

JUN 8-9 (Sat-Sun) Exploratory Backpack Trip. Traverse one of the more remote, outlying rangesof the Western Catskill Mountains. This area of the Catskills has numerous crystal clear wilder-ness lakes, is not often visited and should be new for most of us. We may also climb one ormore of the high peaks in the area which may not be accessible by trail. This will require navi-gational techniques using maps and compass. The trip should be an instructional challenge forus. If the weather and site is favorable, a camp at a wilderness swimming lake will be planned.Moderate difficulty. For more details regarding transportation, equipment and meeting placeSaturday morning contact the leaders. This is a joint trip of the AMC, Sierra Club & UCHC.Leader: Al Tatyrek, 27 Orchard Rd., Maplewood, NJ 07040, (973) 763-2303 (No calls after 10please). Co-leader: Brant Collins (732) 458-8334 (E)

JUN 9 (Sun) Singles Hike at Eagle Rock Reservation. We will hike 4-5 miles at a moderate pace.Bring water and snacks. Rain cancels. Meet before 10:00 AM at the Highlawn Pavilion Parkinglot off Eagle Rock Avenue in West Orange. Take Route 280 to Prospect Avenue (Exit 8B) headnorth, right turn onto Eagle Rock Avenue, left turn into reservation. A $3 fee will be charged tonon-members and all participants must sign a liability waiver. Leader: Joyce Haddad (973) 364-7573 option #8 (E)

JUN 9 (Sun) Clayton Park Hike, Upper Freehold Township, Monmouth County (Special Interests:land conservation, watershed protection). A moderate 6 mile hike in one of the area’s “quietest”parks. Please bring drink and snack. Hiking shoes suggested. Meet at 9 AM at the Wawa conve-nience store on County Road 537, just south of I-195 (from the Turnpike & GSP, follow the signsto Great Adventure). We will car pool from there. Bad weather cancels. Confirmation/questionsplease call. Leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718, or mjverange@aol.com (JS)

JUN 9 (Sun) Social Hike in High Point State Park. This is a singles-oriented activity; however,ANYONE who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike about seven miles at a moder-ate pace on the Kittatinny Ridge. Highlights include Lake Rutherford, Dutch Shoe Rock, SawMill Pond and several excellent viewpoints. After the hike, there will be an optional excursionto the High Point monument for a superb viewpoint. If it is very warm, there may be an oppor-tunity for swimming. Hiking boots are recommended. Meet BY 10 AM at the Appalachian Trailparking area about 75 yards southeast of the Park Ranger’s office on Route 23. Take Route 23 toHigh Point State Park. Do not enter the park! The parking area is just before you reach the parkon the left side of Route 23. Rain cancels. Leader: Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

JUN 9 (Sun) Singles Hike Wissahickon Gorge. 8 miles moderate pace over hills. Hike the Gorgein late spring with its spectacular views. Bring picnic type food to share at tailgate social afterhike. Meet by 8:30 AM in rear parking lot Hilton Hotel,on Route 70 Cherry Hill to car pool/cara-van. Or meet at 9:30 AM at Valley Green parking lot in park. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

JUN 16 (Sun) Father’s Day Hike in Schooley’s Mountain Park. 4 to 5 miles. Meet 11 AM, MountOlive A&P parking lot on Route 48, side nearest Naughright Road. Leaders: Ellen and Joe Pepin973-252-5137 (NW)

JUN 16 (Sun) Single Parents Hike in South Mountain Reservation. We will hike 3-4 miles at amoderate pace. Enjoy beautiful views of NYC and a 25 foot waterfall. We will be visiting theTurtle Back Zoo with an option to lunch there. Bring water and snacks. Wear hiking boots. Raincancels. Route 280 to Pleasant Valley Way South. Go 3 miles into reservation. Meet before12:00 PM at the Tulip Springs parking area on your left. A $3 fee will be charged to non-mem-bers and all participants must sign a liability waiver. Leaders: Ron Pate (973) 364-7573 option#2 and Patrick Montague (E)

JUN 16 (Sun) Singles Kayak Trip. We will do the Maurice River, Cumberland Co., meet by 9 AMat Al & Sams Canoe Rentals on Route 47, Delsea Drive, Vineland, 2 miles South of Route 40.Bring picnic type food to share after trip. Call leader to reserve space. Leaders: Paul Serdiuk609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net or John Keys 856-697-3047 (W)

JUN 22 (Sat) Full Moon Hike/Swim at Blue Mountain Lakes. Moonlight hikes are truly special!SWIMSUITS, extra food, flashlights and hiking boots are recommended and participants should bein good condition. The hike must end by 10:00 when the area is closed to cars. Meet BEFORE5:00 PM at the Blue Mountain Lakes parking area. Take Exit 12 on Route 80. Drive into Blairstownon Route 521 North. Turn left at the Route 94 junction. Then, turn right at the traffic light (leaveRoutes 94 and 521). Take County Road 602 for about seven miles to Millbrook (not Stillwater).Turn right at Millbrook Village and go about 1.5 miles to the Blue Mountain Lakes sign. Turn rightand look for the parking area. Rain cancels. Leader: Steve Ember, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

JUN 22 (Sat) Singles Full Moon Hike. 6 miles moderate pace. Hike under the Strawberry Moonas we walk on sand roads. Bring snack type food to share at tailgate social after hike. Meet by7:30 PM in field behind the Atsion Office on Route 206, between Hammonton and Red LionCircle, Burl. Co. Leader: Paul Serdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

JUN 29 (Sat) Social Hike in Hacklebarney State Park. This is a singles-oriented activity; however,anyone who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hike about 4 miles at a moderate pace.Highlights include waterfalls & the Black River Gorge. Hiking boots are preferred and partici-pants should be in good condition. Bring lunch or snack & 2 quarts of water. Clothing shouldbe non-cotton. Meet before 10:30 AM at the parking lot of Hacklebarney State Park. Take Route78 West to Exit 29 (287 North). Then take Exit 22B off 287 (202/206 North). Follow 202/206North until fork, and then take 206 north to Chester. Make left onto Route 24 West and pro-ceed about 1½ miles and make sharp left onto State Park Road. Drive 2 miles & make right ontoHacklebarney Road. Drive about 1 mile & make left at entrance. Rain cancels. Leader: JoyceWhite at (908) 272-4478 or e-mail joyce00201@yahoo.com (E)

JUN 30 (Sun) Social Hike/Swim at Blue Mountain Lakes (Special Interest: Beavers). This is a sin-gles-oriented activity; however, ANYONE who is adequately prepared is welcome. We will hikeabout five miles at a moderate pace on the Kittatinny Ridge. Optional routes are available for

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Chair* Tina Schvejda (973) 427-6863tschvejda@mindspring.com40 Marilyn St., North Haledon NJ 07508-2441

Vice-Chair*Sunil Somalwar (732) 572-7721svsomalwar@sierraactivist.org1015 South Park Ave., Highland Park NJ 08904-2954

Conservation Co-ChairsDennis Schvejda (973) 427-6863dschvejda@igc.apc.org40 Marilyn St., North Haledon NJ 07508-2441

*Laura Lynch (609) 882-4642llynch@mail.med.upenn.edu11 Lumar Rd., Trenton, NJ 08648-3127

Legislative ChairMarty Sayne (732) 932-2637mmartinws@earthlink.net12 Seward Dr., Ocean NJ 07712-3725

Political Chair*Rich Isaac (973) 716-0297risaacx@aol.com47 Fellswood Dr., Livingston NJ 07039-2235

Political Vice-ChairMeiling Chin (908) 490-1054chinmeiling@yahoo.com106 Cedar Green Lane, Berkeley Hts NJ 07922

Treasurer*George Denzer (609) 799-5839gdenzer@mymailstation.com127 Dey Rd., Cranbury NJ 08512-5418

Secretary*Bonnie Tillery (609) 259-6438blt44blt@aol.com389 Sawmill Rd, Hamilton NJ 08620

Outings ChairSteve Ember (732) 926-8964sehiker@yahoo.com511 Grandview St, Middlesex NJ 08846

Newsletter Co-Editors*Dick Colby (609) 965-4453dick.colby@stockton.edu127 Liverpool Av, Egg Harbor City NJ 08215-1319

Pete Garino (201) 913-7467pgarino@njtransit.com39 E 39th St, Paterson NJ 07514-1143

WebmasterGeorge Newsome (732) 308-1518newsome1@optonline.net

Council Delegate*Jane Tousman (908) 561-5504jdtous@aol.com 14 Butler Rd., Edison NJ 08820-1007Alternate: Rich Isaac - (see above)

NERCC Representatives*Joan Denzer (see George Denzer above)and Jane Tousman (see above)

Financial CommitteeTina Schvejda**, Sunil Somalwar, Steve Ember, Rich Isaac, George Denzer, Dick Colby

Legal ChairBill Singer, Esq. (908) 359-7873Personnel CommitteeSunil Somalwar**, Tina Schvejda,and Dennis Schvejda

Printed on Recycled Paper

Chapter Office 609-924-3141new.jersey.chapter@sierraclub.org

57 Mountain Av, Princeton NJ 08540fax: 609-924-8799

Chapter Director: Jeff Titteljefft1@voicenet.com

Policy Director: vacant position!Office Manager

Lori Herpen 609-924-1023lori.herpen@sierraclub.org

If no one is in the office to take your call, please leavea message on the answering machine. PleaseSPELL YOUR LAST NAME, and state whether thephone number you leave is for daytime or evening.

THE JERSEY SIERRANThe Jersey Sierran is the newsletter of the New

Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club. Readers are encour-aged to submit articles, photographs, artwork, cartoonson environmental subjects, letters to the editor, poetry,press releases and expressions of opinion.

Articles and letters should be submitted typed anddouble spaced (or preferably by e-mail or on disk: callfor format information). Send submissions to: DickColby. The deadline is the 10th of the month twomonths prior to the issue date.

The opinions expressed in The Jersey Sierran arenot necessarily those of the New Jersey Chapter. theSierra Club or the editor. Nor does an advertisementimply Club endorsement of the advertised product(s)or service(s).Copyright 2002. All rights reserved. Thecontents of The Jersey Sierran may be used withoutpermission in publications of other entities of the SierraClub. Acknowledgement of the source would be appreci-ated.

Some display advertising may be accepted. Pleasecontact the Advertising Manager before submitting anad. Placement of any ad is contingent upon availabilityof space and must meet Sierra Club guidelines.

The Jersey Sierran is published quarterly by theNew Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club, 57 MountainAvenue, Princeton, NJ 08540.

Members, send changes of address toaddress.changes@sierraclub.org or to Sierra Club,P.O. Box 52968, Boulder, CO 80328 and to theChapter Office, 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ08540 or call 415-977-5653.Editorial Board: Tina Schvejda, Jeff Tittel, RichIsaac, George and Joan Denzer, Mary Penney, PeteGarino, Dick Colby.

Editor (this & next issue): Dick Colby, 609-965-4453, dick.colby@stockton.edu

Layout/Design: Karen Brown, 856-547-9221

Advertising Manager: Sunil Somalwar, 732-572-7721svsomalwar@sierraactivist.org

Group News (all issues): Dick Colby

Contributors to this issue: Tina Schvejda, DennisSchvejda, Jeff Tittel, Bonnie Tillery, Bart Semcer,Rich Isaac, Fred Akers, Gina Carola, Bill Potter, JeffDerwin, Joyce Haddad.Printed by Redmond Press, DenvilleAddressed and Mailed by SHM Mailhouse, Princeton.

Thank you to all who contributed. The Jersey Sierran isproduced by volunteers.

Legislative CommitteeMarty Sayne**, Dennis Anderson,Ken Johanson, Dave Mattek, Jeff Tittel, Bill Wolfe

Membership ChairLinda Isaac (973) 716-0297lmisaac@aol.com47 Fellswood Dr., Livingston NJ 07039-2235

Atlantic Coast Ecoregion DelegateJoan Denzer (see above)Phil L’Hommedieu (see above)

Inner City Outings CoordinatorAnne Dyjak (see Group News pages)

* Indicates Chapter-wide elected ExCom members.** Indicates committee chair

Issues CoordinatorsCape May IssuesDoug Jewell (609) 463-8423jewell@avaloninternet.net5 Timber La, Swainton NJ 08210

Clean AirBob Campbell (908) 273-5720wrobc@intac.com18 Shadyside Av, Summit NJ 07901-2111

Bill Green (908) 276-2357William_Green@eisai.com2 Roger Av, Cranford NJ 07016-2715

Delaware River DredgingGina Carola (856) 848-8831ginacee@snip.net534 Elberne Av, Westville NJ 08093-1715

Federal IssuesDennis Schvejda (see main leader list)

Forestry IssuesGeorge Schindler, Jr. (609) 252-9299GESchindlerJr@worldnet.att.net2 Center Dr, Skillman NJ 08558-1926

GrazingDave Mattek (609) 737-1342MattekDC@aol.com4 1/2 Park Av, Pennington NJ 08534-2313

Hackensack MeadowlandsHugh Carola (201) 457-1582hcarola@aol.com30 Maple Av, Hackensack NJ 07601-4502

Bill Sheehan (201) 692-8440captain@keeper.org1000 River Rd #T090c, Teaneck NJ 07666

Marine IssuesTina Schvejda (see main leader list)

Passaic River BasinRich Isaac (see main leader list)

PopulationBonnie Tillery (see main leader list)

Tiger ConservationSunil Somalwar (see main leader list)

TransportationBob Johnson (908) 771-9676robert.johnson@comcast.net65 Holly Glen Lane South, Berkeley Hts NJ 07922-2615

Utah WildernessBarbara Hayes (732) 572-4331BHayes@sadat.com331 Crowells Rd #B, Highland Park NJ 08904-3309

New Jersey Chapter

Leadership

Upcoming ExCom Meetings:All members are welcome to attend these month-ly statewide policy deliberations, held on satur-days at the New Brunswick Public Library (60Livingston Avenue, 10 minutes' walk from thetrainstation). The April meeting will NOT be at theNew Brunswick Library. Contact any ExCommember for location. Agendas are available inadvance from Tina Schvejda.

Conservation and Political Committee meetingsstart at 10am. Lunch is shared at noon. The mainmeeting starts at 1pm. We usually continue dis-cussions informally over dinner at a nearbyrestaurant, at 5pm.

APRIL 13 • MAY 11 • JUNE 8

OUTINGS(Continued from page 11)

those who prefer to hike more. Highlights include pretty lakes and evidence of beaver activity(Nature’s illustrious engineers). SWIMSUITS, cameras and hiking boots are recommended. MeetBY 10 AM at the Blue Mountain Lakes parking area. Take Exit 12 on Route 80. Drive intoBlairstown on Route 521 North. Turn left at the Route 94 junction. Then, turn right at the traf-fic light (leave Routes 94 and 521). Take County Road 602 for about seven miles to Millbrook(not Stillwater). Turn right at Millbrook Village and go about 1.5 miles to the Crater Lake sign.Turn right and watch for the Blue Mountain Lakes parking area. Rain cancels. Leader: SteveEmber, sehiker@yahoo.com (RV)

JUN 30 (Sun) Singles Kayak Trip. Paddle the Wading or Oswego Rivers. Bring picnic type foodto share at tailgate social after trip. Call leader to reserve space. Meet by 9:30 AM at Bel-Havencanoe rentals, on Route 542, Green Bank, Burl. Co., 8 miles east of Hammonton. Leader: PaulSerdiuk 609-697-3870 eve pis1@cccnj.net (W)

JULYJUL 4 (Thu) Manasquan River Reservoir, Monmouth County (Special Interests: Birds). Enjoy aneasy 5-mile circular hike on one of the largest reservoirs in the area. We may observe water-fowl. Bring drinks, snacks, bird books, and binoculars. Hiking shoes are not required. Great forfamilies. Meet at 9 AM at the main entrance to the reservoir. Take GSP to exit 98. Head west onI-195 to exit 28 (Rt. 9). Go north on 9 and take the first right at Georgia Tavern Road. Goapprox. ½ mile and take the next right onto Windeller Road. Continue to the main entrancewhich is 1.5 miles on your left. Meet in the parking area at the far left towards the back. Badweather cancels. Confirmation/questions please call. Leader: Mike Verange, 908-902-0718, ormjverange@aol.com (JS)

JUL 13 (Sat) Schunemunk Circular. Moderate 8 miles. Steep (1200 foot) initial climb will reward thehiker with fantastic views in all directions from the highest point in Orange County! A brief geolo-gy lesson is included for free. Bring hiking boots, lunch, 2 quarts of water. Joint with AMC. Meet at10 AM in Mountainville NY. Take Route 32 North from the Harriman Exit of the NYS Thruwayabout 7 miles to Angola/Pleasant Hill Road. Park at the Black Rock Fish and Game Club sign. LeaderJohn P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10 PM) or Jurasek@optonline.net (ACOC)

AUGUSTAUG 10 (Sat) Fahnestock Park. We will walk all day on a variety of trails including the AT, at amoderate pace covering about 9 or 10 miles. Hiking boots a must. Not for those who want tohike long and hard. We will stop often to enjoy our surroundings. Bring lunch and plenty ofdrinking water. Take the Bear Mountain Bridge to route 9D North 7 miles to Main St. (Route301). Go left down Main street to the end to meet the group at the train station. Meet at 10 AM.Joint with AMC . Leader John P. Jurasek 845-365-3618 (no calls past 10 PM) or Jurasek@opton-line.net (ACOC)

would be a good way to reach out togroups, and asked for the best way tocommunicate with him. Campbell askedus all to send our concerns to Jeff Tittlel,who has access to him and his staff. Hewould prefer to keep his email addressunavailable for mass lobbying.

Sunil Somalwar, Chapter Vice-Chair,suggested alleviating the State’s budget cri-sis by abandoning the funding of beachrestoration and road projects. Campbellsaid he believed that beach replenishmentwould take a budget hit. He further statedthat there would probably not be a hit toenforcement or staff. Hits would be inareas that were mismanaged in the past.

Another issue was proposed byGeorge Denzer (Central Jersey Group):Every hour upwards of ten New YorkCity 18-wheeler trash trucks roar, rumbleand belch diesel smoke on the narrowroads that connect the Turnpike withDelaware River bridges intoPennsylvania. Campbell responded thathe has a staff member looking into thepractice of diesel equipment such astrucks, buses and tugboats just sittingaround idling. George urged restorationof the Hot Line that residents could callwhen they saw a truck belching smoke.

Gina Corola, Chair of the West JerseyGroup, pointed out that the permits that

New DEP Commissioner(Continued from page 1)

the DEP issued to the Army Corps ofEngineers to dump Delaware Riverdredge spoils on land were 4 1/2 yearsold and based on studies that were 10years old. She gave him the name andnumber of the studies, dates issued andthe office within the DEP that issuedthem, and asked if he could require newstudies and permits since they were soold. Campbell responded that waitingfor 5 years might be more appropriate.

Finally Chapter Outings Chair SteveEmber mentioned that New Jersey lacksrequirements for endangered speciesstudies to determine how much buffershould surround property developments.

as word gets out, we will get more peo-ple interested, contributing, and volun-teering.

Anyone interested in this project,especially those with expertise in envi-ronmental science, taxonomy, botany,ecology, ornithology, or carpentry,please contact either Ron Pate (973-669-8829 omyogiron@aol.com) or DaveOgens (973-226-7107 orbandit29@aol.com).

REVIVAL(Continued from page 9)

“This is the switch left on all nightthat burned the bulbthat pulled the wattsthat come from the turbinethat needed the fuelthat went up in smokethat was mostly CO2that joined more greenhouse gas

that rose up in the skythat trapped the heatthat boosted the temperaturethat warmed the oceanthat melted the ice capsthat raised the wavesthat flooded the coast.Please turn me off.”

Noticed above a lightswitch at Haddonfield Friends Meeting House: