Activity Report
November 2004

• SHRIMP FARM:
  Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein's bill is still in committee (Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Bob Smith, Chairman). The committee received Ed's letter, but there is no more news. The League of Municipalities passed a resolution opposing factory farming on preserved farmland and supporting high-tech farming on brownfields.

• HAMILTON:
  Ed wrote a letter to Mayor Gilmore asking him to protect the Skeba, Schisler, and Dey farms in southeast Hamilton (near Crosswicks). The Skeba farm will be up for approval at the December 9 Planning Board meeting. The Skeba farm plans, in particular, the stormwater management plan, were sent to Steve Souza, an independent expert, for review. Save Hamilton Open Space sent him the plans; Souza will review them before the December meeting.

• ROUTE 92:
  Laura testified at the Princeton Township Committee meeting (along with the Princeton Environmental Commission, Lincoln Hollister, and several others), asking for a resolution favoring conflict mediation for Route 92. The Committee voted unanimously in favor, with Mayor Marchand abstaining. A week later, Acting Senator Codey announced that the Turnpike will be widened from Exit 6 to Exit 8A. Meanwhile, we are working with Martin Robins of the Voorhees Transportation Policy Institute (project managers for the Penns Neck Area EIS Partners Roundtable) to arrange conflict mediation, regardless of the fate of the Route 92 DEIS.

• WAL-MART:
  The Wal-Mart informational forum was held on November 30. Laura spoke about Wal-Mart's environmental record and the environmental issues posed by the Lawrence site. Approximately 40 people attended.

• POLE FARM:
  Mercer County unveiled its plan for the Pole Farm on November 30. Most of the proposal submitted by the Central Group and Washington Crossing Audubon was in the final plan, with a few changes. Bill, Ed, Corinne, and Pat attended. Audubon gave a lot of testimony. This was part one of several hearings, where the general scope of the plan, and constraints, were laid out. The comments were mostly positive. Ed commented that he was glad that our recommendations were incorporated. He said that the Sierra Club wants the emphasis to remain on passive recreation. Many people made similar comments. The next hearing will focus on opportunities, so it may be too early to consider this a success. Ed asked for a printed report. Written comments will be accepted.

• CROSS-ACCEPTANCE:
  The Central Group submitted comments to Mercer County on the State Plan draft. The County acknowledged our recommendations but didn't change their recommendations to the State.