Date : Mon, 2 Mar 2015 17:03:08 -0500
For Immediate Release
March 2, 2015
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
Four Former Governors Oppose Pinelands Nominee
"As a strong supporter of the Pinelands Protection Act when it passed the Assembly in 1979 under the leadership of Governor Byrne, I'm pleased to see the bipartisan opposition from Governors Byrne, Kean, Florio and Whitman to the appointment of Robert Barr to replace Robert Jackson - one of the strongest defenders of the Pinelands and its precious and fragile aquifer which provides contaminated free drinking water to local residents and to rivers, streams and wetlands. Their concern is my concern - replacing an experienced independent member of the Pinelands Commission threatens its independence," said New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak.
Four former New Jersey Governors, Brendan Byrne, Thomas Kean, Christine Whitman and James Florio, in bi-partisan fashion have all signed a letter to block Robert Barr's nomination to the Pinelands Commission. These governors have a long commitment to and history protecting the Pinelands and addressed the letter to all 40 state senators. The governors are uniting again which is unique because former governors never take stance in the nomination process. This shows just how bad Barr's nomination is and the importance of commission appointment.
"We applaud the four former governors for standing up for the independence and integrity of the Pinelands Commission. The governors understand that this nomination could tip the balance of the commission and are concerned it could undo the Comprehensive Management Plan and open up the Pinelands for inappropriate development. We are all concerned that this nomination could weaken 40 years of Pinelands protections." said Jeff Tittel, Director of The New Jersey Sierra Club.
This is the second time that the governors have banded together. In 2013, they sent a letter opposing a planned 24-mile pipeline, 15 miles of which would go through land under Pinelands Commission jurisdiction. It is very rare for governors to take stance on a proposal in front of the commission, but like commission nomination opposition, these governors realize the future of the Pinelands is at stake. Now, they are defending the integrity and independence of the Pinelands.
"Robert Barr during his first testimony in Committee knew nothing about the Pinelands or science of the Pinelands. He still knows nothing about the Pinelands. All he knows is political science and has political connections. This appointment is about politics, not protecting the Pinelands. When Mr. Barr was interviewed during Committee he said he has no opinion of the pipeline, but he is part of the political operation that is pushing for the pipeline. Either way it makes him unqualified. His appointment jeopardizes the Pinelands and is a sellout of our environment," said Tittel.
The former governors recognize Barr's nomination is not just about the pipeline, the appointment could dismantle 40 years of Pinelands protections. Each governor has been an active advocate in establishing Pinelands protections and they know what they speak about. In the 1970s, Governor Florio wrote federal legislation to establish the federal legislation for the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. He then served as the Chairman of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission from November 2002 to June 2005. The passage of the Pinelands Protection Act in 1979 occurred under Governor Byrne. During Governor Kean, the Pinelands Commission was established and the Act was implemented. Governor Whitman pushed for open space during her time as governor.
"The former governors understand that it is not the Pinelands itself. This is about retribution. Governor Christie's administration wants to replace Robert Jackson who voted against the pipeline with a political puppet, which would dismantle the protections. These governors have written and implemented the Pinelands Act and understand that the future of the Pinelands is at stake with this nomination. That is why it is important for the Senate block Robert Barr's nomination to the Pinelands Commission." said Jeff Tittel, Director of The New Jersey Sierra Club.
In the letter, the governors state "We believe at this time and in present circumstances, this nomination would undermine the independence of the Pinelands Commission." They recognize that the appointment of Robert Barr puts the future of the Pinelands at stake. We applaud each governor for taking a stance on this issue.
March 2, 2015
Senator J. Raymond Lesniak
985 Stuyvesant Ave.
Union, NJ 07083
Re: Pinelands Commission Nomination
Dear Senator Lesniak,
We are writing to urge the Senate to withhold confirmation of the pending nomination for the Pinelands Commission, Robert Barr to replace Robert Jackson, when it comes before the full Senate in the coming weeks. We believe that at this time and in the present circumstances, this nomination would undermine the independence of the Pinelands Commission. For thirty-five years, the Pinelands Commission has been the bedrock of the Pinelands conservation effort. Its extraordinary success in that mission is due in great part to the fact that it has functioned as an independent executive agency without undue interference in its implementation of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. Recent events threaten to erode that independence. The Senate can preserve the integrity of the Pinelands program, and help protect the work of other independent executive agencies, by withholding confirmation of this nomination at this time. As former governors for whom the Pinelands represents one of New Jersey's great " but ever-vulnerable " treasures, we ask for your help at this important juncture in the life of the Pinelands.
Sincerely,
Brenda T. Byrne
Thomas H. Kean
Christine Todd Whitman
James J. Florio