On May 19th, far-reaching legislation was introduced into the New Jersey Assembly and Senate. This significant piece of legislation, the Permit Extension Act, is being pushed by special interests in New Jersey as an “economic stimulus”. Actually, this bill is an attack on wildlife, habitat and good land use planning. This bill will have dire consequences for the natural heritage of New Jersey.

New Jerseyans should be proud of regional plans which are protective of wildlife and wildlife habitat.  The Highlands, Pinelands, coastal communities and recent wastewater rules afford protections to natural systems.  This broad-scale approach is needed to ensure the continued survival and viability of our rich animal and plant communities.  Unfortunately, this Act would allow for significant “holes to be poked” into regional habitat protection efforts.

The Permit Extension Act would prolong all permits and approvals for developers at the State and local levels for six years, allowing projects that were permitted many years ago to avoid changes in environmental laws or local zoning which protect wildlife and habitat. This legislation will unfortunately result in more sprawl causing habitat destruction and drinking water degradation The act would allow projects whose permits or approvals have expired within the past two years to be extended, even if those projects would cause environmental damage including habitat loss. The act would also provide a blanket extension for those permits affecting federally-designated programs, such as the Wetlands Act and Clean Water Act, violating Memoranda of Agreement between the State of New Jersey and the federal government.

This extension is an elimination of many of the hard won and necessary statutory and regulatory changes that have taken place in the past few years and flouts the efforts of the legislature and State agencies to protect the natural heritage of this State. Twice before New Jersey has declared economic emergencies and implemented permit extensions allowing builders to continue destructive sprawl development. The result has been a serious negative impact on habitat protection, drinking water protection and quality of life.

This legislation provides a blanket extension regardless of the type of project, the impacts of the project and the damage to resources.  The Permit Extension Act would extend all permits and approvals for development projects for an additional six years with no attention given to a project’s merits. This indiscriminate approach would allow projects that no longer meet environmental, public health, or building standards to go forward.

Additionally, municipalities are charged with reviewing and revising master plans every 6 years. Extending permits would further impact the municipality’s ability to control the zoning of their land. Not knowing if an extended permit will be utilized would significantly impact the municipality’s ability to zone and perform proper and well-reasoned land use planning. The Permit Extension Act could extend bad development permits 16 years.

Scientific knowledge, technology, health information, and ecosystems change in time frames much shorter than sixteen years. All developments that have potential to cause environmental damage and public health harm deserve to be investigated using the most advanced toxicological, environment and technological knowledge, not techniques used two decades previously. Please contact your NJ Assembly and Senate representatives and tell them that your health and your environment are too important to give away. Follow the link below to say "No" to A2867/S1919. 

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Dear Legislator,

I am writing to strongly urge you to protect habitat and wildlife in NJ by voting "NO" on the Permit Extension Act (A2867/S1919). We have a land use regulatory time frame for a reason- because we are constantly learning new things and our knowledge is changing and improving through updated wildlife surveys, habitat mapping, and scientific research. It is vital that we use the best, most up-to-date information as we determine proper development including location. It interferes with sound conservation to have permits that outlast the ability to revise regulations and master planning.

We ask that you consider the significant value of protecting our natural heritage; a heritage which play a vital role in the lives of the citizens of the State and in our economy. While we recognize that permitting can be expensive, it is unwise to disregard the costs associated with allowing permitting in the face of damage to our natural resources. For example, wildlife-related recreation generates $3.9 billion per year in NJ.

It is vital that you recognize the significant cost to natural resources and the value of our natural resources to our economy. Lack of environmental protection, habitat loss, stream pollution, soil contamination, and wetlands destruction will have dire financial consequences for the State of New Jersey's economy and the health and safety of its citizens, habitat and wildlife.

The decision that you will be making is a decision to either protect our wildlife and natural heritage and the health and safety of the citizens of the State or in the face of economic downturn and pressure from overextended markets with overvalued stock, give a blanket extension for permits for development which would negatively impact our wildlife, habitat and safe drinking water and may not spur economic growth.

I ask that you protect my natural heritage including wildlife and habitat and safeguard the drinking water of all the citizens of this State and that you vote "NO" on the Permit Extension Act (A2867/S1919).

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 11, 2008