North Jersey Group:
covering
Bergen, Passaic and Northern Morris Counties
approximately
from the Highlands to the Meadowlands
Sign up for
e-mail announcements of meetings, events and issues.
GENERAL MEETINGS:
Begin at 7:30pm; date and location indicated below.
For more information, contact Betsy (see above).
Thursday, May 21 at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113
Cottage Place, Ridgewood:
"Alaska -- America's Last Great Wilderness" - an
audiovisual presentation by Julia Shaw of the Alaska Wilderness League about
protecting the natural lands, waters, wildlife, ecosystems, and indigenous
cultures that make Alaska unique. The program will include a short film with
breathtaking images of the land and life on it. Shaw will also give updates
on the Arctic refuge, Arctic oceans and seas, and the status of
Congressional legislation.
CONSERVATION ISSUES
Preservation and protection of the vegetative riparian corridors in the
Hackensack River watershed that are essential for wildlife habitat, flood
control and the health of the river.
Protection of Ramapo River watershed lands in NJ and NY. Upstream in NY,
the forested slopes are under threat by large-scale housing projects, most
significantly the 1,195-unit Tuxedo Reserve that will include 33,000 square
feet of commercial space.
Protection of the NJ Highlands. We are skeptical that the Highlands
Regional Master Plan will adequately protect our water supply. Sixty per cent
of 183 sub-watersheds in the NJ Highlands lack sufficient water, and yet the
RMP allows new and expanded water extraction in areas of current water
deficit. It also allows clustered housing on operating farmland, reduction of
C1 and C2 stream buffers in redevelopment areas, and relaxation of NJDEP
nitrate standards to permit pollution of well water with septic.
We oppose plans to destroy parkland in Overpeck County Park to build (1) a
road and rotary in the Leonia section of the park to connect the Ridgefield
Park section via Fort Lee to the NJ Turnpike and (2) a park-and-ride
lot/facility for the Northern Branch light rail line. Parkland should be
preserved!
We oppose Montclair State University's plan to use Quinn Road as a campus
exit to Valley Road, Clifton. Widening this steep road would only destroy
the hillside, trees and habitat, and add 8,000 cars to increase area
congestion and air pollution.
We continue to monitor Elmwood Park's air quality (contact Laura Coll,
above) and Clifton's Latteri Park.
BE A SIERRA CLUB VOLUNTEER
To find out how you can help with grassroots
organizing, conservation issues, educational programs, outings, meetings,
Cool Cities Campaign, or other, please contact an officer (see above).
CARTRIDGE RECYCLING
Leave your used cartridges in the window box
by the exit door at Whole Foods Market, 905 River Road, Edgewater, 8am to
10pm daily. No remanufactured ones, please. Thanks for recycling and
supporting North Jersey Group!
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