|
NJ Honors Hackensack Riverkeeper for Environmental Excellence By Hugh M. Carola
“This award is more
that just a great honor,” said Captain Bill Sheehan, executive director,
Hackensack Riverkeeper. “It is a recognition that our work is done on behalf of
all the people of New Jersey.” The award was
presented in the category of Healthy Ecosystems—a category that specifically
reviews a nominee’s ability to effect “restoration, protection and enhancement
of the State’s ecosystems.” In selecting Hackensack Riverkeeper, the NJDEP
recognized both our commitment to the Hackensack River watershed and our proven
track record. Among the criteria reviewed were Hackensack Riverkeeper’s role
administering the Blue Claw Crab Advisory Project and our ongoing work with
public and private partners to create the Meadowlands Estuary Preserve. A combination of
streetwise persistence and good old-fashioned advocacy, based on sound science
and ecological practices, resulted in what many thought was impossible: Saving,
not paving, the Meadowlands. “This award recognizes not only our work in this
process, but also the many, many people who stood with us and helped us make it
happen,” said Captain Bill.
The Environmental Excellence Awards Program is
administered by the NJDEP and co-sponsored by the League of Municipalities and
the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT). Awards were also
given to Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst; Pequannock River Coalition;
RangeSafe Technology Demonstration Initiative at Picatinny Arsenal; Chesterfield
Township; Huntsman; Dr. Chris Obrupta of Rutgers University; and James A.
Shissias of PSE&G. |
The New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) presented Hackensack Riverkeeper
with a 2003 Environmental Excellence Award for its advocacy and educational
work, including preserving the Meadowlands, publicizing the dangers of eating
blue claw crabs from the Newark Bay Complex, and assisting in the prosecution
of some of the area’s largest polluters. NJDEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell
made the presentation during the New Jersey State League of Municipalities
Conference in November. 
The Environmental
Excellence Award also recognizes Hackensack Riverkeeper’s collaborative efforts
on behalf of the upcoming Meadowlands Master Plan that is expected to become
law in January; and our successful antipollution lawsuit against Honeywell
International.