RIVER VALE ACTION ALERTS GET RESULTS

Unprecedented outpouring of opposition to United Properties Group development

By Hugh M. Carola

In January of this year, United Properties Group (UPG), the real estate development arm of United Water New Jersey, began a strong and coordinated push to gain approval to develop several subdivisions on 44 acres of woodlands in River Vale, NJ. Despite the fact that those lands drain directly into the upper Hackensack River and Cherry Brook – the water supply for over one million people – UPG maintains that it has a right to develop and that doing so would have no adverse affect on water quality.

You may recall that last year AMERICAN RIVERS, the national river conservation organization, listed the Hackensack as one of our nations Most Endangered Rivers. The listing was based not on pollution but on threats posed to the watershed from improper development. UPG is seeking approval for the construction of up to one hundred units of housing on at least 26 of the 44 acres in question. Coupled with the UPG plan is an offer to sell the remaining 18 acres to River Vale for $10 million.

The River Vale Woods represents the last available tract of watershed buffer forest that is available for either development or preservation. Over the last few years, the Borough of River Vale has engaged in negotiations with UPG and amassed millions of dollars in open space acquisition funds from State and County sources and from local taxpayers. It's obvious that the town wants to save the Woods. (For more history on the subject, visit www.HackensackRiverkeeper.org or Bergen Save the Watershed Action Network at www.BergenSWAN.org).

"As far as we at Hackensack Riverkeeper are concerned, all 44 acres should be preserved," says Capt. Bill Sheehan. "It is unconscionable that a public water utility should seek to destroy the very land that holds and filters our drinking water, especially in this drought emergency." To that end, Bergen SWAN and Hackensack Riverkeeper collaborated on a series of Action Alert mailings and flier distributions over the winter that urged people: 1) to contact UPG, River Vale Mayor Raymond Darakjian, and Governor McGreevey by mail and fax to advocate preserving the Woods, and 2) to attend River Vale Planning Board meetings and publicly express their opposition to the development plan.

The response, particularly from River Vale residents, has been tremendous. In his briefcase Capt. Bill has a thick sheaf of letters; copies of those sent to the Governor by concerned citizens. Among them is one signed by Bergen County Executive William "Pat" Schuber.

Within days of receiving Mr. Schuber's letter, Capt. Bill requested that the WMA-5 Public Advisory Committee draft its own letter to Governor McGreevey. The letter urges McGreevey to declare a moratorium on the proposed development in River Vale and to do everything in his power to safeguard watershed buffer lands throughout New Jersey.

At press time the situation has still not been resolved. Though we have received some encouraging signals, we also know that some members of the River Vale Borough Council are wavering. At least one councilmember is quoted as saying, "[UPG's 18-acre offer] is the best deal we can hope for." Such an attitude is simply unacceptable.