Bergen County Prosecutor Takes Aim At Empire Tract ORVs

Molinelli Enlists Local Police Departments To Enforce Ban

 

By Hugh Carola

 

Responding to calls for assistance from Hackensack Riverkeeper® and the Meadowlands Conservation Trust (MCT), Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli has taken a bold step toward putting a stop to illegal off-road vehicle (ORV) activity on the Empire Tract. In a July 18 letter to the Police Chiefs of Carlstadt, Little Ferry, Moonachie and South Hackensack, Molinelli officially requested their departments’ cooperation to end the abuse of the site by motorized trespassers.

“I applaud the solid efforts of Mr. Molinelli and County Executive Dennis McNerney to solve this long-standing problem,” said Tina Schvejda, MCT executive director. “I look forward to working closely with them and our local police to put a stop to those who’ve been running roughshod over the marshes of the Empire Tract.”

In addition to private property issues surrounding the land which is owned by the Trust as conservation land, the Prosecutor also considered the Empire Tract’s proximity to the massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) station owned by Transco, the international energy transportation company. Health, safety and security were among Molinelli’s chief concerns.

“Obviously, the ability to come close to the site by utilizing either private or Conservation Trust property is of great concern to me and I am sure to you as well,” wrote Mr. Molinelli, who added that it was up to law enforcement to “reverse the trend” of trespassing on the “highly sensitive site.”

“Needless to say, ORV trespassing is not terrorism, but any way one looks at it, unlawful access is unlawful,” said Captain Bill Sheehan, MCT Chairman. “If I were one of those folks who have been tearing up the Empire Tract, I’d do myself a favor and find a legal place to ride.”