On Jan. 8, 2004, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) made history when it unanimously passed three resolutions that set the course for the future of the 32 square-mile Meadowlands District. The resolutions dealt with the first new Master Plan for the District since 1970 and they represent the finest example of Smart Growth we could have hoped for.

 

Throughout the history of Hackensack Riverkeeper, I have always held that economic growth could take place in the Meadowlands without filling in wetlands. I have always felt that, by preserving the remaining wetlands, the economy of the region would be enhanced. The recent policy decisions will help to shape the image of the Hackensack Meadowlands for the next quarter-century and beyond. Future generations of visitors to the region will benefit from the vision and actions that are being taken today.

 

As this new age of reason dawns, I am compelled to remember critical contributions made by several exceptional individuals. Without their guidance, support and leadership, I might not have ever found the strength to stay the course and fulfill the mission of Hackensack Riverkeeper; indeed, there might not even be a Hackensack Riverkeeper were it not for their help.

 

In the mid 1990s, I had the honor and the pleasure of assisting Richard P. Kane with the field work for his study “Hackensack River Migratory Bird Report.” It was during one of the boat trips that the conversation turned to eco-tourism as an alternative economic engine for the Meadowlands. That conversation planted the seed that grew into our Eco-Cruise program, and to date Hackensack Riverkeeper has escorted nearly 20,000 people into the Meadowlands.

 

During the SAMP/Mills wars, we learned to work with the print and broadcast media to get the word out to the public. Due to the transient nature of the news business, I was constantly bringing reporters up to speed on the issues surrounding the Meadowlands. But there were two individuals who stand out: Tina Traster and Al Sullivan. Tina was a reporter for The Record at the height of the controversial period and she never underestimated the importance of keeping the public informed about the struggle regarding the future of the wetlands. Al is a reporter with the Hudson Reporter newspapers and his stories represent local reporting at its best.

 

It would be inexcusable to not acknowledge the former Mayor of Secaucus, Tony Just. At a time when all the other mayors in the District were willing to sign off on the mass destruction of our precious wetlands, Mayor Just stood up to the developers and valiantly defended the town of Secaucus against the extreme over-development that was proposed in the SAMP. He stood with us when we announced that the Hackensack River was named one of America’s most Endangered Waterways because of the proposed loss of wetlands.

 

And finally we could not have done it with out the financial support of our major funders: The Environmental Endowment for New Jersey, The Victoria Foundation, The Fund for New Jersey, The Schumann Fund for New Jersey, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Educational Foundation of America, The Norcross Wildlife Foundation, The Prentice Foundation, The John L. Neu Family Foundation, The Frank P. Smeal Charitable Lead Trust, The New Jersey Conservation Foundation and the Johanette Wallerstein Institute.  Our victory is your victory, thank you all.