The Virtues of Open Space

March 13, 2002

Press Conference
Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc.

Presenter: Jane Morton Galetto, President
Subject: The Virtues of Open Space

The purpose of this press conference is to dispel any misconceptions that the public may have about open space and its effect on the local tax base. Recent local resolutions imply that open space has had a negative effect on our economy. This is not true. Blaming economic challenges on open space preservation is using our natural areas as a scapegoat. This is not only unacceptable but also avoids addressing the real economic realities. Accepting quick fix development proposals on precious large land tracts is misguided. We commend the City of Millville for their efforts to revitalize the downtown and encourage them to stay the course. We are taking this opportunity to clarify and reaffirm our position on the value of open space.

Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries, Inc., founded in 1979 and incorporated in 1986, is a non profit all-volunteer watershed organization. Presently we have approximately 450 memberships. As an environmental group, we are committed to our mission of preservation and protection of both the natural and cultural resources within the Maurice River watershed. CU was instrumental in securing the Wild and Scenic River designation by the National Park Service for four Southern New Jersey rivers: the Maurice, Menantico, Manumuskin and Muskee. Our conservation achievements are numerous and we have played a major role in the promotion of environmental issues that are in the public's best interests. Citizens United has always supported the preservation of open space within the Maurice River Watershed.

It is important to note that the lands that we have been a proponent of preserving generally have these aspects in common: sensitive flora and fauna, critical habitat, critical value wetlands, limited public utilities and zoning that permits primarily homes, not businesses or industry. Smart growth necessitates controlling residential development. Unrestricted residential development as opposed to preservation could become a major drain on tax revenues. As we all know providing schools, public safety, road maintenance, trash collection, and utility infrastructure, is expensive. When one provides these services to the most remote areas of a community, the costs escalate. Not to mention it adversely impacts the revitalization and maintenance of existing neighborhoods. When you consider the NJ Department of Education's official 2001 dollar cost per student for Millville is over $10,000, one must think long and hard about uncontrolled residential development and its impact on the community.

In reference to preservation of open space we wish to point to our history of advocacy as it pertains specifically to two large tracts of land in the City of Millville. The first tract known as the Holly Farm is situated between the Menantico and Manumuskin Rivers and is the site from which Millville gets its nickname, "The Holly City." It has had a number of different owners over the years but is presently owned by Conectiv Power. In 1986 the State's Hazardous Waste Siting Commission sought to place a Hazardous Waste Impoundment Facility on this site. After extensive field studies the Commission recognized what the citizens of Millville always understood; that this land and the adjacent properties are too environmentally sensitive for any form of "development." Those who would now seek to develop these tracks either were not living here during these tumultuous times or have selective memory. This 1500 acre tract which is approximately 1/3 wetlands quite possibly has the most diverse populations of threatened and endangered species in the State. This hurtle to development is compounded by the presence of at least 15 different species of threatened and endangered flora and fauna. A number of additional threatened and endangered species ranges also intersect the property. This forest falls into the highest category priority ranking for Federal Threatened and Endangered Species. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, Green Acres, The Nature Conservancy, and the NJ Hazardous Waste Siting Commission, have all emphasized the need to preserve this important habitat. Citizens United supports their recommendations and efforts, and we remain determined to protect this property.

The second property we wish to highlight has two sections. The first is the tract commonly called the "Bluffs" or "Grainery." These coastal "Bluffs" just south of center City Millville, were cited as Critical Area #2 in the Wild and Scenic Local Management Plan for the Maurice River and its Tributaries. (Critical Area #1 are lands adjacent to Menantico Creek and are already preserved, thanks to the efforts of CODA, the former owners, and The Nature Conservancy). The Local Management plan adopted by Cumberland Co. and the US Congress, and endorsed by the Millville City Commission states, "The Bluffs area has been identified as a critical area not only because of its importance for public recreation but also because the area could be lost forever for public use without appropriate measures by local, County, and State governments." This stretch of river has been identified by the Natural Lands Trust as a top priority for preservation because of its critical wildlife values. It is the longest stretch of undeveloped waterfront within the federally protected Maurice River.

The second section of this property is bordered by Dividing Creek Road, Silver Run Rd. and Buckshutem Rd. We refer to it as the "Triangle." The "Triangle" was at one point proposed for a major land mining project. At that time the Millville Land Use Board agreed with our assessment that it was simply too massive and would have negative primary and secondary effects on the community. They denied the project. Additionally, CU joined with the County in objecting to "hot" sludge being applied to this site, and was
successful in having this activity stopped. As a result of this application, we advocated a tree harvesting ordinance which the City did adopt in March of 1990.

We want to make it clear that we intend to continue to advocate for the preservation of these properties. Any proposal to develop these properties will be met with our most stringent scrutiny, and we are not alone in this stance. Many major conservation organizations, environmental consultants, State wildlife agencies and sportsmen's groups concur with our assessment that these properties need to be protected. Green Acres, NJ Fish and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and The Natural Lands Trust have all actively sought to preserve these properties.

Rutgers University conducted a public opinion survey for Cumberland County. This scientific survey of approximately 400 residents revealed that 74% of the respondents ranked providing open space as having the highest level of importance. In 1993 Millville residents affirmed this finding when they voted for the Wild and Scenic designation of the Maurice River and its Tributaries by a 70% majority.

Open space provides numerous public benefits: clean air, clean water, public recreation, dollars from ecotourism, water recharge of the aquifer-our drinking water supply, habitat for fauna and flora, bird watching, hiking, hunting, fishing, solace, reduction of grid lock, soil erosion control, storm water control, aesthetic contribution and more.

Furthermore, State funds to improve these areas for public enjoyment have been a hallmark in our community. The Green Acres Program alone has spent a total of over 2.9 million dollars in grants and loans for the City's open space projects. This includes $500,000 for Sharp Street Park improvements, $500,000 for the Ware Avenue Marina, and approximately 1.9 million dollars for the Maurice River Waterfront.

New Jersey Division Fish Game and Wildlife spent 15 million dollars to rebuild the Union Lake dam. These dollars would not have been spent if the lake was privately owned. Furthermore the Division spent $600,000 on a public ramp and parking facility which brings scores of visitors to the City of Millville, each of whom is likely to buy many items, including food, gas, sports and recreational equipment, etc. An additional $150,000 was spent by Fish and Game to provide a public ramp at their Millville Menantico Wildlife Management Area.

Cumberland County is 321,600 acres in area. 98,400 acres or 30.6% is wetland. Of the 75,000 acres preserved in Cumberland County only 21,000 acres is upland or 9.5% of the entire developable area. It is logical to assume that most of this land borders wetlands and is therefore undevelopable wetland buffer. In other words, the vast majority of what is currently preserved was never developable to begin with.

The City of Millville is approximately 28,000 acres in area. 4,486 acres is wetland. Of the 6,353 acres of state and nonprofit open space only 3,893 acres is upland. It is not hard to comprehend that there is more than adequate land to develop and room for additional open space preservation, especially critical habitat, to make Millville truly a livable and sustainable community.

Now, for the most important point of all: this land is all "public" open space. Which means it is not exclusionary but is available for those who choose to enjoy it in its natural state. Cumberland County's open space, especially our large tracts of undeveloped habitat, is one thing that distinguishes us from so many cities that have fallen to sprawl. These natural areas are some of our most important assets: the very inheritance we seek to pass along to future generations.

Not long ago Cumberland County was touted as a "Best Place to Live," but ironically, at a recent presentation of a development proposal, a local freeholder explained all the economic and other problems that the County faces. And I thought, "So then, what makes us one of the best places to live?" I'm sure if you asked this question of many folks you would get many different answers. But for me it is the preponderance of open space and all that it includes that is key to the quality of life in our area.

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