Write your NJ reps to support AR133/SR93
to oppose the designation change of DWGNRA
Friday, April 4th
I posted on FaceBook last week, our opposition to the national park designation has been included in Columbia University’s Masters Degree program. I have been in touch with the professors for the past 6 months or so providing information and resources. The objectives: Understand the ecological, social and political dimensions of establishing a national park; analyze the economic and environmental impacts on local communities; engage in critical thinking about conservation strategies and policies; develop and articulate well-reasoned arguments from different stakeholders perspective; learn negotiation and conflict resolution strategies in conservation contexts. For first hand information, the students spent a few days in the area using PEEC as a home base.
There are two sides to every story and every issue. There was a good deal of planning and scheduling the past six months to give the students an opportunity to get the full thrust of the opposition and support for the designation for their visit to the Milford area. That being said, John Donohue was scheduled to meet with the students on Friday, April 4th at Gray Towers. On Thursday he canceled. Chief Mann of the Ramapough Lenni Lenape and I were scheduled to meet with students Friday afternoon. We did not cancel.
My thinking in preparation for my presentation was this. Donohue would give his side of the issue and I would present ours. Again, many different aspects to this proposal. I put together packets of info for every student for reference purposes: the original and revised proposal, our comments, our “Discussion”, statement from Pike County Planning Board, The Delaware Riverkeepers Network, statements from a wildlife biologist and other relevant materials.Chief Mann of the Ramapough Lenni Lenape presented the history of the Lenape and the significance of protecting their historic and cultural resources and artifacts in DEWA.
In closing, I encouraged the students to speak up and speak out on issues that concern them. …that everything they do has value. Do not sit at the kitchen table and wring your hands in despair. Pick up a pen and write a letter to your political representatives. Attend meetings, participate and let your concerns be known. I did ask a few students on my out what they thought about all this. One student did say, “You changed my mind. No national park.”
H.R. Bill 8998 passed in the House on Thursday, July 25th. This is a HUGE step for DEWA protective legislation."Gottheimer’s second amendment will prevent the National Park Service from designating any part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as a National Park. Gottheimer has worked closely with local officials and community leaders across the Fifth District for years to block any redesignation of the Delaware Water Gap over capacity concerns.“I am proud to have two of my amendments, focused on Holocaust education and the preservation of the Delaware Water Gap, included in the House’s interior & environment appropriations package. My amendment on Holocaust education reflects my belief that we must teach future generations about the evil of the Holocaust to combat the surging antisemitism that we see nationwide. Beyond that, my Delaware Water Gap amendment reflects the conversations that I’ve had with local leaders and constituents for years,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I will continue to work across the aisle to ensure that our country stands against hate and that North Jersey’s interests are represented in the halls of Congress.”
