Comments on: Builders Gone Wild

By: WolfeNotes.com » Martin Signals Plans to Gut Water Quality Rules

WolfeNotes.com » Martin Signals Plans to Gut Water Quality Rules — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:33:44 +0000

[...] interested on the history of the political assault on these rules, see: Builders Gone Wild and Legal Corruption – Senator Sarlo Shills for Builders Categories: Uncategorized Tags: [...]

By: WolfeNotes.com » Bob Martin Rolls Back Clean Water Rules – Holds Sham “Stakeholder” Meeting To Provide Cover

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:50:02 +0000

[...] WQMP rules are so significant, that the the NJ Builders Assc. and the development lobby convinced the Legislature to pass a bill during the Lame Duck Session to [...]

By: WolfeNotes.com » Christie’s Authoritarian Shock Doctrine for NJ’s Environment

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:09:38 +0000

[...] Here in NJ, business groups and builders have long sought to use the economic crisis to rollback environmental protections and scapegoat DEP. [...]

By: WolfeNotes.com » Legal Corruption – Senator Sarlo Shills for Builders

WolfeNotes.com » Legal Corruption – Senator Sarlo Shills for Builders — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:34:03 +0000

[...] DEP Commissioner to not enforce laws: “We actually — this Committee met May 1 of 2008, [I wrote about this hearing here "Builders Gone Wild"] and we had a series of hearings — on May 1, 2008 — with regard to these Rules [...]

By: nohesitation

nohesitation — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:34:35 +0000

imahawk = I make a mistake, I acknowledge it.
My “reporting” is accurate, but perhaps it is the opinons you disagree with.
Disagreements on policy and opinion are fine – but please refrain from attacking my integrity or credibility adn hiding behind those attacks.
There was no negligence involved – I am one of the few who have actually read the regulations involved and have expertise.

By: imahawk

imahawk — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:01:59 +0000

my point was that your reporting is not completely accurate, whether or not that example was parcicularly substantive by your measure. that sort of negligence belittles your credibility.

By: OKBob

OKBob — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:13:09 +0000

nohesitation: I agree with the “doomed” conclusion, but obviously for none of the same reasons.

By: nohesitation

nohesitation — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:09:42 +0000

OKBob – Fair an balanced? A fan of FOX (FAUX) News?
Rome may be burning, but the fire was not lit by and has nothing to do with environmental regulations or DEP. In fact, there are many independent studies that suggest that strong environmental protections promote economic competitiveness, technological innovation and increasing productivity. And obviously, you can’t have growth without adequate water supply, sewage treatment capacity, or energy sources.
Whenever the economy sputters, DEP is blamed – that is a big lie.
The State Plan is a joke and a failure.
The NJ Builders Association hypocrisy is over the top. The Builders sued DEP to block DEP from implementing the State Plan in DEP programs. In 1999, the Appellate Division issued an opinion that agreed with the Builders and found that the Stater Plan was not a regulatory document. and warned DEP NOT to implement the Plan in DEP regulatory programs. It is therefore absurd for the Builders to now attack DEP for not following the State Plan.
This is not bickering about technical aspects of regulations – this is about whether NJ can have a future – if we keep going the way we are, we are doomed.

By: OKBob

OKBob — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:53:18 +0000

Forget about arguing over environmental regulation (tough or lenient). Local zoning, controlled by 566 towns, dictates where development occurs. However, over time, that control is being dwarfed by dozens (maybe hundreds) of multi-purpose, confusing, duplicative and conflicting state & regional regulatory programs which lack some sort of framework that relates them to an overall purpose. The “State Plan” was supposed to do that, but it contniues to fail to guide land use and infrastrucuture investment decisions. THAT’s what this state lacks — a cohesive satetwide framework for regulatory decision-making so that local land use and zoning choices can be adjusted to reflect those (statewide) goals.
When will the state agencies (and the Administration) understand that hundreds of independent regulatory programs (aimiable on their own), continue to drag this state’s economy down and deteriorate NJ’s importance in the (NE) region. Businesses will flee, as they have been, and the better paying jobs with them. The changing demographics prove it.
So, bicker about this soil standard or that stormwater reg — while Rome burns. Hate to be so pessimistic, but I’ve been around long enough to witness what amounts to a collapse of what was once a fair and balanced place to live.

By: wereallblue

wereallblue — Sat, 03 May 2008 12:25:34 +0000

I’m curious imahawk, when do we say we’re full?
Does every county have to look like our Eastern counties before we just say, “we’re done?”
You can say that high density isn’t the plan for everywhere, but when will it be time to declare that development-style building is over?

By: eyesofsussex

eyesofsussex — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:47:31 +0000

imahawk is right. We are the most highly regulated state. Know why? Because we are the most densely populated. NJ is the laboratory for studying the effects of too many people dumping too much crud next to too many people. We need those regulations just to survive the overload of cars, dirty air, noise, trash and to recover from a century of it.
Builders will blame the environmental rules for the present economic downturn. But drive through Newark, Elizabeth, Camden and you will see buildings that were vacant long before any environmental laws were on the books. The economies of these cities went South…and East…and West. Then overseas as globalization kicked in.
Things change as resources dwindle, but the builders will not see that. And as things change, buisnesses will need to adapt or fail. What would be the builders’ excuse if, at some point in time, all available land was built out? What next?
We are seeing the beginnings of that now. Builders have for many years built on the “low hanging fruit”; the easy to get, and cheap land. But this resource is almost used up. All that’s left is the protected land, and the DEP is protecting it.
Sussex County is a prime example. That’s why Sen. Oroho, Assm. Gary Chiusano and Assm. Allison McHose are trying to dismantle the DEP. They are all tight with developers and resort owners who need the land up here.

By: nohesitation

nohesitation — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:26:13 +0000

imahawk – Gotcha anaslysis – well you got me. Wow. Great point, Highly substantive.
A 5 member Committee is unusual, no?
And why did do you think Lesniak stayed away?
And do you deny that the hearing was all show and no substance?

By: imahawk

imahawk — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:18:34 +0000

to your point that “…even by Trenton’s dog and pony standards – the Builders’ show hit an all time low. So low in fact, that only 3 members of the Committee even showed up for the hearing – the no shows distancing themselves by avoiding the embarrassment.”
only Senator Lesniak was absent from the meeting. there are five on the committee; the four others attended and actively participated.
Legislative Oversight
Sarlo, Paul A. – Chair
Gill, Nia H. – Vice-Chair
Cardinale, Gerald
Kyrillos, Joseph M.
Lesniak, Raymond J.

By: isbjorn1

isbjorn1 — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:55:21 +0000

To imahawk re “you’re always quick to criticize everyone and everything, bill. how about trying to help figure out how to solve (REALLY fix) some of those problems for once rather than just throw mud?”:
Since Wolfe didn’t answer this point, I will.
For just one example of his suggestions of how to “solve (REALLY fix),” as you say, one of the critical problems facing the state, go to the Wed. posting, “Memo to Jon–’Skin in the Game’” and read, esp., “New Jersey Parks Lose Millions in Uncollected Lease Payments: Park Closures Could Be Averted by Reaping Concessionaire and Easement Revenue”

By: joiseydude

joiseydude — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:48:56 +0000

The builders association has bought & paid for many of our legislators. Maybe some elected officials have finally figured out that we are not going to sit by while they pimp new watered down regulations, favorable to this band of thieves.