This is your Highlands Council
Guardians of this precious Region?
Rainbow Inn, Greenwood Lake.Yesterday, the Highlands Council approved the draft Regional Master Plan. The Council’s approval followed the rejection of a series of amendments offered by the minority environmental faction of the Council (i.e. Dillingham, Carlucchio, Pasquarelli). A series of major amendments were offered to repair some of the plan’s more egregious flaws.
But the battle is not over yet. The Highlands Act provides power to Governor Corzine to veto any action of the Council to protect statewide interests – so the Regional Plan does not become legally enforceable until it is approved by the Governor.
Greenwood lakeI attended this historical event as witness, having been directly and intimately involved in drafting the Highlands Act. Unfortunately, I share the sentiments of my good friends and longtime Highlands advocates Ross Kushner (Pequannock River Coalition), Robin O’Hearn (Skylands CLEAN) and Jeff Tittel of NJ Sierra Club: what should have been a day of celebration was instead a DEEP disappointment.
Wanaque ReservoirFor those interested in media’s news coverage of the Council’s deliberations, protective amendments that were voted down, and public testimony, please see this article:
Highlands Council adopts landmark Master Plan
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080717/NEWS/807170378
Round Valley ReservoirFor those interested in other views and Highlands photo’s see:
Potemkin Plan – Highlands Plan an empty shell
http://blog.nj.com/njv_bill_wolfe/2008/02/potemkin_plan_highlands_plan_a.html
Until I can calm down, collect my thoughts, develop my analysis, and appropriately respond to the Council’s vote, I thought I’d share pictures of members of the Highlands Council and staff:
John Weingart, Chairman
Jack Shrier, Vice-Chairman
Bill Cogger, Treasurer
Councilwoman Calbrese
Councilwoman Kovach
Councilwoman Letts
Councilman Alstede
Councilman Vetrano
Councilwoman Carlucchio
Councilwoman Way
Councilman Dillingham
(Council members Whitenack and Pasquarelli are not shown)
Eileen Swan, Executive Director, and Tom Borden, Esq. Counsel and Deputy Director 
Highlands Council staffers stand for recognition.
Ross Kushner, Pequannock River Coalition, testifies 
