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Environment

Smart Growth
Sprawl, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, means "haphazard growth or extension outward, especially that resulting from new housing on the outskirts of cities."

New Jersey's population is constantly increasing. Our state is appealing to others as it is one of the wealthiest and economically rich states in the nation. We welcome the increase in population and hope that others will become residents. With an increased population comes increased responsibility to build new homes, developments and businesses. New residents need housing and places to work.

This increased building to meet the demands of a dense population causes sprawl. Sprawl is building without concern for the environment or the community it is affecting. It causes traffic congestion and has a devastating effect on our environment and water resources.

We, as a legislature, must design a Smart Growth plan that will encompass every aspect of growth within the state. We must pay attention to our urban, suburban and rural areas, and study whether building in a particular area will have a negative or positive effect. In order to achieve smart growth, we must enlist the skills and expertise of builders, developers, environmentalists, planners, local, state, and federal agencies, and elected officials.

A major step in Smart Growth must be to redevelop our inner cities and urban areas. Cities like Camden, Newark, Paterson and Jersey City need community "face-lifts." These cities could be exceptionally beautiful but are in urgent need of being revitalized. We must concentrate Smart Growth and redevelop the run-down, condemned housing in these areas to make them more attractive to new residents. With this inner city Smart Growth plan must be initiatives to bring business and industry to these areas to provide jobs and an economic stimulus. This will allow our cities to function as an economic and social engine for the future.

The problem of sprawl cannot be solved by simply concentrating Smart Growth in the inner cities. At the same time it is important to preserve our open spaces. Areas such as the Pinelands in South/Central Jersey and the Highlands in North Jersey cannot be developed. They are some of New Jersey's last areas of pure open space, rich in wildlife and natural beauty. Additionally, areas such as Salem County, where open space and farmland abound, must be taken into consideration when deciding which areas should be preserved and which should not. We must work together in a geographic sense or on a county-by-county basis. It is crucial that we recognize the historic and local understanding of New Jersey's vast array of regions and their needs, goals and desires.

This issue is two-fold. There is an urgent need to preserve our open spaces not only for environmental reasons, but for the beauty they provide to New Jersey residents. At the same time, our huge population influx is unavoidable and suitable housing and employment need to be taken into account while devising an intelligent Smart Growth plan.

We, as a Legislature, need to discuss with local officials, environmentalists and builders to decide what is best for New Jersey and its residents. All have a vested interest in Smart Growth. The local officials have to take into consideration the interests of their constituency. Environmentalists have the honorable task of preserving nature and its resources. Builders rely on growth and redevelopment as a means of survival to make a living and to satisfy our residents' appetite for quality of life issues.

I have discussed this issue in depth with all of the above groups and all agree that New Jersey is in desperate need of a resolution to our sprawl problems. We will continue to discuss this issue at length until we can devise a suitable Smart Growth plan for the State of New Jersey. It is only through candid dialogue and an honest sharing of ideas that we may begin to achieve efficient development while protecting our limited natural resources.

Preservation of our environment, protecting our natural resources, and sustaining nature's balance for the future is an issue none of us can take lightly. In a time when the population of New Jersey is steadily on the increase, it is important that we do all we can to protect our environment while, at the same time, providing homes and employment for our growing population. We must make plans now that will have an effect not only for tomorrow, but for decades to come.

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