Everyone knows of the meeting tonight in Shaming at 730? It is the Pinelands council meeting.
Yes it is. With guest speakers Cindy and Rob. Representing the MAP plan. You know, the one that's "scrapped".http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/home/munico/ It's a meeting of the Pinelands Municipal Council.
So basically after these "stakeholder" meetings and public meeting they are simply going to say. "We've listened to your concerns and we're going to roll out the plan anyway". They'll probably list a few more roads to stay open.All,
It appears the DEP is using the MAP as a starting point during the stakeholder meetings and many people don't like that idea. So voice your opinion against the DEP by signing this petition. If you don't like the MAP this is an opportunity to say so.
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/unfair-stakeholder-meeting.fb49?source=c.fb&r_by=14033926
Guy
So basically after these "stakeholder" meetings and public meeting they are simply going to say. "We've listened to your concerns and we're going to roll out the plan anyway". They'll probably list a few more roads to stay open.
These meetings need to start with a clean slate and the stakeholders collectively should come up with a manageable plan and criteria for closing roads to protect sensitive areas. Anything short of that is no different then what they've done so far.
A lot of people have put a lot of time into trying to work out a plan that would satisfy most but it's constantly falling on deaf ears.
After all the pressure mounted, the DEP agreed to hold stakeholder forums. The "stakeholders" are anyone who signed up a group for the stakeholder forums, per the instructions in the FAQ. Ben signed up NJPB. It also has kayak, horseback, hunting, geocachers, enduro, 4x4 clubs, etc. as well as our buddies at the PPA. This is all in addition to the public forum on Nov 5. So this is one thing I can't fault them on, they are trying to get a broad representation involved. I am concerned about the way they are going about it. (I.e. Starting with the map instead of a blank sheet of paper)Just who are the so-called 'stakeholders' and why are they having separate meetings? Are they the ones that held the signs when they were hammered into the sand. I foolishly think that taxpayers are the 'stakeholders', after all, we are paying for all this govt nonsense.
I agree. All the stakeholders should attend one meeting with follow ups as needed. Breaking them up into groups is not to come up with a common plan it's to appease each group individually. And I could be wrong but I find little coming out of the November 5th meetingJust who are the so-called 'stakeholders' and why are they having separate meetings? Are they the ones that held the signs when they were hammered into the sand. I foolishly think that taxpayers are the 'stakeholders', after all, we are paying for all this govt nonsense.
I keep having this thought that the review of the MAP, the meetings and all of the concern shown by the Superintendent and the DEP to the public are merely damage control for the way this was rolled out. I fear after they make the sneaky rollout attempt right and check the box that public input was taken they will change very little and steamroll over the public. We really need to evaluate what happens at the stakeholder meetings and get a feel for the direction they are going with this to be more prepared for the public meetings. Also, I am seeing more and more of the Batsto Natural Area signs put up in new areas - they are definitely new signs. Perhaps this will be a new angle of attack and justification? The fact that the MAP is still the starting point for any meeting is not good at all.
If it hasn't already been considered, wouldn't it be prudent for the various stakeholder groups that oppose the MAP to meet beforehand, with the intention of arriving at a unified stance that would be reasonable and acceptable to each group? Less likely for us to be concurred by division.I agree. All the stakeholders should attend one meeting with follow ups as needed. Breaking them up into groups is not to come up with a common plan it's to appease each group individually. And I could be wrong but I find little coming out of the November 5th meeting
That is something that a few individuals have mentioned.
Pinelands regulations prohibit ATVs from all Pinelands roads while trucks are permitted to veer off roads into landscape.