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PINELANDS PANEL EYES CONSERVATION PLAN FOR TARGET AREAS
Date: 040613
From: http://www.phillyburbs.com/
By Paul Leakan, Burlington County Times, June 13, 2004
Southampton - The state Pinelands Commission will launch an effort in
an area of Evesham and Medford devised to better protect natural
resources where development has clashed with rare plants and animals.
The commission voted 12-0 to authorize the yearlong project during
its regular meeting Friday.
Under the initiative, the commission will organize a committee to
develop a detailed conservation plan for the 22-square-mile area in
the southern ends of Evesham and Medford.
The plan could include recommendations for new zoning, an inventory
of natural resources and to acquire and preserve land.
The committee will consist of representatives from Evesham and
Medford, the state Department of Environmental Protection and
environmental and building-advocacy groups.
The project will be funded in part by a $73,000 grant from the
William Penn Foundation of Philadelphia.
The region in question includes major housing developments such as
the Sanctuary and Kings Grant, and the 212-acre former Aero Haven
airport, all in Evesham, and the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
and other land on Kettle Run, Hopewell, Mill and Jackson roads in
Medford.
At least seven threatened or endangered plant and animal species have
been documented in the region, according to the commission.
The 665-acre Sanctuary development, for example, is home to
endangered timber rattlesnakes, threatened northern pine snakes and
protected pine barrens tree frogs.
Although numerous legal settlements have been reached, the primary
owner of the Sanctuary is pursuing a federal lawsuit against the
commission for halting construction at the site.
Pinelands officials acknowledge the need to re-evaluate the zoning
and development policies of the area to ensure similar situations
don't occur.
"As development has increased in the area in recent years, it has
become more apparent that there is a growing potential for conflicts
between Pinelands development and conservation objectives," Pinelands
Commission Executive Director John Stokes said.
"This has been reinforced by some recent high-profile disputes which
have resulted in costly litigation and have put a strain on Pinelands
Commission resources. We want to address these issues in a way that
avoids future conflicts, protects natural resources and provides
predictability to the development community."
Evesham Mayor Gus Tamburro and Medford Councilwoman Pola Galie-
Ingelsby lauded the commission for its efforts during Friday's
meeting.
"To say I'm for this project is an understatement," Tamburro said.
* * *
Date: 040613
From: http://www.phillyburbs.com/
By Paul Leakan, Burlington County Times, June 13, 2004
Southampton - The state Pinelands Commission will launch an effort in
an area of Evesham and Medford devised to better protect natural
resources where development has clashed with rare plants and animals.
The commission voted 12-0 to authorize the yearlong project during
its regular meeting Friday.
Under the initiative, the commission will organize a committee to
develop a detailed conservation plan for the 22-square-mile area in
the southern ends of Evesham and Medford.
The plan could include recommendations for new zoning, an inventory
of natural resources and to acquire and preserve land.
The committee will consist of representatives from Evesham and
Medford, the state Department of Environmental Protection and
environmental and building-advocacy groups.
The project will be funded in part by a $73,000 grant from the
William Penn Foundation of Philadelphia.
The region in question includes major housing developments such as
the Sanctuary and Kings Grant, and the 212-acre former Aero Haven
airport, all in Evesham, and the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
and other land on Kettle Run, Hopewell, Mill and Jackson roads in
Medford.
At least seven threatened or endangered plant and animal species have
been documented in the region, according to the commission.
The 665-acre Sanctuary development, for example, is home to
endangered timber rattlesnakes, threatened northern pine snakes and
protected pine barrens tree frogs.
Although numerous legal settlements have been reached, the primary
owner of the Sanctuary is pursuing a federal lawsuit against the
commission for halting construction at the site.
Pinelands officials acknowledge the need to re-evaluate the zoning
and development policies of the area to ensure similar situations
don't occur.
"As development has increased in the area in recent years, it has
become more apparent that there is a growing potential for conflicts
between Pinelands development and conservation objectives," Pinelands
Commission Executive Director John Stokes said.
"This has been reinforced by some recent high-profile disputes which
have resulted in costly litigation and have put a strain on Pinelands
Commission resources. We want to address these issues in a way that
avoids future conflicts, protects natural resources and provides
predictability to the development community."
Evesham Mayor Gus Tamburro and Medford Councilwoman Pola Galie-
Ingelsby lauded the commission for its efforts during Friday's
meeting.
"To say I'm for this project is an understatement," Tamburro said.
* * *