THE STATE WE’RE IN by Michele S. Byers: Gov. McGreevey did a great thing when he renamed a park
It’s fitting that Gov. Jim McGreevey recently renamed Lebanon State Forest in honor of former Gov. Brendan Byrne. Gov. Byrne’s work to preserve New Jersey’s Pine Barrens, which includes Lebanon State Forest, is one of his greatest accomplishments.
Recognizing multiple threats to this unique and fragile region, in February 1979 Gov. Byrne issued an executive order placing a moratorium on development while a plan for the Pine Barrens what turned out to be the Comprehensive Management Plan was developed. In June of that year, backed by the strong leadership of Gov. Byrne, the New Jersey Legislature passed and the governor signed into law the Pinelands Protection Act.
The act, which established the Pinelands Commission and gave it a mandate to preserve and protect the Pine Barrens, is probably the strongest land use legislation in the country. The Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, which the commission adopted in November 1980, is one of the nation’s pre-eminent growth management plans.
The Pine Barrens received additional recognition of its biological significance when it was designated a "Biosphere Reserve" by the U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Making up 22 percent of the state, the Pine Barrens are the largest body of open space on the East Coast, between Boston and Richmond. Two-thirds of the land remains in private hands, and more than 700,000 people live in communities within the region. Conservation and economic development are both carefully guided by the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan.
Gov. McGreevey signed an executive order that officially changed the name of the forest to Brendan T. Byrne State Forest. Former Gov. Byrne joked about the last time he was honored by having a landmark named for him, only to have Gov. Whitman sell the naming rights to the Brendan Byrne Area in the Meadowlands to Continental Airlines for $20 million!
"It’s nice to be immortal again," Gov. Byrne quipped.
Gov. Byrne’s commitment to the Pine Barrens didn’t end when he left office. In fact, before the ceremony renaming the forest was even complete, he urged Gov. McGreevey to fill seven of the expired seats on the 15-member Pinelands Commission, which oversees growth and development in the region and implements the Comprehensive Management Plan.
The current commission has recently allowed too much development in environmentally sensitive areas. The Pinelands Commission must include members who understand the region’s importance, and who are unswervingly committed to seeing to its preservation.
Located off Route 72 in the heart of the Pines, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest covers more than 34,000 acres in Burlington and Ocean counties. The state began acquiring the land in 1908. Today, the forest includes hiking trails through quintessential Pine Barrens forests.
Renaming Lebanon State Forest is a great way to recognize Gov. Byrne and his strong conviction that the Pine Barrens should be saved for future generations to enjoy certainly a more fitting tribute than a concrete arena in the Meadowlands.
I hope you’ll contact me at 1-888-LAND-SAVE or [email protected], or visit NJCF’s Web site at www.njconservation.org, for more information about conserving New Jersey’s precious land and natural resources.
Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.