Three pipeline proposals would, if approved, allow construction on some of New Jersey's most environmentally-sensitive land.
Back in the 1970s, when the country was undergoing an environmental awakening that led to groundbreaking clean air and water protections, New Jersey took the monumental step of protecting more than 1 million acres of a vast ecosystem in South Jersey called the Pine Barrens.
It is doubtful that such a feat could be accomplished in today's toxic political atmosphere. Indeed, the safeguards put in place to protect the Pinelands back then are now being threatened.
A prime example of that environmental erosion is illustrated by proposals to build two natural gas pipelines through the Pinelands.
PennEast pipeline unnecessary, study says
New Jersey Natural Gas wants to build a 28-mile, 30-inch natural gas pipeline, called the Southern Reliability Link, that would begin in Chesterfield and continue through North Hanover, Upper Freehold, Plumsted and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst before connecting to the company's system in Manchester.
Meanwhile, South Jersey Gas wants approval to put down a 22-mile pipeline through the Pinelands to supply natural gas to its B.L. England power plant at Beasley Point in Upper Township.
One could argue that the pipelines would only disturb a small portion of the environmentally sensitive Pinelands, just as one could argue that a shopping mall would only slightly mar the scenic view of Yellowstone National Park.
It's a slippery slope that could easily lead to the degradation of pristine Garden State land that is home to extensive wetlands and diverse species of plants and animals.
Pipeline protestors hang banner
A similar situation is playing out in Central Jersey, where a coalition of environmentalists, land owners and elected officials have voiced loud disapproval of a proposal to build a 114-mile, 36-inch natural gas pipeline that would go through Hunterdon and Mercer counties.
Here again, opponents say the so-called PennEast pipeline would go through protected land and harm environmentally sensitive open space within the Delaware River Watershed. They also question whether the pipeline is really needed at a time of abundant capacity to meet natural gas customers' needs. Some even cite a study that claims the line would actually lead to higher natural gas rates.
At a recent Statehouse rally in Trenton, about 100 protestors gathered to call attention to their opposition to the proposed Pinelands pipelines. They called on the state Legislature to live up to the commitment to keep the Pinelands unspoiled.
Amplifying their rallying cry, state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, (D-20th Dist.) said, "The Pinelands is a national and international treasure that must be protected." He urged his fellow lawmakers to "stand together to make sure the 35 years of protection" of the Pine Barrens is not thrown away.
We have to be vigilant shepherds of our precious natural resources. Once they are gone, they are gone forever.