Public shortchanged by short-handed commissions

RELEASE: June 5, 2009 – Volume XLI, No. 23

There’s strength in numbers and, conversely, weakness when numbers are lacking. This truism can be seen in many situations, from herds of grazing animals on open plains to sports contests in which one team has a man-up advantage.

It’s puzzling, then, that our Governor would leave some key decision-making commissions short-handed. The problem of unfilled seats on these commissions is alarmingly widespread, and the implications for New Jersey’s natural resources and quality of life can’t be overstated.

Here are just a few examples:

Pinelands Commission – This 15-member panel oversees the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, which protects the Pine Barrens’ unique ecosystem by guiding growth in the region away from sensitive natural resources and habitat. However, there are currently two vacancies - one of which has been open for almost four years - waiting to be filled by Gov. Corzine. In addition, the Commission currently has three expired terms and no chairperson!

Highlands Council – The 15-member Highland Council does for the Highlands region what the Pineland Commission does for the Pine Barrens. Also like the Pinelands Commission, the Council is waiting on two appointments. Two of 15 may not seem like much of a loss, but in the world of quorums and votes, it makes a difference. With some members frequently absent, it’s often difficult for the Council to get the quorum of eight needed to conduct business. As a result, the Highlands’ wealth of drinking water resources and important habitat are not as secure as intended.

State Planning Commission – The 17-member body overseeing statewide planning efforts – critical for balancing future growth with the need to conserve and preserve natural resources – has five vacancies and two members serving with expired terms.

Fish & Game Council – This body has one vacant seat, and four members serving with expired terms, out of a total of 11 members. The Council is responsible for overseeing the N.J. Division of Fish & Wildlife, and provides policy advice and recommendations related to wildlife conservation and protection throughout the state.

Marine Fisheries Council – This 11-member council is the aquatic equivalent of the Fish & Game Council. Its seats are divided among recreational fishermen, the commercial fishing industry and fish processors, with two seats for the general public. However, the public seats remain vacant. The impact became clear last year, when the industry-controlled council voted to allow harvesting of horseshoe crab eggs – a decision that wildlife experts believed would put the migratory Red Knot shorebird firmly on the path to extinction. Ironically, Gov. Corzine had to step in and overrule the council by declaring a moratorium on horseshoe crab egg harvesting.

Coastal and Ocean Protection Council – This body was created last year to implement cutting-edge ecosystem-based management (EBM) along New Jersey coasts. EBM represents a fundamental shift in the way coastal and ocean resources are managed, toward a more holistic approach that could well become an example for other coastal states and the federal government. But with six of the nine Council seats vacant, this initiative is stuck in the starting blocks.

Besides fulfilling their missions, these groups play an important role in state government. In most cases, these commissions are created to give the public a voice in policy decisions that would otherwise be the sole purview of unelected state agency officials, and to balance the public’s needs with those of vested interests like business and industry. The Governor’s failure to fill vacancies raises questions about how seriously the current administration values our public’s input.

Contact Governor Corzine at 609-292-6000 or through his official website at www.state.nj.us/governor/about/contact and urge him to fill these vacant seats. Remind him that the public is still watching out for New Jersey’s environment.

And I hope you’ll consult New Jersey Conservation Foundation’s website at www.njconservation.org or contact me at info@njconservation.org, if you would like more information about conserving New Jersey’s precious land and natural resources.

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