The second of three public hearings regarding the Highlands Regional Master Plan was held at Passaic County Community College on Monday night.  The plan, which has as its ultimate goal the preservation of a source of drinking water for approximately 5 million New Jersey residents, has been a lighting rod for criticism by environmentalists who don’t believe the act went far enough, by builders who claim that the plan puts unreasonable limits on growth and by property owners in the region who own land once thought to be a nest egg for retirement which will be rendered worthless with no real prospect of compensation at anywhere near the land’s full value.  (Not to mention the complaints being raised at public hearings on the new COAH Third Round rules and the impact on the Highlands, which environmental leaders are not missing an opportunity to point out.)

Originally offered with laudable goals of watershed preservation but passed after political compromise, the plan continues to be subject to much public criticism and legal challenges. 

For a synopsis the latest hearing, read “Highlands Plan Gets Additional Critics” from Tuesday’s Star Ledger. 

The final public hearing on the Highlands Master Plan is scheduled for 6:30p.m. at Voorhees High School, 256 County Road 513 in Glen Gardner. 

Written comments may be submitted by e-mail to RMPComments@highlands.state.nj.us.  Comments may also be submitted on the Final Draft Regional Master Plan by February 28, 2008 to: