OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 3, 1999

Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416

INTERIOR SECRETARY TO PERMIT SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY'S PINELANDS

Babbitt Asks Pinelands Commission to Toughen Rezoning Requirements in Plan

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt today approved a rezoning decision by the Pinelands Commission in July that will permit the construction of large regional high school in the Lenape School District.

At the same time, Secretary Babbitt expressed concerns about the Pinelands Commission's actions in amending the Comprehensive Management Plan in a manner inconsistent with good land use planning principles designed to minimize the impacts of development.

"I'm all for schools and, in this case, there is a real need for a new regional high school," Secretary Babbitt said. "At the same time, I'm reluctant to see rezoning for a specific project threaten the overall integrity of a good Comprehensive Management Plan."

In approving this decision by the Pinelands Commission, Secretary Babbitt requested that specific actions be undertaken by the Commission and sent to the Department of the Interior for his concurrence. The actions include:

• •modifications to the recent amendment to the Plan on school construction that would assure that lands not necessary for school purposes are not included in future rezonings, except under unusual circumstances.
• •regulations and guidelines making clear the policy and process for amending the Comprehensive Management Plan.
• •criteria for compliance waivers in lieu of rezonings or amendments to the Plan.
• •a clear statement outlining circumstances when amendment of the Plan would be appropriate.
• •a clear statement determining the circumstances that will require approval by the Secretary of the Interior when changes are adopted that would modify or allow variances from the standards of the approved Comprehensive Management Plan.

"I'm sure that most citizens in this area would agree that the mission and goals of Pinelands are commendable, well worth protecting and a model of good partnership and planning," Babbitt continued. "The purpose of the Comprehensive Management Plan is to prevent protected open spaces being carved up and fragmented project by project. I believe that we will come through this process with a sounder and more thoughtful planning document that will be a conservation legacy for future generations."

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