To: Ocean County Board of Freeholders
Tell Commissioner Avery to Reject Pipelines through the Pinelands
I am writing to urge the Ocean County Board of Freeholders to oppose the South Jersey Gas and the New Jersey Natural Gas pipelines. Both pipelines violate the rules that protect the Pinelands National Reserve. If these rules are compromised, it will set a dangerous precedent that can’t be undone.
Commissioner Avery is intended to represent us, the residents of Ocean County. The NJNG and SJG pipelines will put us and our environment at risk. We reject these pipelines and expect Commissioner Avery to act accordingly.
Why is this important?
There are two high pressure gas pipelines proposed for construction that will impact Pinelands residents and natural resources. Both proposed pipelines violate the rules that protect the Pinelands National Reserve, a state and federally protected region in New Jersey. Over 2/3 of Ocean County is located within the Pinelands National Reserve.
The state Pinelands Commission is a 15-member independent public body responsible for enforcing the rules that protect the Pinelands. They will vote in early 2017 on whether or not to approve the first of these pipelines, the South Jersey Gas pipeline, which will go through Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic Counties. The second pipeline, to be constructed by New Jersey Natural Gas, goes from Chesterfield (Burlington County) to Manchester (Ocean County) and will also come up for a vote before the Pinelands Commission.
Each county in the Pinelands has a representative on the Pinelands Commission appointed by that county’s Freeholder Board. Ocean County’s representative is Commissioner Alan Avery.
Tell the Ocean County Freeholders that Alan Avery should stand up for the county and vote NO on both pipelines. They violate the rules that protect the Pine Barrens and they threaten the health and safety of its residents.
Please sign by February 8 to have the maximum impact.