On September 19, 2003, Governor James E. McGreevey signed Executive Order No. 70 creating the Highlands Task Force and charging it with making recommendations to preserve the natural resources of, and enhance the quality of life in, the Highlands region. In particular, the Task Force was charged with examining the following topics:

• Protection of water quality, drinking water supplies, wetlands, critical plant and wildlife habitat, vegetated stream corridors, and contiguous forests;



• Identification of methods to protect and preserve open space and natural resources of the Highlands region;



• Identification of methods to enhance farmland preservation and support the agriculture industry in the Highlands region;



• Identification of methods to promote historic, cultural, scenic and recreational resource opportunities that preserve the natural features of the Highlands region; and



• Provision of smart-growth opportunities, including economic development and redevelopment in the Highlands region through regional planning, including coordination of transportation infrastructure investments and administrative agency activities, consistent with the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.

The members of the Task Force are as follows:

• Bradley M. Campbell, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Co-Chair



• Susan Bass-Levin, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Co-Chair



• Malcolm A. Borg, Member, Palisades Interstate Park Commission; Citizen Member



• Michele S. Byers, Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation;



• Denise Coyle, Freeholder Director, Somerset County



• Lois A. Cuccinello, Freeholder, Passaic County



• David Epstein, Executive Director, Morris Land Conservancy



• Thomas A. Gilbert, Executive Director, Highlands Coalition



• Thomas J. Gilmore, President, New Jersey Audubon Society



• Tammie Horsfield, Sussex County Chamber of Commerce



• Charlie M. Kuperus, Secretary of Agriculture



• Jack Lettiere, Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Transportation



• John Polhemus, Farmer, Citizen Member



• Joe Riggs, Region President, K. Hovnanian;



• Jack J. Schrier, Freeholder Director, Morris County



• Eileen Swan, Mayor, Lebanon Township



• Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Freeholder, Bergen County



• Frank C. Van Horn, Mayor, Knowlton Township



• Rev. Dr. William D. Watley, Secretary of New Jersey Commerce and Economic Development Commission

The Task Force met and reviewed a variety of technical reports and presentations prepared by Rutgers University, the U.S. Forest Service, the Regional Plan Association, New Jersey Water Supply Authority, North Jersey District Water Supply Commission, and the staffs of the Task Force and State agencies. These reports and technical information provided the Task Force with detailed information on the resources in the Highlands region, and the tools that could be utilized to achieve appropriate land acquisition, regional planning and regulatory authority to protect these vital resources in the Highlands.

The Task Force actively sought public input to assist it in performing its work. It created a Web site (www.savethehighlands.org) and there posted information about the Highlands, the Task Force and its work. The Task Force held public hearings in Morristown and Mahwah. It solicited and received comments from the Web site and posted a questionnaire on the Highlands. The Task Force also invited planning representatives from the Highlands' counties and municipalities to address the Task Force.

Click here to see the action plan, which presents the Task Force's recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.