ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 3, 1997

By Assemblywoman ALLEN and Assemblyman DeSOPO

An Assembly Resolution urging the Department of Environmental Protection to utilize Green Acres monies to fund the Palmyra Cove Wildlife Refuge land preservation project as soon as possible.

Whereas, Palmyra Cove is one of the few remaining natural sites left in a densely populated and urbanized area in Burlington county that is in great need of more parkland for passive recreation and environmental education; and

Whereas, The site of the proposed Palmyra Cove Wildlife Refuge constitutes approximately 350 acres of scenic and ecologically sensitive undeveloped land located on the Delaware river shoreline, just south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge in the Borough of Palmyra, and serves as important habitat for over 200 species of resident and migratory birds, including two endangered and 11 threatened species, as well as various mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and native plant life; and

Whereas, The location of the refuge site on the shores of the Delaware river makes it ideal for designation as a major piece of the Delaware River Greenway, a land preservation project undertaken by a large partnership of public agencies and private groups in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and

Whereas, Permanent protection of the Palmyra Cove area would also greatly complement conservation efforts undertaken by the States of New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania and the federal government pursuant to the Delaware Estuary Program; and

Whereas, An estimated sum of at least $825,000 is needed to develop the Palmyra Cove area as a wildlife refuge, to be used for such purposes as the clearing and enhancement of trails, landscaping, and the construction of observation platforms, picnic areas, education centers, exhibits, and bridges; now therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The Department of Environmental Protection is urged to utilize Green Acres monies to fund the Palmyra Cove Wildlife Refuge land

preservation project in the Borough of Palmyra, Burlington county, as soon as possible.

    2. A duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

STATEMENT

    This resolution would urge the Department of Environmental Protection to utilize Green Acres monies to fund the Palmyra Cove Wildlife Refuge land preservation project in the Borough of Palmyra, Burlington county, as soon as possible. Palmyra Cove is a scenic, ecologically sensitive, and undeveloped area located on the Delaware river shoreline, just south of the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.

Urges DEP to fund Palmyra Cove Wildlife Refuge project with Green Acres monies.