Clean water, open spaces, woodlands and wildlife, fertile farms and scenic trails are part of New Jersey's natural heritage. But in spite of our need and love for these essential elements of life, they continue to rapidly disappear! One might ask why?

A look at the current state of the New Jersey Highlands region offers a clue. We have an historic opportunity to save the Highlands, one of the last bastions of our state's natural heritage, which blesses us with a clean supply of water, scenic beauty and a lush green canopy of forests. But evidence of the forces working in opposition to preserving this region point to old time standards: "politics and money."

"Politics," because some Republican legislators are opposing this legislative water protection effort, largely because it is coming during a Democratic administration. But fundamental needs like clean water don't follow party lines. Partisan politics should not be allowed to derail this latest, most promising effort to preserve the Highlands. And indeed, a group of Republican mayors from the Highlands immediately called on these state legislators to stop playing partisan politics and back this "once in a lifetime" effort. Over the years, some of the most ardent supporters of Highlands preservation have included both Democrats and Republicans at the local, state and even federal levels, and the recent HighlandsTask Force included mayors and freeholders from both parties.

"Money," because it is often used by business and industry to sway legislators. In this instance, realtors and builders are spreading misinformation and are encouraging employees, construction workers and farmers to oppose the effort to protect our water. Expensive signs, T- shirts and a new website have all been in evidence at recent public hearings. The legislative proposal will not stop all growth in the Highlands, but will redirect it and in some areas, reduce the amount of growth to reflect the region's natural carrying capacity.

The building industry also wants to force mandated growth areas. In most cases, high population increases in the Highlands would exceed the local carrying capacity for water supplies, roads and sewers. Groundwater levels have already fallen and wells gone dry in some areas. The legislative proposal, "The Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act" (S-1/A-2635) is rightly focused on protecting our water and instituting regional planning. It directs incentives for redevelopment of Highlands cities and towns, and for towns to accept new growth in appropriate locations.

If New Jersey is to continue to have clean and ample water supplies and healthy communities, this legislative proposal must pass, despite partisan politics and an expensive campaign by the builders to stop it.

I hope you'll contact the state legislature at:

Senate Democrats: 609-292-5215 Fax: 609-633-7254
Senate Republicans: 609-292-5199 Fax: 609-984-8148
Assembly Democrats: 609-292-7065 Fax: 609-292-2386
Assembly Republicans: 609-292-5339 Fax: 609-633-9806

If you can, contact your own state Senator and Assemblypersons as well. (To find your district and legislators, and their addresses, phone and emails, go to the Legislature's web site at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us {http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/} or contact the NJ League of Women Voters at 1-800-792-VOTE.)

Tell them that both Republicans and Democrats, as well as people who live both in and out of the Highlands, deserve to have safe and clean water supplies. And I hope you'll contact me at 1-888-LAND-SAVE or info@njconservation.org, or visit NJCF's website at http://www.njconservation.org, for more information about conserving New Jersey's precious land and natural resources.