Crossroads of the American Revolution General Management Plan

How does something so promising as the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area become a lost opportunity? By definition, National Heritage Area designation “offers a collaborative approach to conservation that does not compromise traditional local control over and use of the landscape.” It brings together the private sector, nonprofit interests and governmental entities to plan and implement “a strategy that focuses on the distinct qualities that make their region special.” By consensus building, the plan should not only provide “a structured forum for stakeholders to jointly determine the heritage area’s purpose, vision, mission, goals and strategies,” but it should document the actual process of partnership building. If successful, the outcome is a management plan that “describes comprehensive policies, strategies, and recommendations for telling the story of the region’s heritage and encouraging long-term resource protection, enhancement, interpretation, funding, management and development of the National Heritage Area.”

As regards a National Heritage Area focusing on New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution, “telling the story of the region’s heritage” compels a focal emphasis on heritage interpretation at thematically relevant historic sites. In my opinion, the proposed general management plan for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area fails to accurately identify and therefore engage the necessary stakeholders. Dayton L. Sherrouse, Chairman of the Heritage Development Partnership, Inc., describes the heritage development movement as a “bottom up process,” specifically noting, “heritage areas are managed by the people who live there, preserving and telling nationally important stories through a regionally distinctive combination of natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources.” With the Crossroads of the American Revolution, this principle is turned on its head. If we define stakeholders as those who bring something of value to the planning process, then historic sites that thematically relate to this National Heritage Area are important stakeholders who remain on the sidelines as uninvolved onlookers rather than as “desired participants.”

Having worked in historical interpretation and historic sites administration for over thirty years, I recognize the problem: in my experience, most “managers” in the DEP’s Division of Parks & Forestry regarded heritage interpretation as a form of “entertainment.” While the bloodless pageantry of battle reenactments dazzled large crowds on important anniversaries, the other 364 days of the year were pretty lackluster. Scenarios in the Crossroads’ management plan strangely refer to “recreational events” that promote Crossroad themes, sites and communities. Under Scenario C, for example, “historic sites already attracting recreational users work to become recreational destinations.” To me, this suggests a frightening incomprehension of the value of heritage interpretation. Are these some of the same people who invite school groups to visit mannequin-filled cement wigwams and to use a latrine dug into an ancient cemetery, bypassing the rotting fabric of a truly historic place.

Again, in my opinion, all scenarios of the Crossroads’ management plan are unnecessarily intrusive and expensive, generating a bureaucracy that would largely duplicate and perhaps complicate the responsibilities of public employees. This is not surprising. Doesn’t the board of this 501(c) 3 non-profit organization include four state employees (three from the DEP and one from the Department of State), nine individuals with environmental credentials, two with academic credentials in history and six with backgrounds in historic preservation? Where are the historic site managers and interpreters with credible experience in operating, programming or marketing a Revolutionary War site in New Jersey?

For the most part, the scenarios seem to advocate a jobs program for self-preservationists. Scenario A has the Crossroads Association maintaining “dual central offices to administer heritage area programs (consistent with federal legislation establishing the heritage area), even though they have little or no experience or success in administering historical programs. Scenario B envisions “regional offices to work with communities in different geographic areas facing different issues and partner with local organizations and institutions to strengthen them and provide programming for local residents.” And as if we needed more paperwork or middle-mismanagement, the staff of these regional offices will be assigned to identify “those most committed to programming, interpretation, linkages, historic preservation, stewardship and community planning through community applications.” So sharpen your pencils and walk slowly with the point down!

Scenario C features “the required two offices that act in many ways as a heritage-area-wide destination marketing office (DMO).” Once again, the current board structure, excluding historic site administrators, historians and interpreters, will be maintained. This new politburo will coordinate regional DMOs, interpretive attractions and visitor service communities, while providing “assistance and incentives” for smaller historic sites to comply with hospitality and visitor experience guidelines. And talk about the pursuit of happiness! The Crossroads’ staff will not only work to increase visitor services, but also “community development to enhance the visitor experience and quality of life.” Does this mean they’ll finally install restrooms at these sites? Oh, the humanity! Under Scenarios D and E, the Crossroads will also work from dual central offices and the Crossroads’ board will remain the same. Not much choice here.

The vision becomes ever more Byzantine. A Committee of Correspondence, replete with subcommittees, will help organize regional collaboration, oversee heritage area programming and engage a wide variety of partners. Oh, yes, that’s what we’ve been lacking all these years—more committees of oversight (no pun intended)! An annual convention for sites, communities and other partners will share technical information on education, interpretation and community planning and build a cross-heritage-area sense of collaboration. This is real grassroots’ stuff. Under Scenario D, the Committee of Correspondence will even organize and energize open space protection and historic preservation and work to establish more state funding and policies. Hey, what about recycling? Again, there is no comprehension that this Heritage Area is primarily about interpretive linkages and the American Revolution. And who will benefit from all this cumbersome and expensive bureaucracy?

Behind Curtain Number One—Scenario A: Current Conditions Continue claims the Crossroads Association has been active for some time in sponsoring various programs and it will continue as an "umbrella organization focusing on heritage-area wide and statewide marketing and programming.” I may be all wet, but I haven’t been under any umbrella lately. Other than last November’s beacon fires, lit mainly in New York State, I am personally unaware of any programs that CARA has sponsored? Strangely—somehow implying an alternative would be desirable or feasible—“existing sites and attractions remain responsible for interpretation.” Naturally, the Association will support the “the programs of state-level actors,” naming the Division of Travel and Tourism, the New Jersey Historic Trust, the New Jersey Historical Commission, and the New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry. If they’re largely represented on the Board of Directors, I guess we could call them “self-supporters.”

Scenario B: Revolutionary Legacies envisions working at the community level to explore our evolving Revolutionary legacy, giving priority to “education, preservation and community development” rather than protecting “the physical heritage of the Revolution that has survived unevenly across the heritage area.” Does this mean they’re going to sponsor Tea Parties? In this scenario, the heritage area becomes irrelevant, a mere ghostly excuse to herd youngsters into Crossroads’ re-education centers. As if they didn’t already, “historic sites will use local stories to illustrate the economic, ethnic, religious, social, political issues experienced by Americans then and now.” Furthermore, under this strange scenario, “visitor services will be strengthened in downtown centers with an emphasis on dining and shopping” and the Heritage Area will focus on “family-oriented activities and such events as marathons and bicycle races…. “ Under resource protection, the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association will concentrate upon “addressing energy use, storm water, water quality, streetscapes and community parks, all to reinforce community and neighborhood character.” Is this what they call “mission creep?”

What a relief! Scenario C: Welcoming Visitors envisions a “program-rich, highly visible and easily understandable” Heritage Area, which supposedly “fulfils the Crossroads mission by preserving and interpreting historic sites and landscapes in order to present this story effectively.” You wonder how we ever survived up to this point? Once again the politburo raises it head, demanding, “interpretation will follow a heritage-area-wide interpretive and tourism plan focused on primary visitor attractions. In other words, they intend to further abandon undeveloped historic sites so that the privileged and compliant few can continue to gorge themselves at the public trough. This scenario recommends “high-quality presentations of evocative stories” and frequent updates of exhibits and interpretive materials. Wish I’d thought of that!

LOL! Scenario D: Resource Stewardship claims the survival of so “much physical evidence of the Revolutionary War” is somehow due “to New Jersey’s longstanding commitment to protecting open space and historic places.” Under this incoherent scenario, “Those venturing beyond primary attractions will find sites preserved with passion but limited resources for interpretation.” Yet, somewhat oddly, they envision visitors services being strengthened in historic community centers.” “Circuit-rider” staff will address “community planning, open space protection and acquisition, sites’ bricks-and-mortar needs, and recreational enhancements.” To arms! To arms! The Roller-bladers are coming!

Scenario E: Regions and Roads contrarily balances investment in the visitor experience and resource protection, emphasizing education over tourism, providing programs for students from kindergarten through college. This is supposedly how we will educate the next generation of stewards, storytellers and civic leaders. Of course, there is no mention of the fact that New Jersey historic sites have been doing this for as much as a century.

Personally, I think we’d be just as well off without any of the above. There is no need for an overweening quasi-governmental non-profit association competing unfairly for scarce private and public funding; the money would be far better spent at any historic site improving amenities, accessibility, availability and the visitor experience.

School of Historical Interpretation

Whether you are interested in the public presentation of Historic New Bridge Landing, either as an exhibit docent, greeter, or living-history interpreter in period dress, or simply in learning and practicing the craft of historical interpretation, then join the School of Historical Interpretation. Hone communication and other career skills while gaining insight into the material culture of the past. With over thirty years of experience, historian Kevin Wright will present an introductory Powerpoint show on the Basics of Historical Interpretation on February 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the Steuben House, 1209 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661. Thereafter, we will meet the third Wednesday of every month. If interested, contact : wright@cybernex.net

Oh, happy day! I am excited to read the recommendations of Governor Christie's Transition team encouraging consideration of "the consolidation of all the state historical programs, Historic Trust (currently in DCA), NJ Historic Preservation Office and the State-Owned Historic Sites (DEP) with the Historical Commission in the Department of State to help establish stronger coordination between these groups, use other related Department of State divisions (DARM and Tourism), and to increase efficiency in staffing and support resources."

One hundred and seven years after the State of New Jersey acquired its first Historic Site and a half century after burying their care and development in a department otherwise dedicated to natural resources and environmental regulations, this recommendation, if enacted, may finally bring our State owned and operated Historic Sites the recognition, professional administration and proper esteem they so deserve. I encourage the history community to unite behind this recommendation and to rescue some of the most significant physical reminders of New Jersey's past from the Dark Ages where they have languished for too long.

Are we finally enjoying the view from Mount Nebo?

The Art of the Valentine

For St. Valentine’s Day, Brenda Miller, an expert in the art of papercutting with scissors, will offer a Scherenschnitte class in the Steuben House, 1209 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661 from 1 to 4 PM, on Sunday, February 14, 2010. Limited to 30 participants, age 14 and older, the cost is $30.

Students will cut and frame a 6" x 6" heart-and-flower design. All required materials, including cutting mats, paper, transfer paper, glass, frames and foam core will be provided, but students are asked to bring a sharp scissors and/or an X-acto knife. A brief history of the craft will be provided. For workshop reservations, send SASE and remittance to BCHS Paper Cutting, PO Box 55, River Edge, NJ 07661. No refunds or exchanges. For info, call 201-679-5182 or 201-343-9492. To visit our website or to make reservations through Paypal, visit: http://www.bergencountyhistory.org

The restored 18th century tavern in the Campbell-Christie House, a Gift Shop, a working Jersey Dutch Out-Kitchen, and the recently restored Demarest House will be open to all visitors on St. Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010, from 1 to 5 PM. Refreshments will be available for $5 donation. The Bergen County Historical Society will display an 1838 Valentine with an elaborate cut-paper border, inscribed with a poem, which includes a marriage proposal to Henry Bertholf, Sr., of Amos St., New York, from a secret admirer in Bergen, NJ.

BCHS is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) volunteer organization, founded in 1902, to develop public appreciation for Bergen County's remarkable past. To preserve and perpetuate the lessons of history, your membership is encouraged.

An Open Letter to the General Assembly

This view of the Outlook Lodge at Lusscroft speaks to the urgency of our cause.

On Monday, January 4, 2010, the Assembly Appropriations Committee released a bill Assembly Environment chairman John F. McKeon, Mayor of West Orange and Democratic Assemblyman representing the 27th district, is sponsoring to dedicate $150,000 of the revenue collected from Island Beach State Park to fund that park's programs. The "Island Beach Interpretative Program Fund" created by the measure (A-4337) would support educational programs to help visitors learn about the wildlife and natural resources of the park. I oppose this bill.

I have said this before and I will say it as often as necessary: We need to deal with the deteriorating state of our State Historic Sites, State Forests and State Parks as a whole and quickly. Why are legislators---no doubt acting on behalf of the entrenched bureaucracy--- carving out revenues from a popular state-owned and operated ocean beach from the rest of a poorly run public system of historic and natural resources, which is frankly on the verge of collapse? Instead, why not find a dedicated source of income---even this source of income, if necessary---and begin to repair unmaintained and sadly neglected Historic Sites that belong to the people of New Jersey. I would suggest that most people do not go to Island Beach for their interpretive programs, but for enjoying the ocean in summer. What is the winter attendance at such programs? But visitors do go year round to Monmouth Battlefield, Historic New Bridge Landing, Princeton Battlefield, the Wallace House, Twin Lights and other State Historic Sites precisely for their programmatic offerings (if and when they are available). Sadly, most of these state owned and operated historic resources are either closed or severely understaffed, even after a century of state ownership. Attendance at these sites is limited by the lack of public amenities, such as parking and even restrooms, and quality programming is rare and dwindling due to chronic under-staffing and the absence of qualified management in the DEP.

Consider what knowledgeable professionals have to say. Reviewing Interpretation in the National Park Service: A Historical Perspective, Barry Mackintosh writes: “Generally speaking, historical parks need interpretation more than natural and recreational parks do. Natural parks, typically encompassing spectacular or outstandingly scenic natural features, may be enjoyed aesthetically by most visitors regardless of whether they understand the geologic or biologic phenomena underlying them. Relatively few visitors to parks established primarily for active recreation are receptive to interpretive programs. But although many historical parks have aesthetic appeal and some accommodate active recreation, few can be greatly appreciated without some explanation of who lived or what occurred there. At historical parks, too, altered or missing features are often restored or reconstructed to better ‘tell the story.’ In far greater proportion than at parks established for other purposes, the [National Park] Service's task at its historical areas — indeed, the basic rationale for its involvement with such areas — is interpretation.”

Institutional compression has unfortunately made forest management and the interpretation of historic sites subsidiary to a system of recreational parks. Our state owned and operated Historic Sites have sadly languished under indifference and neglect, lost in an environmental regulatory agency that does not comprehend their needs or purpose. If you do not believe me, please visit such places as Waterloo, where the historic fabric of the village and millions of dollars in publicly funded tourist infrastructure are decaying into ruin. Look below in this blog to find a disturbing lack of care and concern for a State owned Historic Site near you!

Sound the Alarm! Closure of Pennsylvania Historic Sites!

A friend informs me the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has decided "to get out of the 'history' business." As of November 20, 2009, eighty-five workers, representing one-third of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's staff, were laid off and numerous Historic Sites across Pennsylvania, including Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, were shut down. According to the report of Charles Thompson and Jan Murphy in The Patriot-News, "Some historical sites will close for the winter or have responsibility for their operations shifted to outside groups." Governor Ed Rendell suggests, "volunteers and local groups should be prepared to absorb the responsibility of running the sites for several years, given the economy’s slow growth rate."

Bureaucrats have attempted similar transfers of New Jersey's most significant heritage sites in recent years, further burdening volunteers who already contribute substantial amounts of their time, talent and treasure to the cause. While these same administrators would not recommend turning over recreational park administration, programming, maintenance and policing to volunteers---for obvious reasons---they nevertheless are eager to dump responsibility for irreplaceable historic resources, so as to be able to shift the blame for their inevitable decline and loss upon those who recognize their value and care most about their protection. We must also remember that, however well meaning and motivated, most volunteers cannot provide the time, resources, practical experience, historical background, or technical knowledge needed to make valuable museum collections and historic buildings safely and widely accessible on a consistent basis. And as we all know too well, with exceptional demands on their time, with both heads of households working and with some folks working more than one job to get by, volunteers are becoming scarcer.

Why are Historic Sites so often the first publicly owned resources to be threatened with abandonment? One reason is that they touch a deep chord and rouse public support. Otherwise, they are an easy category of expenditure to eliminate on specious grounds: The attendance at long neglected Historic Sites, often lacking such basic amenities as adequate parking, restrooms, marketing and staff, are compared with popular beaches and large venue parks and found wanting, supposedly justifying their removal from the public inventory. What will the result be? A generation of school children and new Americans denied the educational opportunity to discover their history and to connect with core American values.

Reportedly, the December 25th program at Washington Crossing Historic Park will still take place (as well as the rehearsal crossing), not only to keep the event going, but also to allegedly keep the public from protesting before widespread media coverage. The New Jersey Friends of Washington Crossing Park are planning to protest on the New Jersey side during both the rehearsal crossing on Sunday, December 13th, from 12 noon to 2 PM and on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th, from 12 noon to 2 PM. They need people to show up during the actual reenactment of the famous crossing at 1 PM, so please support their efforts. While some protest signs will be available, you are encouraged to bring your own.

We understand severe budget cuts must be made to restore health to our public finances, but what little is spent on state owned and operated Historic Sites can hardly be categorized with the wasteful spending that brings us to this great crisis. The lessons of History, made meaningful through the experience of storied places and objects, should be considered fundamental to a thorough and efficient education for every American.

Looking ahead, looking back...

Another transition team is busy laying the groundwork for a new administration in Trenton. What are the implications for public history? Few people realize that our most important state owned and operated Historic Sites were devised to the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks and Forestry, where they have languished for decades, ever diminishing in their visibility and care. While we look forward in anticipation and hope to what may come, perhaps we should also look back, and consider how we got where we are today.

For historical interest, consider what the "environmental policy group" of the last gubernatorial transition team concluded four years ago. The following extracts from the Final Report of the Environment Transition Policy Group, submitted to Governor-Elect Jon Corzine on January 10, 2006, make interesting reading. Even though many of New Jersey's most significant historic sites are "managed" by the Department of Environmental Protection, the word "historic" is not to be found in the text, even under the misleading heading of "Prioritize Eco-Tourism and Heritage Tourism." Equally revealing, ignoring the fact the DEP's Division of Parks & Forestry "administers" the largest system of historic sites and museum collections in the state (and one of the largest in the Middle Atlantic States), no historians, historic site administrators, museum experts, or professionals qualified by experience in marketing heritage tourism destinations were included on the team that prepared the report.

Most disappointingly, perhaps, while there is mention of stewardship of the "state's land," there is no suggestion of any commitment to protect a single splinter of significant historic resources upon that land---I believe the results of this "oversight" are broadly evident. While there is perhaps justifiable outrage that "farmland assessment forestry owners are forced to cut down tress to be eligible for the program," not even a verbal yawn was expended on the deteriorating condition of historic resources across public lands or stagnating bureaucratic indifference to the State Historic Sites.

In my opinion, state government owns nothing---it merely administers what truly belongs to the people of New Jersey. Imagine where we might be today if this document had recommended: "the Governor should dedicate particular historic resources as “Forever Historic,” to protect physical evidence of our common heritage so valuable in its shared meanings that it should never be allowed to deteriorate."

The full report is available at http://www.njbia.org/pdf/env022306.pdf

Here are relevant extracts:

PRIORITIZE ECO-TOURISM AND HERITAGE TOURISM

Create A “New Jersey Natural Heritage And Cultural Treasures” Designation. Create a “NJ Natural Heritage and Cultural Treasures” designation, applying to areas with unique and threatened environmental resources. These “treasures” should be based on the DEP’s rich, extant spatial data sets including mapping in the Wildlife Action Plan, the Landscape Project, Important Bird and Birding Areas, Garden State Greenways, Heritage Priority Sites, critical fish and shellfish areas and nurseries, land cover (e.g. large estuarine marshes)and existing federal and international designations. These
designations should be used to focus acquisition, stewardship, access, landowner incentives and natural resource based planning. Furthermore, the Governor should dedicate particular parcels of open space as “Forever Wild,” for land so valuable in its natural state that it should never be diverted.

Institute A Moratorium On Horseshoe Crab Harvest To Protect The Red Knot. Protection of the Red Knot requires the immediate institution of a moratorium on the 2006 horseshoe crab harvest. The moratorium should persist until a management plan is developed and approved by a peer-review panel including shorebird ornithologists and horseshoe crab ecologists. The State should explore economic compensation for those who can document that they have been adversely impacted while continuing its leadership in the research and management of these economically important species.

Widen Public Access To New Jersey’s Public Lands. The Policy Group recommends that the
Governor demands that the public is able to benefit from any projects spending taxpayer funds for passive or active recreation. The access provisions must take special note of the need to protect environmentally sensitive areas. A wider plan for public access to the state’s recreational resources should include mapping and guides of potential and existing access points and acquisition priorities.

Federal funding for widening access to natural resources is available under the Birding and Wildlife Watching Trails Program – NJ DOT has been successful at receiving these funds in the past. Wildlife watching generates $2.4 billion annually in the State.

BECOME A STEWARD OF THE STATE’S LAND

Start A Statewide Stewardship Initiative To Increase Protection And Attract Federal Dollars. A statewide stewardship initiative is fiscally sound policy that will protect the investment of taxpayers and attract federal matching funds. Stewardship practices implemented on most public land in New Jersey are eligible for up to 75% cost share from USDA and USFWS through landowner incentives. New Jersey gets a smaller share of these funds than other States, and struggles to spend its portion. Programs such as the New Jersey Habitat Incentive Team (NJ HIT), that seek to improve coordination
and cooperation among all public and private stakeholders, are critical.

Provide A Stable Funding Source For Land Stewardship. The Policy Group recommends that you develop a stable funding source to preserve the value of New Jersey’s investment in open space and to ensure that preserved natural and cultural areas are accessible. One potential funding source would be the renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust. The value of the State’s investment in open space has decreased with overabundant wildlife populations, and the proliferation of invasive plants, insects
and diseases.

Promote Non-Lethal Wildlife Control. The Policy Group recommends that you promote existing laws to reduce human conflict with wildlife. As Governor, the Group encourages you to continue feeding bans, and expand awareness and availability of tools to reduce interaction between humans and wildlife, such as bear-proof garbage cans.

Reward Farmers For Maintaining Forested Land. Support legislation to allow landowners to receive farm assessment on woodlands for natural resource conservation and habitat protection, under a forestry plan. Currently under farmland assessment forestry owners are forced to cut down tress to be eligible for the program.

Members of the Environmental Policy Group Who Have Signed on to the Above Report

Valorie Caffee (Co-Chair), Organizing Director, NJ WEC
Tom Gilmore (Co-Chair), President, NJ Audubon Society
Eileen Swan (Co-Chair), Member of Highlands Commission/Former Mayor,Lebanon Twp
Wyatt Earp, IBEW
Mort Goldfein Attorney, Saiber Schlesinger Satz & Goldstein
Dr. Sunil K. Garg, President, EcoShelf Group
Bob Medin,a Engineering Consultant, Medina Consultants
Joe Morris, Interfaith Community Organization
Rev. Willie Anderson, Chairman, Camden Churches Organized for People
Rick Engler, Director, Work Environment Council
Andy Willner, Executive Director, NY/NJ Baykeeper
Cate Litvack, Executive Director, Crossroads of the American Revolution Association, Inc.
Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director, Sierra Club of New Jersey
Sherry Ramsey, Humane Society of the U.S.
Tom Fote, Legislative Director, Jersey Coast Anglers Association
Bill Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper
Dr. Stephen J. Souza President, Princeton Hydro, LLC
Ella Filippone, Executive Director, Passaic River Coalition
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director, American Littoral Society
Sharon Finlayson, Chair, New Jersey Environmental Federation
Lisa Garcia, Assistant Attorney General New York State/ Fmr Assistant Clinical Professor,Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic
Stewart Abrahams, Practice Director for Remediation at Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Inc.

Members of the Environmental Policy Group

Valorie Caffee, (Co-Chair), Organizing Director, NJ WEC
Tom Gilmore, (Co-Chair), President, NJ Audubon Society
Eileen Swan, (Co-Chair), Member of Highlands Commission/Former Mayor,Lebanon Twp
Dr. Sunil K. Garg, President, EcoShelf Group
Bob Medina, Engineering Consultant, Medina Consultants
Joe Morris, Interfaith Community Organization
Rev. Willie Anderso,n Chairman, Camden Churches Organized for People
Rick Engler, Director, Work Environment Council
Andy Willner, Executive Director, NY/NJ Baykeeper
Cate Litvack, Executive Director, Crossroads of the American Revolution Association, Inc.
Jeff Tittel, Chapter Director, Sierra Club of New Jersey
Sherry Ramsey, Humane Society of the U.S.
Tom Fote, Legislative Director, Jersey Coast Anglers Association
Bill Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper
Dr. Stephen J. Souza, President, Princeton Hydro, LLC
Ella Filippone, Executive Director, Passaic River Coalition
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director, American Littoral Society
Sharon Finlayson Chair, New Jersey Environmental Federation
Dr. James Sinclair, Former Vice President, New Jersey Business & Industry Association
Mort Goldfein, Attorney, Saiber Schlesinger Satz & Goldstein
Prof. Robert Willig, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton
Wyatt Earp, IBEW
Lisa Garcia, Assistant Attorney General New York State/Fmr Assistant Clinical Professor, Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic
James Hughes Dean, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Richard Hluchan, Attorney, Ballard, Spahr, Andrews and Ingersoll
Stewart Abrahams, Practice Director for Remediation at Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Inc.