Letters Ideas for N.J.’s new CEO The new year brings a new chief to New Jersey, as Gov.-elect Jon Corzine takes office. His impressive environmental record in the Senate and his proposed environmental agenda bode well for New Jersey’s continued environmental progress. Gov.-elect Corzine has gone on record with an ambitious agenda to control overdevelopment and preserve open space. Here are a few: ensuring funding for the Garden State Preservation Trust, which funds the preservation of parks, farmland and other open space and is set to run-out in 2007; repealing the Fast Track Act that would enable potentially disastrous sprawl; and adopting rules to implement the state Threatened and Endangered Species Act, which have been on hold for 30 years and would help protect New Jersey’s precious wildlife. These are great proposals and ones that are critical to the future of our state. Here are a few extra suggestions for the new governor to consider to aid him in making sure New Jersey protects its environmental quality and health. • Make sure our state has funding for the stewardship of public land, so future generations will enjoy the benefits of preserved open space and farmland. • Reinvigorate the state plan so it really will stop sprawl and revitalize our cities and towns. • Fix the Farmland Preservation Program to make certain that it protects New Jersey’s fertile soils and natural resources like forests, wetlands and streams, and encourages public access. • Improve forest stewardship on private land by allowing landowners to manage their forests for conservation purposes and receive property tax benefits from the Farmland Assessment Program. • Stand up for and make the Highlands Regional Plan a success by making sure funding is available to purchase critical lands, create strong incentives for Planning Area municipalities to join in; and support Planning Area governments with growth control efforts while the Regional Plan is being developed. • Authorize the state Natural Lands Trust to accept the donation of Petty’s Island and allow a first-class nature preserve to be established in the densely populated Camden area. Yes, that is an ambitious set of recommendations. But these steps will make New Jersey an even better place to live and work. And Gov.-elect Corzine’s environmental record demonstrates that he aims high and that he has what it takes to succeed! Michele S. Byers executive director New Jersey Conservation Foundation Far Hills