TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine celebrated Earth Day today by announcing the finalization of plans to accept the donation of Petty’s Island on behalf of the residents of New Jersey, fulfilling his promise to preserve one of the Delaware River’s largest islands as an urban oasis for wildlife that will be enjoyed by people throughout the region.
“Earth Day is a fitting time to consummate the donation of this special place,” Governor Corzine said. “Petty’s Island has become an important home to bald eagles, kestrels and a wide variety of waterfowl. We are opening a new chapter in the island’s long history by restoring it and giving it back to nature and the people of New Jersey.”
In January, the Natural Lands Trust, a state land-preservation board, voted to accept CITGO Petroleum Corp’s offer of a conservation easement for the island, located in Pennsauken. Governor Corzine commended CITGO’s decision to donate the island and sign an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to complete the cleanup of contamination. In the coming months, CITGO will begin removal of the tank farm. The DEP also will conduct an inventory of plants and wildlife.
“This is a remarkable opportunity to enhance the overall ecological health of the Delaware River and establish a much-needed sanctuary for wildlife in a heavily urbanized river corridor,” DEP Acting Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello said. “Thanks to Governor Corzine’s leadership and vision, Petty’s Island will be cleaned up and become a sanctuary for people as well, a place to unwind and appreciate the stunning diversity of wildlife that thrives along this stretch of the Delaware.”
“The preservation of Petty’s Island represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore and manage a spectacular natural area in the midst of one of the most urbanized areas of New Jersey for the benefit of our children and future generations, and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day,” said Michael Catania, Chairman of the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust. “I’d like to thank Governor Corzine for his leadership, and to convey our heartfelt appreciation to CITGO for its vision and commitment to making to this dream become a reality.”
CITGO has agreed to create a $2 million stewardship fund to allow the Natural Lands Trust to manage the island. The company is setting up another $1 million fund to assist in establishing a cultural and education center. The eventual recreational development of the island will be limited to passive activities, such as trails for hiking and bicycle riding.
The Natural Lands Trust plans to coordinate supervised group tours after the tank farm is dismantled and removed. General public access will be allowed after the cleanup is completed and title is transferred to the state.
The DEP must certify that the cleanup has met state standards before the title can be transferred. The earliest the transfer can occur is 2020, which is three years following the expiration of a lease an active shipping terminal has with CITGO. This gives CITGO time to address any potential contamination at the shipping terminal property.
The nearly 400-acre island provides nesting and foraging habitat for a pair of American bald eagles. It also provides habitat for great blue herons and state-endangered black-crowned night-herons. Songbirds migrating along the river corridor use the island’s woodlands and wetlands for habitat and cover.
To further observe and promote Earth Day, Governor Corzine celebrated the preservation of Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair and helped kick off the “NJ Inspections: Making the Garden State Safer and Greener” campaign.
“Earth Day is a fitting time to consummate the donation of this special place,” Governor Corzine said. “Petty’s Island has become an important home to bald eagles, kestrels and a wide variety of waterfowl. We are opening a new chapter in the island’s long history by restoring it and giving it back to nature and the people of New Jersey.”
In January, the Natural Lands Trust, a state land-preservation board, voted to accept CITGO Petroleum Corp’s offer of a conservation easement for the island, located in Pennsauken. Governor Corzine commended CITGO’s decision to donate the island and sign an agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to complete the cleanup of contamination. In the coming months, CITGO will begin removal of the tank farm. The DEP also will conduct an inventory of plants and wildlife.
“This is a remarkable opportunity to enhance the overall ecological health of the Delaware River and establish a much-needed sanctuary for wildlife in a heavily urbanized river corridor,” DEP Acting Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello said. “Thanks to Governor Corzine’s leadership and vision, Petty’s Island will be cleaned up and become a sanctuary for people as well, a place to unwind and appreciate the stunning diversity of wildlife that thrives along this stretch of the Delaware.”
“The preservation of Petty’s Island represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore and manage a spectacular natural area in the midst of one of the most urbanized areas of New Jersey for the benefit of our children and future generations, and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day,” said Michael Catania, Chairman of the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust. “I’d like to thank Governor Corzine for his leadership, and to convey our heartfelt appreciation to CITGO for its vision and commitment to making to this dream become a reality.”
CITGO has agreed to create a $2 million stewardship fund to allow the Natural Lands Trust to manage the island. The company is setting up another $1 million fund to assist in establishing a cultural and education center. The eventual recreational development of the island will be limited to passive activities, such as trails for hiking and bicycle riding.
The Natural Lands Trust plans to coordinate supervised group tours after the tank farm is dismantled and removed. General public access will be allowed after the cleanup is completed and title is transferred to the state.
The DEP must certify that the cleanup has met state standards before the title can be transferred. The earliest the transfer can occur is 2020, which is three years following the expiration of a lease an active shipping terminal has with CITGO. This gives CITGO time to address any potential contamination at the shipping terminal property.
The nearly 400-acre island provides nesting and foraging habitat for a pair of American bald eagles. It also provides habitat for great blue herons and state-endangered black-crowned night-herons. Songbirds migrating along the river corridor use the island’s woodlands and wetlands for habitat and cover.
To further observe and promote Earth Day, Governor Corzine celebrated the preservation of Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair and helped kick off the “NJ Inspections: Making the Garden State Safer and Greener” campaign.
