From: NJ Chapter Sierra Club

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that NOT expanding the polluting Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line is best environmentally for our Parks!  NPS selected “No Build” as the environmentally preferred alternative to the project in a draft Environmental Impact Statement released last week.  The transmission line would carry coal-fired energy produced in Pennsylvania into New Jersey, undermining our state’s clean energy goals and green jobs sector.  The project would impact the Delaware Water Gap, Middle Delaware National Scenic River, the Appalachian Trail and some of the most environmentally sensitive portions of the Highlands region.  These NPS lands were purchased for the public’s use and enjoyment and expanding a dirty transmission line will mar our scenic vistas, restrict public access and use, and pollute our parks.

The NPS decision is a huge first step in defeating this dirty project and protecting our public land but now we must work to ensure the “No Build” alternative is also selected as the “NPS preferred” alternative too. NPS stated they would not make their final decision until they heard from the public.

NOW is the time to tell NPS loud and clear that the route that is best for the environment is best for our National Park Lands!

Thank Department of Interior Secretary Salazar and NPS for doing the right thing and urge them to take the next step in protecting our National Parks by selecting “No Build” as the NPS preferred alternative.

There will also be three public hearings on the draft environmental review and NPS needs to hear from each one of you!  The hearings will run from 6-9 pm with an informational session before each hearing from 2:30- 4:30 pm.  Mark your calendar now  to come out and make your voice heard!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
(snow date 1/31)
Fernwood Hotel and Resort
U.S. 209 Bushkill, PA 18324

Wednesday, January 25, 2012
(snow date 2/1)
Stroudsmoor Country Inn – Ridgecrest
RD#4 Stroudsmoor Road Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Thursday, January 26, 2012
(snow date 2/2)
Farmstead Golf and Country Club
88 Lawrence Road
Lafayette, NJ 07848

You can check out the NPS review document and submit more detailed comments here.

Thanks for all you do,

NJ Chapter Staff