Building Permit Extension Expected to Become Law Despite Eco-Opposition

Despite strong opposition from NJ Environmental groups, a bill extending expiring building permits to 2014 to help developers in a sluggish economy has passed both houses of the state legislature. The NJ Sierra Club's Jeff Tittel has strongly criticized the measure: “This bill targets environmentally sensitive areas throughout New Jersey especially the Highlands, Pinelands, and Barnegat Bay. This legislation takes the side of developers interests over public interest. It takes the side of sprawl and over development over protecting water supply and natural resources.