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Pinelands Commission advances CMP amendments, hears landowner say she intends to preserve large Black Run parcel
Summary
The commission published comprehensive management plan (CMP) amendments proposing a ~2,400‑acre management‑area redesignation in the Black Run watershed and held public comment; staff told commissioners the largest private owner has declared an intent to preserve the parcel and is working with a nonprofit and DEP on appraisals.
The Pinelands Commission on July 11 advanced a package of Comprehensive Management Plan amendments that includes a proposed redesignation of roughly 2,400 acres in the Black Run watershed from a rural development area to a forest area and opened a 60‑day public comment period with a virtual hearing and written comments accepted through Aug. 15.
Executive Director Susan told commissioners the amendments were published in the New Jersey Register and described the package as a ‘full package’ that also includes expiration of old commission waivers and several application‑fee changes. She said the commission expects “a good number of comments” during the public comment period and that staff will review them before any final action.
Susan also reported staff had met with the owner of the largest privately held parcel in the Black Run watershed, and that the owner and her attorney told staff they “want everyone to know” they intend to preserve the property rather than pursue development. Susan said the owner “is working with [a] nonprofit conservation organization as well as DEP,” and that appraisals must be updated before any preservation transaction proceeds.
Public commenters at the meeting urged the commission to move expeditiously on the redesignation and not to delay while assessments proceed. One caller, who identified herself as Taylor, asked commissioners “do not delay the designation of the land adjacent to the Black Run Preserve … as permanent forest” while new assessments continue, citing presence of endangered species and local water‑supply concerns.
Chair and staff clarified that the commission’s CMP redesignation process will proceed on its published timeline and that the owner’s stated preservation intent was informational; staff said the two tracks—the statutory redesignation process and the owner’s parallel conservation work—are separate but related steps. Susan and staff also noted wetlands delineation work being done to support future appraisals and potential preservation transactions.
The commission did not take a final vote on the Black Run redesignation at the meeting; the record‑opening and virtual hearing dates were announced and staff will return with further analysis after the public‑comment period closes.
What’s next: the public hearing on the CMP amendments is scheduled during the comment period, and written comments are being accepted through Aug. 15. Staff will present the public‑comment summary and any recommended changes at a future commission meeting.
