DeCroce & Webber: Adoption of Regional Master Plan is More Bad Policy for Highlands Communities

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Assemblyman Jay Webber denounced the expected adoption today of the Highlands Regional Master Plan, saying it entrenches major flaws in the Highlands Act, including an unreasonable prohibition on development and the loss of equity for property owners.

DeCroce and Webber noted that four years ago, the Highlands Act was rammed through the Legislature with no scientific proof that it was needed to protect water quality, no economic impact study for Highlands communities, and no funding source to compensate for lost property values. The 26th District Legislators also noted that the Regional Master Plan — four years in the making — only adds to those problems.

“The environmental character of the Highlands and the quality of its water resources can be protected without stopping all development and robbing homeowners of the value of their property,” said DeCroce, R-Morris & Passaic. “Unfortunately, this plan, without question, will devalue private property for people who own land in this region of the state.

“After years of building equity in their homes and property, property owners will see their land values drop like a rock, leaving landowners to twist in the wind,” he continued. “It will have a devastating effect on families in this area who are already burdened by rising energy and food costs.”

Webber, R-Morris & Passaic, agreed, saying, “The fundamental unfairness of the Highlands Act takes further root today. Our citizens and their communities were promised fair compensation for lost property values. But the State has failed completely on that financial commitment. Our citizens and their communities were promised that economic development would be prioritized. But the plan kills the economic growth.

“The Plan simply shifts the burdens onto innocent landowners, their communities, and property taxpayers. The harsh results are decreased property values and higher property taxes. Land stewardship should remain with those living close to the land and elected local officials protecting their communities, rather than with unelected bureaucrats,” Webber concluded.

The Highlands, an 860,000-acre area, stretches across 88 towns in Morris, Sussex, Warren, Somerset, Hunterdon, Bergen, and Passaic counties.

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