State Senator Leonard Lance

LANCE URGES JACKSON TO MAKE PETTY'S ISLAND 1ST PRIORITY
Commissioner Designate Should Address Petty’s Island at Confirmation Hearing

Senate Republican leader, Leonard Lance, (R-23), announced today that the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services, (OLS), is drafting a Senate Resolution at his request urging the incoming Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, (DEP), to reconsider accepting the donation of Petty’s island from the Citgo corporation.
Senate Republican leader, Leonard Lance, (R-23), announced today that the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services, (OLS), is drafting a Senate Resolution at his request urging the incoming Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, (DEP), to reconsider accepting the donation of Petty’s island from the Citgo corporation.

“It is unconscionable that the state of New Jersey would turn down the donation of one of the largest islands in the Delaware river, especially given the fact that the donor offered to pay for the cleanup of the contaminated areas and to set up a $ 2 million trust to fund greater public access to the island,� Lance stated. “The donation of an almost 400 hundred acre island in the middle of one of the most densely populated areas in the world is an offer to good to turn down.�

Petty’s island, a 392 acre site was the former home of a Citgo oil refinery. The island currently is home to a wide variety of wildlife including blue herons and a pair of Bald Eagles.

“The incoming DEP commissioner should reconsider accepting this donation. This site would become a priceless public resource and an invaluable teaching tool as we continue to cleanup other contaminated sites throughout the state. Commissioner designate Jackson should address these issues during her confirmation hearing on Monday,� Lance concluded