Persistence Pays Off in Fight to Save Federal Hill

In the following interview, John Capozucca, the chairman of the Bloomingdale Environmental Commission (BEC), recounts how his Commission was able to get the State Planning Commission (SPC) to change the State Plan mapping designation for Federal Hill, a significant historic and environmental site.

ANJEC: Why did your Environmental Commission (BEC) petition the State Planning Commission (SPC) to designate Federal Hill as a PA 5 (Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area)?

Capozucca: In 1989, the BEC requested that Federal Hill be designated as an Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area (PA-5), but for some reason it was eventually mapped as a Suburban Planning Area. In the late 1980's, developers without any approved plans had received a court-ordered remedy to build affordable housing units. When Interstate 287 was completed to the New York Thruway in the mid-1990s, an interchange near Federal Hill made a large-scale development economically feasible.

The BEC decided to petition the SPC during the second round of cross-acceptance, to change Federal Hill to a PA5. Sue Smith, a concerned citizen and currently a councilwoman, was instrumental in requesting the mapping change.

Why is Federal Hill so significant?
Federal Hill is both extraordinarily environmentally sensitive and historically significant. The 500-acre wooded tract includes four types of wetlands, endangered species such as the wood turtle, blue spotted salamander and red fox, and extremely steep slopes. The big bluff can be seen between Exits 53 and 55 on I-287.

In the late 1770s, George Washington ordered a beacon to be built on Federal Hill to warn of the advancing British troops. In 1781 the Pompton Mutiny occurred here with subsequent execution of the mutiny leaders.

Have you seen any benefits yet from the mapping change?
The State has now recognized the credibility of what the BEC said 11 years ago. The SPC designated Federal Hill as PA5 because of its extraordinary environmental sensitivity and historical significance. Also, the Passaic County and Bloomingdale Open Space Plans have recognized the site, and the County and the municipality have an open space taxes to purchase open lands. Another benefit is that a coalition of interested citizens is working to effect change.

Networking is important. Residents of West Milford, Bloomingdale, Ringwood and Wanaque have joined together to work on local and regional issues. Also grassroots organizations such as Pequannock River Coalition and Skylands CLEAN have provided invaluable assistance.

What was your experience in working with the SPC and Office of State Planning (OSP)?

Initially the system seemed too bureaucratic, but BEC persevered and worked within the system. It was difficult because BEC did not reach the right person at the SPC/OSP to hear our concerns. We were persistent and sent numerous letters and memos until we got a response from SPC/OSP. We sent concerned citizens (including a high school student and a senior citizen), a non-profit representative, and a town council member to the public meetings where the mapping change was heard. This made an impression.

Any pointers for Environmental Commissioners considering changes to the State Plan map?
First, use letters to get your point across and ask others to send letters. In dealing with OSP, be polite, but persistent. Do your research and gather as many factual resources as possible to support your objective. Use historical newspaper articles, historical letters and scientific reports.

Also, it's important to connect parcels of environmentally sensitive land with a greenway because then it is not just an isolated parcel but a link to other environmentally sensitive areas. Refer to the Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) often. If your commission doesn't have an ERI, then invest in one. This is the Number One document that every town should have to protect natural resources because the ERI contains facts to support your argument.

Is the BEC considering other steps?
We would like to work with the county, state and federal government to find funding to preserve Federal Hill. The federal government should be interested in Federal Hill because of its significance during the American Revolution. The Green Acres program seems to be more interested in the site because now that it has been mapped as environmentally sensitive.

Having the local open space tax makes BEC optimistic that the land will be purchased, but the property is expensive so many funds will have to be raised.