Rothman Secures Over $3.6 Million for Meadowlands Environmental Park

Rothman Secures Over $3.6 Million for Meadowlands Environmental Park

With Open Space at a Premium, Funds Will Help Continue His Work to Save the 8,400 Acres
Rothman with third graders from Paterson Public School #18
Pictured: Congressman Rothman and students from Paterson Public School #18 in the Hackensack Meadowlands.

(Lyndhurst, NJ)— Joined by third graders learning about the Meadowlands, Rothman and the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) today announced progress toward an 8,400-acre environmental park in the Meadowlands thanks to ongoing federal support. Rothman presented the NJMC with $3,660,000 to continue planning and preservation activities in the Hackensack Meadowlands.

"Now that we've saved these 8,400 acres from development, these additional federal dollars will help the NJMC carry out the clean-up and construction work necessary to begin the creation of the Meadowlands environmental park. During the past 6 years, much progress has been made to turn what was once seen as a poisoned marshland into a magnificent recreational, educational, and environmental experience for the people of this area," said Rothman. "Already we have children and students visiting the Meadowlands for environmental education programs and river rides, and to see the spectacular return of birds, wildlife and native plants in the area," said Rothman.

Ever since he came to Congress in 1997, Rothman has fought to save, preserve, and clean-up the last 8,400 acres of open space in the Hackensack Meadowlands, with the goal of establishing a Meadowlands Environmental Park. Last Wednesday, the preliminary findings of a study about bird populations in the Meadowlands showed promising results. Visitors can now observe over 265 different species of birds, many of them endangered or threatened, in the Meadowlands.

http://www.house.gov/rothman/news_releases/2006/may1_meadowlands.htm