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Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today wrote a letter to New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa Jackson urging her to work with local, county and state officials to preserve Takanassee Beach Club through recently approved Green Acres funding. The New Jersey congressman's request comes after passage earlier this month of a Green Acres referendum providing $200 million to preserve open space throughout New Jersey.
The New Jersey congressman once again called on the DEP to deny a Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit requested by Takanassee Developers, LLC. Pallone also voiced his opposition to moving the three structures out of concern that such a move would compromise their historical value. (A COPY OF THE LETTER FOLLOWS.)
"Takanassee Beach Club is home to three of only a few original life-saving station buildings that still exist today to preserve this remarkable legacy," Pallone said. "These buildings have significant historical value, and must not fall victim to overdevelopment. The passage of the Green Acres referendum gives our community another opportunity to protect the life saving stations at the Takanassee beach Club."
The Takanassee Beach Club includes three buildings that comprise the original United States Life-Saving Station #5, which was once part of a vast network of stations that aided shipwreck victims up and down the Mid-Atlantic coast. The first of these buildings was completed in 1879 and the third in 1903, with the station operating until 1928. There were 40 such stations along the Jersey shore, equipped with teams that would patrol the coastline. This system eventually evolved into the present-day United States Coast Guard.
"This historic recreational site is important not only to the citizens of Long Branch, but also to the people of Monmouth County and to the state of New Jersey," said Long Branch Councilman Brian Unger. "We, as elected officials, need to work together at all levels of government to make this acquisition a reality."
November 14, 2007
Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
401 E. State Street, 7th Floor, East Wing
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
Dear Commissioner Jackson:
The recent passage of the Green Acres referendum provides an opportunity for the state to work with me as well as county and local officials to put together a package to preserve the Takanassee Beach club as open space. This is another reason why the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) should deny the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit requested by Takanassee Developers, LLC.
I have been in contact with officials at the local, county, and state level and they have indicated their intention to try and work together to protect the life saving stations. The approved Green Acres funds represent a great opportunity for the city, county, and state to provide a beach access point for area residents, while also preserving a historical landmark.
I want to stress that moving the life saving stations to another location is not an option that fits within the framework of preserving this historic site. The presence of three different stations at the current site is in itself historically significant, and that history would be compromised by moving them.
I share the feelings of many of my constituents who oppose the idea of developing residential units at Takanassee Beach Club. As a lifelong resident of Long Branch, who has represented this city in some fashion or another for 25 years, I know how critical it is to preserve both the historic Lifesaving Station and the open space at the Beach Club.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
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