To begin, I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful Holiday season and a very happy 2026.  Thank you for following this column and keeping yourself informed and up to date with Highlands issues that are important to you and your community. 

Considering the state of the region in 2025 and looking forward to 2026, there are several things that stand out.  First must be the now-dire condition of New Jersey’s water supply and of our Highlands reservoirs.  Did you know that we are in a serious drought?  It is urgent that we act to reduce water consumption everywhere, now!  This region provides clean water to over six million people in New Jersey, over 70% of the state’s population, living in 15 of the 21 counties, every one of whom depends on the Highlands for some or all their water supply.  Every single day of every year the region exports more than 840 million gallons of water to people who live outside the region.  Highlands’ water is plentiful, but it is not limitless

The role the Highlands Council plays in protecting the region and its resources is paramount.  It is long past time for the New Jersey Department of Environments Protection to either actively support the Council’s work or let it do its job.  We hope the new Sherrill Administration provides the support needed by the Council.  An easy place to begin would be to allow the Highlands Council to continue its work to protect the Highlands’ forests.  Over two years ago the NJDEP embargoed the Highlands Council’s Draft Best Forest Management Practices, preventing the Council from adopting it as an amendment to the Regional Master Plan. NJDEP has repeatedly promised to return these BMPs to the Council but has not delivered.

On another key issue, the Highlands Council, for lack of a quorum, has been forced to cancel six of its eleven 2025 monthly meetings, including three of the last four.  Why are we in this completely avoidable position?  Lack of Council appointments by Governor Murphy and action by the NJ Senate are why.  Now the state legislature is in Lame Duck, maybe there is movement with appointments?

Also of deep concern, since January 2025 we have seen immense disruption to the work of EPA, FEMA, NPS, NOAA and USDA, and to the livelihoods of many federal employees. Cuts in programs and funding at the federal level have made it more important than ever that New Jersey pick up the slack and protect residents from the worsening effects of climate change (such as flooding and the drought!)

At the same time, we have seen progress stall on several essential environmental issues at the state level over the last year.  As an example, responding to development interests, Governor Murphy instructed NJDEP to roll back on some of  the proposed NJPACT-REAL rules that would protect communities from flooding and other impacts due to climate change.  The new rules may not be adopted before Murphy leaves office. Given the immense stress on New Jersey’s environment, housing market, energy demands, agriculture, and water supply, Governor-elect Sherrill’s administration will play a critical role in determining whether New Jersey maintains a viable economy and high quality of life as the climate continues to warm.

That said, we’ve also seen great wins for the Highlands this year. Municipal conformance to the Highlands Regional Master Plan has really picked up at the Council.  We consistently remind communities that conformance is simply good planning; there is no downside to conforming. 

With our support, residents of Frelinghuysen were successful in stopping a poorly sited cannabis cultivation facility. The developer of Milly’s Court, a large, residential community proposed in a highly environmentally sensitive area in Franklin Borough, Sussex County, withdrew its permit request for an NJDEP Water Quality Plan Amendment; we think this action effectively prevents the project from moving forward.  We continue to work against inappropriately sited warehouses, and we have seen a significant drop in such proposals in the Highlands, reflecting what may be a glut in the supply of warehouses in general, the adoption of strong Highlands warehouse siting standards, and community backlash against these projects which have few long-term upsides for host communities. We have seen, repeatedly, that people want to protect the places they love. Motivated residents, provided with the right tools and support, can fight and successfully defend their communities and create real change.

There are tough challenges ahead as we adapt to weakened federal support, but in the Highlands, New Jersey’s residents are proven to be resilient and ready to step up to keep our little State one of the best places to live in the nation. We urge you to remain informed and involved, both with the Coalition and in your community.