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DEP AND INTRAWEST SEAL
THE DEAL TO PRESERVE HAMBURG MOUNTAIN
(03/6) Trenton--- The Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) and Intrawest Corporation announced today
that they have finalized an agreement to preserve more than
1,800 acres atop Hamburg Mountain, saving critical natural
resources in the Highlands from future development.
"This agreement is a tribute to Governor
McGreevey's commitment to protect Hamburg Mountain and preserve
the Highlands for future generations," said DEP Commissioner
Bradley Campbell. "We want to steer development into
appropriate areas of New Jersey while ensuring more green
space and cleaner waterways for its residents and visitors."
Under the deal, DEP's Green Acres program
is buying 451 acres from Mountain Creek Resort, Inc. of
which Intrawest is the parent company. The company is donating
an additional total of 1,398 acres - protecting more than
1,800 acres of forested land.
The agreement for the $7.1 million purchase
property limits Mountain Creek to maintaining existing snowmaking
equipment and accessing lake water to make snow to service
ski trails and other mountain top tracts. The purchased
lands will otherwise remain as undeveloped open space.
"As the Governor reminded us in his
State of the State address, the Highlands support an abundance
of natural resources in this state," Campbell added.
"That's why he has proposed to dedicate an additional
$50 million over the next three years for the Highlands,
which provides one-third of New Jersey's drinking water."
On the donated property, the agreement
allows the corporation to maintain existing ski trails and
snowmaking equipment and also allows for limited expansion
of ski trails and related facilities. All other development
rights to the property are relinquished.
DEP's Division of Parks and Forestry will
oversee and manage all 1,800 acres covered in this land
purchase first announced by Governor McGreevey at a ceremony
in Vernon in June.
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