News from the Somerset County
Board of Chosen Freeholders
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November 4, 2009
Sustainable
Raritan River Initiative Kicks Off Nov. 10
NEW BRUNSWICK – Because the Raritan
River is Somerset
County’s principle water feature and a
defining element in the county Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan, the Somerset
County Board of Freeholders invites community leaders to a Rutgers University
Sustainable Raritan
River Initiative symposium on Tuesday, Nov.
10.
The
symposium will be held from 6 to 8:30
p.m. at E.J. Bloustein Graduate
School of Planning and Public Policy, located at 33 Livingston Ave. Advance
registration is required. Contact
Project Director Judy Shaw at (732) 932-5475, ext. 720, or judy.shaw@rutgers.edu.
The
goal of the conference is to get input on the challenges and opportunities the
river presents for Somerset County, Middlesex
County and the eighteen towns located along
the Raritan River corridor.
“The Raritan River
corridor is a key component of the County’s plan for a network of
interconnecting greenways to link the diverse County park system. Preservation of this corridor is critical for
the protection of environmentally sensitive areas, providing areas for
recreational development, preserving local character and saving tax dollars by
controlling development," said Freeholder Peter S. Palmer. "The Sustainable Raritan River
Initiative symposium is the perfect opportunity to bring together municipal and
County stakeholders to work together to achieve the common goal of preserving
this important river corridor.”
Bloustein School is sponsoring a two-semester graduate studio,
consisting of 12-14 students each semester.
The purpose of the studio is to produce a comprehensive Raritan River
Corridor Study and Vision Plan and to give graduate students hands-on planning
experience.
As
part of the study, graduate students will review master plans, interview key
stakeholders, assess community needs and goals and develop a common vision and
implementation strategy for the river corridor.
For
information or to register, contact Judy Shaw, Project Director of the
Sustainable Raritan River Initiative, at (732) 932-5475, ext. 720.