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The farm is preserved under the Farmland Preservation Program and is governed by a conservation easement, which is supposed to protect the land (Quakertown soils, Class A, top in state). The horticulture business was in the process of expanding its operations by removing (excavating to approxmiately 15 feet) and compacting the natural soils on about 30 acres of the preserved farm where hoop houses or greenhouses were being installed. The preserved property is about 120 acres and the business's entire holdings stretch out over 200 acres and include greenhouses, hoop houses, plastic mulch, other structures and farmhand residences. The operation is ostensibly protected under the Right to Farm Act.
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After a large out-pouring of concerned citizen calls and emails to NJ Senators, the NJ Senate listened and passed the horseshoe crab harvest moratorium (S1331) by an overwhelming 39-0 vote on Monday, March 17th and on March 25th, joined by the Delaware Riverkeeper and other environmental groups who pushed the legislation, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the legislation into law. This is a great victory for the horseshoe crabs and birds that arrive to shore in May and June along our Jersey beaches and your support was critical! This legislation follows efforts to combat an unwise decision made by the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council to continue harvesting crabs this spring despite input from conservation groups, citizens, scientists, and NJ DEP to continue the moratorium on crab harvesting until crab and shorebird numbers reach sustainable and healthy populations. On February 28th, after testimony from the Delaware Riverkeeper and other conservation groups, the New Jersey Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 5-0 to forward the Horseshoe Crab harvest moratorium for vote by the full Assembly. The Committee members include Assemblymen Doug Fisher, Nelson Albano, John Amadeo, Marcia Karrow, and L. Harvey Smith. DRN and other conservation groups asked for your help to contact assembly members and senators and you responded! As a result on March 10,2008, the NJ Senate Environment Committee followed suit and voted in favor of the horseshoe crab moratorium legislation and it was passed out of the Senate Envrionment Committee by a vote of 6-0. The full Assembly then pushed through the legislation and on Monday, March 17th, Senators overwhelmingly made the legislation a done deal by a unanimous vote. The Governor made it a done deal on March 25th with his signing. Horseshoe crabs and shorebirds soon to arrive along Jersey beaches will have a better chance to recover thanks to your efforts. Thank you!
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The Federal government and local agencies are proposing to build a 12-story bus depot, parking garage and condominium development in the Delaware River floodplain and Historic District in Easton, PA. The proposed tower would loom over the region on a site repeatedly covered by floodwaters. Letters are needed by November 26 and attendance is crucial at a Public Hearing November 15 to oppose this affront to Easton, Phillipsburg and the Wild and Scenic Delaware River.
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Soil that nature takes thousands of years to make is being wantonly destroyed by a commercial horticultural operation known as Garden State Growers or Quaker Valley Farms in Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. The State Agricultural Development Committee decided in February that the wanton cut and fill, compaction and soil destruction was in violation of its Deed of Easement. 
The Delaware River Basin Commission is taking public comment now (now extended through March 3rd) on a new reservoir management plan.
The Delaware River from the Water Gap to Washington Crossing is under consideratin for permanent protection as a Special Protection Waters. This designation is critical 
Delaware Riverkeeper Network has petitioned the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to upgrade the Upper Perkiomen Watershed to Exceptional Value and the Macoby Creek to High Quality. Please write a letter supporting the upgrade of the Upper Perkiomen which includes part of Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Bucks counties. 
On Friday, January 5, Dupont made a surprise announcement that that they were pulling out of the Army’s plan to ship VX nerve agent waste from Indiana to Dupont’s Chambers Works plant in Salem County for treatment and dumping into the Delaware River. After 3 years of battle, Delaware Riverkeeper Network and all of those who fought the plan, cheered.
DRN thanks the thousands of activists who responded to our call for sending letters—these were key in killing the very bad idea of dumping VX waste into the Delaware River. DRN calls for the Army to destroy VX on site in Indiana where it is now stored through the most environmentally safe method possible and will continue to make sure that happens.
Certainly, DRN’s River Resources Law Clinic law suit (filed Dec. 21, 2006) played a big part in Dupont’s backing out. The suit challenged the transport of VX hydrolysate from Indiana to New Jersey based on a federal statute that bans the transportation of chemical weapons across state lines and complained that federal environmental regulations were not being followed by the Army. DRN was confident of a win.
Steadfast opposition from elected representatives made it clear to Dupont and the Army that their VX plan would never be accepted here. Congressman Andrews, NJ Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, NJ Governor Corzine and DE Governor Minner, NJ Congressmen LoBiondo and Saxton and PA Congresswoman Schwartz all need to hear from us that they did the right thing. This thanks them and also strengthens the resolve of those we have elected to represent the public and protect the environment.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), made and used by Dupont, is used in Teflon pans, nonstick papers such as food containers, stain resistant and water-resistant fabric, and other products since the 1950’s. 
A huge illegal dam has been discovered on a major tributary to Wickecheoke Creek on property owned by Joseph Kenny at Block 10, Lot 8, 16 Hammar Road, Delaware Township, Hunterdon County, NJ. NJDEP inspected and notified the owner of the violations but no further action has been taken. DRN has filed a letter with DEP petitioning for immediate action to remove the dam and collect remedial and punitive damages. 
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