It is with disappointment that we read about last week’s vote by the Two Rivers Council of Mayors, which is endorsing the massive rehabilitation development plan for Sandy Hook. Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater opposes the current proposal.

While we have no objection to their disagreeing with our position, we wish an organization with a differing opinion had also been invited to present their case before the body.

Clearwater is not alone in its concerns about this 60-year lease to a private developer of public land and facilities that make up the former Fort Hancock. This location is one of most precious and most affordable recreation spots in our nation. We, too, submitted a proposal to the park service for continuing to maintain a house for our use.

We remain gravely concerned about over-commercialization and the many unanswered questions surrounding this proposal. We are alarmed by what seems to be ongoing changes to this plan.

As the parks become increasingly dependent on revenue generated from this project, can we realistically not expect compromises with the developer that will lead to high impact and higher profit development?

We support the goal of preserving the buildings, but not at any price. We need more facts and our questions answered.

We would welcome an opportunity from the Two Rivers Council of Mayors to make our case. Sixty years is a long time.

Ben Forest

Director of

Environmental Policy

Monmouth County

Friends of Clearwater