KEAN: GOVERNOR SHOULD CELEBRATE EARTH DAY BY ACCEPTING PETTY'S ISLAND

Senator Tom Kean, the Senate Republican Leader called upon Governor Corzine to celebrate Earth Day by accepting the donation of Petty's Island as a State Park. Environmentalists have called on the administration -- which has been examining the issue for more than two years -- to accept the donation of the 392-acre island, which is situated in the Delaware River between Camden and Philadelphia.

"I can think of no better way for this administration to reaffirm their commitment to the environment on Earth Day than by accepting the donation of Petty's Island as a State park and wildlife refuge," said Kean. "At a time when dedicated open space monies are dwindling and the administration is suggesting that State parks be closed, the failure of the Governor to accept Petty's Island defies rational explanation."

Media reports indicate that the island's owner has offered the island to the State for free, has agreed to conduct a cleanup of the site and provide a $2 million stewardship fund to the management and maintenance of a park. Plans to redevelop the island have faltered due to the poor conditions in the national housing market.

"The Governor knows that the owners of the island are strictly liable for the cost of any cleanup of contamination on Petty's Island under the provisions of the 'Spill Act, ' so the argument that they will somehow avoid the cost of cleaning the island by donating it simply does not bear up under scrutiny," Kean continued. "For an administration that is spending millions in scarce State resources to build urban parks in Trenton and Paterson, the failure to accept 392 acres of environmentally-sensitive island replete with bald eagles, kestrels and other migratory birds for free shows a stunning lack of leadership."

"The Governor has had over two years to respond to those of us who wish to preserve our natural and historic resources and see Petty's Island preserved. We shouldn't have to wait until Earth Day 2009 to get an honest answer."