Played a key role in the passage of the NJ Highlands Preservation Act, which permanently protects over 150,000 acres of land from Northwest Bergen through Northern Hunterdon Counties from development. The Highlands is the source of drinking water for over 5 million people in New Jersey and water-dependent industries such as "M&Ms, Progresso Soup and Budweiser, as well as the home of over 150 threatened and endangered species. Co-founder of Save NJ Coalition, a coalition comprised of over 50 environmental, labor, housing and land preservation groups that banded together in response to what is arguably the worst piece of NJ legislation ever passed, the "fast track" bill. Coalition efforts to date have led: (1) Governor McGreevey to issue an Executive Order right before leaving office, thereby delaying fast track's implementation for 7 months and allowing more time to fight for its repeal; and 2) 7 Democratic and 14 Republican legislators to introduce a repeal bill. Succeeded in pushing the NJDEP to release long overdue source water assessments for over 600 drinking water supplies. Assessments are posted at www.state.nj.us/dep/swap/creport.htm Developed public support for preserving Petty's Island, home to a pair of nesting Bald Eagles, through grassroots letter writing, petition signing, public hearings, and meetings with public officials. The island is located between Philadelphia and Camden in the Delaware River. The developer is seeking permits for an extensive golf course/hotel/ condominium complex. Succeeded in helping get over 40 NJ mayors to support the long-awaited passage of draft critical habitat rules, which would protect threatened and endangered species habitat from development. Assisted in the passage of the first 2 laws in 30 years that have real potential to limit the influence of special interest money in politics . The first sets up a pilot project to publicly finance a few legislative races in 2005 and 2007. The goal is to have all of these races publicly financed beginning in 2009. The second limits the insidious practices of "pay-to-play" and no bid contracting. Both are a step in the right direction and provide momentum for future action. Secured adoption of the nation's strictest standard for arsenic in drinking water and continue to push for even stricter standards to comply with state law. Continued to stall the transfer of radioactive wastewater from GEMS Landfill to the Delaware River. NJEF's Vote Environment Committee won 9 out of 10 congressional races we endorsed and played a key role in turning out environmental votes in swing Presidential states, like New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Florida. NJEF field and phone canvass was able to reach about 160,000 households, generated over 50,000 new individual members, over 10,000 email alert subscribers, and over 25,000 handwritten letters, phone calls and telewires on water, sprawl and toxics issues.   Playing key role in ongoing effort to procure NJDEP regulations of "unregulated" contaminants in drinking water. As a precautionary public health protection measure, NJEF is urging the installation of special carbon treatment systems at water utilities when certain types of contaminants are detected. Successfully helped the first school district in New Jersey, Red Bank Boro Schools, to switch from using toxic cleaning products to "green" cleaning. Currently, coordinating and expanding this effort with Belmar, Jackson, Stafford, JFK High School in Newark, etc. (see back page for details). Assisting NJ schools reach compliance with the new School IPM law that went into effect June 2004. Assisted NJDEP in the production and implementation of these School IPM regulations and materials. Helped secure passage of important anti-sprawl legislation that enables towns to transfer development rights away from environmentally sensitive areas and into areas without natural resource constraints. Building support for legislation (A-3182/S1759) that will reduce fine particulate or soot pollution from dirty diesel engines by 20%. Organized support for stricter mercury emission standards for NJ incinerators, coal-fired boilers and steel smelters. These rules, adopted in December, reduces the risk of brain damage and impaired development to the offspring of the 1 in 6 NJ women who have blood levels of mercury above acceptable levels. Partnered with the scrap and steel industry in support of (A-2482/S-1292) that mandates the removal of mercury switches from vehicles and makes auto manufacturers pay for removal to disposal. Passed out of the NJ Assembly in November 2004. Prevented aerial spraying of glyphosate for Phragmites control at Cape May Point State Park by enforcing wind drift regulations and homeland security precautions. Developed legislation with bi-partisan legislative sponsors to ban herbicide spraying in state roadside weed control programs. Helped secure $1 billion in new revenue for critical state programs, to deter wrongful acts, and as an issue of fundamental fairness by raising fees and penalties that polluters pay and installing the millionaire?s tax Achieved a major precedent when NJDEP permanently revoked Berlin Well # 12's water allocation permit, the first time NJDEP ever rescinded a well permit because of environmental impacts. Worked with Marlton Lakes Civic Association, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Sierra Club and US Fish & Wildlife Service to mobilize over 300 people to comment on the drawdown effect on nearby Kettle Run Stream's wetlands and the endangered Swamp Pink plant population. Derailed proposal to apply sludge on preserved farms, state lands and urban parks due to the limited nature of testing for contaminants, primarily heavy metals. The proposal expired without adoption due to NJEF's mounted opposition.