For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100
The New Jersey Water Supply Authority canceled their Thursday hearing on the renewal water permit for Trump’s National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey. The private golf club is located in the middle of the Highlands Preservation Area. The New Jersey Sierra Club opposed the issuing of the original permit under the Christie Administration and submitted opposition on its renewal to the Water Supply Authority. The hearing for Trump National’s water supply contract has been rescheduled to Monday, October 26, 10:00 a.m., with objections due by October 19th.
“The hearing for Trump’s golf course’s water permit has been cancelled. We believe the reason why it’s canceled is because The NJ Sierra Club and others filed an objection. The NJ Water Supply Authority decided to slow the process down instead of pushing it quickly through like they wanted to. They didn’t like to see opposition because they had no reason to approve this permit. The permit will allow the club to pump water from critical C1 streams, impact wetlands, lower groundwater for streams and contaminate this protected area with pesticides and chemicals used to maintain the course. What’s even worse is that the golf club will be receiving subsidized water that will be 90% cheaper than what local residents in Environmental Justice communities will be paying,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Because of public scrutiny, the hearing has been canceled. However, we cannot let Trump continue to use this water because their permits are ready to expire.”
The NJ Sierra Club believes that Trump’s National Golf Club is unable to ensure the sanitary conditions of the sources of water being diverted because of the extensive consumptive use of water, and the extensive use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and other chemicals at the golf club.
“Trump is not off the hook and we will be fighting this golf course every step of the way in order to protect the Highlands and the water supply for millions of people. The NJ Water Supply Authority must deny the Bedminster water permits in order to protect critical streams that provide drinking water for millions of people. The course is pumping well water that will directly impact these C1 streams that have the highest anti degradation standards for streams. The runoff of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals to maintain the course will also impact these streams. This well is right above a water supply intake that is located in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Close to 95% of the water Trump takes evaporates. There will be a depleted use of groundwater and consumption in this area if this golf club receives the water permit,” said Tittel.
This golf course is in the Highlands Preservation Area. This is an environmentally sensitive area that the state legislature set aside to preserve and protect its forests, water, and water supply. This golf course would fundamentally not have been able to be built under the Highlands Act because it goes against the purpose of the Act.
“We should not be giving a private company a discounted contract for water at the sake of the people and Highlands preservation. Trump’s history of environmental degradation and violations for his golf courses should be a red flag to New Jersey. With this contract, they will cause more destruction to critical streams, wetlands, and impact the drinking water for millions of people,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.