Public divided at Pinelands Commission hearing over Atlantic white cedar restoration plan

The Pinelands Commission’s public comment period on Sept. 11 drew extensive testimony for and against a proposed Atlantic white cedar restoration project in Waterford Township.

Supporters — including professional foresters, local landowners and sawmill operators — urged the commission to approve the first phase of restoration, calling cedar restoration necessary to halt a long‑term decline. “Cedar forests thrive when managed properly,” said caller Wayne Wilson, who identified family ownership of woods in Washington Township. Several speakers with forestry experience said managed harvests and active restoration are the only viable way to regenerate cedar at scale.

Conservation organizations and scientists raised concerns about the project’s proposed methods. Jennifer Kurnas, science director for the Highlands Alliance, and other scientists cautioned about large‑scale herbicide application in amphibian habitat and urged stronger constraints, alternatives and monitoring. The Highlands and Pinelands Alliances and New Jersey Conservation Foundation asked for a separate public hearing and more detailed site‑specific analysis. Emil DeVito of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation urged robust guardrails — fencing, deer management and careful site selection — to prevent past failures from being repeated.

Commission staff and several speakers agreed on some points: Atlantic white cedar has declined from historical levels and active management is one of several tools available. But the public record at this meeting made clear that stakeholders disagree on the scope and methods — especially use of herbicides, protections for existing cedar and the role of deer browse control.

Staff will include oral comments in the executive director’s report and present the application to the commission at a future meeting where commissioners will vote on whether to approve the phase described in the application.