The New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council gave the

green light to two redevelopment projects in the Highlands Preservation Area at today’s meeting.

“We believe these projects are precisely what the legislature had in mind when they specified the

type of redevelopment that should be allowed in the Preservation Area,” Acting Chairman Jack

Schrier said.

The first project approved was in Mansfield Township, where Borealis Compounds – a plastic

manufacturing facility – is intending to make a series of upgrades to improve its materials storage

and handling capability. In order to maintain and improve their operations and economic viability,

Borealis is proposing to build a container staging area facility on a portion of a lot off Thomas Road.

In addition, Borealis plans a new building, additional storage silos, and the construction of additional

railroad tracks. The facility is serviced by county roads and an adjacent freight line. The Highlands

Act allows for relief from the Act’s protective standards where redevelopment is proposed to

expand existing disturbed areas. In its consistency determination report, the Council found the

proposed project will require waivers from the 300-foot Highlands Open Waters buffer and the

requirements to protect critical habitat.

The Highlands Council found that the proposed project “enhances and promotes economic

development in the Region,” and that without the ability to expand, Borealis Compounds would be

forced to relocate outside the Highlands Region. Not only would this mean a loss of jobs, but it also

would create a vacant industrial site.