by April H.
Member since:
March 20, 2007

Venezuela gives island to New Jersey as part of an Earth Day gesture

April 23, 2009 06:51 PM EDT
views: 317 | comments: 21

Because I live in NJ this story caught my eye. So I had to further investigate 



Story Highlights

  • Petty's island  is a 300-acre island in the middle of the Delaware River, and it will be given to New Jersey.  ( I thought we already owned it as it is located within 15 minutes from my house; but no it was owned by Venezuela.)
  • You see the Venezuelan-owned Citgo Petroleum Corp. they evidently bought the island quite sometime ago for a fuel storage facility.
  • When the island is ready for visitors in 2020 activities will be limited to hiking and bike riding.
  • Venezuela announced the gift as part of an Earth Day celebration.

 

Yep, it is true that  the governor's office has announced that Venezuela will give a 300-acre island in the Delaware River to the state of New Jersey. 

"Earth Day is a fitting time to consummate the donation of this special place," Corzine said in the news release. "Petty's Island has become an important home to bald eagles, kestrels and a wide variety of waterfowl. We are opening a new chapter in the island's long history by restoring it and giving it back to nature and the people of New Jersey."

 

I am shocked and amazed that Hugo Chavez Venezuelan leader made this gesture yesterday and what's more it will will not occur before 2020 when the transfer will take place.  I think the hold up is that NJDEP needs to make sure that the cleanup goes smoothly.

 

Read more about this in the CNN article here

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/04/23/venezuela.island/index.html

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Comments: 21

sandesh b. Apr 23, 2009, 6:52pm EDT
great news.... informative..
*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle D. Apr 23, 2009, 6:53pm EDT
Give it back. Who needs what Venezuala and Obama's new friend, Chavez has. It's probably toxic.
Meez 3D avatar avatars gamesJoin Eye SpyI hope I don't sound angry.
Teresa A. Apr 23, 2009, 6:54pm EDT
That's very interesting. Who knew?
Kimberly L. Apr 23, 2009, 6:54pm EDT
That's pretty interesting. Of course, they are likely doing this as more of a political gesture after Obama's recent trip down that direction.
Dana W. Apr 23, 2009, 6:54pm EDT
very informing
interesting

much better than oil storage
Lune Wolfsong Apr 23, 2009, 6:57pm EDT
"home to bald eagles, kestrels and a wide variety of waterfowl. We are opening a new chapter in the island's long history by restoring it and giving it back to nature and the people of New Jersey."

That's a nice gesture!
Donna S. Apr 23, 2009, 6:59pm EDT
Thats cool!
Tammy N. Apr 23, 2009, 7:12pm EDT
Very "out of character"... sorry... just not getting that "warm fuzzy"
Mary M. Apr 23, 2009, 7:27pm EDT
Very interesting.
C.L. R. Apr 23, 2009, 7:27pm EDT
Fascinating.
Larry H. Apr 23, 2009, 8:20pm EDT
THANKS FOR SHARING..
Dusty W. Apr 23, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
Argh, now there's going to be MORE Jersey?
Rose H. Apr 23, 2009, 10:09pm EDT
It's all for the birds - how tweet:)
Bad Joke aside - nice gesture.
Elaine S. Apr 24, 2009, 7:39am EDT
That's Great!
costas chrysanthou Apr 24, 2009, 1:24pm EDT
Thanks for the post, the Venezuelan government probably got some kind of favour from Obama, or some thanks at some stage.
Julie Ann Dawson Apr 24, 2009, 6:45pm EDT
"Thanks for the post, the Venezuelan government probably got some kind of favour from Obama, or some thanks at some stage."

Or MAYBE, just MAYBE, when you talk to people civily and with respect, as opposed to accusing them of being an axis of evil and such, they respond in kind.
John S. (arizona) Apr 26, 2009, 12:06am EDT
Oil storage facility.... bet there is some serious clean-up to do. Who is going to pay for that... that's the hang-up I read about earlier. Citgo gives it back, you clean it up?
elizabeth e. Apr 26, 2009, 7:06pm EDT
How do you like that....crazy huh? You never know who owns what till they give it away.
Wil B. Apr 26, 2009, 10:18pm EDT
"Oil storage facility.... bet there is some serious clean-up to do. Who is going to pay for that... that's the hang-up I read about earlier. Citgo gives it back, you clean it up?"

Not according to the news story mentioned in the article:
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection must certify that Citgo's cleanup of the island has met state standards before the title can be transferred, the news release said.

Citgo has agreed to create a $2 million fund to allow the Natural Lands Trust, a state land-preservation board, to manage the island, the release said. The company is setting up another $1 million fund to help establish a cultural and education center.
It looks like Citgo is footing the bill for the clean-up. As they should.
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Oct 19, 2009, 8:47am EDT
That is great.

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