[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HIGHLANDS TRAIL DEDICATION

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 1995
  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to call attention to the dedication 
of the Highlands Trail, which took place May 20 at Echo Lake in West 
Milford, NJ.
  The Highlands are part of an ancient chain of mountains formed of 
Pre-Cambrian rock. This area has been widely recognized for its natural 
resources, especially water, wildlife and recreation, which are of 
great benefit to the dense populations of New Jersey and the New York 
metropolitan area.
  The Highlands Trail is a result of a project initiated in 1993 by the 
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, with technical assistance from 
the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance 
Program. Assisting in the development of this exceptional trail were 
more than three dozen organizations, including the State of New Jersey 
and the counties of Passaic and Warren. All of these organizations are 
to be commended by the Congress for creation of this trail and their 
work to make more accessible to the people of our region a landscape of 
exceptional beauty and wilderness.
  The Highlands area is a landscape of national significance but has 
been described as a hidden jewel in the emerald necklace of the 
Appalachian mountain chain.
  The Highlands Trail is intended as the first of many trails in the 
Highlands region that will eventually be interconnected. When finished, 
the overall trail will stretch 150 miles, from the Hudson River at 
Storm King Mountain, NY, to the Delaware River at Phillipsburg, NJ. 
Marked by rugged slopes, narrow valleys and scenic ridge lines, the 
trail will link more than two dozen county, State and Federal parks, 
forests, historic sites and public open spaces. While the National Park 
Service will provide technical assistance, volunteer trail clubs and 
other community groups will conduct management and maintenance.
  The New Jersey section being opened this weekend is 20 miles long. It 
offers breathtaking views of the Wanaque and Monksville reservoirs 
toward the Manhattan skyline 30 miles away. The route extends to the 
35,000-acre Pequannock watershed wilderness, the source of Newark's 
water supply and home to numerous black bear.
  I congratulate everyone involved in the creation of this magnificent 
trail. I am certain it will play a major role in helping preserve New 
Jersey's scenic outdoor culture for generations to come.


                          ____________________